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This is an intriguing situation because while the "No wireless, less space than a Nomad. Lame." comment will always haunt those that criticise Apple product lau

This is an intriguing situation because while the "No wireless, less space than a Nomad. Lame." comment will always haunt those that criticise Apple product launches this is the first one in years where the product looks more like it's actually the Nomad being mentioned, and the iPod has yet to arrive. I'm going so far as to say that smartwatches and VR represent the desperate flailing of a tech industry that's run out of ideas that will connect with people. We had a good boom post iPhone, but this kind of thing just doesn't look like there's any point to it.

TillE 12y ago
It's amazing how similar it is to all the other clunky smartwatches. More polish, sure, but essentially the same thing. I think they really missed an opportunity here. Should have been two things only: sensors and notifications. Fitbit + Pebble in a slim, beautiful package. It's already an iPhone accessory, not a standalone device. They could have gone all the way with that, but no, instead it's yet another touchscreen gadget to fiddle with.
- ssmoot 12y ago
  I went in thinking there's no way it could interest me. But the payments, the "crown", the haptic feedback, and the gamification of health... I'll probably pick one up.
josho 12y ago
"connect with people" is exactly what the apple watch does. This strikes me as the first tech. product launch that the fashion aspect plays at the forefront. Personally, their watch is not for me. But, this strikes me as Apple's next transition from technology company to a consumer fashion brand (making the Beats acquisition somewhat more clear). Think about it, Apple's 3 watch models are differentiated by the aesthetic desires of the consumer, not the technology differences. This is the next stage of technology fading into the background and our vanity/fashion consciousness driving ahead. -- I suspect that very reason is why you and I as techies are not excited about the device.
- XorNot 12y ago
  Or its a very optimistic push to try and make a new market area which is fraught with difficulties work well? When you get down to it the fundamental issues of smart watches haven't been fixed. We do not have batteries big enough to give the sort of runtime which would make it acceptable, and people are already burdened from device charging fatigue. Smartwatches have runtimes measured in under-a-day, depending how they're used. That is nowhere near good enough.
  - LeoPanthera 12y ago
    My Pebble lasts a whole week.
    - robmcm 12y ago
      I guess this is like saying my Nokia 3310 lasts a whole week compared to a smart phone.
      - LeoPanthera 12y ago
        Probably. I often compare the Pebble to being the Palm Pilot of smartwatches.
MrScruff 12y ago
In my opinion you're utterly wrong about VR, it's going to be a transformative technology and will precipitate a massive push for high end real-time graphics. People want new experiences without leaving their sofa and VR will bring that in spades. As far as the watch goes, I think it will make money but less than the iPad. It's clearly pitched as a fashion accessory and will find a market. Just not a big enough one to satisfy analysts.
- deong 12y ago
  > People want new experiences without leaving their sofa and VR will bring that in spades. It's far from clear that they're actually willing to do anything about it. Look at 3D TVs. No one wants to sit on their couch lazily watching whatever's on with special glasses. If VR was a passive technology like HD -- by which I mean you buy a new TV and everything is better without any further action on your part -- I'd be more confident that you're correct. But it's not. I can't see headsets as a thing people are going to wear sitting on their sofa with the family. Game consoles seem like an obvious target with an audience that might be receptive, but otherwise, I just can't envision mass adoption.
  - MrScruff 12y ago
    I don't argue that it would be an easier sell if it wasn't so anti-social to use. But it certainly can't be compared to 3D TVs or movies for that matter, which are an awful hack. This generation's VR is the real deal, and while the technology isn't quite there yet, it's within touching distance. People will be prepared to put up with the inconvenience because the experience will be significantly more compelling than anything else they've seen. It will be massive based on word of mouth alone.
    - deong 12y ago
      I think that very much depends on perspective. The technology powering a current-gen headset might be brilliant, but the headset itself -- not the technology but the very idea that I need a headset is still very much an "awful hack". At least to me, and I suspect quite a few others. I could be wrong of course...just my predictions there, but that's my problem with the tech.
jayvanguard 12y ago
I disagree on the watches but agree on VR. A phone in your pocket is really absurd when you think about it. It would be far more useful on your wrist for 80% of what you'd use it for. For the remaining 20% (gaming, typing longer texts, etc.) you can still have a larger phone but it would mostly stay in your bag. As for VR, there is a solid 30+ years of it being "the next" thing and then failing to be. I tried the Oculus recently and it didn't change my mind.
- drzaiusapelord 12y ago
  Curious, whats your take on the Oculus? I'm getting a little sick of the paid PR messages and fanboys and am skeptical its going to have mass adoption. How did it feel to you?
  - jayvanguard 12y ago
    I thought the motion and immersion were awesome but the graphics were less stellar than I expected. Obviously that is probably the easiest thing to improve. So for first person shooters it could be the best thing ever, but for general purpose gaming I'm not so sure it is worth the hassle (much like 3D).
Kiro 12y ago
Again someone who are ignorant to the people already owning a smartwatch. It has literally transformed my life, almost as much as when getting my first smartphone. I will wear one until the next technological paradigm shift happens and makes it obsolete.

