Apple Watch - Details, News & Reviews

DubDJ

So Apple announced their long rumoured watch earlier today, named the 'Apple Watch'. The live stream didn't go too well for most so I've caught up on most of the details the last while. Most of the details I've gotten so far from today breaks the Watch into three versions: the Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Sport and the Apple Watch Edition. Two sizes also exist, a 38mm and 42mm height. The screens have a layer of scratch resistant saphire. There's also various straps and colours for the watch. A few general things for each:

1. Apple Watch - Watch face comes in space black & space black stainless steel. Watch face has a more polished & shiny look. Apple lists 18 models in this collection on their site.

2. Apple Watch Sport - Watch face in silver aluminium and Space grey aluminium. Metal used has a matte look and feel with a more rugged and sturdy build. 10 different models listed on the site.

3. Apple Watch Edition - Watch face in 18-k yellow gold and rose gold. High-end models with strengthened gold material. Seems to be two models in this collection.

Watch straps come in 6 variations: Link bracelet, sport band, leather loop, classic buckle, modern buckle & Milanese loop. Some of these seem to come in various colours and some use magnets to attach. Looks like they're all interchangeable though no matter what the device. No word on whether these will be sold individually but I'd imagine they will be.

The OS is navigated using both a touchscreen and a digital crown on the right side, this is also used as a home button. Another button is used as a quick access button to get to your contacts.

It has a really cool MagSafe influenced inductive charger, contains sensors on the back for measuring things like pulse, uses haptic feedback for notifications and the screen can distinguish between soft and more forceful taps.

The software seems feature packed, it allows third party developers to release apps for the Watch, also works well with NFC for payments (US only for now) and although it hasn't been mentioned probably connects over Bluetooth. It uses the iPhones GPS and Wifi for other things. Siri is also built in and the whole watch is water resistant, although not waterproof so no wearing it in the shower.

Overall seems like a decent shot at the wearable market. They start at $349 (probably €349) but you won't get to purchase one until 2015 so plenty of time for more details such as the battery life to be released. I'll be looking forward to picking one up myself.

grizzly

Does it require a iPhone to work (for getting messages/maps etc)?

godtabh

grizzly wrote: »

Does it require a iPhone to work (for getting messages/maps etc)?

I think thats a most definite yes

OU812

Anyone know if it's waterproof ? Am finding conflicting reviews

southafrica2010

DubDJ wrote: »

So Apple announced their long rumoured watch earlier today, named the 'Apple Watch'. The live stream didn't go too well for most so I've caught up on most of the details the last while. Most of the details I've gotten so far from today breaks the Watch into three versions: the Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Sport and the Apple Watch Edition. Two sizes also exist, a 38mm and 42mm height. The screens have a layer of scratch resistant saphire. There's also various straps and colours for the watch. A few general things for each:

1. Apple Watch - Watch face comes in space black & space black stainless steel. Watch face has a more polished & shiny look. Apple lists 18 models in this collection on their site.

2. Apple Watch Sport - Watch face in silver aluminium and Space grey aluminium. Metal used has a matte look and feel with a more rugged and sturdy build. 10 different models listed on the site.

3. Apple Watch Edition - Watch face in 18-k yellow gold and rose gold. High-end models with strengthened gold material. Seems to be two models in this collection.

Watch straps come in 6 variations: Link bracelet, sport band, leather loop, classic buckle, modern buckle & Milanese loop. Some of these seem to come in various colours and some use magnets to attach. Looks like they're all interchangeable though no matter what the device. No word on whether these will be sold individually but I'd imagine they will be.

The OS is navigated using both a touchscreen and a digital crown on the right side, this is also used as a home button. Another button is used as a quick access button to get to your contacts.

It has a really cool MagSafe influenced inductive charger, contains sensors on the back for measuring things like pulse, uses haptic feedback for notifications and the screen can distinguish between soft and more forceful taps.

The software seems feature packed, it allows third party developers to release apps for the Watch, also works well with NFC for payments (US only for now) and although it hasn't been mentioned probably connects over Bluetooth. It uses the iPhones GPS and Wifi for other things. Siri is also built in and the whole watch is water resistant, although not waterproof so no wearing it in the shower.

Overall seems like a decent shot at the wearable market. They start at $349 (probably €349) but you won't get to purchase one until 2015 so plenty of time for more details such as the battery life to be released. I'll be looking forward to picking one up myself.

