With smartphones and other tech devices everyone is used to upgrading on a fairly regular schedule. Now you take people who buy Rolex and other high end watches, you pay a ton of money but they last a lifetime. It will be interesting to see how this traditionally slow turn accessory meets the high turn of tech...
"I am a big believer in an iWatch but it has to come in totally from left field to succeed. It has to be positioned as a fashion item not a tech device, even though it really is a tech device. If they do this and sell several models each of distinctly different design, then they can get people to buy several of them. If they come out with new designs regularly, and by name fashion designers/houses, then they'll get people to buy them regularly. Among all the tech brands, only Apple has the cachet to branch into the fashion realm. They should take advantage of this and open up a completely new market to expand in. They will own this segment for years. What brand smart watch do you imagine fashion houses will want to be identified with on the pages of Vogue or on New York Fashion Week? Samsung, Google, Microsoft, or Apple?"
I'm beginning to think that Jony Ive has lost his mojo. I'm monumentally unimpressed with the overall watch design, it looks clunky and some of the design guess images before the release were way better. It pretty much ignores the fact that 99% of the population doesn't wear a watch, and this one (which isn't waterproof) doesn't have any killer features. Apple will make a ton of money from initial interest, then they'll stop dev on it in a few years.
I'd be surprised if they price the fancy models in the $5k range. I imagine that anything this small that needs to also keep a charge throughout the day can't have tons of processing power and RAM, so presumably they will only be able support OS updates for so long, unless you can upgrade the internals, which I doubt. As TechProd1gy noted, few people want to spend $5k on something that will be obsolete in a few years.
I'd be surprised if they price the fancy models in the $5k range. I imagine that anything this small that needs to also keep a charge throughout the day can't have tons of processing power and RAM, so presumably they will only be able support OS updates for so long, unless you can upgrade the internals, which I doubt. As TechProd1gy noted, few people want to spend $5k on something that will be obsolete in a few years.
Plenty of people around the globe spend $5k a day on things less essential than an Apple Watch. The gold model isn't for the masses. It's for the super wealthy that can and will buy a new $5k model every year.
I'm beginning to think that Jony Ive has lost his mojo. I'm monumentally unimpressed with the overall watch design, it looks clunky and some of the design guess images before the release were way better. It pretty much ignores the fact that 99% of the population doesn't wear a watch, and this one (which isn't waterproof) doesn't have any killer features. Apple will make a ton of money from initial interest, then they'll stop dev on it in a few years.
. As TechProd1gy noted, few people want to spend $5k on something that will be obsolete in a few years.
Yeah? Let's find out first how many people buy thousand dollar dresses that get used only once. Or thousand dollar shoes that get worn for only one season.
The AppleWatch will hurt Google, Samdung, Microsoft where it hurts.
There weak point: Style and Taste
Google, Samdung, MS all have terrible taste and fashion sense.
Just look at Google Glass, Galaxy Gear, and Surface. There are products made in the 80's that look better than that awful trio
Samdung, Samscum, Samesung etc??? Seriously, what is wrong with people, are you about 10 years old? Yes yes I know this is a devoted apple site but come on, grow up a little
I'm beginning to think that Jony Ive has lost his mojo. I'm monumentally unimpressed with the overall watch design, it looks clunky and some of the design guess images before the release were way better. It pretty much ignores the fact that 99% of the population doesn't wear a watch, and this one (which isn't waterproof) doesn't have any killer features. Apple will make a ton of money from initial interest, then they'll stop dev on it in a few years.
Since reading all the hype on the apple watch & endless comments about people no longer wearing watches I disagree with anything close to 99% not wearing them. Seems that even the kids like to have some bright cheapo watch on a wrist even if its just for the fashion statement
I'd be surprised if they price the fancy models in the $5k range. I imagine that anything this small that needs to also keep a charge throughout the day can't have tons of processing power and RAM, so presumably they will only be able support OS updates for so long, unless you can upgrade the internals, which I doubt. As TechProd1gy noted, few people want to spend $5k on something that will be obsolete in a few years.
