Last minute Apple Watch predictions?

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jarledb

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#166321 9-Mar-2015 15:38

So who is going to be up early tomorrow to watch the Apple Watch presentation?

What unannounced features will we get to see?

What will the price points be?

I think a lot of people will be shocked at how much the steel and edition (gold) versions are going to cost, as well as how much some of the watch bands will be. I don't think those watches and accessories are going to be in the cheap price range at all.

As for features, I think it will be interesting to see what Apple was told by the american FDA about what they are allowed to show of health information, there are rumours that the spectrograph sensors might be able to measure things like blood glucose levels as well as heart rate etc.

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#1254110 9-Mar-2015 15:42

Not me, I am not really keen on Smart watches until they have decent battery life and bright day usability.

edit: corrected one hand typing mess up

Dingbatt

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#1254120 9-Mar-2015 15:54

I certainly won't be setting my alarm but I am interested to see what is revealed.
Predictions:
NZ won't be in the first release. Lucky to be in second.
Entry level model will be at least $499.
Battery life, which is on its second revision will be abysmal. Due mainly to over use. Expect software updates to improve it over first six months.
Apple will need to educate people on how to get the best out of the device (you're holding it wrong!).
The media will be apoplectic over its release. Expect it to be in the business news on the telly if not earlier.
The presentation will be a master class on how to hold these events (as always).

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jarledb

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#1254136 9-Mar-2015 16:13

KiwiNZ: Not me, I am not really keen on Smart watches until they have decent battery life and brighten usability.

Not sure what you mean by brighten usability.

As for decent battery life. You might want to look at Pebble Time.

But for me the integration that Apple Watch will have with the iPhone is reason enough to go with it, and I am pretty sure I will be ok with charging the watch every night. I always take my watch off when I go to bed anyways.

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#1254148 9-Mar-2015 16:16

smartwatch meh hardly smart when it has to have a phone to do anything but tell the time. Why not call it what it is - a wrist sensor for your phone.

I'd rather see a "one more thing" at the end with a new Apple TV.

jarledb

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#1254149 9-Mar-2015 16:17

Dingbatt: I certainly won't be setting my alarm but I am interested to see what is revealed.
Predictions:
NZ won't be in the first release. Lucky to be in second.

Probably true.

Entry level model will be at least $499.

If we are talking NZ dollars, then I think you should expect the cheapest model to retail for at least 549 NZD. You have to look at the exchange rate and add 15% GST at least.

Battery life, which is on its second revision will be abysmal. Due mainly to over use. Expect software updates to improve it over first six months.

As the novelty wears off (this is true for most mobile devices) you will use it less, so it will use less battery. :) There have been rumours of up to 5 hours active use lately, if that is true I think we should be pretty happy with it. But time will tell.

The media will be apoplectic over its release. Expect it to be in the business news on the telly if not earlier.

I think media will think Apple Watch will be a bust, because they will be shocked at the prices.

jarledb

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#1254151 9-Mar-2015 16:21

geekiegeek: smartwatch meh hardly smart when it has to have a phone to do anything but tell the time.

From what I understand there will be native apps, and there will be apps that are dependent on the iPhone. Developers have been given access to the latter - but there might have been developers that have been allowed to make native apps as well, together with Apple.

Why not call it what it is - a wrist sensor for your phone.

A better example would be a "display for your phone", much the same way Carplay (and ever more known, Airplay) is just a way to display information on another device.

I already use a somewhat integrated smart watch for that (the Pebble), and a fully integrated watch will be great if you ask me.

I'd rather see a "one more thing" at the end with a new Apple TV.

I agree, AppleTV needs a refresh. From the rumours it seems like if there is another product launched, it will probably be the new 12" Macbook Air Retina.

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#1254154 9-Mar-2015 16:27

Usually Apple does an amazing marketing campaign before these launch parties. With all the predictions on the net hyping their products up. But they keep bringing same old tech. Apple has lost their innovative streak since Jobs passed good ol days. It's like catchupand prices still inflated. There are more innovative start ups paving the way.

Let's see what they unviel sim card watch, updated siri that was like their original concept. Solar Charge like GShock.

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#1254160 9-Mar-2015 16:34

jarledb:
KiwiNZ: Not me, I am not really keen on Smart watches until they have decent battery life and brighten usability.

Not sure what you mean by brighten usability.

As for decent battery life. You might want to look at Pebble Time.

But for me the integration that Apple Watch will have with the iPhone is reason enough to go with it, and I am pretty sure I will be ok with charging the watch every night. I always take my watch off when I go to bed anyways.

