Verge: Apple iWatch models to hit 400 USD

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Mopetar

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2011
8,447
7,649
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Read the article carefully:

"Sources say consumers should expect a range of prices for different models including lower-priced versions."

That's just standard "we don't actually know what the hell we're talking about so we'll hedge in every direction so we can try to claim we were correct after the fact" Apple rumor talk. Their sources could well be their own posteriors and a drunk at the bar who's vague hand gestures seem to indicate a broad range of prices and features.
 

shabby

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,782
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When you really think about it there's nothing smart about these smart watches, they are nothing more than a notification device. Can you browse/game/call on them? No.
Don't think apple's watch is gonna be any different, once the hype dies down people will realize they just bought a $400 pretty watch that tells them they got a new text, let alone be more than likely targeted for theft since you need an iphone for it to work.
 

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
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When you really think about it there's nothing smart about these smart watches, they are nothing more than a notification device. Can you browse/game/call on them? No.
Don't think apple's watch is gonna be any different, once the hype dies down people will realize they just bought a $400 pretty watch that tells them they got a new text, let alone be more than likely targeted for theft since you need an iphone for it to work.

You can use google search and navigation with Android Wear. Google Now has targeted notifications including weather alerts, your favorite sports team scores, local alerts about traffic conditions or even rip currents or jellyfish warnings if you're at the beach. It gives you notifications based on your preferences as well as the location you are at currently.
 

Typ33

Member
Aug 24, 2014
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0
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If all the rumors are true and their business strategy for iWatch is the same as for the other products than they will introduce a digital watch with sensors at price points somewhere between 200 and 1000 dollars, than I think luxury watch manufacturers will be fine.
 
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Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
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tbqhwy.com
Never under estimate the stupidity of the masses. There will still be hipster douchebags that buy it.

That said, I'm one of those people who just don't see a need for a "smart" watch.

personally I don't see the need for normal watches, there are clocks everywhere
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
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tbqhwy.com
You never go camping/biking/boating/swimming/hiking/etc?

I was being somewhat sarcastic in that statement, I have done or so all those things, phone covers most of them and ive never taken a watch swimming, there one on the boat

ive used a dive watch for diving but that's special purpose
 

Red Storm

Lifer
Oct 2, 2005
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I was being somewhat sarcastic in that statement, I have done or so all those things, phone covers most of them and ive never taken a watch swimming, there one on the boat

ive used a dive watch for diving but that's special purpose

I take my phone with me when I go camping, but once I've got my tent setup the phone goes into my bag and doesn't come back out until after the trip is done.

Regarding smart watches, I love the idea of responding to a message on Hangouts and using Google Maps for navigation without pulling out the phone. That's great for any mode of travel. Searching for places while out and about is also a lot more seamless with a watch than taking your phone out, and having to keep it out until you get to your destination.
 
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obidamnkenobi

Golden Member
Sep 16, 2010
1,407
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I'm sorry, for $400, I'll go for a Citizens watch or something of similar quality. Not a tacky digital watch.

My certina watch cost about $400 I think, and is over 13 years old now. Works great and not a scratch thanks to sapphire glass (yes it existed before it was in the iphone)
 

Ravynmagi

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2007
3,102
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Well if Apple makes a good smart watch, they can apparently charge whatever they like. Because so far Samsung, LG, and Motorola haven't been able to figure out how to do it.
 
Feb 19, 2001
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Well if Apple makes a good smart watch, they can apparently charge whatever they like. Because so far Samsung, LG, and Motorola haven't been able to figure out how to do it.
Exactly. The first few watches feel like the Gingerbread tablets. If the Android front is still gonna suck like it does in tablets, then a good launch from Apple will just take the lion's share of the market.
 
Feb 19, 2001
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360 is the biggest disappointment. It's like companies are just launching products without thinking about if the whole package works.

Did anyone think the OMAP 3 would really work? What kind of product specs did they design to (battery life, etc.?). Did their internal validation show that it worked? Didn't the LG G Watch and Gear Live show any signs that the 360 would need to be beefed up to match the competition? Why were these warning signs not enough?