Why would you be wearing it in the shower?!

murpho999

southafrica2010 wrote: »

Why would you be wearing it in the shower?!

Showers now need to be timed for pending water charges.:)

godtabh

Splash proof but not waterproof. That would be enough to put me off

Taltos

godtabh wrote: »

Splash proof but not waterproof. That would be enough to put me off

Especially in this country with the amount of rain we get, no matter how careful you are I have found most splash proof devices eventually let you down, just hope there is not some clause on the warranty for water damage.

naasrd

Taltos wrote: »

Especially in this country with the amount of rain we get, no matter how careful you are I have found most splash proof devices eventually let you down, just hope there is not some clause on the warranty for water damage.

That's actually a very import note. It's always the simple things that trip us up.

JoeA3

I cannot believe anyone older than 15 would wear this thing unless you just want a very expensive lap timer for running or your gym session! It's so naff IMO, it's the equivalent of the 1980's Casio calculator watch :pac:

If you want a watch, get a proper automatic chronograph (Omega, Tag... whatever...) that will be timeless and you'll have forever more amen.

I say this as an Apple fan by the way who will probably get an iPhone 6 at some point...

Agent Coulson

For me none of these watches/fitness trackers (any brand) will catch on till they can at least used in swimming pool.

No point in tracking my fitness level on the way to the pool but then not track the 50 lenghts a day I do.

keith_d99

http://www.apple.com/watch/films/#film-design

Have a gander ... you get some hints on UI/how it will work etc.

Have to say - I'm impressed.

DubDJ

Well they've mentioned water resistant so usually that would be ok with things like sweat and I'd expect a little rain also. It would have to be protected against rain, otherwise they'd be water damaged constantly.

I've seen a few people saying the same as above (why not get a normal watch) but the problem is with a normal watch all it really does is tell time and maybe have a date or time dial. They're not smart watches, which is what people are buying into. This is an extension to your iPhone, it will display notifications and also double as a fitness tracker. This is what people are buying for.

I've been looking at getting a new watch, and also had a look at fitness trackers a year back but never got one due to problems with some of the top bands like the jawbone up. For me this would combine the two, and add a lot of extra functionality to that. And you could be paying anywhere from €250 and up for two of those so that's why I'm most likely going to be getting one of these.

seamus

JoeA3 wrote: »

I cannot believe anyone older than 15 would wear this thing unless you just want a very expensive lap timer for running or your gym session! It's so naff IMO, it's the equivalent of the 1980's Casio calculator watch :pac:

If you want a watch, get a proper automatic chronograph (Omega, Tag... whatever...) that will be timeless and you'll have forever more amen.

So, your point is quite valid. But I remember when the iPad were coming out initially with $500+ price tags, people were basically saying that there's no real appeal in them; "Sure I can buy a netbook for that price with a better everything".
Just now I had to do a google to find the word "netbook" because I had forgotten it.

I mentioned in another thread about this, the appeal that a watch like this gives. It's basically your phone, but in a non-intrusive way. Have I got messages? Look at my watch. What's the weather like? Look at my watch? Where am I? Look at my watch. Check what song is playing/change the song. Touch my watch. What time is it? Look at my watch

To a certain extent it's a regressive step because it reduces the amount of information available immediately, but what it does is make the most important information more immediately available. Which ultimately is the aim of all consumer technology.

I agree that €350 is mad money for a non-functional device (most people would be loathe to part with that for the phone itself), but that doesn't mean the device in itself has no appeal.

It will certainly be something less consumable than the phone because the range of functions is never going to be anything which requires you to constantly increase the level of hardware in it. At the end of the day it'll be a dumb terminal firing commands over bluetooth to the phone. So the requirements of the watch won't increase in the same way that they do on the phones.
So over time the cost will reduce as they rebuild the same tech using better and cheaper parts. I imagine the expected lifespan of an iPhone is 2-3 years, whereas the watch you'd expect to be in use for 6 years+.
Especially for those who find themselves constantly checking their phone or pissed off with having it out all the time, the cost will seem worth it.

Agent Coulson wrote: »

For me none of these watches/fitness trackers (any brand) will catch on till they can at least used in swimming pool.

No point in tracking my fitness level on the way to the pool but then not track the 50 lenghts a day I do.

