“I’ve gone back and forth over the last several weeks trying to decide whether an Apple Watch was for me,” Don Reisinger writes for SlashGear. “After all, I’m not so sure that wearables really are the next big thing like so many others argue and I’m convinced that they need to change dramatically in order to provide a real competition to traditional watches.”
“But alas, I’m breaking down and buying an Apple Watch,” Reisinger writes. “Some might wonder why I would choose to buy an Apple Watch when, frankly, I don’t see myself wearing it all that often. And truth be told, it’s been a debate inside me for weeks. Do I really need a smartwatch? Will it really provide me with value in my life? Can’t I just get another product that does the tricks I’m looking for?”
“I’m buying an Apple Watch because, well, it’s the only reasonable choice for me,” Reisinger writes. “I’ve already invested in Apple products, the integration between them and Apple Watch should be strong, and I don’t want to deal with establishing a whole new life on other platforms.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Soon, this article, and countless others like it, are going to sound at least as stupid as those that questioned the need for an iPhone prior to June 2007.
So he doesn’t need one yet he is looking for something to do the things that it does. This guy needs medical help quick before his breakdown becomes permanent.
That’s precisely why he is getting the Apple Watch, so that his physician can monitor his condition 24/7!!
It’s like watching a jouranalist interviewing his favorite hero…himself.
“I’ve gone back and forth over the last several weeks trying to decide whether an Apple Watch was for me.” Don’t be modest Dan, tell us all about the negotiating team that’s been helping you make that decision.
“But alas, I’m breaking down and buying an Apple Watch.” Gee, what a whine, I can almost here the tone of that whine, not quite “WHAAAAAAAAA Iraq has weapons of mass destruction” but close.
This guy goes on talking about the value of the ecosystem then “Indeed, many of them might be stronger than the Apple Watch” but hey Dan, they probably aren’t because they don’t have the Apple ecosystem.
It’s the same for that smart phone and tablet argument that are better than the iPhone and iPad, never realizing that “better” is highly suggestive, or nebulously vague when one fails to put a parameter around it. Yes some might have better specs, better weight but when it comes to ecosystems Apple’s is the best.
They are still basically the only computer company that makes the hardware and software. That makes Apple unique, and a lot better than the rest in many cases.
there are outstanding smartphones and tablets that some might argue are better than the iPhone and iPad.
Not every writer for every site is actually a “journalist.” Being able to get something published does not automatically make it worth reading.
Well said Sparkles. I just wish that at times what you said was the exception rather than the rule. So much junk out there, and all covered with ads.
It doesn’t have a keyboard.
It doesn’t even have a parallel port to plug one into.
Does it come with a monitor?
There is no whining “breaking down and buying an Apple Watch” like “there is no crying in baseball!” Sheesh!
I always laugh when they say it has a lot to improve before it challenges a traditional watch .. Like one more feature besides telling date/time isn’t enough already..
The need for traditional watches has not existed since people started carrying cell phones at all, let alone smartphones. I haven’t worn one since I had a cellphone, but have been looking forward to this day for several years, fully anticipating an Apple Watch. Wanting similar things, but always holding out for the Apple experience. Glad it’s finally here.
And for anyone who thinks a traditional watch is anything near this, maybe they should go back to 2005 and see me still saying the same thing about how useless they were back then.
There will always be a need for a traditional watch. Not everyone wants or needs to be connected all the time. They don’t need to be recharged frequently, are easy to set up, and even those not comfortable with technology can use them.
I think he is “buying” an Apple Watch so that he can write about it just to get readers!
Apple needs to add a pocket watch to the mix, to be worn by a real gold chain around the neck. All people have necks but not all have wrists.
If they don’t have wrists and it’s hanging around their neck, how will the look at it? In a mirror?
Maybe Apple would include a “mirror image” mode that it would be readable that way.
I don’t think he gets Watch. It’s not a piece of jewelry that you choose to wear one day while wearing a traditional watch on a different day. It’s meant to become an integrated part of your life that you use constantly, whether it be notifications of texts, keeping an eye on the weather or keeping us mindful of our spates of inactivity. Maybe even checking the time, occasionally. It’s not really a watch, it’s a computer/ communication system interface.
I like the way is promoting the watch, both as a connected device and as a piece of jewelry. I’m getting the black stainless and of course it now only comes with the black link bracelet. That’s for a bit more dressy attire when I’m on a date with my wife. I also ordered a black sport band for everyday use. I’ll add leather straps as well.
I think many will have more than one band, just to be aligned with the feel of the moment. I hope we see a black Milanese Loop at some point.
It aught to be called a WristCom! Dose the ‘Com’ stand for computer? communicator? Yes! 🖖😀⌚️
The comparison between iPhone/smartphones, and between the Apple Watch/its competition is not that clear cut. The cellphone market was in pretty bad shape, and cellphones are everywhere. I.e, it was perfect for picking by someone with a much better product. Smartwatches, however, are not everywhere, and they’re not in as bad a shape as cellphones were. Plus, the Apple watch is an ADD ON device — it does nothing without an iPhone hanging out in your pocket. Plus the fact that Apple is aiming at the luxury watch marketplace at least in part, tells us that the competition really isn’t only smartwatches, and the price is the key there: $350 for a watch? Mmkay.