I'm not high up enough in the food chain to make critical product level decisions like these, but are the execs at Moto just this inept? It's like you're launching something that's clearly going to be second class.

You would never see Apple pull something like this, and if they did, some exec would get canned fast.
 

Mopetar

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2011
8,447
7,649
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Well if Apple makes a good smart watch, they can apparently charge whatever they like. Because so far Samsung, LG, and Motorola haven't been able to figure out how to do it.

I think the 360 that Motorola just released is a cut above the rest at least. It's at least the first that I would consider.

$400? I think I will buy Nike's Fuelband for less than $60!

Why stop there? Xiaomi sells theirs for $13, at least that's the price for the Chinese market. To me that's the most useful part of a smart watch, so why pay $200+ for something that you can get for far less than $100.
 

Red Storm

Lifer
Oct 2, 2005
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I think the 360 that Motorola just released is a cut above the rest at least. It's at least the first that I would consider.



Why stop there? Xiaomi sells theirs for $13, at least that's the price for the Chinese market. To me that's the most useful part of a smart watch, so why pay $200+ for something that you can get for far less than $100.

Yeah if the only thing someone wants is the simple running related things, then get a cheap fitness band and be happy. Not sure why they'd be looking at a full on smartwatch. It's like wanting an iPod Shuffle while looking at iPod Touches.
 

rockyct

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2001
6,656
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I actually think the more FitBit style devices may win out in the end. Microsoft is going that route with their wearable: http://winsupersite.com/mobile-devices/microsoft-wearables

Getting a small notification screen and media controls on your wrist probably isn't worth it to me. Navigation may be worthwhile if I lived in a walking city like New York. I'm not every sure something like a FitBit would be useful to me, but at least it's a thin rugged band with good battery life and under $100.
 

cliftonite

Diamond Member
Jul 15, 2001
6,899
63
91
360 is the biggest disappointment. It's like companies are just launching products without thinking about if the whole package works.

Did anyone think the OMAP 3 would really work? What kind of product specs did they design to (battery life, etc.?). Did their internal validation show that it worked? Didn't the LG G Watch and Gear Live show any signs that the 360 would need to be beefed up to match the competition? Why were these warning signs not enough?

I'm not high up enough in the food chain to make critical product level decisions like these, but are the execs at Moto just this inept? It's like you're launching something that's clearly going to be second class.

You would never see Apple pull something like this, and if they did, some exec would get canned fast.

Well looks like the Apple watch will need to be charged daily as well. So I guess Apple is inept as well?
 

s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
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I'm stunned that Apple showed its hand so many months before launch.

We've already seen how fast LG and Samsung iterate. Even Moto, I bet, will have a 720 by the time Apple gets the watch released.
 

magomago

Lifer
Sep 28, 2002
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Why do you need to know the time on a camping trip? Its not like you will miss a meeting.

There are plenty of uses for a watch. I have a garmin with a dedicated hear rate strap when I want my pace, my elevation (approx), my direction, my heart rate all updated at 1 second intervals and built for activity, sweat, and even complete water submersion.

I would imagine a fashion statement won't beat that, but at 400USD it may be possible for it to achieve all of that and more.
With the 'health' metrics they are seeing, I'm more curious to see it extend to things that my Phone cannot already do. I'd love to see something like noninvasive glucose estimates. Even if could do continuous BP while recording at maybe 50Hz , then for 1000USD i'm in.
 

Red Storm

Lifer
Oct 2, 2005
14,233
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Why do you need to know the time on a camping trip? Its not like you will miss a meeting.

Actually for meetings I don't need to know the time, I get plenty of emails and alerts for those. What's wrong with wanting to know what time it is? How long something took? How long until a certain time? Telling time is the smallest function of a smartwatch, but they do that too.
 

cliftonite

Diamond Member
Jul 15, 2001
6,899
63
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I'm stunned that Apple showed its hand so many months before launch.

We've already seen how fast LG and Samsung iterate. Even Moto, I bet, will have a 720 by the time Apple gets the watch released.

I don't think the Apple watch software is something that can be easily replicated and the hardware design isn't anything special.