Apple Watch, anyone?

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234 posts

Master Geek

#1257254 12-Mar-2015 15:12

Currently on an upward swing on apple ecosystem and planning to go for it, but may be swayed in the interim time to release...

Mainly hesitant on first gen iteration and long term support, so will go for cheap (Ha!) sports version.
However the apple branding should hold the resell value?... (saying that makes me think hard though! Have I ever actually resold an apple product...?)

Features I want it for:
-Sports tracking, preferably without phone, but at least with phone tucked away safely.
-Any decent functionality that lets me leave my 6+ in my pocket, all the obvious touted stuff (can it make calls safely while driving?)
-Early adopter show off in the office haha

Not worried about comparisons with 67 year batteries in dumb watches... I don't wear a watch, I just want a convenient micro computer
The battery would need to make it between charges though...!

mattwnz

20157 posts

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#1257257 12-Mar-2015 15:16

groynk: Currently on an upward swing on apple ecosystem and planning to go for it, but may be swayed in the interim time to release...

Mainly hesitant on first gen iteration and long term support, so will go for cheap (Ha!) sports version.
However the apple branding should hold the resell value?... (saying that makes me think hard though! Have I ever actually resold an apple product...?)

Features I want it for:
-Sports tracking.
-Any decent functionality that lets me leave my 6+ in my pocket, all the obvious touted stuff (can it make calls safely while driving?)
-Early adopter show off in the office haha

Not worried about comparisons with 67 year batteries in dumb watches... I don't wear a watch, I just want a convenient micro computer
The battery would need to make it between charges though...!

They do seem to drop support for their first version, quicker than the next models, and the 1st version is often missing essential things which get fixed in the second version. For example the ipad 1 support was dropped many years ago, but the ipad2 is still supported with ios8. Same for the 1st ipod touch.

Handsomedan

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#1257262 12-Mar-2015 15:22

I'd like to consider myself a reasonable kind of chap...despite having most things Apple in the house.

Personally, I don't like the idea of replacing my lovely collection of watches with one that will only last a day on a charge.

I am not that enamored with the design. In saying that, it's a nice looking piece of kit. Just not for me.

The idea of having 2Gb of music with me even when I don't have my phone on me (which never happens) appeals, but there's no killer app for me.

The price is too high, the battery life too low and the lack of a silver alu Sport with black band is a deal-breaker.

I'll probably end up with one.

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.
Handsome Dan needs to stop adding three dots to every sentence...

Handsome Dan does not currently have a side hustle as the mascot for Yale

*Gladly accepting donations...

groynk

234 posts

Master Geek

#1257263 12-Mar-2015 15:25

mattwnz:
groynk: Currently on an upward swing on apple ecosystem and planning to go for it, but may be swayed in the interim time to release...

Mainly hesitant on first gen iteration and long term support, so will go for cheap (Ha!) sports version.
However the apple branding should hold the resell value?... (saying that makes me think hard though! Have I ever actually resold an apple product...?)

Features I want it for:
-Sports tracking.
-Any decent functionality that lets me leave my 6+ in my pocket, all the obvious touted stuff (can it make calls safely while driving?)
-Early adopter show off in the office haha

Not worried about comparisons with 67 year batteries in dumb watches... I don't wear a watch, I just want a convenient micro computer
The battery would need to make it between charges though...!

They do seem to drop support for their first version, quicker than the next models, and the 1st version is often missing essential things which get fixed in the second version. For example the ipad 1 support was dropped many years ago, but the ipad2 is still supported with ios8. Same for the 1st ipod touch.

iPad is exactly what I was thinking of, I could see a front camera coming a mile off in the second release
Also I remember everyone complaining about no 3G in the first iphone.
Wondering if they are planning a bit better this time given the investment and jewellery angle they are trying to sell...
Battery seems to be the obvious issue.

alasta

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#1257299 12-Mar-2015 16:23

No, I won't buy one because:

- My iPhone, iPad and Mac cost me a fortune in depreciation because of the rate at which they become obsolete. Realistically I can't afford to own any more of these types of products.
- It's not fully waterproof. This has been a standard feature on modern watches for as long as I can remember and is essential in my view.
- My perception is that phones have effectively replaced watches, both as a timepiece and a fashion accessory. I don't think I want to spend hundreds of dollars just because it's a minor hassle to pull my phone out of my pocket.

MikeB4

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#1257302 12-Mar-2015 16:28

alasta: No, I won't buy one because:

- My iPhone, iPad and Mac cost me a fortune in depreciation because of the rate at which they become obsolete. Realistically I can't afford to own any more of these types of products.
- It's not fully waterproof. This has been a standard feature on modern watches for as long as I can remember and is essential in my view.
- My perception is that phones have effectively replaced watches, both as a timepiece and a fashion accessory. I don't think I want to spend hundreds of dollars just because it's a minor hassle to pull my phone out of my pocket.

I forgot about not being water proof. Yes that is essential

maxeon

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#1257303 12-Mar-2015 16:29

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mrphil

424 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1257306 12-Mar-2015 16:39

is there a release date and pricing for the nz market?

1eStar

1604 posts

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#1257363 12-Mar-2015 18:13

A lot of you here are going to be buying your first smartwatch, maybe I can share my experience of buying my first smartwatch.

When I left the Apple camp three years ago and joined another camp I also bought my first smartwatch, a Sony MN2. Well although it seemed cool with its colour touchscreen, synced time, notifications on your wrist and some wow factor etc, it kind of sucked, because:

1 you had to wake it up to show the time, ie shake it double tap it touch some button.