Sorry about that, my one handed typing (disability) makes a few mistakes from time to time.

I have corrected, it should read bright day not brighten

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#1254174 9-Mar-2015 16:59

My fitbit gadget has a battery life of about 5 days and my digital watch has a battery life about 5 years. I already have a phone (battery life 1 day) which I need to charge all the time. I am kind of wondering why I would want a watch that needs charging each night - especially if the watch is dependent on carrying the phone..

Still, will pay attention to the release, there might be something interesting on the way.

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#1254185 9-Mar-2015 17:08

TwoSeven: My fitbit gadget has a battery life of about 5 days and my digital watch has a battery life about 5 years. I already have a phone (battery life 1 day) which I need to charge all the time. I am kind of wondering why I would want a watch that needs charging each night - especially if the watch is dependent on carrying the phone..

Still, will pay attention to the release, there might be something interesting on the way.

The battery in my watch (Seiko) has been going for 4 years, I take it swimming, I don't need my Cellphone with me for it to work and I can see the time at a glance without touching a thing

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#1254194 9-Mar-2015 17:23

Clearly you don't want a smart watch (just) for telling the time. That would be like buying an iPhone 6 or S6 (just) to make calls.

The main use case for me was (not) missing texts and calls in a noisy environment. Also find it quite useful for getting and sending texts in the car. Sure I can do the same thing on the phone if I set it up right but the watch is less hassle. Do I *need* a smartwatch? No. Is it useful? Yes.

Edited to add analogy.

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#1254231 9-Mar-2015 18:03

n4: Clearly you don't want a smart watch (just) for telling the time. That would be like buying an iPhone 6 or S6 (just) to make calls.

The main use case for me was (not) missing texts and calls in a noisy environment. Also find it quite useful for getting and sending texts in the car. Sure I can do the same thing on the phone if I set it up right but the watch is less hassle. Do I *need* a smartwatch? No. Is it useful? Yes.

Edited to add analogy.

whole heartedly agree I'm not sure why people are so negative about something which is new, if we used that thinking why would we want a camera in a phone, now its normal.

For my part I use a smart watch when I'm cycling as it hooks into GPS on phone also takes heart rate so I don't need a seperate monitor (I have to say software still isn't good but works).

I use the camera on the watch to take quick picks of items at work not requiring a lot of detail but damaged product, import container numbers etc.

The ability to see who is ringing/texting or emailing without having to take phone from pocket is great especially if you are in a meeting or car, I also like that you are able to swipe call away and send a txt sating you'll call back later and all with 2 swipes of finger. In the car its great as I can use it as a hands free as I don't have bluetooth in the car, yes it looks a bit odd but is safer than holding phone and is legally hands free.

Whilst S voice isn't as good as Google voice it works fine so I can send meeting requests or set appointments without having to get phone out.

The basic calculator is handy as well.

It has been said before, if you aren't interested don't buy it but don't disagree with something because you won't use it as a lot of others will. I hate to think where we would be with technology if all the detractors got their way, I suspect we would be still using party lines and enjoying using coconut oil to get a better sun tan.

Roll on the Apple watch, I hope it motivates the other manufacturers to up their game.

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#1254233 9-Mar-2015 18:08

KiwiNZ:
TwoSeven: My fitbit gadget has a battery life of about 5 days and my digital watch has a battery life about 5 years. I already have a phone (battery life 1 day) which I need to charge all the time. I am kind of wondering why I would want a watch that needs charging each night - especially if the watch is dependent on carrying the phone..

Still, will pay attention to the release, there might be something interesting on the way.

The battery in my watch (Seiko) has been going for 4 years, I take it swimming, I don't need my Cellphone with me for it to work and I can see the time at a glance without touching a thing

I'm pretty sure the Nokia 3210 wouldn't work with a smart watch anyway :)

So what else can your watch do, not much I guess and probably why it isn't called a 'smart watch'

I am only replying to your post with sarcasm as I guess that is what your post was anyway

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#1254256 9-Mar-2015 18:39

I'll be up early watching but like others I'm more interested in other things new ATV or the 12 inch Retina Macbook Air. I'd be buying both of these on release day one if they were announced.

Charging a watch every night is truly ridiculous to me. It really is.

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#1254294 9-Mar-2015 19:17

I would quite like to have something on my wrist to give me time and distance when I'm running half marathons because I can't see the iPhone while it's strapped to my arm. However I think the Apple Watch will be overkill for this purpose.

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