From top secret to best seller: the story of the Apple Watch
After years of rumors and speculation, Apple finally announced on September 9, 2014, that the much-anticipated Apple Watch was a reality. AppleInsider looks back at the first entirely new Apple device under CEO Tim Cook following the death of Steve Jobs.
For as long as there's been any kind of smart watch, any 'wearable' electronic devices, it's been rumored that Apple would jump into the category with a wearable of their own. They did just that in September of 2014, at an event that also saw the introductions of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, and Apple Pay. It was also the event that included the much-maligned announcement of a free new album from U2.
In reality, the project began with Jony Ive shortly after Steve Jobs's death in October 2011. Speaking in 2014 to Hodinkee, a magazine for watch enthusiasts, Ive said that he didn't remember ever talking with Jobs about the topic. Additionally, Jobs had never expressed any interest in the concept, either.
"The process was both typical and atypical for us," said Ive. "We are a tight-knit group of designers, and as always, these things start with an idea that quickly becomes a conversation that changes in nature as soon as you start to draw and make physical objects. Things are exceptionally fragile as an idea - entirely abstract - but once there is an object between us, it is galvanizing."
Ive began thinking of what would become the Apple Watch in late 2011 and the company worked on it throughout 2012. Then, according to 2015 article in Wired on the "secret history of the Apple Watch, Kevin Lynch was hired by Apple as vice president of technology in early 2013 to formally head up the Apple Watch project. There was just the proviso that he wasn't allowed to tell anyone what exactly he was working on.
"We've been working incredibly hard, for a long time, on an entirely new product," Cook told the crowd. "And we believe this product will redefine what people expect from its category. I am so excited, and I am so proud, to share it with you this morning. It is the next chapter in Apple's story."
Cook then introduced a video that first spanned the atmosphere of planet Earth, and then closeups of the sides and face of the Watch, and finally the full Apple Watch. The Watch would would pair with an iPhone, and also came with a heart-rate sensor.
The product actually got a standing ovation, something of a rarity at Apple keynotes. Cook went on to describe the Apple Watch as "the most personal device we've ever created. We set out to make the best watch in the world, one that is precise. It's synchornized with a universal time standard and it's accurate within plus or minus 50 milliseconds. It's incredibly customizable, so you can find one that reflects your personal style and taste. Because you wear it, we invented new, intimate ways to connect and communicate."
Wherever you bought it, that first version was released in three models: Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition. While the base model began at $349, the Edition version could see you spending in excess of $10,000. It was the same Watch at each price point but the case materials ranged from aluminium through steel and on to gold.
While there was an impression in the product's first year or so that the Apple Watch was being greeted tepidly, it quickly emerged as the most popular smartwatch on the market.
In our April 2015 review, AppleInsider called the first Apple Watch "beautiful, but rough around the edges," ranking it 3.5 stars out of 5.
"We don't regret buying one. Nor do we regret buying the original iPad, iPad 2 or iPad 3," we wrote. "We're early adopters, and in general really like Apple products. We believe the Apple Watch has huge potential, and very real benefits right now. But if the decision is to buy a Watch now or wait until the next generation, and you're not the typical early adopter, maybe you should wait. Or at the very least, buy the cheapest Sport model you can."
The second Apple Watch generation was announced on September 7, 2016, at an Apple keynote that also saw the debuts of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, as well as AirPods.
It didn't look significantly different from the first Watch, but the big changes in what was called Apple Watch Series 2 included the addition of GPS, a brighter display, and improved water resistance, upgrading from "splash-proof" to "swim-proof." It also upgraded the OS to watchOS 3, and upgraded to a dual-core S2 processor.
"We're thrilled with the response to Apple Watch and how it's changed people's lives. We are committed to fitness and health and think our customers will love the new capabilities of Apple Watch Series 2," Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer, said in the announcement. "With a powerful new dual-core processor, water resistance 50 meters and built-in GPS, Apple Watch Series 2 is packed with features to help our customers live a healthy life."
The Series 2 started at $369 at launch. The first Apple Watch was re-launched as Apple Watch Series 1, now priced at $269. It wasn't the original device with a lower price, however. Unofficially, the original Watch began to be referred to as Series 0 and it was discontinued at this 2015 event. The Series 1 was really more like the Series 2 with elements such as GPS missing.