MDN can shout from the rooftops all day about how innovative and game-changing the Apple Watch is, but as long as I have a cellphone, I can call anywhere, do email, play some pointless games. No watch required. Adding a watch means I still need the phone and then I have something else on my wrist, that doesn’t allow me to do what I can with the phone. So, yeah.
I guess if you want to complicate your life, feel free. Or if you have some disease that you need to be monitored by. Or for the other five or six niche markets that such a product serves. Hey, that’s cool. Knock yourselves out. However, none of that adds up to being the same need/numbers of the cellphone market, and you know what, the price (especially the high-end version) shows that Apple is aware of it.
So if Apple is aware that Apple watch iPhone, why isn’t the tech press aware of it? It’s because something new and shiny and fast is coming and they’re in drooling baby mode, unable to think or analyze, and hungry for clicks.
At the time that the first iPhone was announced, all the “journalists” at the time said it would flop. They said Apple only dominated the MP3 market because that market was in its infancy when Apple introduced the iPod. They claimed that the 2007 cell phone market was already mature and saturated, and therefore there was no way Apple would ever mount a serious challenge to Motorola, Palm, Nokia and RIM.
How quickly people forget this. I bet most people who said the iPhone would flop in 2007 will today deny that they said or ever even thought that. Just like the people that are saying the Apple Watch will flop or that wearables won’t be a thing will deny that they said or ever even thought that five years from now.
Apple is giving you a big *shrug*
if ‘only’ ten percent of iPhone users buy it that’s like 30-50 million Watches sold. Considering less than 1 m Android Wear were sold last year that’s big hit.
But i bet as people start wearing them it’s going to be more than 10 percent (and the number of iPhone users is growing) and if only a small number of non apple users BUY an iPhone to get the Watch then Apple adds consumers to it’s eco system ($$$$$)
As for the Gold Edition it’s already sold out. Just one thousand is 17 million in revenue….
“. Indeed, many of them might be stronger than the Apple Watch, just as there are outstanding smartphones and tablets that some might argue are better than the iPhone and iPad. ”
stronger than the Apple Watch?
this probably a sop to his publisher, editor… Most tech sites make a lot more money reviewing non apple products, dozens of android phones vs one or two from apple etc, and Samsung alone spends 10 times more ad money on ADVERTISING so publishers etc know how to not piss them off (from them sending free phones etc to review, ad cash) so the sop is required : “I’m only buying an Apple watch because I’m invested in the eco-system and NOT because the other stuff like Android Wear SUCK big time (which is also true) … “
Why I Don’t Care if Some Random Dude from Some Random Blog Buys an Apple Watch or not.
The line that jumped out at me is that he thinks it’ll need to change dramatically to provide real competition to traditional watches.
Really? Traditional watches tell the time and date, maybe a few other things, and function more as a fashion accessory. The Apple Watch goes WELL beyond that functional core, and more than stands on its own from the fashion perspective.
I would sum it up by saying the Apple Watch stands well enough on its own competitively from the fashion perspective, and buries the traditional watch on the functional core.
I’d never go back to wearing a trad’l watch (many, many of us have ditched it decades ago), but I am quite tempted because of the functionality.
With me, it wasn’t a matter of “if” but “when”. I’ve been using the Pebble since it came out, I love it, I hate it. I love the notifications via the wrist, I love the weather notifications, etc. but hate the cheap plastic look of the device and the random ‘disconnects’ from my iPhone. I really hate how easy the face scratches.
People ask me about it all the time, lately it’s “Is that an Apple Watch?” I reply that its not, explain what it is and my likes/dislikes about it, usually finishing up the story with “It’s a very useful device, just not ready for prime time.”
It was never a question that I would buy an Apple Watch, but when the prices were announced the one I had picked out turned out to be $1099. A little steep for something that I know I will replace the moment Apple Watch 2 arrives on scene. I started to convince myself that I would just wait, hoping battery life improves, etc.
Early today I caved in and ordered a $399 Sport model. Yes it may not be perfect, it may not have the battery life I was hoping (I’m a tech consultant, at least two day a week I work more than 18 hours in a day) and the Apple Watch 2 will be better. One thing about Apple products though, they are still highly desired even when the new model comes out. We have been using ‘Trickle down economics” for a few years now. Each year, my wife and I get the latest iPhone and our children inherit the previous years model. Same goes for when we replace iPads and MacBook Air’s (Just not every year). Guess what, our kids are THRILLED with this arrangement! I never once heard a complaint about them not getting the latest model. I’m sure the same will be true of the Apple Watch. My children have already asked me, “If Mom doesn’t get one also, there will just be one. Who gets it when the new model comes out?” My answer, “Whoever makes the best grades between now and then.” The contest is now on between them! One thing the article did hit on, it’s all about the Apple ecosystem. The watch will be a big hit. I have no doubt this will be a HUGE upgrade in form and function over my Pebble, which had already convinced me of the usefulness of wearable’s and I suspect our household is not the only one that engages in the theory of ‘Trickle Down Economics” when it comes to Apple products. Apple will sell a ton of these..