I doubt the $5k number on the high side, but its possible I suppose.
However, I don't think there is an issue with obscelence here. Most of the processing and functionality is on the iPhone, which is already quite fast and will only get faster. Technology is sufficiently mature today (especially BT speeds) that the watch HW will likely remain more than adequately relevant for many years. Software will update, symbiotic functionality with the iPhone will mature...but the core watch performance, I think, is designed for long-term.
The Watch is actually a dichotomy - it is rightly considered smart (sensors among other tech), but is actually equally dumb - it is largely a conduit, and receptacle for what the iPhone pushes. Its a little like a monitor - they don't become obsolete so quickly.
What we'll see are new designs, especially when battery tech matures - then the design is less dictated by space reserved for power requirements.
The only other element might be different sensors, but I suspect Apple built in a certain capacity of function upgrades into the watch itself via firmware.
Prices have to be lower. If you buy a $5k+ watch like a cheap Rolex, you still expect it to last decades, or to turn into an heirloom piece (particularly once you go up the echelon of luxury watches) If Apple doesn't have a modular, upgradable core in mind for its watches, then something they expect users to replace every few years has to be a be in the 3-digit range. Given that Apple needs every bit of volume inside the watch for battery space and strengened the structure by making all the guts essentially into a solid block of resin, and that they are using an especially hard 18k Gold alloy, I'd say the case itself is rather thin, thus the gold price should allow Apple to come in at the $999.- price for the gold version. With the plastic version at $350.- this puts the steel somewhere at $550 or $650.
Of course some idiots would spend $5k for a disposable gold watch, but I would hope not nearly enough to keep Apple's manufacturing pipeline busy.
I think Ive is spending way too much time on these events... I know Steve's era is gone (Unfortunately), but I am sure he would not be so happy to see his people going to fashion shows... All this is doing is creating distractions... I am and always will be an Apple fan & customer... mostly because Steve Jobs vision and approach to his company... But I have to say lately I have seen things that worry me... The mess with the iPhone 6 launch (The extremely annoying Chinese voiceover, the guy with the ridiculous scarf...), Tim Cook's approach to secrecy and the iPhone leaks..., iOS8 bugs, iOS8.01 mess... etc... the fact that you launch a Mac Pro and don't launch a beautiful 4k screen w/ it....Hmm the Apple watch doesn't seem to be so revolutionary in terms of design... I guess we will have to wait and see.... But my main point is that Apple is losing focus with a more relaxed management style.... I just wish they realize this in time...
Comments
Originally posted 3/31/2013:
"I am a big believer in an iWatch but it has to come in totally from left field to succeed. It has to be positioned as a fashion item not a tech device, even though it really is a tech device. If they do this and sell several models each of distinctly different design, then they can get people to buy several of them. If they come out with new designs regularly, and by name fashion designers/houses, then they'll get people to buy them regularly. Among all the tech brands, only Apple has the cachet to branch into the fashion realm. They should take advantage of this and open up a completely new market to expand in. They will own this segment for years. What brand smart watch do you imagine fashion houses will want to be identified with on the pages of Vogue or on New York Fashion Week? Samsung, Google, Microsoft, or Apple?"
Welcome to my bandwagon, everyone.
I'm beginning to think that Jony Ive has lost his mojo. I'm monumentally unimpressed with the overall watch design, it looks clunky and some of the design guess images before the release were way better. It pretty much ignores the fact that 99% of the population doesn't wear a watch, and this one (which isn't waterproof) doesn't have any killer features. Apple will make a ton of money from initial interest, then they'll stop dev on it in a few years.
You sound a lot like Steve Ballmer in 2007.
in fact they gave no taste at all.
Plenty of people around the globe spend $5k a day on things less essential than an Apple Watch. The gold model isn't for the masses. It's for the super wealthy that can and will buy a new $5k model every year.
