“Apple is reportedly experimenting with wristwatches made of curved glass, a project that could add another profitable product to the company’s iOS arsenal,” Thomas Claburn writes for InformationWeek. “Understandable as it may be that the tech industry would like to see wearable devices follow the same explosive growth trajectory as the mobile market experienced over the last six years, Apple, Google and other companies in this space have yet to demonstrate there’s any mass-market value to buckling, strapping, mounting or otherwise attaching small, Internet-aware computers to one’s body.”
“There is certainly niche-market value: The Nike + iPod sensor, the Nike Fuelband and other activity-tracking gadgets like the Jawbone UP wristband are loved by some,” Claburn writes. “But these specialized gizmos will never have the broad impact of the iPhone.”
7 Reasons An iWatch Won’t Fly
1. Subscription Fees
2. Battery Life
3. Sensors Don’t Matter
4. Everything Watches Can Do, Phones Can Do Better
5. Notifications Are The New Spam
6. NFC Isn’t A Point of Differentiation
7. Cost
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: This world gets stupider with each passing day.
Tommy, a word of advice: Wait for Apple to actually release something first before you start your silly lists.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dangerfrogg” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
Patent application reveals Apple secretly developing wearable computing platform – February 12, 2013
Morgan Stanley: Apple iWatch, iTV could generate additional $80 billion annually – February 12, 2013
With ‘iWatch,’ Apple could turn wearable devices into next big thing – February 12, 2013
Why Apple is working on ‘iWatch,’ not ‘iGlasses’ – February 11, 2013
WSJ: Apple testing ‘iWatch’ device – February 11, 2013
iWatch: Apple developing curved-glass smart watch, sources say – February 11, 2013
Tog: The iWatch will fill a gaping hole in the Apple ecosystem – February 7, 2013
Why Apple should hang-up on the iPhone, iWear is next – January 6, 2013
Analyst sees wearable computers from Apple as future replacement for iPhone – January 2, 2013
Apple and Intel secretly building Bluetooth smartwatch that connects to your iOS devices, say sources – December 27, 2012
Apple patent application details display-integrated cellular antennas – May 6, 2012
Apple patent app details next-gen microstrip cellular antenna for future MacBooks, iWatch and beyond – October 25, 2011
8. No wings
very clever
#4….you would look pretty stupid strapping an iPhone to your wrist 🙂
#1 Reason:
If Apple is stupid enough (they aren’t) to be building a watch, they deserve to fail. What a waste of talent.
It won’t be a friggin’ watch. Stop calling it iWatch!
Call it iWrist, makes more sense, if that is where it will be worn.
Honestly!
“Call it iWrist, makes more sense, if that is where it will be worn.”
Just like the iHand, iDesk, iShelf, and iLap?
man you’re the next, Stiff Gobs of Peach Inc.
i tot they make iLamp – whats a iLap sounds cool
yeah call it the iRIS — the cam for your wrist
let goo-goo-balls on stage singing, “yes, i want the world” to see me” while Warren Beatty dressed in his Dick Tracey outfit demonstrates the pico projector augmenting his virtuosity.
iRIS – yeah Apples new Device cool
How many said the same things about the iPhone in the past? How about the iPad? According to many, both of those products couldn’t possibly do well.
Exactly. Good to see everyone hasn’t lost their memory. Besides, Apple always delivers a twist no one saw coming. How about this: wristwatches aren’t needed much any more. But they still sell well because they are personal, fashionable accessories. Sound familiar?
If Apple is looking into it, it must have some merit. Perhaps it would be a marketable idea? Perhaps not? But Apple has to look into new ideas even if they didn’t think of them first. You can’t let your competition do R and D into something new and suddenly find your self way behind the curve. Apple, Google, Microsoft and others always have to devote some of their energy into areas that have questionable results. It’s just part of business. But I still wear a watch so the idea is not out of the question for me. Besides, if Apple makes it they will make it fashionable enough that all the twenty somethings will be buying them left and right. If Apple does it they generally do it right. I’m game. Bring it on!
Yup. R&D is the key.
Bingo, you are absolutely right.
All these folks negativity actually fuels Apple to excel beyond expectations. Challenges are good, and that is why iWatch will be successful.
You for one…
“Wearable computers may come yet but they will likely be our iPhones and just have some new interface (like glasses or a watch band or projector) but these interfaces are usually not very private or are garish to wear or not very convenient. I don’t want to talk to my wearable computer in public because many of the things I might do are not for the public to hear or see. A wrist worn device is not a very usable location for many things I might do with it. It can only be used by one hand, It is awkward to hold to one’s ear, talking to your wrist is awkward, controlling where it projects is difficult. I just don’t see it as viable.”
