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I really think apple missed on the aesthetics with this one: they should have gone with a round watch and used the rotating bezel (either physical or touch) for

I really think apple missed on the aesthetics with this one: they should have gone with a round watch and used the rotating bezel (either physical or touch) for input, rather than a tiny crown. Even if it remained a niche product, which always seemed the most likely outcome, at least there would be some interesting design work to do with a circular UX. I think that Ressence Watches (which are, ironically, mechanical) has done the most compelling modern watch design: http://ressencewatches.com/watches/type-3 http://ressencewatches.com/watches/type-3 Something like the Type 3, with a touch-rotating bezel, would nail the smartwatch aesthetic the way that the iPhone 5 hinted at the platonic ideal of cell phones.

meesterdude 11y ago
I agree - although I thought this when I saw the pebble time round - combine that with the scrolling from pre-touch ipods and you have something much more tactical, and prettier. But, the iWatch is more fashion than function, so I'm not surprised it's stalled. v2 or v3 might pose some more appealing features, but for now i'm iWatchless, and i'm totally fine with that.
untog 11y ago
They should have made the watch round so that it creates design busywork? I'm not sure that's a strategy for product success.
- carsongross 11y ago
  Well, as I said initially, I don't think that this product was ever going to be a home run. Regarding busywork, it's worth recalling that "the enemy of art is the absence of limitations." A circular UI would introduce some very interesting constraints and give Apples designers a chance to work in a new problem space. The tension and interplay there could lead to more interesting innovation than the scaled down mobile screen they are currently have. And using the bezel, rather than a tiny crown, as the rotational input, which a circular watch allows, is an obvious usability win.
  - untog 11y ago
    I'm sorry, that all still sounds like busywork with some buzzwords thrown in for good measure to me. A screen that has the size and power limitations of the Apple Watch seems like plenty of limitations to work with, to me.
    - vaishaksuresh 11y ago
      What do you mean busywork? Many Android watches have been doing great with a round dial, vast majority of regular watches have round dial!
      - untog 11y ago
        I'm not saying that a round face is a bad idea, just that the OP suggested making it round specifically so that the designers can explore a round watch face. That's busywork. (and I suspect Apple did it at some point in the development of the watch anyway)
danem 11y ago
Samsung recently released a watch that somewhat matches your description. http://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/gear-s2/ http://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/gear-s2/
- carsongross 11y ago
  Yes, it's a step forward, for sure. The software component is important for getting the circular UI right, so I'd like to see it in action. I think (or at least hope) there is a chance that eventually apple will break and move to something like this.
marincounty 11y ago
I thought that not being round was a error too. Now--I don't think it would have mattered. Once I saw it disassembled, and read the reviews, I couldn't see the point in buying it. I understand they need a smart watch. Like another person pointed out, the last thing Appke wants is "Will this (any brand smart watch) work with my iPhone." So they need a smart watch? When they figure out all the problems it might be a easier sell? Until they get to that point, I think they should work on making it waterproof. A waterproof watch is not an easy engineering feat. Most watches, even high end watches, are not waterproof. Yes, they say they are, but unless you are vigilant on servicing a high-end watch; it will leak. I have had so many water resistant/proof watches cloud up while river rafting, or even sea kayaking. I think Apple should focus on a truly waterproof watch. I think it would be a great selling point. It seems like it would be an easy engineering feat, but it's hard. They could do away with the crown. That would be one less gasket to worry about. And then you still need to access the internals for repair? You want customers thinking they will have this watch for life? I think what Apple forgot about when designing the Iwatch is this; When people decide to buy a high-end watch, a little part of them is thinking, I'll have this watch for life? If it needs repair/servicing--I can easily it repaired. (If it's out of warranty it's very difficult/expensive to repair these high end watches.) "Hell, if I get tired of it, I'll sell it?" "I love those 60 year old Bubble-backs--they must be bullet proof?" "If I buy this watch, I give it to my kid eventually?" When I look at the Iwatch, none of these thoughts come to mind. Actually, maybe Apple should have never tried to play up the luxury branding of the Iwatch. Forget about the 18k gold, and all that. Lower the pricing point. Make it truely water resistant. Maybe even waterproof? But then again, what do I know? I do collect/repair old watches. I really wanted to like the Iwatch. Maybe the next model?
AdrianRossouw 11y ago
hell, the old school click wheel ipod ui seems great for this, and they even have all the patents.
- carsongross 11y ago
  Exactly!