I'm beginning to think that Jony Ive has lost his mojo. I'm monumentally unimpressed with the overall watch design, it looks clunky and some of the design guess images before the release were way better. It pretty much ignores the fact that 99% of the population doesn't wear a watch, and this one (which isn't waterproof) doesn't have any killer features. Apple will make a ton of money from initial interest, then they'll stop dev on it in a few years.
You sound a lot like Steve Ballmer in 2007.
Ouch.
Yeah? Let's find out first how many people buy thousand dollar dresses that get used only once. Or thousand dollar shoes that get worn for only one season.
hahahaha!, cant wait for some kid to walk up to me with a piece of electronics made in china as a dress watch. You know we hit a new low
...unless you can upgrade the internals, which I doubt.
Doubt you may, but Apple will allow upgrades to the internals:
What's the difference between an expensive aWatch vs a traditional expensive watch?
One of them is obsoleted within 2 years and the other's treasured for 30 and more years.
"......unless you can upgrade the internals,..."
?Here's how it's going to go:
Buy $5k gold watch 2014
Upgrade internals each year for $400.
The AppleWatch will hurt Google, Samdung, Microsoft where it hurts.
There weak point: Style and Taste
Google, Samdung, MS all have terrible taste and fashion sense.
Just look at Google Glass, Galaxy Gear, and Surface. There are products made in the 80's that look better than that awful trio
Samdung, Samscum, Samesung etc??? Seriously, what is wrong with people, are you about 10 years old?Yes yes I know this is a devoted apple site but come on, grow up a little
I'm beginning to think that Jony Ive has lost his mojo. I'm monumentally unimpressed with the overall watch design, it looks clunky and some of the design guess images before the release were way better. It pretty much ignores the fact that 99% of the population doesn't wear a watch, and this one (which isn't waterproof) doesn't have any killer features. Apple will make a ton of money from initial interest, then they'll stop dev on it in a few years.
Since reading all the hype on the apple watch & endless comments about people no longer wearing watches I disagree with anything close to 99% not wearing them. Seems that even the kids like to have some bright cheapo watch on a wrist even if its just for the fashion statementI'd be surprised if they price the fancy models in the $5k range. I imagine that anything this small that needs to also keep a charge throughout the day can't have tons of processing power and RAM, so presumably they will only be able support OS updates for so long, unless you can upgrade the internals, which I doubt. As TechProd1gy noted, few people want to spend $5k on something that will be obsolete in a few years.
I doubt the $5k number on the high side, but its possible I suppose.
However, I don't think there is an issue with obscelence here. Most of the processing and functionality is on the iPhone, which is already quite fast and will only get faster. Technology is sufficiently mature today (especially BT speeds) that the watch HW will likely remain more than adequately relevant for many years. Software will update, symbiotic functionality with the iPhone will mature...but the core watch performance, I think, is designed for long-term.
The Watch is actually a dichotomy - it is rightly considered smart (sensors among other tech), but is actually equally dumb - it is largely a conduit, and receptacle for what the iPhone pushes. Its a little like a monitor - they don't become obsolete so quickly.
What we'll see are new designs, especially when battery tech matures - then the design is less dictated by space reserved for power requirements.
The only other element might be different sensors, but I suspect Apple built in a certain capacity of function upgrades into the watch itself via firmware.
If you buy a $5k+ watch like a cheap Rolex, you still expect it to last decades, or to turn into an heirloom piece (particularly once you go up the echelon of luxury watches)
If Apple doesn't have a modular, upgradable core in mind for its watches, then something they expect users to replace every few years has to be a be in the 3-digit range.
Given that Apple needs every bit of volume inside the watch for battery space and strengened the structure by making all the guts essentially into a solid block of resin, and that they are using an especially hard 18k Gold alloy, I'd say the case itself is rather thin, thus the gold price should allow Apple to come in at the $999.- price for the gold version. With the plastic version at $350.- this puts the steel somewhere at $550 or $650.
Of course some idiots would spend $5k for a disposable gold watch, but I would hope not nearly enough to keep Apple's manufacturing pipeline busy.