How many are getting an Apple watch?

[Commodus]

You guys are gonna think I'm stupid or crazy but I'm actually considering buying an older (5 or 5S) iPhone to carry around so I can use an Apple watch. It really would be useful for me with all the exercise and health apps.



Really torn between the 42mm Black steel case with black band or the 42mm Sport black aluminum case with black band.


difference in price is $399 vs $599. Is the sapphire worth it?

My rule of thumb: if you're really uncertain, go with the Watch Sport -- it'll be less out of pocket (you could roll that money toward an iPhone 6, for example). I'm seriously considering the steel Watch, but that's because I'm both a regular iPhone user and have liked the idea of wearing a nice watch for a long time.

 

[Subyman]

My rule of thumb: if you're really uncertain, go with the Watch Sport -- it'll be less out of pocket (you could roll that money toward an iPhone 6, for example). I'm seriously considering the steel Watch, but that's because I'm both a regular iPhone user and have liked the idea of wearing a nice watch for a long time.

My rule of thumb, if you are really uncertain then wait a few months after launch and see how things pan out. No need to jump right in. I had an iPad 1 and it was pretty slow. iPad 2 was infinitely better. Good idea, but wait for gen 2 IMO.

 

[touchstone]

My rule of thumb, if you are really uncertain then wait a few months after launch and see how things pan out. No need to jump right in. I had an iPad 1 and it was pretty slow. iPad 2 was infinitely better. Good idea, but wait for gen 2 IMO.

Yeah, that's definitely true for the ipad. I actually also had an original iPad. It was pretty cool to have even when it came out, but when the ipad 2 was released you got to see what you were missing (ram).


$400 isn't a huge deal for me so I will probably go with the Sport watch and an iphone 5 (just bid on one). If the Apple Watch 2 comes out next year and it's way better I will probably want to upgrade to a sapphire version anyway. Hopefully by then they will open it up to android.


I guess I will just have an exercise phone and a regular phone, and just take the iphone 5 out running.

 

[Nebor]

The $600 difference for a black metal band is outrageous. That's the only difference between the Watch Sport and Watch, correct?

 

[Artdeco]

The $600 difference for a black metal band is outrageous. That's the only difference between the Watch Sport and Watch, correct?

The "Sport" is aluminum, the "Watch" is SS, the internals from the $249-$17K are all identical, and there are going to be hundreds of 3rd party bands.

Buy a Sport and wait for a 3rd party band you like.

Yeah, that's definitely true for the ipad. I actually also had an original iPad. It was pretty cool to have even when it came out, but when the ipad 2 was released you got to see what you were missing (ram).


$400 isn't a huge deal for me so I will probably go with the Sport watch and an iphone 5 (just bid on one). If the Apple Watch 2 comes out next year and it's way better I will probably want to upgrade to a sapphire version anyway. Hopefully by then they will open it up to android.


I guess I will just have an exercise phone and a regular phone, and just take the iphone 5 out running.

I don't think it'll ever be compatible with Android.

Am on the fence, probably going to buy a SS 42mm in stainless, wait for a 3rd party link band, already backed one on kickstarter, am pretty hard on watches, the SS should wear well.

 

[Red Storm]

While checking out Mac Minis on Apple's site, I figured I'd go look at the watch page and see what's up. If I had to get an Apple Watch, it would be the stainless steel one with the Milanese loop, but then I saw that it's $700? Lol...

 

[openwheel]

My rule of thumb: if you're really uncertain, go with the Watch Sport -- it'll be less out of pocket (you could roll that money toward an iPhone 6, for example). I'm seriously considering the steel Watch, but that's because I'm both a regular iPhone user and have liked the idea of wearing a nice watch for a long time.

Try a Swiss mechanical watch instead.
At the very least, you are not stuck with one single design. :biggrin:

 

[Nebor]

The "Sport" is aluminum, the "Watch" is SS, the internals from the $249-$17K are all identical, and there are going to be hundreds of 3rd party bands.