At the end of the day, a multifunctional device can never replace a dedicated one. A €350 Apple Watch will never track a workout better than a €150 Garmin designed specifically for that purpose.

savemejebus

A mate asked me if I was interested in the Apple Watch so I told him that I already had one and I'd probably stick with it. He didn't believe me and was even less impressed when I showed him my vintage black one

Eoin

JoeA3 wrote: »

If you want a watch, get a proper automatic chronograph (Omega, Tag... whatever...) that will be timeless and you'll have forever more amen.

A Swiss automatic chrono is as far a competitor for this watch as you can get. They're totally different markets.

blacknight83

I'm presuming with all things apple they will be releasing a new smart watch every year now! think I'll wait a bit longer before investing

JoeA3

Eoin wrote: »

A Swiss automatic chrono is as far a competitor for this watch as you can get. They're totally different markets.

I wasn't suggesting they are. I'd just find it hard to fathom how a grown adult would find it appealing to wear this thing as an everyday watch. As gym / running companion maybe, but then the likes of the iPod mini fills that role just fine. When I think watch, I think a classy quality piece of jewellery which this certainly isn't. As I said it reminds me of the naff Casio's that myself and my mates wore in the '80's and they didn't cost hundreds!

I'm must not be the target market for it...

Eoin

JoeA3 wrote: »

When I think watch, I think a classy quality piece of jewellery which this certainly isn't. As I said it reminds me of the naff Casio's that myself and my mates wore in the '80's and they didn't cost hundreds!

I'm must not be the target market for it...

You probably feel the same about the likes of a Tissot T-Touch / G-Shock / Suunto etc then, which are functional, gadget-y watches that are not classy pieces of jewellery.

Spending hundreds on one of these might sound stupid to you, but similarly spending many multiples of that on an automatic watch that doesn't do anything more than a 10 quid Casio sounds stupid to other people.

IMO, these are wrist worn gadgets for people who think that a traditional watch is redundant, and want something with a lot more functionality.

For what it's worth, I don't see the point of these things either and much prefer my mechanical watches, but you need to compare like with like.

Frank Lee Midere

Like a lot of things Apple this is relatively good now but will be great in a few years. It's probably better than the competition.

However these things have to replace the phones at some stage. Not permanently but maybe on a night out or a run. Otherwise you have the iPhone, might as well use it.

That's not there yet and cellular chips will kill the battery.

If that happens and the sensors do better than just a pedometer but measure glucose etc. the watch makes sense. I hope enough early adopters buy them so that when I buy a decent one in 3 years there is still a market.

Frank Lee Midere

I think it looks pretty good btw. Far better than most android competitors. Stainless steel and sapphire. Interesting bands.

It's the functionality which worries me.

savemejebus

Interesting pre-review of it from a watch connoisseur perspecive
http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/hodinkee-apple-watch-review

Zcott

Either that site is down for me or all the tech blogs also want to know what watch blogs think of it...

rabbitinlights

savemejebus wrote: »

Interesting pre-review of it from a watch connoisseur perspecive
http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/hodinkee-apple-watch-review

Very interesting - the cuff test would kill it for me.

paddyh117

savemejebus wrote: »

Interesting pre-review of it from a watch connoisseur perspecive
http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/hodinkee-apple-watch-review

Great review and pics - I've done a complete 180 from not wanting one to really wanting one!

Zcott

Anyone thinking of picking one up next year?

Eoin

If I had been thinking about it, the one day battery life would be a deal breaker for me.

rabbitinlights wrote: »

Very interesting - the cuff test would kill it for me.

Wouldn't bother me, though I favour larger watches and have a smaller, simpler one for smarter occasions.

DubDJ

I don't know if you've seen this today but this is what the Apple Watch would of looked like if it had a round design instead of the current square one. I personally think this looks gorgeous and would of preferred this a lot more than the current design. It is down to personal preference though. The UI even fits the round display in parts. Hopefully this is what a future generation of the watch will look like.

savemejebus

The thing that the guy who mocked that up didn't take into account is That design would mess up one of the features that has been complimented most so far: the strap/lug system.

Plus it would just be a rip of the moto 360 in most peoples eyes.

Zcott

savemejebus wrote: »

The thing that the guy who mocked that up didn't take into account is That design would mess up one of the features that has been complimented most so far: the strap/lug system.

Plus it would just be a rip of the moto 360 in most peoples eyes.

I don't know about that. I think that could probably find a way of attaching the straps to it ok, and I wouldn't see it as a rip off of the Moto 360. Watches were (literally) round before and after the 360.

