Apple Watch, the world’s first real smartwatch, will be a massive hit

By SteveJack

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.

Apple Watch in 42mm Stainless Steel Case with Milanese Loop
Apple Watch in 42mm Stainless Steel Case
with Milanese Loop
Initially, with six Apple watch straps, two sizes of Apple Watch cases, and three distinct collections – Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition – there will be a desirable combination and fashion statement for everyone. And, wow, are they gorgeous! And useful; more useful than most people yet realize.

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).

Apple Watch
On the back of Apple Watch’s case, a ceramic cover with sapphire lenses protects a specially designed sensor that uses infrared and visible-light LEDs and photodiodes to detect your heart rate. Apple Watch uses this sensor, along with an accelerometer and the GPS and Wi‑Fi in your iPhone, to measure myriad types of physical movement.
The User Interface offered by Apple Watch is unmatched. Only Apple seems be able to muster the in-depth, sustained focus required to accomplish such natural, innovative, years-in-the-making UIs. The stupidwatches currently on the market were rendered even more anachronistic dead ends today. If you have one of these wastes of time: Sell it. Get as much as you can for that piece of junk, make room on your wrist, and get ready for the world’s first real smartwatch: Apple Watch.

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.

MacDailyNews Note:

Related articles:
Why would anyone buy an iPhone 5c instead of an iPhone 5s? – September 10, 2013
Why I’ll be buying an Apple iPad – along with millions of others – January 27, 2010
Apple’s App Store makes me want to cry – July 10, 2008
Is Apple building ‘The Device?’ – December 10, 2002

111 Comments

        1. Yes I was wondering if it would matter which would be above the other so that its reversible, when someone without thought simply claimed that they didn’t care about lefties. Clearly Apple has decided that it works perfectly well either way and I can’t see any reason why it would not.

      1. why are you like this – whats your skin in the game – are you just a little boy that doesn’t really get it?

        I wish you progress as you grow older and as you see the truth – really – I have hopes… not that high but some hopes for you.

        1. which means after the novelty of this item has worn off, those buyers will eventually throw this thing in a drawer somewhere, muttering, “I don’t want this thing on my wrist. I don’t want to recharge this thing every night. What the hell am I jackin’ with this when I already carry my iPhone?”

        2. Which is why you want a glance at your watch in a business meeting and not pulling out your iPhone or iPad.

          Don’t kill deals by acting like a schmuck!

          We do want a comment from a sidekick in some of those meetings, though, so AppleWatch has a great value beyond its price.

          Paying with your watch, now that will be absolutely a godsend.

        3. Well botvinnick, you’re just like a seagull, yore either squeaking pr shitting, why not not change your name to bitchvinnick, nothing’s good enough for you, troll of trolls.

    1. Seems like the main reasons for pairing is to use the iPhone’s GPS & LTE – which the iPod touch does not have.

      Maybe an OS update could allow it to pair with iPods for WiFi, for those without data plans. Or a future version of Apple Watch could just have WiFi built in. I doubt they will make a watch with LTE & GPS though – that’s unpractical for a couple of reasons.

  1. I agree wholeheartedly. I’ve always wore a watch, even though I have my iPhone with me 24/7. I’ll never buy another after I get an apple watch, unless it’s another apple watch. I believe even non-watch wearers will want to wear an apple watch!!

    1. Apple needs a larger base of iPhone 6 and 6+ built before putting the Apple Watch on the market. They want more new adopters, not just the legacy iPhone 5, 5C, and 5S base to build on because most of them, who are not going to be new product movers, are less likely to buy the watch. Those who MOVE to a new iPhone 6 from any of the fives are more likely Apple Watch buyers.

  2. Huge Apple fan, but I’m not sure about this thing. It’s clearly beautiful, elegant, and a master of engineering.

    It’s also bulky, expensive, and redundant. It must be used with an iPhone, and even though it has watch-specific versions of many apps, the more fully-featured apps are sitting in my pocket. Is it really better to have a dumbed-down version of these apps on my wrist vs. the full-featured one in my pocket? The phone is always with me anyway, so I don’t quite know (yet) what AppleWatch solves. It doesn’t even work as a standalone fitness tracker. It’ll get you steps and heart rate, but if you want to know how far you ran (for example), you still need the phone. And because it has to charge at night, you can’t use it as a sleep tracker (which would have been truly great).

    As with most first generation Apple products, the AppleWatch is underwhelming and expensive, and like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, could be really amazing in 2 or 3 years–especially once Apple and third-party developers figure out the “killer app” for the watch. But for now, it doesn’t strike me as a must-buy.

    1. You might have said this about the new 2007 iPhone, especially priced at $600. But I wouldn’t have missed that for the world either. Count me in for an watch.

      I wonder if anyone’s clued into the fact Apple for the first time in a long time is not using an ‘i” before the device name? Could the pad, phone, tv and pod, etc. be far behind?

