“The March 9 Apple Watch event looms large,” Brian Sozzi writes for TheStreet. “There are two issues out there regarding this tech gadget: old people in financial services don’t get the Apple Watch while tech beat writers don’t get investing.”
“The old folks in the finance industry think the Apple Watch is just a watch with a battery and multiple cheap foreign-made straps and don’t comprehend the likely profound impact of society’s embrace of this thing,” Sozzi writes. “So what do they do? They downplay its impact to Apple’s overall valuation and miss out on the litany of derivative opportunities from the establishment of the Apple Watch ecosystem.”
“The young, eager-to-grab-a-click tech writers who live for a cryptic Apple event invite are either wildly optimistic on the Apple Watch simply because it’s cray or pretty or are pooh-poohing it due to its thick face and short battery life,” Sozzi writes. “So, let a cool, well-rounded guy like me be the voice of reason. As I said right from the start of this year, the Apple Watch is a game-changing product. It’s the product that you don’t realize you need or want, but will soon realize you need and want it by the summer for $349.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Yup.
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 is going to change everything… 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.
The Apple Watch is going to be a massive hit that sells millions upon millions of units. — SteveJack for MacDailyNews upon Apple Watch’s unveiling, September 9, 2014
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Arline M.” for the heads up.]
I think I’m starting to get it:
Apple Watch, rational.
Apple Watch Edition, aspirational.
Apple Watch Sport, perspirational.
Methinks you got it!
Did you make that up? It’s very clever.
wouldn’t it be Apple Watch, Apple Watch s, and Apple Watch pro
“Can’t innovate any more, my ass!”—Phil Schiller
=:~)
I’m close to 70. I get it but it’s hard to fathom the consumers’ mind. What will compel consumers who don’t wear wrist devices to suddenly start wearing one? Apple is going to have to come up with one hell of a pitch and they’re probably capable of doing so. They don’t need to sell me on a mid-range AppleWatch because I own a fair amount of Apple stock and can easily afford it. But I also like to wear watches. It’s hard for me to envision lots of women running out and buying one, but maybe I’m just being narrow-minded. There’s simply too many variables I can’t grasp.
People have been making solid arguments in both directions. However, I have great faith in Apple. I don’t think they undertake projects lightly and they certainly have a good handle on consumers wants and desires. I say AppleWatch will be a hit but I still can’t grasp 20 million being sold in a year. I don’t think the number is outrageous. I simply don’t understand the buyer’s profile but I feel Apple obviously does.
I’m 83 and I get it. Not only that, I’ll get one. 🙂
I love you guys. You make me feel young!
I’m 76 and I get it. When it was announced last September I knew it would be a paradigm changer. Think of “watch” as a verb not a noun. To back my view up, I own several $M of AAPL. The fashion aspect of this is brilliant.
Never worn a watch in my entire life. No plans to start.
People stopped wearing watches because they provided no useful functionality. (Because phones, which were indispensable, told the time, too.) But this is not to say the same people will not wear a watch that offers true functionality and usefulness.
Exactly! People didn’t stop wearing watches because they didn’t like watches. They stopped because they didn’t need a watch. The Apple Watch is not a watch. I wish they had named it another “i’ device.
I stopped wearing my black Casio DATA BANK 300 a few years ago because it stopped working, replacement parts were no longer available and Casio stopped making them. So for me my Space Gray 42mm WATCH SPORT is the replacement for my last irreplaceable watch. I’m 68. The additional functionality in concert with my iPhone 6 Plus is merely icing on the cake. 😜💥😱🚀😃
You can still buy Casio Data Bank watches, jut not the ‘300’ version.
Mine has a glow in the dark calculator keyboard that they don’t make any more. 😰
If it is big and clunky, people who don’t wear watches will definitely not wear it. 1 star me all you like, but if you think they will, your an idiot, stupid, or both.
so if you REALLY believe it, short apple stock,
if you’re right you’ll make a fortune.
so put your balls where your mouth is.
I have 1 million long on aapl.
“your” statement is idiotic and YOU’RE an idiot.
To me (an older guy) the Apple Watch will be welcomed. I currently have several basic watches, a step counter (Jawbone), my iPhone 6, bluetooth headset, handsfree unit in the car, etc. I hope the Apple Watch will help replace some of these (at least the watch and Jawbone) like the iPhone did to my Nokia, Palm pilot and mp3 player i used to carry before the introduction of the iPhone. Simplicity, convenience and comfort of the Apple Watch will make a difference from having too many devices. Convenience for me is simply looking or feeling my watch behaviour to determine if it was my daughter who texted me versus some email telling me what is on sale this week at my local store. Simplicity is having an all in one package that works well with all other of my Apple devices. Comfort is something I can wear all day and doesn’t bother me (like the Jawbone).