In our review, published that month, AppleInsider gave the Series 2 4 stars out of 5 and called the Watch "a great improvement."
"Apple Watch Series 2 is worth your consideration. We wouldn't recommend waiting around for potential features. What it does now -- fitness tracking and notifications on your wrist -- it does well. Don't worry about what the future brings. Buy with confidence."
In introducing the latest Watch, Tim Cook revealed that Apple Watch overtaken Rolex by that time to become the #1 watch in the world.
The headline improvement for Series 3 was the addition, for the first time, of LTE cellular connectivity. It upgraded to a dual-core Apple S3 processor and watchOS 4.
"We believe the addition of cellular will transform the way people use Apple Watch, providing a new sense of freedom since they can stay connected with or without their iPhone," Jeff Williams said in the press release. "Apple Watch Series 3 combined with the power of watchOS 4 is the ultimate device for a healthy life."
The Series 3 was released for $329 for the regular model, and $399 for the edition with cellular capability. To use the cellular features required a monthly fee which varied between providers but was typically $10. Then, especially internationally, not all cell companies supported it at all.
While the Series 2 was discontinued, Apple continued selling the Series 1.
In our review, AppleInsider raved about the Series 3, rating it 4.5 stars out of 5.
"Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular takes a major step forward in making Apple's wrist-worn device its own independent, connected computing platform. Simply put, it's a must-have for athletes in the Apple ecosystem, and a wearable device worth considering for many other non-fitness use cases."
AppleInsider looked at the Series 3 again a year later:
But, obviously, this chapter has yet to be fully told.
The Watch has significantly grown the smartwatch category, and changed the definition of the word "Watch." And perhaps most significantly, it's saved several lives, with at least a half-dozen news stories in 2018 stating that the Watch's heart rate monitor has alerted them to medical emergences.
Steve Jobs may not have cared all that much about watches, but the Apple Watch showed that Jobs' successor could create a new product category and make it a key part of Apple.
Keep up with AppleInsider by downloading the AppleInsider app for iOS, and follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider and Facebook for live, late-breaking coverage. You can also check out our official Instagram account for exclusive photos.
For as long as there's been any kind of smart watch, any 'wearable' electronic devices, it's been rumored that Apple would jump into the category with a wearable of their own. They did just that in September of 2014, at an event that also saw the introductions of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, and Apple Pay. It was also the event that included the much-maligned announcement of a free new album from U2.
Rumors and development
Other than perhaps the iPad, the Apple Watch was rumored for the longest of any Apple product this century. Even the iPhone wasn't as long anticipated: for at least three years, the rumor mill kept churning out suggestions that Apple had a watch in the works.In reality, the project began with Jony Ive shortly after Steve Jobs's death in October 2011. Speaking in 2014 to Hodinkee, a magazine for watch enthusiasts, Ive said that he didn't remember ever talking with Jobs about the topic. Additionally, Jobs had never expressed any interest in the concept, either.
"The process was both typical and atypical for us," said Ive. "We are a tight-knit group of designers, and as always, these things start with an idea that quickly becomes a conversation that changes in nature as soon as you start to draw and make physical objects. Things are exceptionally fragile as an idea - entirely abstract - but once there is an object between us, it is galvanizing."
Ive began thinking of what would become the Apple Watch in late 2011 and the company worked on it throughout 2012. Then, according to 2015 article in Wired on the "secret history of the Apple Watch, Kevin Lynch was hired by Apple as vice president of technology in early 2013 to formally head up the Apple Watch project. There was just the proviso that he wasn't allowed to tell anyone what exactly he was working on.
The introduction
It took around 18 months from Lynch's hiring to when Tim Cook revealed the Watch using Steve Jobs's familiar phrase about having "one more thing" to announce. That phrase alone caused applause in the auditorium at the Flint Center in Cupertino."We've been working incredibly hard, for a long time, on an entirely new product," Cook told the crowd. "And we believe this product will redefine what people expect from its category. I am so excited, and I am so proud, to share it with you this morning. It is the next chapter in Apple's story."