meesterdude 11y ago

I agree - although I thought this when I saw the pebble time round - combine that with the scrolling from pre-touch ipods and you have something much more tactical, and prettier. But, the iWatch is more fashion than function, so I'm not surprised it's stalled. v2 or v3 might pose some more appealing features, but for now i'm iWatchless, and i'm totally fine with that.

untog 11y ago

They should have made the watch round so that it creates design busywork? I'm not sure that's a strategy for product success.

carsongross 11y ago
Well, as I said initially, I don't think that this product was ever going to be a home run. Regarding busywork, it's worth recalling that "the enemy of art is the absence of limitations." A circular UI would introduce some very interesting constraints and give Apples designers a chance to work in a new problem space. The tension and interplay there could lead to more interesting innovation than the scaled down mobile screen they are currently have. And using the bezel, rather than a tiny crown, as the rotational input, which a circular watch allows, is an obvious usability win.
- untog 11y ago
  I'm sorry, that all still sounds like busywork with some buzzwords thrown in for good measure to me. A screen that has the size and power limitations of the Apple Watch seems like plenty of limitations to work with, to me.
  - vaishaksuresh 11y ago
    What do you mean busywork? Many Android watches have been doing great with a round dial, vast majority of regular watches have round dial!
    - untog 11y ago
      I'm not saying that a round face is a bad idea, just that the OP suggested making it round specifically so that the designers can explore a round watch face. That's busywork. (and I suspect Apple did it at some point in the development of the watch anyway)

danem 11y ago

Samsung recently released a watch that somewhat matches your description. http://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/gear-s2/ http://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/gear-s2/

carsongross 11y ago
Yes, it's a step forward, for sure. The software component is important for getting the circular UI right, so I'd like to see it in action. I think (or at least hope) there is a chance that eventually apple will break and move to something like this.

marincounty 11y ago

I thought that not being round was a error too. Now--I don't think it would have mattered. Once I saw it disassembled, and read the reviews, I couldn't see the point in buying it. I understand they need a smart watch. Like another person pointed out, the last thing Appke wants is "Will this (any brand smart watch) work with my iPhone." So they need a smart watch? When they figure out all the problems it might be a easier sell? Until they get to that point, I think they should work on making it waterproof. A waterproof watch is not an easy engineering feat. Most watches, even high end watches, are not waterproof. Yes, they say they are, but unless you are vigilant on servicing a high-end watch; it will leak. I have had so many water resistant/proof watches cloud up while river rafting, or even sea kayaking. I think Apple should focus on a truly waterproof watch. I think it would be a great selling point. It seems like it would be an easy engineering feat, but it's hard. They could do away with the crown. That would be one less gasket to worry about. And then you still need to access the internals for repair? You want customers thinking they will have this watch for life? I think what Apple forgot about when designing the Iwatch is this; When people decide to buy a high-end watch, a little part of them is thinking, I'll have this watch for life? If it needs repair/servicing--I can easily it repaired. (If it's out of warranty it's very difficult/expensive to repair these high end watches.) "Hell, if I get tired of it, I'll sell it?" "I love those 60 year old Bubble-backs--they must be bullet proof?" "If I buy this watch, I give it to my kid eventually?" When I look at the Iwatch, none of these thoughts come to mind. Actually, maybe Apple should have never tried to play up the luxury branding of the Iwatch. Forget about the 18k gold, and all that. Lower the pricing point. Make it truely water resistant. Maybe even waterproof? But then again, what do I know? I do collect/repair old watches. I really wanted to like the Iwatch. Maybe the next model?

AdrianRossouw 11y ago

hell, the old school click wheel ipod ui seems great for this, and they even have all the patents.

carsongross 11y ago
Exactly!