TillE 12y ago

It's amazing how similar it is to all the other clunky smartwatches. More polish, sure, but essentially the same thing. I think they really missed an opportunity here. Should have been two things only: sensors and notifications. Fitbit + Pebble in a slim, beautiful package. It's already an iPhone accessory, not a standalone device. They could have gone all the way with that, but no, instead it's yet another touchscreen gadget to fiddle with.

ssmoot 12y ago
I went in thinking there's no way it could interest me. But the payments, the "crown", the haptic feedback, and the gamification of health... I'll probably pick one up.

josho 12y ago

"connect with people" is exactly what the apple watch does. This strikes me as the first tech. product launch that the fashion aspect plays at the forefront. Personally, their watch is not for me. But, this strikes me as Apple's next transition from technology company to a consumer fashion brand (making the Beats acquisition somewhat more clear). Think about it, Apple's 3 watch models are differentiated by the aesthetic desires of the consumer, not the technology differences. This is the next stage of technology fading into the background and our vanity/fashion consciousness driving ahead. -- I suspect that very reason is why you and I as techies are not excited about the device.

XorNot 12y ago
Or its a very optimistic push to try and make a new market area which is fraught with difficulties work well? When you get down to it the fundamental issues of smart watches haven't been fixed. We do not have batteries big enough to give the sort of runtime which would make it acceptable, and people are already burdened from device charging fatigue. Smartwatches have runtimes measured in under-a-day, depending how they're used. That is nowhere near good enough.
- LeoPanthera 12y ago
  My Pebble lasts a whole week.
  - robmcm 12y ago
    I guess this is like saying my Nokia 3310 lasts a whole week compared to a smart phone.
    - LeoPanthera 12y ago
      Probably. I often compare the Pebble to being the Palm Pilot of smartwatches.

MrScruff 12y ago

In my opinion you're utterly wrong about VR, it's going to be a transformative technology and will precipitate a massive push for high end real-time graphics. People want new experiences without leaving their sofa and VR will bring that in spades. As far as the watch goes, I think it will make money but less than the iPad. It's clearly pitched as a fashion accessory and will find a market. Just not a big enough one to satisfy analysts.

deong 12y ago
> People want new experiences without leaving their sofa and VR will bring that in spades. It's far from clear that they're actually willing to do anything about it. Look at 3D TVs. No one wants to sit on their couch lazily watching whatever's on with special glasses. If VR was a passive technology like HD -- by which I mean you buy a new TV and everything is better without any further action on your part -- I'd be more confident that you're correct. But it's not. I can't see headsets as a thing people are going to wear sitting on their sofa with the family. Game consoles seem like an obvious target with an audience that might be receptive, but otherwise, I just can't envision mass adoption.
- MrScruff 12y ago
  I don't argue that it would be an easier sell if it wasn't so anti-social to use. But it certainly can't be compared to 3D TVs or movies for that matter, which are an awful hack. This generation's VR is the real deal, and while the technology isn't quite there yet, it's within touching distance. People will be prepared to put up with the inconvenience because the experience will be significantly more compelling than anything else they've seen. It will be massive based on word of mouth alone.
  - deong 12y ago
    I think that very much depends on perspective. The technology powering a current-gen headset might be brilliant, but the headset itself -- not the technology but the very idea that I need a headset is still very much an "awful hack". At least to me, and I suspect quite a few others. I could be wrong of course...just my predictions there, but that's my problem with the tech.

jayvanguard 12y ago

I disagree on the watches but agree on VR. A phone in your pocket is really absurd when you think about it. It would be far more useful on your wrist for 80% of what you'd use it for. For the remaining 20% (gaming, typing longer texts, etc.) you can still have a larger phone but it would mostly stay in your bag. As for VR, there is a solid 30+ years of it being "the next" thing and then failing to be. I tried the Oculus recently and it didn't change my mind.

drzaiusapelord 12y ago
Curious, whats your take on the Oculus? I'm getting a little sick of the paid PR messages and fanboys and am skeptical its going to have mass adoption. How did it feel to you?
- jayvanguard 12y ago
  I thought the motion and immersion were awesome but the graphics were less stellar than I expected. Obviously that is probably the easiest thing to improve. So for first person shooters it could be the best thing ever, but for general purpose gaming I'm not so sure it is worth the hassle (much like 3D).

Kiro 12y ago

Again someone who are ignorant to the people already owning a smartwatch. It has literally transformed my life, almost as much as when getting my first smartphone. I will wear one until the next technological paradigm shift happens and makes it obsolete.