Buy a Sport and wait for a 3rd party band you like.



I don't think it'll ever be compatible with Android.

Am on the fence, probably going to buy a SS 42mm in stainless, wait for a 3rd party link band, already backed one on kickstarter, am pretty hard on watches, the SS should wear well.

I'm just gonna get the Apple Watch with the black steel band. I'd rather not wait for a 3rd party.

 

[openwheel]

Is there really a comparison in terms of aesthetic? Most (if not all) smart watches look so cheap....

 

[SlitheryDee]

Is there really a comparison in terms of aesthetic? Most (if not all) smart watches look so cheap....

[pics removed]

Honestly I don't see anything that clearly marks one as being more expensive than the other. They look different for sure, but I wouldn't make an estimation of value based on those differences. Both have an appearance that is clearly aimed at a certain aesthetic, but I see no aspects that seem to be manufactured primarily with cost savings in mind. I've seen many very cheap watches that share the same basic design as that Omega watch, so I know there's nothing about it's outward appearance that is inherently expensive to create. It has a more detailed look, full of divots and grooves and the like, but why is that also a more "expensive" look? The smooth, organic appearance of the apple watch is impressive in it's own right, if seeming to be part of a completely different school of thought as far as design choices.

 

[Commodus]

Try a Swiss mechanical watch instead.
At the very least, you are not stuck with one single design. :biggrin:

Heh, the irony is that Apple is actually the most flexible smartwatch maker right now... as a rule, most of its latest rivals have just one case size and style (usually too big, rarely nicer than aluminum), and you're lucky if you get more than one or two bands.

As it stands: I think the mechanical watch market lost me. I like the style of many conventional watches (Mondaine Helvetica No. 1, anyone?), but it's hard to imagine buying wristwear in 2015 that does little more than tell the time.

 

[ControlD]

Is there really a comparison in terms of aesthetic? Most (if not all) smart watches look so cheap....

[

Yes, but the top one does not have magic inside. You can't put a price on magic. Unless it starts at $349.

 

[Commodus]

So the first reviews are out, and the gist is that the Apple Watch is generally better than other smartwatches on the market... but it's still a smartwatch. It makes sense if you want to reduce the number of times you need to check your phone, especially if you were already looking for a timepiece, but it probably won't sway you if you're in the "why would anyone wear a watch when they have a phone?" camp.

The only big issue I'm seeing is that third-party apps currently take a long time to load... not so hot, even if it's no worse than Android Wear (seriously, try an app like Wear for Swarm). Apple's supposedly improving it within the next few weeks, though. You get the sense that the Watch will only really shine when fully native app support shows up later this year.

 

[WelshBloke]

Be interesting to see how Apple fans deal with the substantial lag considering the fuss they make about minimal lag on other platforms.

I'm surprised at the level of 'Meh' that came across in the verges review considering the author.

 

[vi edit]

I feel like that "7" score from The Verge is way too optimistic given his actual opinions through the review and the overall pro's/cons of the device. It just has too many compromises that they will not be able to overcome given current battery technology and the relative small amount of user interface space they are given.

I still contend that at almost half the price, a slightly revised (maybe gen 2) Microsoft Band is the perfect middle ground. Basic notifications, "offline" GPS without a phone, overnight sleep tracking, and 2-3 days of battery life. Oh and it's platform agnostic.

 

[openwheel]

if the fat Indian douche from Verge can't get a b^ner from the Apple Watch, I don't think anyone can.

 

[Commodus]

The battery life results seem to change a lot depending on who you ask. A couple of reviews had the Watch nearly conk out by the evening, others ended the day with 30-40% left. It's clear that your running time varies widely based on how busy your day is and how many notifications you allow.

 

[Phokus]

Did people really think apple can wave its magic wand and sprinkle some pixie dust and have week long battery life?

I get 4 days of battery life out of my lg g watch r, apple ****ed up here.