    2. You’re right about first gen products not being the best. But you miss a lot of points with this one:
      iPhone doesn’t have the sensors to check your heart rate. You have to look at it for “turn left/right” guidance instead of getting different buzzes; iPhone doesn’t have “walkie talkie” mode; iPhone doesn’t track total body movement; you have to take your iPhone out to silence a call instead of just covering it with your hand.
      It doesn’t HAVE to charge at night. Charge it in the evening and when someone brings out a sleep tracker, wear it at night too.
      It’s going to be worth looking at when it’s released next year.

      1. Uh, you don’t have to look at your iPhone for turn-by-turn direction, it speaks them to you. But the Apple Watch’s silent tap code for left and right turns when walking will seem like magic to your companions on walks. You’ll always know how to get somewhere.

    3. I agree with you. After watching all of the videos I can’t really see the usefulness of this device. Great engineering and design work, no doubt. However, I think this one will prove to be fad that will fade out after about six months.

      Proud owner of iMac, MacBook Pro, iPad 4, iPhone 5, iPod Nano.

    4. Invicta watches, which sell like hot cakes for prices ranging from $80 to $1500, are as large as 52-54 mm in diameter and almost 18 mm thick, before you add the crown. The Apple Watch at 42 mm X 36 mm and ~13 mm thick is small. The Stührling Meteorite Turbillon watch I wear daily is 44 mm in diameter and 14 mm thick. Yes, you can get thinner and smaller watches, but you pay a lot for small limited function. The Samsung Gear S watch is going to be 39 mm X 61 mm X ~11 mm, that’s a beheamouth. It looks like a wrist weight mated with Dick Tracy’s Wrist TV.

  3. It’s lightyears ahead of what the competition is churning out, but I can’t help but wonder if it doesn’t go far enough. I mean, what is the great problem that this is solving? What great interface need does this satisfy? Maybe that will become clear when it is released, or in the future generations when new technologies become available.

    For right now, though, I cannot help but feel that this will just be a cool accessory and not much else. Hopefully I am wrong. Hopefully there is something that I’m not seeing with this, or something that Apple hasn’t yet.

        1. I’ll second Predrag’s question: Didn’t you watch the presentation? Agreeing with MDN (and most others), this is truly an amazing piece of beauty and engineering. However, to repeat what I said elsewhere:
          “I heard nothing about the Watch camera! Oh… Sorry. That’s the Watch 2, I’m thinking about. Can’t do a Dick Tracy thing (look it up, latecomers) without a camera! As with the original iPad, there is wisdom in waiting for the second release.”

      1. Russ, I completely agree. I had also thought of that. In many cases, they may not even have to glance at their wrist either.
        On the other hand, I am making the assumption that Apple has some way to turn off ALL Watch notifications for those times when we really don’t want to be notified of anything at all. If not, there’ll be a bunch of lost watches after those people are forced to take them off! So… I’m sure there’s an off switch for all taps and other notifications. (Not really sure, but just talking that way.)

  4. Don’t know, will have to hold one first. This looks like it’ll be obsolete every two years. That a lot of money to keep spending. The $199.00 mark was the max of my pain threshold. I’m still using the watch my wife gave me at graduation so I guess I’m not the market.

  5. Wow Apple nailed it with the Watch. I was worried that they would make a round watch face which I think would of been a waste of screen space as the Moto360 only has a very small usable screen with the round face.

    I guess the Scumsung fans will hate the Apple watch because it doesn’t lag and doesn’t have ugly screws on the face lol. WTG Apple you just shat on the competition from a great hight.

    I Love the UI btw utter class Apple, utter class.

  6. SteveJack is back, yes that’s the sort of reviews we’ll be reading once the Apple Watch gets out there, too bad it won’t be in time for Christmas it would have been a bonanza.

    Great job Apple, finally some facts for the jouranalists to muse over. Let’s plunge that stock for a bit and sell millions of them like hot cakes.

  7. just went through some ‘hands on demo’ videos.

    The fact that you can change the Clock face: different shapes colours, customize them etc makes it more interesting than you first think (some are really attractive) . There’s a lot of thought put into making it easy to navigate the small screen. Looks really promising.

    the 349 price is cheap comparing to other ‘designer’ watches and those are so limited.

    as for the naysayers think of comments they made of the iPhone in 2007…

  8. A few months ago, I posted here what was wrong with all the existing “smart” watches. I compared them to the way smartphones were, before iPhone, and the fact that Apple’s competitors do not want to take risk, and be truly innovative (even if they had the ability).

