“After spending time with Apple Watch, it became abundantly clear why people will like the device: it’s new and cool. A device that can fit into one’s life, but still seemingly blend away when not in use, shares many similarities to the iPhone,” Neil Cybart writes for Above Avalon. “While coolness may not be enough to use as the conclusion of a 5,000-word product review, and it certainly won’t cause the general public to run out to an Apple store and spend $400+ on a watch, it will lead to imagination. Apple Watch’s long-term success will depend on the people pre-ordering the device today; the trailblazers who view the Watch’s potential with the same eye that saw iPhone’s potential in its early years. ”
“Watching people of all ages try on and interact with the Apple Watch, the impression I got was that most saw it as an interesting watch. That is to be expected considering the wrist was ruled by the watch for decades and anything destined for the same spot on our bodies will likely be initially compared to a watch. This is one reason why I heard a few complaints about the screen turning off when not pointed at the wearer, or having to charge it each night. Regular watches don’t have those ‘tradeoffs,'” Cybart writes. “The same was said about iPhone ‘drawbacks’ such as not having a keyboard and needing to charge it more frequently compared to feature phones.”
Much more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: As we wrote on April 9th: [These surveys of Apple Watch desirability are all happening] before Apple Watch lands on the wrists of friends and coworkers. That percentage will rise dramatically after Apple Watch launches. In a survey of 3,489 people conducted in April 2007, two months before Apple launched something called the “iPhone,” ChangeWave found that 9% said they were likely to buy an iPhone once it became available. Extrapolate.
As we wrote on March 27th: Just like the tens of millions who said they didn’t want or need an iPhone, who are now on their fifth iPhone, so it’ll go with Apple Watch.
As we wrote last September: Apple Pay capability will sell more Apple Watches than any other feature. After the initial launch weekend rush, once average people see the early adopters seamlessly paying with their Apple Watch, that’s when the wildfire sales will begin to rage.
And, as we wrote last week:
Here’s what makers of Swiss or any other watches should do: Push the idea of wearing of two watches, one on each wrist or two on one wrist, into vogue. Because once people start using Apple Watch, they aren’t going to want to leave it at home. Ever. They won’t want to go to dinner parties without their Apple Watch. And that’s bad, bad news for watchmakers not named Apple.Furthermore, as we wrote on March 30th: The amount of Android to iPhone upgraders that Apple Watch triggers is going to boggle the minds of some pundits. These generally new-to-Apple users will also eventually purchase Macs and iPads due to Continuity and handoff. Watch and see.