Read more at http://macdailynews.com/2013/03/12/apples-iwatch-will-measure-far-more-than-time/#GIQ7mhJJFq7OPbVw.99
You put forth a very well reasoned argument and I completely agree. I can only hope that a wearable device can be privately used and not annoy those people nearby. Maybe a Bluetooth headset would help it but . . .
Yeah? Well don’t hurt yourself patting yourself on the back. We know how difficult can be for you to raise your wrist to your ear.
It can only be used by one hand, It is awkward to hold to one’s ear, talking to your wrist is awkward, controlling where it projects is difficult. I just don’t see it as viable.”
You stated, I don’t want to talk to my wearable computer in public because many of the things I might do are not for the public to hear or see.
I gather you don’t use your phone in public, or have ever worn earbuds?
Perhaps an iWatch is not in your future, if you can’t adapt to one.
I think that good technology has to adapt to the user and not the other way around. Apple has lead the way in showing the industry how to create very usable intuitive technology.
“I think that good technology has to adapt to the user and not the other way around.”
I’m not arguing that point. However, Everything Apple makes is one-size-fits-all and we have to make concessions and compromises on our Apple purchases.
No matter how intuitive a Mac Pro might appear I can’t adapt to the price.
You won’t adapt to an iWatch because you might have have to raise your wrist while speaking into it, and because using it in a public might violate your privacy.
I predict an iWatch will be terrific technology to which humans will adapt very quickly.
I think Apple has the best chance of making it usable.
Do you even know where you are? You’re conversing in a post that is more than a year old. February 2013.
I ical’d this thread. I didn’t put forth any argument. You’re reading your own words and congratulating yourself on your own argument.
maroon.
Yes. I figured that out. I did present it well, didn’t I? Now, if you just knew what a maroon was.
Wikipedia:
Maroon (/məruːn/ mə-roon or /məroʊn/ mə-rone) is a dark brownish-red color, which takes its name from the French word marron, or chestnut. The Oxford English Dictionary describes it as “a brownish crimson or claret color.” In the RGB model used to create colors on computer screens and televisions, maroon is created by turning down the brightness of red by about half.
Not a big Bugs Bunny are you? Maroon.
I suppose that you are Elmer Fudd? Foghorn Leghorn? Sylvester? Just a plain old moron?
Bug Bunny used the term Maroon for those he thought were simple Bozos.
Please remember, he didn’t mean you when he said that and also, it was just a cartoon. Try to get over your hurt and live with joy and happiness.
moron.
I am ‘more on’ the mark than you believe yourself to be. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You are OK with the brains you have.
iCal this fool.
Tommy – if you are a click-whore you need to have some semblance of truth in you opinion. Sensors don’t matter? Really? REALLY?
I think it must be that fact that the unannounced iWatch won’t fly that Apple’s stock price is down $10 today.
because of NUMBER 8… no wings
I wonder if Thomas Claburn wrote the same thing about the iPhone before it was ever announced: “What does Apple know about telecom? It’s a stupid idea and they’re going to lose their shirts…” Or something like that, right?
The only thing meaningful there is #2. Be interesting to see how Apple solves that one.
You’re right about this unfortunately. I hope there is some sort of killer built in solar cell that helps extend battery life. As to all those that think that wristwatches are passé, well, as any legman can tell you, ladies hemlines rise and fall as the years go by… for better and worse.
Go apple!
because the i’m Watch also isn’t selling well either
The i’m watch is ridiculously expensive and doesn’t bring much to the table. I will own a Pebble shortly. If anyone wants to buy it off me when the Apple iWatch comes out, hit me up.
Smart watches will sell great. But they are going to be about DESIGN. They will be fashion statements. Some folks may buy more than one for different functions like formal and sports ones. The biggest failings with the one’s out so far, besides what they are lacking in function is that they look terrible. Who but a 9 year old would wear the Pebble? The “I’m Watch” looks ridiculous even on the air-brushed models in their press shots.
The fact that these gadgets will double as fashion shouldn’t be minimized. That will be all of these devices Achilles heel.
You are right, they will sell well to 9 year olds and Dick Tracy fans. Wherever cool is everything and practicality irrelevant.