Cook then introduced a video that first spanned the atmosphere of planet Earth, and then closeups of the sides and face of the Watch, and finally the full Apple Watch. The Watch would would pair with an iPhone, and also came with a heart-rate sensor.
The product actually got a standing ovation, something of a rarity at Apple keynotes. Cook went on to describe the Apple Watch as "the most personal device we've ever created. We set out to make the best watch in the world, one that is precise. It's synchornized with a universal time standard and it's accurate within plus or minus 50 milliseconds. It's incredibly customizable, so you can find one that reflects your personal style and taste. Because you wear it, we invented new, intimate ways to connect and communicate."
First generation
While the announcement and so very much awaited reveal of the Apple Watch was on September 9, 2014, the device itself wouldn't actually ship for another eight months. Even then it was only available online: on April 24, 2015, if you were very quick, you could order one starting at $349. The Watch wasn't available in Apple Stores until the June of the year.Wherever you bought it, that first version was released in three models: Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition. While the base model began at $349, the Edition version could see you spending in excess of $10,000. It was the same Watch at each price point but the case materials ranged from aluminium through steel and on to gold.
While there was an impression in the product's first year or so that the Apple Watch was being greeted tepidly, it quickly emerged as the most popular smartwatch on the market.
In our April 2015 review, AppleInsider called the first Apple Watch "beautiful, but rough around the edges," ranking it 3.5 stars out of 5.
"We don't regret buying one. Nor do we regret buying the original iPad, iPad 2 or iPad 3," we wrote. "We're early adopters, and in general really like Apple products. We believe the Apple Watch has huge potential, and very real benefits right now. But if the decision is to buy a Watch now or wait until the next generation, and you're not the typical early adopter, maybe you should wait. Or at the very least, buy the cheapest Sport model you can."
Second generation
The second Apple Watch generation was announced on September 7, 2016, at an Apple keynote that also saw the debuts of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, as well as AirPods.
It didn't look significantly different from the first Watch, but the big changes in what was called Apple Watch Series 2 included the addition of GPS, a brighter display, and improved water resistance, upgrading from "splash-proof" to "swim-proof." It also upgraded the OS to watchOS 3, and upgraded to a dual-core S2 processor.
"We're thrilled with the response to Apple Watch and how it's changed people's lives. We are committed to fitness and health and think our customers will love the new capabilities of Apple Watch Series 2," Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer, said in the announcement. "With a powerful new dual-core processor, water resistance 50 meters and built-in GPS, Apple Watch Series 2 is packed with features to help our customers live a healthy life."
The Series 2 started at $369 at launch. The first Apple Watch was re-launched as Apple Watch Series 1, now priced at $269. It wasn't the original device with a lower price, however. Unofficially, the original Watch began to be referred to as Series 0 and it was discontinued at this 2015 event. The Series 1 was really more like the Series 2 with elements such as GPS missing.
In our review, published that month, AppleInsider gave the Series 2 4 stars out of 5 and called the Watch "a great improvement."
"Apple Watch Series 2 is worth your consideration. We wouldn't recommend waiting around for potential features. What it does now -- fitness tracking and notifications on your wrist -- it does well. Don't worry about what the future brings. Buy with confidence."
The third generation
The third version of the Apple Watch arrived a year later, at the first keynote to be held inthe new Steve Jobs Theater, on September 12, 2017. It joined the iPhone X, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, and Apple TV 4K as that event's announcements.
In introducing the latest Watch, Tim Cook revealed that Apple Watch overtaken Rolex by that time to become the #1 watch in the world.
The headline improvement for Series 3 was the addition, for the first time, of LTE cellular connectivity. It upgraded to a dual-core Apple S3 processor and watchOS 4.
"We believe the addition of cellular will transform the way people use Apple Watch, providing a new sense of freedom since they can stay connected with or without their iPhone," Jeff Williams said in the press release. "Apple Watch Series 3 combined with the power of watchOS 4 is the ultimate device for a healthy life."
The Series 3 was released for $329 for the regular model, and $399 for the edition with cellular capability. To use the cellular features required a monthly fee which varied between providers but was typically $10. Then, especially internationally, not all cell companies supported it at all.
