Apple’s still got it. In spades.
Apple today revealed the world’s first smart watch and, once Apple Watch hits the market in early 2015, nothing will ever be the same.
In a tour de force exposition of hardware + software engineering prowess, Apple just sent the wannabes scurrying back to their drawing boards. Oh sure, Apple has likely patented much about Apple Watch, but we all know how much that’s worth. Still, as with the iPhone knockoffs, the copycats can only approximate so much; no matter what they do, it’ll never be a real Apple Watch. You can wave it at cashiers and airline gate attendants and nothing’s going to happen until your arm falls off.
Apple Watch, starting at just $349, will be a massive hit. Already in its nascent, first generation form Apple Watch is an object of lust, a compelling design that screams, “Wear me! Everyday and everywhere!” With its rather remarkable Digital Crown and pressure-sensitive Force Touch Retina display, precision engineering, exacting build quality, and pioneering user interface, Apple Watch proves that innovation did not die at Apple when Steve Jobs left us far too early.
with Milanese Loop
Apple Watch is going to change everything. From its unique charging system that combines Apple’s MagSafe technology with inductive charging to it myriad sensors to social functions like Walkie Talkie, Friends, Taps (literally tapping others on the wrist via Apple Watch!), Sketch, Heartbeat, and Smart Replies to its Apple Pay integration to its Taptic feedback to its comprehensive Activity and Workout apps (sorry, Nike+, but buh-bye)… I’ve only just scratched the surface (figuratively, of course, I couldn’t scratch Apple Watch’s sapphire crystal Retina display if I tried).
Along with many millions of people, you are going to want an Apple Watch. All you have to do it touch it and see even a glimpse of what it can do and you’ll be sold.
Apple Watch already does so much, but once third-party developers get a hold of WatchKit and really dig in, the sky’s the limit!
Apple deserves a long standing ovation for Apple Watch. They have now proven definitively that they can still be “Apple,” exacting and demanding, without Steve Jobs shepherding over them. Tim Cook has proven his leadership to the world.
The Apple Watch is going to be a massive hit that sells millions upon millions of units.
SteveJack is a long-time Macintosh user, former web designer, multimedia producer and a regular contributor to the MacDailyNews Opinion section.
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I tried giving up a watch about 5 years ago. Largely because I *destroy* watches. I’ve destroyed $500 watches as well as $10 watches. The Casio G-Shock I’m currently wearing is ugly, but it’s the only watch that I’ve had that has lasted me longer than a year of continuous use. At $350, I think I’ll wait a year and see how these things hold up and whether all the health-related stuff is really worth it.
Just some observations:
1. After hearing everyone bitch about how the Galaxy Gear watch had to be paired with a Note, I’m surprised there isn’t more bitching about the requirement of an iPhone (then again, I can’t imagine anyone buying this watch that doesn’t already have an iPhone; but still, I thought there would be more complaining about this).
2. The rumor mill was in hyperdrive again. As usual, the final product does quite a bit less than the rumors suggested it would (e.g., expected more health sensors, oh well).
3. Apple TV remote is a nice (and should have been expected on my part) feature. Will be interesting to see how home automation pans out.
4. Missed the part about how water resistant it is. Also, battery life?
5. Price is probably a little too high. Then again, I paid $500 for an iPod back in the day (and I don’t even listen to *that* much music).
6. No iTunes via Bluetooth for runners? Am I missing this feature? Seems like the watch would be a perfect companion for runners who aren’t dragging their phone along with them.
7. I didn’t think that much of the iPod when it first arrived. Even as a constant watch-wearer, I’m not that hot on this product. However, the rest of the world probably has a better track record of accepting Apple products than I, so this might be a big hit. That would surprise me, however. Somehow, I don’t think this is going to affect Apple’s bottom line as much as their past several product lines. However, I’m usually wrong about such guesses.
The deal breaker is this. I can use my Seiko ‘Orange
Monster’ in bright sunlight. How good is the legibility
of Apple Watch in daylight?
I like it and I want one. It would have been nice to have it available for the holidays, they would have sold millions. What a cool gift. But I’m happy it’s finally here. I’ve been wanting a new watch for a while now, and I’m glad I waited.
This looks likes direct Apple PR quote.
Tim’s MO appears to be announce new products that can not be purchased for the key buying season. This pre announcement is to close to how Microsoft does business. Also I have purchased a tone of Apples products since my IIc in 1984, and this is the first time I have seen a product and said to myself nope not at that price.
The supply chain leaks like a sieve, there is no chance of making this in the millions without the bits being shown all over the internet.
As per the first iPhone, the technology is 2-3years ahead of anyone and the entry price is going to scare off all but the biggest competion
Anyway
, like amy purchase its a free choice, if it as little value to you then you wont buy it. A fact that wont’t exactly change te world. But, this is day 1 and before its released there may be a range of apps that you find make it worth the money – health, comms, fitness etc, Early days
This isn’t just a watch, it’s whole jewelry line. Go to their website and see all the variations. The gold one probably going to set you back a few thousand, and wealthy individuals are most likely going to collect many of them. This is a cash cow.
There is going to be a big market for gold lacquer paint foe all those with a need for bling and unable to afford the $1000’s
Also, It’s important to realize that this is a t new line for Apple, and unlike the iPhone than cannibalized the iPod, and the IPad that cannibalized the laptop, this takes nothing from existing lines. Unlike phones and tablets, people collect watches, so the probability of multiple purchases is high.