Hey NumbNuts:
1. Subscription Fees—There won’t be any.
2. Battery Life—It’ll use the iPhone for heavy lifting.
3. Sensors Don’t Matter—Riiiiight.
4. Everything Watches Can Do, Phones Can Do Better—So connect them.
5. Notifications Are The New Spam—You don’t want notifications? Fine. Literally. Go fine tune them.
6. NFC Isn’t A Point of Differentiation—No. iPhone and iOS are.
7. Cost—Riiight. $300 for an iPod? Forget about… oh, people bought them? Oh, they bought a lot? Seriously? Oh, it actually became it’s own thing? Like it defined a new product category? Dang. Then–really?–it developed into the new realms of iPhone and iPad? Wow. Okay, forget about cost as an issue…
Seriously. What a maroon.
I wear or mount an iPhone to my belt daily and this cound be counted as an Internet aware device. Plus, it has sold tens of millions! Now, the market has gladly accepted the iPhone as an internet aware device with millions replacing the watch with the iPhone. I bet the same person would have bet the watch would never be replaced by a mobile phone. If Apple does come out with a watch, it would carry unique traits that would enable it fill a need that is not yet identified.
Just another article to fill the void of not knowning and slumping readership.
Look at how “poorly” the Pebblewatch did
and…
well look how Sony cornered the market for years with WALKMAN and Apple destroyed it with iPOD.
Tony, can you post a “10 reasons why superman should not get US citizenship”?
or 10 reasons why it is ok to kill unicorns?
1. Because trees do not grow straight.
2. Orange is difficult to rhyme.
The other eight are of course insignificant!
Oh come on — Oranges rhymes with Poranges
I forgot.
I credit that show among others for making me the twisted freak I am today!
i am ashamed but agree this is why I too am so muppetized.
LOL
Give it up, Tommy. Try writing for Vulture, or Vogue: “10 Reasons why Jane Lynch’s cruel coach in Glee is the new Simon Cowell”
Reader’s Digest version of this article:
Why iWatch won’t fly:
Because Samsung pays me to say it won’t.
—30—
7 Reasons Thomas Claburn should not have kids… 😉
Honestly, I agree with a lot of what this guy says. However, Apple might not make an iWatch as “smart” as everybody assumes. A thin, light watch, with weather data might be enough. Apple isn’t just a computer company. They are a technology company. Mansfield and his team are capable of creating the absolutely best hardware.
Services is another area where Apple needs to improve. I’d love to see a search engine that cuts out Google and protects privacy.
Don’t like this article, just wait. Apple has a long history of doubters. Before and then especially after each new product: iMac, no floppy, iPod, only 5 gig, iPhone, don’t know telecom, iPad, who needs it Microsoft failed at this 10 years ago, just to name a few of the plethora of pontificated opinions put forth by the wise.
Why editors and publishers continue to ask the same know nothing opinunators to cast bones over Apple’s future seems befuddling. Oh it sells, problem solved. That the public cares not wether any of it is correct, even better. Column inches can be filled with whatever sells without regard to, truth or validity. Hooray.
I happen to think based on how little we know about this future product that it will be a huge success. As an iPhone extension/accessory I can see massive opportunity. As a standalone I wonder how it fits in such a small package. But that’s for Apple to figure out and for me to marvel at. You know if it doesn’t do tv Apple will be slammed. Don’t imagine that all the cool things I think it could do will make it in version 1 or even 2. Think find my phone or don’t let me leave my phone, Siri integration with keyword wizards, motion detection, combine NFC with internet so that before I purchase items I see discounts, payment options and my balances. As always, I’m looking forward to the future.
Since there is no watch, your list means nothing and makes you look really stupid Tommy.
AFIB
We’ve heard all this before, and it usually ends the same way. We can’t imagine why we’d want such a thing, and after it arrives and we start using it, we can’t imagine being without it.
I’ve fallen victim myself, more than once, so I’ll just wait to see what Apple actually produces. I haven’t worn a watch for years, but I might start again if a beautiful wrist iOS device communicated with the iPhone in my pocket to provide configurable output I could just glance at.
In additional to the normal time/weather display, pop-up Notifications, call alerts, perhaps holding my wrist up to my ear to take a call, I can imagine lots of useful stuff my iPhone does daily/continuously that a new wrist accessory could display. The power requirement really precludes it being a stand-alone device, or a video phone, but as an iPhone accessory it could really rock.
Serious Analcysts analyze rumorware! 😆
If Apple makes it, all it has to do is tell the time and millions will be bought because it looks so damn cool and works so well. Of course it will do more, so no worries mate… everything will be alright.
every time apple is about to introduce a new toy everbody starts saying it is going to flop BUT they become best sellers in short time.
Remember the 1st iPhone in 2007, the ipad in 2010, ipad mini last year?
Does anyone even wear watches anymore?