To be honest i think I prefer the round version but you can be sure there's a good UI reason why didn't use it.

Sam Mac

Hugely overpriced & that's just the basic model!

savemejebus

i'm sure they could attach the straps but they wouldn't be able to use the same design and that design seems to be getting quite a bit of praise at the moment


I meant that it would get accused of being a rip off coming out with that design so soon after the 360 (prob the first good round smartwatch design

Eoin

Sam Mac wrote: »

Hugely overpriced & that's just the basic model!

Of all the criticism it's received, I have to disagree with this the most. $350 for that technology is not bad at all.

paddyh117

Eoin wrote: »

Of all the criticism it's received, I have to disagree with this the most. $350 for that technology is not bad at all.

Was just going to say the exact same thing - when you look at the amount of tack and absolute rubbish that's for sale at that price point and more in the "fashion watch" space, it's in no way overpriced!!

DubDJ

I'd say they'd find a way to implement the watch strap design, I agree it is one of the most praised parts of the whole watch. I don't think you can call it a Moto 360 rip-off. It's a round watch, there's not many ways you can change that watch face, other than the bezel. I think the 360 looks great and I think the rounder look would suit me more. Apple nailed the UI and OS though, it seems to do a lot more than just display notifications.

Zcott

Anyone else find it impressive that up until the video on the reveal we had no idea what it would look like? I think that was the first time I remember that Apple had released a product where no one knew what it would look like.

I imagine they announced now to get ahead of all the leaks and to build up anticipation for it, which is only going to increase.

challengemaster

Eoin wrote: »

Of all the criticism it's received, I have to disagree with this the most. $350 for that technology is not bad at all.

The people saying $350 is expensive for a watch, have clearly never bought a decent watch. My Seiko cost ~€600, and all that does is tell the time.

For $350 you get a customisable watch that integrates with your phone (handoff) and has BT4 and Wifi, is a HRM/fitness device with GPS, capable of contactless payments, dictation/siri, control other apple devices, has its own communication system (Digital touch) and a sapphire glass cover.

IMO it's absolutely beautiful to look at. With the sports straps it looks a bit gammy, but in space black stainless steel with space black link bracelet -

copacetic

challengemaster wrote: »

The people saying $350 is expensive for a watch, have clearly never bought a decent watch. My Seiko cost ~€600, and all that does is tell the time.

For $350 you get a customisable watch that integrates with your phone (handoff) and has BT4 and Wifi, is a HRM/fitness device with GPS, capable of contactless payments, dictation/siri, control other apple devices, has its own communication system (Digital touch) and a sapphire glass cover.

IMO it's absolutely beautiful to look at. With the sports straps it looks a bit gammy, but in space black stainless steel with space black link bracelet -

It doesnt have GPS, it's not really a fitness device when you need to lug your massive iPhone 6 plus around with you on your run also for it to function properly.

challengemaster

copacetic wrote: »

It doesnt have GPS, it's not really a fitness device when you need to lug your massive iPhone 6 plus around with you on your run also for it to function properly.

Not standalone GPS, no - but linked.

And most people "lug around" their phone as a music player when running anyway. Those arm band strap cases and running earphones aren't being manufactured for the craic.

Any more non-issues?

Zcott

And another thing...I can't wait to see how this product develops. It's the watch version of the very first iPad, and we know how that developed into the iPad Air.

Dudda

challengemaster wrote: »

Not standalone GPS, no - but linked.

And most people "lug around" their phone as a music player when running anyway. Those arm band strap cases and running earphones aren't being manufactured for the craic.

Any more non-issues?

Zcott wrote: »

And another thing...I can't wait to see how this product develops. It's the watch version of the very first iPad, and we know how that developed into the iPad Air.

It's like when the iPad mini released without a retina screen we all knew it would get it as an update. I'd say GPS will be added. Google announced Android OS will support GPS and offline music playback before the end of the year with current watches getting the update. That will reduce the need to "lug around" a phone when running as mentioned above. While the offline playback will probably come via an app to Apples watch it will be this time next year probably before GPS is added.

copacetic

challengemaster wrote: »

Not standalone GPS, no - but linked.

And most people "lug around" their phone as a music player when running anyway. Those arm band strap cases and running earphones aren't being manufactured for the craic.

Any more non-issues?