 

[openwheel]

It's pretty funny seeing the Verge guy reviewing Apple Watch as a "fitness tracking device". I don't think he has ever used one....

 

[Artdeco]

The Verge has been changing its tune from Apple to Android, they need page views and ad revenue to survive, and although most of the staffu uses Apple stuff, things like the "iVerge" meme that started on reddit have slowly changed the culture towards Android.

The sheer numbers of Android users impact their readership numbers, and for websites that aren't willing to change, they get to die.

I wondered about the processor choice, my iPod Touch is slow as hell, wouldn't have been my choice for a CPU.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I wondered about the processor choice, my iPod Touch is slow as hell, wouldn't have been my choice for a CPU.

Its not the same CPU, just that this CPU is as powerful as the old A5. I am sure it will be like the A7s that are in most Android Wear watches, but maybe with some extra Apple secret sauce. The only smartwatch using an old CPU is Motos.

In fact I bet the SoC is a real sipper, since Apple made a custom SoC for the watch. I am pretty positive the battery life issue is due to a high PPI screen.

 

[WelshBloke]

The Verge has been changing its tune from Apple to Android, they need page views and ad revenue to survive, and although most of the staffu uses Apple stuff, things like the "iVerge" meme that started on reddit have slowly changed the culture towards Android.

The sheer numbers of Android users impact their readership numbers, and for websites that aren't willing to change, they get to die.

I wondered about the processor choice, my iPod Touch is slow as hell, wouldn't have been my choice for a CPU.

All the reviews at the moment are from people who are on Apple's approved reviewer list, there's not going to be any one on there that pushes android over Apple.

These reviews should have just been positive PR puff pieces for Apple. The fact that they are so luke warm given the carefully selected group of reviewers is surprising to say the least.

 

[Commodus]

All the reviews at the moment are from people who are on Apple's approved reviewer list, there's not going to be any one on there that pushes android over Apple.

These reviews should have just been positive PR puff pieces for Apple. The fact that they are so luke warm given the carefully selected group of reviewers is surprising to say the least.

It's not surprising to me. There's a common myth that Apple pays for good reviews or tells writers what they're allowed to say (usually from the camp that thinks no one would ever say something good about Apple voluntarily), but that's not true. It picks the outlets it believes will say good things about its product, but it doesn't dictate the verdict.

From what I've read so far, the reviews aren't terrible -- just that this is expensive early adopter stuff. You'll have to be okay with merely adequate battery life and slow-loading apps, at least in the early stages. I'm wondering if iOS 8.3 has any effect on the Watch.

 

[Red Storm]

Lol gotta love the Verge. All of the reviewer's complaints are about the core features and uses of a modern smartwatch and yet it somehow scores a 7 and is the "nicest" smartwatch.

And then you have comments like this:

Who cares about the Apple Watch being crap/having issues.. I’m buying one

It's because of people like that guy that I will be pre-ordering the Apple Watch... to sell it back to those rabid fans who don't care how much it costs, what it does, or even if it works, just that it's a new Apple toy and they gotta have it.

The one thing I like about it is mobile payments from the wrist, that should have been in Android Wear from the beginning. I expect Google will unveil that at IO this summer.

 

[WelshBloke]

It picks the outlets it believes will say good things about its product, but it doesn't dictate the verdict.

And takes them off the favoured reviewer list if they don't toe the line.

I don't think that many people claim any more than that. A lot of people refuse to accept it though.

From what I've read so far, the verdicts aren't terrible -- just that this is expensive early adopter stuff. You'll have to be okay with merely adequate battery life and slow-loading apps, at least in the early stages. I'm wondering if iOS 8.3 has any effect on the Watch.

Indeed. As I said the reviews are pretty 'Meh'. They seem to be saying 'Save your money, it doesn't work that well and we're not sure you'd need it even if it did. Hopefully it'll get better.'. That's pretty bad for selected pre release Apple reviews.