    Before iPhone, the popular smartphones used a scaled-down PC interface, complete with tiny keyboard and a stylus for pointing instead of a mouse. “Innovation” to Apple’s competition is taking something that is already successful and “morphing” it, without fully considering usability. It’s just another form of copying…

    Before Apple Watch, the existing attempts at a smart watch were mostly the equivalent (lack of) “innovation.” They took the wildly successful iPhone touch-based interface and scaled it down to fit on a wristwatch, again without fully considering usability. Copying iPhone yet again…

    Apple’s true INNOVATION and RISK-taking are on full display with Apple Watch. The combination of Digital Crown, pressure sensitive touch display, and “haptic” feedback creates an entirely new interface, one that is optimized for a device that is worn as a wristwatch. Apple did NOT copy Mac and put it on iPhone. Apple did NOT copy iPhone and put it on Apple Watch.

    The other point is how Apple Watch interacts with iPhone. Apple Watch can do many of the things that were demonstrated, because it is linked to an iPhone. iPhone provides the Internet connection. iPhone provides the primary local data storage for the apps you use. iPhone provides the processing horsepower; that demonstration of using Siri to talk to Apple Watch works because iPhone is processing what you said (not Apple Watch).

    The design philosophy for Apple Watch is to NOT replicate what iPhone does already. Focus on other things that go beyond iPhone. So, there is no camera on Apple Watch, because if you want to take a photo or video, just pull out iPhone. There is no general web-surfing on Apple Watch… Etc. Apple Watch is not replacing iPhone.

    Instead, what’s REALLY happening here – Apple Watch lets iPhone do things it could not do before, and makes being an iPhone customer into a better experience. And if even 10% of iPhone (5 and later) customers buy an Apple Watch to enhance their iPhone experience, it will be a HUGE success. But I think it will be MUCH higher than just 10%. 🙂

    1. The reality is that Amazon and Samdung are firing in all directions and dont have the R&D resources to focus on one specific device. So instead they have to let Apple set the agenda and then copy the solution as best they can without getting their ass kicked in the courts for too much money.

  9. Well looks really good and really well made. In regards to it being expensive really its actually reasonable price. if its £300 or £350 here in the UK for a watch braun make more expensive watches

  10. All of the health monitoring hires were for this?

    Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t really expect glucose monitoring until the last few weeks when it was being mentioned *everywhere*, but I certainly expected more than just heart rate. Not sure how big a hurry I’ll be in now to even check it out. (Diabetic wife – I would have bought on release date if it had anything that might be useful to her.)

    Semi-expected, but disappointing to me for this one reason only.

    Otherwise looks very nifty!

    1. Cook said at the very end that the feature list of stuff they didn’t have time to show was a mile long. I suspect there is a whole lot that they have not revealed/got working just yet, because, yeah, they did hire a lot of health-related people.

  11. Developers are going to drive waves of adoption for generations of this mobile device, just as they did for the modern smartphone invented by Apple.

    Because I saw no need for one, I didn’t acquire a smartphone until I was given an iPhone 3GS. Developers were responsible for changing my individual set of needs—by presenting solutions to problems I’d been oblivious to.

    Once, I carried pens and a Day-Timer with me. I’d consult it all day long for my appointments, contact information, post-its with shopping lists and jotted notes as to where I’d parked my car. The iPhone replaced all that inefficient jumble. With Maps, I became less frequently disoriented (alright, lost). And so on.

    The Apple Watch is another such mutable device whose hidden essence is the private value it issues to its owner, through tailoring enabled by clever Developers.

    (Ballmer translation: Developers, developers, developers, developers!)

        1. K, I’ll do my goodest: “I ain’t no jeanyes with makin’ up purdy words ‘n such, but I shore like reedin’ em when Hannah rights ’em coz there so pointy and makes my ears tingle, so spose best thing is to sit by and wait for her to develop ‘ers.” Their–I worked in a forth won.

  12. I gave up wearing a watch when I bought the iPhone ( 1st gen) and it will be interesting to see if this would change my mind.
    As an “old fart” it will probably be the health apps/ abilities that will be the decider. For younger folk it will be the fancy messaging and silent communicating with friends etc.
    The Gen 2 version with a camera for Face-Time hand-offs from iPhone will be the future Killer App.

    1. I gave up wearing a watch seven years ago when I got my first iPhone. But three years ago, I started wearing a watch again because I got tired of having to dig my iPhone out of my pocket, often pulling a pen or two caught on the phone, merely to check the time. I’ve found it is also irritating to have to dig it out to see the alerts and text messages. The Apple Watch would solve that problem.

  13. When carriers are able to offer an Apple watch iphone combo purchase it will be a home run!
    For $50 extra and a little more each month you walk out of the store with both each one driving sales of the other!
    Sweet! Frenzy induciing!
    In the meantime before sales start the amazing apps will push the debaters over the edge!
    Early 2015 when they go on sale during what is a retail slump period is gonna be hot in “Apple City”!

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

    1. 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

  17. 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.

    1. 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.

        1. 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.

    2. …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!

  18. 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……

    1. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

      1. 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!

  21. “…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.

    1. 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.

  22. 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.

    1. 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,

    2. 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.

  23. 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.

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