I look forward to owning one.
Give a chance to old dudes
A little reminder for the doubters out there courtesy of Bloomberg-
Here’s What People Predicted Would Happen When The iPhone Came Out…
SETH FIEGERMAN — JUN. 29, 2012
BLOOMBERG: The iPhone’s impact will be minimal. It will only appeal to “a few gadget freaks.” Nokia and Motorola haven’t a care in the world.
PC MAGAZINE: The iPhone is deeply flawed. Apple will sell lots at first and then sales will plummet.
MARKETWATCH: The “one phone fits all” concept is ridiculous. Apple needs to roll out many variations, or the iPhone will immediately become passe.
CAPITAL GROUP: The Motorola RAZR is a great phone at a great price (free). There’s no way the overpriced iPhone can compete with it.
BUSINESSWEEK: The iPhone will never be a threat to the BlackBerry.
RIM CEO JIM BALSILLIE: The iPhone’s impact on our business will be minimal.
MICROSOFT CEO STEVE BALLMER: There’s ‘no chance’ the iPhone will get a significant share of the market. ‘No chance.
Excellent list of early iPhone doubters. You left out Ballmer saying no one would buy it at $600. I bought on day one.
2012? I suggest you check the date. 🙂
The date refers not to the iPhone’s debut but to an article written for Business Insider (not Bloomberg) by Seth Feigerman, which rounded up failed predictions stemming from conventional thinking. Bill summarises them. Thanks, Bill.
Thank you for the clarification. My bad. My good: barley water evening … 🙂
I like that you refer to barley water rather than beer or ale: it’s charming. It’s also charming that you acknowledge a correction, – in my experience rare amongst non-academic males. Cheers. 🙂
I’m blushing from your charming comments.
An editor friend recommended a highly rated IPA made by Ballast Point in San Diego — Sculpin. Bought my first case yesterday.
Misty now, but appreciative of this outstanding fine barley water in my opinion is second to none.
“Non-academic males.” Say what? 😉
I remember using Apple by command line. First home computer was a Timex, so in electronic years, I’m “old”.
That said, I plan on getting one, but want to see it and try it first. I’m left handed and wore my watch on my right wrist, the iPhone changed that, haven’t worn a watch since 2008.
The BEST thing about Apple Watch is its link to (dependence on) iPhone. All other smart watch products must (by necessity) be mostly stand-alone products, with limited standalone functionality, that occasionally connect with smartphones to do limited things. The potential for Apple Watch is limited only by the power of iPhone and imagination of developers. It’s an open-ended proposition.
Over time, Apple Watch becomes sleeker and more refined, optimized to be iPhone’s interface on your wrist, while iPhone becomes an ever more powerful “hub” of Apple’s emerging wearable computing ecosystem.
I am a 72 year old retired AF and Corporatr pilot with a 27″ iMac, Mac Mini, iPhone 6 and an iPad Air 2, but not sure about the iWatch. Guess I will always be wearing my favorite Breitling Aviator Chronograph until my tech addiction gets the better of me once again? It looks cool but not a necessity at this time.
Think Star Trek. (Thump on chest). “Computer, what does this really do?”
A watch with a battery in it? How quaint.
70 here, and liberated from time-telling bracelets – until medical necessity or advantage brings me back to ’em (which will be not yet for the first year of two of this I think).
But sure it’s gonna be a big hit if they hit their functionality targets, as after being doubtful for months, very impressed by the world-wide run up on the fashion front at least as much as the tech. Also, Asia’s key and I think they’ll buy plenty of the “Edition Edition.”
There’s never been anything quite like this product, and people are going into it fantasizing about a car no one will know much about for years…
…It’s an World…
So! What’s wrong with my 72 year old sundial?
Idiotic waste of money…
The Apple Watch will be a failure..an initial spurt of interest then crickets.
Are you willing to put money on that? I like free money.
Its almost time for the launch and details.
I am sure there are millions who will line up to buy the watch and give a feed back for the millions more who will be waiting to buy based upon the user feedback.
I would wait as I dont see any use of the watch for me right now, maybe a couple of iterations later, but I doubt it.
It would seem, Earthlings will never get over digital watches. Once you invented them in the 1970’s you just went gaga and never looked back.
All I can tell you, off world, your towel is much more valuable. That and your digital guide. The watch is so, um, quaint.
You guys are sooooo cute. I love it.