I would think this watch would put yet another nail in the iPod line of products due to its similar size and portability compared to a phone.
I think there’s a lot of thumbs down Samsung trolls here today
And a few pro iOS peeps that can’t take another opinion w/o downvoting it. 😛 Just saying, if you have an iphone and are considering an ipod for use while running, or any other hard activity where the iPhone would be too bulky, an iWatch is now an option.
…it’s whole jewelry line
Exactly! The bands are multitudinous and easily slip on and off for a reason:
– What COLOR do I want today?
– What STYLE do I want today?
I think there were some outright suicides at Samsung today. Their ‘Gear’ gear got clobbered 6 feet under. Haha!
I’m old enough to think that if this thing can monitor my pulse and blood pressure and then give me two minutes warning of a pending heart attack, it will be worth its weight in gold.
Or maybe advise me that I’m too tired to continue driving……
That would be a key selling point and sell millions, but they didn’t mention that functionality. I’m wondering if many features where not revealed because of pending FDA approval.
Maybe production and engineering wasn’t quite ready, but I am also convinced that they wanted to build a smaller batch of initial watches in a controlled manufacturing environment, with smaller domestic partners close to Apple. That was the only way to keep it reasonably secret and to let Apple be the first one to show it today. As soon as Apple would have involved the major manufacturing partners in China for volume manufacturing, leaks would have been all over the place weeks before today’s announcement.
I didn’t get a chance yet to watch the presentation, but I was following the live blogs and follow up stories all day. The first thing I will say is that the watch looks gorgeous. Not sure what I was expecting exactly, but this is better. The ability to change and customize these is going to be a lot of fun. This is the square iPod nano reborn, but better.
As for it “needing” an iPhone for functionality, why does this surprise anyone? I would never have expected apple to make a 1/8 sized device that retained all the functionality of an iPhone.
I do see one huge oversight and one annoying oversight:
1. No GPS on board the watch is ridiculous. This is an ideal device for runners, but now they will need it in addition to their iPhone. Why not add in a GPS chip?!?!? This is one of the few stand alone functions that is definitely missing.
2. A FaceTime camera seems like a no-brainer. FaceTime on the wrist would be convenient and fun. Hardly a deal breaker, but I’m sure we’ll see it in a future device.
Overall though, I’m sold. I’ll be snagging mine when they’re ready. This is coming from someone who hasn’t worn a watch In over a decade.
I am assuming that GPS would be a battery drain. FaceTime on the watch would be tiring to hold your arm up while twisting you wrist. Better to emoji with animation.
Milanese Loop: I can’t take my eyes off must have too elegant for my watch magnetic clasp profoundly brilliant frosting on the Apple Watch cake want one now now now
R U turning into a fashionista. Intriguing turn of events for a poet of the macabre
I think I’m having too much fun. That’s the problem.
I have a wonderful friend in CA who is a very imaginative artist. I often fantasize of having enough cash to have her be my personal clothes designer / dresser. Her tastes are wild and joyful. We know each other through a Japanese technopop interest group (specific to the YMO Family) I ran at Yahoo.
It’s so nice to see your smile, dear goddess!
“…once Apple Watch hits the market…”
Says it all. Are people expected to leave an IOU under the tree this year? Buy it early next year when they’re so flush with cash after the holidays?
“…nothing will ever be the same…”
You people really have been snorting the pixie dust, haven’t you? Things will be exactly the same – Wall Street YAWNS.
Why leave an IOU when you can leave an Apple Store gift card?
Things will be exactly the same except it will be faster, simpler, more secure, and more fun. So yeah, other than those things exactly the same.
Is this guy living in another world. “the worlds first real smart watch” Apple are one of the latest entry into this market, their watch looks like a Samsung Gear, is not the best looking watch, ugly really and does not contain much that is new. It’s battery life will render a lot of features unusable and lack of GPS makes it ineffective as a sports watch.
I am not saying another watch is better, or setting new standards, except the Motorola 360 is the best looking so far. However, the Apple Watch is not a genre defining watch at all.
For me the Moto 360 and the aWatch have the same problem: They look too thick to be stylish.
I do think Apple has the advantage in this space over the run of the mill Gear maker. The ecosystem is much tighter and the developers will make more money, which will drive new apps with new use cases.
For me the chief use cases are mobile payments, identity management, media I already own and seamless remote integration with other Apple products, fitness, glance-able weather that doesn’t require me to pull out my phone, and notifications.
Following that I hope to see more HomeKit, HealthKit, and Carplay Applications when the developers start cranking out the third party stuff no one has thought of,
Thank you sir. I felt on my butt when I read this article. What a bunch of glorifying sentences for a piece of nothing new…
And I felt even lower when I read most of the comments… can apple fans really be so blind ?
Then I read your message. Like a ray of lucidity in all that stupidity.
I’m never gonna buy this poece if Hardware for replacemnt of my Rolex & Hubolt,
When it comes to watches Mechanichal are class & things you really need.
I’m not convinced yet. The design looks like Swatch & iPod had a baby. The homescreen is messy with all those little icons and the crown is a big nono for me.You have to bend your wrist a little to be able to use it properly. And unless you’re a teenager, doodling and drawing smileys on a watch is really immature, especially if the battery holds out merely a day. And I wouldn’t consider this the first real smartwatch, but it will be a hit ofcourse.