Apple Watch - It's official!

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Ultimate Geek
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#1125687 10-Sep-2014 12:24

zaptor:
michaelmurfy:
zaptor: ...
I flicked over a couple of Pebble video reviews out of curiousity. Pebble seemed okay. A nice functional device...

I've got a Pebble Steel - it works very well.

Best thing - the week-long battery life.

This is the main thing these smartwatches lack, and Apple not really quoting battery life really says it all - you'll be charging your watch every night which leaves me to the other really cool feature of the Pebble - the week-long battery life + vibrating alarm. My partner gets less-pissed off with me every morning because of it.

Cool.

Yes, it's interesting there was no mention of battery of life.

Tbh, I don't know if battery life is a deal breaker for me like it is for you.
People made a huge deal about it when the first iPhone came out (actually, it was mainly geeks IIRC). Personally, I think it's a non-issue.

Curious. It uses inductive (wireless) charging. Wonder how that is actually implemented?

myopinion

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Ultimate Geek
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#1125699 10-Sep-2014 12:25

zaptor:
zaptor:
michaelmurfy:
zaptor: ...
I flicked over a couple of Pebble video reviews out of curiousity. Pebble seemed okay. A nice functional device...

I've got a Pebble Steel - it works very well.

Best thing - the week-long battery life.

This is the main thing these smartwatches lack, and Apple not really quoting battery life really says it all - you'll be charging your watch every night which leaves me to the other really cool feature of the Pebble - the week-long battery life + vibrating alarm. My partner gets less-pissed off with me every morning because of it.

Cool.

Yes, it's interesting there was no mention of battery of life.

Tbh, I don't know if battery life is a deal breaker for me like it is for you.
People made a huge deal about it when the first iPhone came out (actually, it was mainly geeks IIRC). Personally, I think it's a non-issue.

Curious. It uses inductive (wireless) charging. Wonder how that is actually implemented?

Magsafe type connector attaches to the back of the watch, snaps in place.

dafman

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#1125702 10-Sep-2014 12:28

Another thing about battery - while the magnetic charger looks great for ease of use, it introduces yet another proprietary cable into the mix. So, when traveling, in addition the lightening cable for your phone, you'll be carting a secondary cable for your watch as well.

JimmyC

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Ultimate Geek
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#1125711 10-Sep-2014 12:49

On its own it kinda looks chunky but on the wrist it doesn't look too bad to my eye. But worth remembering, this will be the thickest Apple Watch you'll ever see. I can already hear the keynotes in upcoming years, 20-30-40% thinner than last year etc.

I'm impressed by how well developed it already is, not surprised but impressed. Standouts for me: The design video is a pure homage to Jony Ive. Incredible attention to detail as always, and like I say, that'll be the biggest we'll see.

Maps and GPS functionality, with feedback for left\right directions to boot. Imagine how that will help the sight impaired.

NFC right on your wrist.

Very interested to see one in the flesh...

NZtechfreak

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#1125739 10-Sep-2014 13:13

I don't know that they will get a lot smaller in the medium term, apart from Pebble with e-ink nobody else has really figured out battery life, and until some significant advance is made there whatever gains are made with component miniaturisation will be offset by the inclusion of larger batteries to pick up the slack in that department.

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NzBeagle

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#1125743 10-Sep-2014 13:20

I'm surprised they didn't/couldn't find a way to give the new iPhone and the watch a single charging method, a missed opportunity I would say. Carrying one charger instead of two would be a pretty nice selling point over any of the competition.

For usability I'd get frustrated if I was going flat after a long day, don't want to have to find a charger through the middle of the day. So 2 days should be a minimum. The Pebble is great, never worry about the battery running out. Been using the LG for a few weeks, and the battery life is not bad even with full brightness. But I prefer the Pebble overall, surprisingly, for the physical buttons. The e-ink wins in daylight too.

Battery Life + Sunlight usability of the Apple Watch will be interesting in real world reviews.

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JimmyC

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Ultimate Geek
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#1125756 10-Sep-2014 13:42

I would assume\hope Apple will come up with something for the two chargers issue. Even something as simple as a dual USB outlet, so you can run two cables off the one plug, would help.

mattwnz

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#1125758 10-Sep-2014 13:49

JimmyC: I would assume\hope Apple will come up with something for the two chargers issue. Even something as simple as a dual USB outlet, so you can run two cables off the one plug, would help.

Maybe the bean counters made the decision, as it will mean more money with people needing to buy more chargers and cables.
With this sort of thing I always wait for the second or 3rd generation, as often the 1st generation buyers take a bit of a bath with high prices (price you pay for being cool first) and support being dropped pretty quickly. eg This happened with the 1st gen ipad, where ios support got dropped pretty quickly, yet the 2nd gen is still supported, and is getting ios8

myopinion

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Ultimate Geek
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#1125769 10-Sep-2014 14:24

Good article on the NZ Herald site. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11322108

corksta

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#1125776 10-Sep-2014 14:39

I just watched the keynote presentation, Tim Cook made reference to charging it at night, the inference being you'll get a day's usage out of it.

groynk

234 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 19

#1125778 10-Sep-2014 14:43

I want one for now, exercise conveniences the main reason, but I know that the first gen will be hopelessly out of date the minute they release the second...

So long until it is released though, I was expecting it would be out shortly after announcing

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JimmyC

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Ultimate Geek
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#1125791 10-Sep-2014 14:54

Rene Ritchie of iMore has just confirmed there'll be a daily charge required. It has a retina display and several radios inside...

geocom

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#1125793 10-Sep-2014 14:58

TUAW have just said it is not waterproof just water resistant.

Geoff E

NZtechfreak

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#1125829 10-Sep-2014 15:29

Not waterproof, daily charging confirmed (with some Apple reality distortion field talk of retina displays proffered as if that constitutes some kind of valid excuse), now the wait to see what battery life Apple believes constitutes 'daily charging'... Not looking like the device to make me jump into smartphones at this moment. Some hope it might be a useful fitness tracker type device though...

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Geektastic

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#1125847 10-Sep-2014 15:47

NzBeagle: I'm surprised they didn't/couldn't find a way to give the new iPhone and the watch a single charging method, a missed opportunity I would say. Carrying one charger instead of two would be a pretty nice selling point over any of the competition.

For usability I'd get frustrated if I was going flat after a long day, don't want to have to find a charger through the middle of the day. So 2 days should be a minimum. The Pebble is great, never worry about the battery running out. Been using the LG for a few weeks, and the battery life is not bad even with full brightness. But I prefer the Pebble overall, surprisingly, for the physical buttons. The e-ink wins in daylight too.

Battery Life + Sunlight usability of the Apple Watch will be interesting in real world reviews.

Magnetically dock the watch to the phone and charge 'through' the phone...!

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