2 it had some weird charge cable that you had to remember to take with you if you were going away for a few days

3 if you checked the time anywhere other than in the daylight, there is an obvious great bright light shining off your wrist, not exactly very stealth.

4 it was thick on my wrist, caught on bags, sleeves, passersby etc.

5 if it became disconnected from the phone bluetooth it was useless and forgot the time very quickly.

6 the rubber strap was sweaty

So I upgraded at the end of 2013 to a Sony SW2 which I still have and love.
It has a transreflective daylight viewable mode solving probs #1 and #3 above.
It has a standard micro usb charge port and 3-5 day battery life, solving problem #2.
It is 9mm thick solving problem #4.
It can work completely independent of a smartphone if required, i.e. native stopwatch, timers, alarms, calculator, torch, game etc. alleviating problem #5.
It has a standard 24mm strap mount, I've got a fixoflex metal band on it solving #6

Now I'm not advocating you buy a SW2, but as a Smartwatch wearer and user it is apparent many issues may be relevant in both camps.

Questions I'd not really considered before buying my first smartwatch:
Do I want a device on my wrist that has to be backlit to be read?
Do I want to have a device that I have to remember the charger for every day?
Can I find a strap to suit my arm?

Personally if I was still in the Apple camp I think I'd already have a Pebble steel on my wrist and a Pebble time steel on preorder.

The Apple watch looks to be a solid first attempt, but the battery life and charger would be it's bugbear for me personally. And as others have noted, Apple 2nd gen devices are usually very sweet and well supported. (with love from a former 3gs and ipad2 happy owner)

Anyways just thought I'd add something to the discussion...

TL;DR If you get all emotive and buy a 1st gen smartwatch, you will upgrade to a 2nd gen :-)

dafman

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#1257377 12-Mar-2015 19:01

mattwnz: No. If I was getting one, I would want the stainless steel, a larger face, and black, which looks like it will be over $1k.

Warehouse recently sold the LG black stainless steel android wear for $160! Puts apple's $1,000+ in some perspective!

dafman

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#1257379 12-Mar-2015 19:04

groynk:
mattwnz:
groynk: Currently on an upward swing on apple ecosystem and planning to go for it, but may be swayed in the interim time to release...

Mainly hesitant on first gen iteration and long term support, so will go for cheap (Ha!) sports version.
However the apple branding should hold the resell value?... (saying that makes me think hard though! Have I ever actually resold an apple product...?)

Features I want it for:
-Sports tracking.
-Any decent functionality that lets me leave my 6+ in my pocket, all the obvious touted stuff (can it make calls safely while driving?)
-Early adopter show off in the office haha

Not worried about comparisons with 67 year batteries in dumb watches... I don't wear a watch, I just want a convenient micro computer
The battery would need to make it between charges though...!

They do seem to drop support for their first version, quicker than the next models, and the 1st version is often missing essential things which get fixed in the second version. For example the ipad 1 support was dropped many years ago, but the ipad2 is still supported with ios8. Same for the 1st ipod touch.

iPad is exactly what I was thinking of, I could see a front camera coming a mile off in the second release
Also I remember everyone complaining about no 3G in the first iphone.
Wondering if they are planning a bit better this time given the investment and jewellery angle they are trying to sell...
Battery seems to be the obvious issue.

Wonder if they will plan a bit better this time? Releasing under spec products is part of their plan! Upgrade anyone?

blakamin

4431 posts

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#1257438 12-Mar-2015 20:10

What gets me is the fact they all look the same, so if you spent $10k+ (or even$1k) on one you'd constantly be telling people "oh, no, this isn't the sport this is the blah blah blah".

That's why people own rolex etc.. they don't have to tell people it's not the cheap one, because they don't "all look the same, only the colour is different".

surfisup1000

5288 posts

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#1257441 12-Mar-2015 20:15

Yeah, all you deniers will be queuing 100 people deep on release night.

But seriously,in my opinion this watch is only going to appeal to the star trek crowd.

Now the apple car sounds interesting but it will fail without jobs.

MikeB4

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#1257448 12-Mar-2015 20:18

surfisup1000: Yeah, all you deniers will be queuing 100 people deep on release night.

But seriously,in my opinion this watch is only going to appeal to the star trek crowd.

Now the apple car sounds interesting but it will fail without jobs.

If Apple wants in on alternative fueled cars they should invest in Tesla

Geektastic

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#1257546 12-Mar-2015 22:57

surfisup1000: Yeah, all you deniers will be queuing 100 people deep on release night.

But seriously,in my opinion this watch is only going to appeal to the star trek crowd.

Now the apple car sounds interesting but it will fail without jobs.

My missus wanted one until the reality came out...!

It's all a bit Dick Tracy (some of you youngsters may have to Google that one) if you ask me. Just what does it do that my excellent and much travelled G Shock does not do when combined with my iPhone 6+? Nothing - at all - that I need a watch to do.

Now, when the iPhone goes and the watch does EVERYTHING including the built in 4G, wi fi, Blutooth, etc then maybe it might be worth it.

Breitling have just replaced the Emergency with a new version that uses the new satellite PLB system as well as the old 121 transmitter for SAR location.

They squashed all that into a wristwatch including a Superquartz movement accurate to less than 8 seconds a year, made of solid Titanium, with a rechargeable battery that powers the transmitter which lasts 2 months and which will make the PLB function for 24 hours if activated.

Makes '1 day' look very weedy and pathetic!!

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