Heh, most people? Very few people who run even slightly seriously carry a phone on their runs, in fact most have a watch smaller than the apple one with built in gps.

You said the watch had GPS, it doesn't. You were wrong, no need to get snarky that it's a non issue. 'Linked gps' means literally it doesn't have it. It' s a key missing feature for fitness and shows they are trying to use the watch to sell the phones rather than as a useful multifunction device.

JoeA3

copacetic wrote: »

Heh, most people? Very few people who run even slightly seriously carry a phone on their runs, in fact most have a watch smaller than the apple one with built in gps.

You said the watch had GPS, it doesn't. You were wrong, no need to get snarky that it's a non issue. 'Linked gps' means literally it doesn't have it. It' s a key missing feature for fitness and shows they are trying to use the watch to sell the phones rather than as a useful multifunction device.

Agreed. The phone is way too bulky to be carrying if you are running seriously at all. Those armband straps are a pain in the arse!

Mantis Toboggan

Think its a big mistake that they won't be releasing this watch in time for christmas.

Blazer

I like it..I just splashed out nearly 300 euro for a g-shock recently that I just use to tell me the time..I bought it for outdoors e.g. airsofting etc so I wanted something that would take abuse...
It's one of those pilot ones that can take 15g but I doubt my car does that so most of the features are really pointless to me but I just liked the watch.
The apple watch on the other hand has a lot of features I would use so it would be of more benefit to me.
My g-shock is radio controller and solar powered so I need to put in a window sill each night for the radio sync (time ) and to keep it powered so having to charge up an apple watch is no big deal

banquo

Three words: Maps while cycling.

Sonics2k

Been reading loads of reviews about the Apple Watch, and there is one thing I cannot get over.

That UI is just hideous. Apple have always done simplicity so well, its their calling card for design, but this is a cluster of small fidgety icons all over the place. The digital crown just makes it complicated, and frankly the idea of looking at a photo collection on the screen is just bafflingly bizarre when you have your actual phone just inches away.

I'm genuinely shocked to say that Android Wear and even Pebble look considerably easier to just use without it getting awkward.

The price point is over a minor concern, I don't like seeing it say "starting from $350", it makes me question just how expensive they'll get.
Battery lifecjs of course a concern after the mass outcry from Moto 360 buyers, as many reviewers were let down by it.

Sonics2k

Eoin wrote: »

Of all the criticism it's received, I have to disagree with this the most. $350 for that technology is not bad at all.

Actually it is, because we don't know the actual technology behind it yet, people at the announcement were only shown demo version, and the people with working models were highly reluctant to show theirs working. Even when it was announced he stood on stafecand held it in his hands, instead of on his wrist.

$350 is a lot to ask for such an early generation wearable.

Wolverine359

Question about the Watch: does it have any internal memory to store songs from iTunes or Spotify so you can listen to music while having a workout, completely independent of your phone? With Bluetooth or wi-if wireless headphone compatibility. I've been hoping for something like this for years, thought they'd do it with the iPod shuffle but it never happened. If I'm to invest in a smart watch, I want this feature, but if it doesn't, and along with it being non-waterproof, I'll have to say that I'm out. (I'm a dragon :pac:)

Zcott

Wolverine359 wrote: »

Question about the Watch: does it have any internal memory to store songs from iTunes or Spotify so you can listen to music while having a workout, completely independent of your phone? With Bluetooth or wi-if wireless headphone compatibility. I've been hoping for something like this for years, thought they'd do it with the iPod shuffle but it never happened. If I'm to invest in a smart watch, I want this feature, but if it doesn't, and along with it being non-waterproof, I'll have to say that I'm out. (I'm a dragon :pac:)

Perhaps not storage but maybe streaming. Tim Cook said this:

It requires an iPhone, because they’ve been designed to work together. However, if you go for a run, and you don’t want to carry your iPhone, music is also on your watch. So with a Bluetooth headset, you can run and listen to your music without your iPhone.

squonk

I don't wear a watch but would consider this just for the usefulness factor. It's not really the watch I'm looking for right now though. Nighttime charging is a drawback. I'd like to get the benefits of sleep monitoring you get in dedicated fitness trackers. I'd like something waterproof so I could take it to the pool or not end up despondent the day I jump into the pool wearing it by accident and see $400 go up in smoke. It also looks a little thick right now. I'll start to get really interested I think once I see what the version 2 brings to the table. It's a good concept but I just don't think it's compelling enough right now.