While the Series 2 was discontinued, Apple continued selling the Series 1.
In our review, AppleInsider raved about the Series 3, rating it 4.5 stars out of 5.
"Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular takes a major step forward in making Apple's wrist-worn device its own independent, connected computing platform. Simply put, it's a must-have for athletes in the Apple ecosystem, and a wearable device worth considering for many other non-fitness use cases."
AppleInsider looked at the Series 3 again a year later:
Series 4
Apple is expected to launch an Apple Watch Series 4 at its "Gather Round" event on September 12. It is believed to mark the first significant hardware difference since the original Watch with what is expected to be a greater display area, with a higher resolution on the face and a slimmer casing.But, obviously, this chapter has yet to be fully told.
Looking at the Watch
Apple Watch can only be looked upon as a great success. It's the most popular smartwatch and wearable electronics product in the world, and at least last year, it was the most popular watch in the world. As of mid-2018, Apple's wearables division was estimated as large enough to comprise a Fortune 300 company. While Apple does not break out Apple Watch sales, the Apple Watch Series 1 was the top smart watch in the world in Q2 2018, with the Series 3 ranked fourth.The Watch has significantly grown the smartwatch category, and changed the definition of the word "Watch." And perhaps most significantly, it's saved several lives, with at least a half-dozen news stories in 2018 stating that the Watch's heart rate monitor has alerted them to medical emergences.
Steve Jobs may not have cared all that much about watches, but the Apple Watch showed that Jobs' successor could create a new product category and make it a key part of Apple.
Keep up with AppleInsider by downloading the AppleInsider app for iOS, and follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider and Facebook for live, late-breaking coverage. You can also check out our official Instagram account for exclusive photos.
Comments
Good job, guys!
I always coveted a Rolex, but could only afford a Seiko. Now, not only would I never buy a Rolex, but I never wear my Seiko anymore. I have a Series 0. Still going strong.
At one point the AppleWatch was second to Rolex (I don't remember the metric). And then it seemed like only a year later it was number one!
Someone posted here, #SwissLivesMatter. Made me smile.
Best.
For the Fall event in 2016 the Apple Watch was number 2 in terms of revenue for worldwide for all of 2015, which is interesting since they didn't go on sale until April of that year.
A year later for the Fall event in 2017 they announced that the Apple Watch was number one. I knew this market and this product was ripe for success, but I didn't think Apple would be at the top this quickly.
Good story. The Watch, while old history for AI readers, is still unknown and untapped by most people. Bank of America Merrill Lynch (one of my brokerages) predicts huge growth still ahead, probably why they have one of the highest target prices for AAPL. (FWIW, they were on target in earlier predictions of Watch success. They have access to their bank’s credit card purchase data and use it in some data-driven reports, but I’ve not seen that declared as a basis in AAPL reports. Interesting if other bank brokerages like Citi, Wells Fargo, and Chase are as optimistic.) Personally I think the Watch will be bigger for Apple than Amazon Web Services will be for Seattle giant.
As the Watch capability matures, I hope they again offer models $10,000 and higher. Not that I myself would bite, but some people use Watches to distinguish themselves and flaunt wealth. I’m not knocking it. Some jobs require accessories to mark you as successful businessmen or women, which brings in more clients, etc. I’d like to enable them to spend bonuses and wildly boost the ASPs of Apple. Let’s see if Apple can compete a little with Rolex on the high end too.
Cellular watches.
Here in the UK just one company offers a second sim for the cellular Apple Watch 3 - EE. From what I have read this is not because Apple have given EE the contract, which is what most people assume. It is the technology involved, which only they have, and the situation isn’t likely to change very quickly. So if you want to use a cellular Apple watch in UK it has to be with EE, which is pants.
It’d be nice if AppleInsider could report on how the technology works and why it is only certain companies have it.
I love that the Apple Watch is helping make the eventual removal of the physical SIM card happen faster than it would otherwise.
In my case I’d have loved to use the full capability of the cellular 3 I bought last year but I’m not going to move to EE.
Do you think there’s any likelihood of some kind of change to the eSim with the 4?
Those were the two exact charts I had in my little brain!
I doubt that $10k Apple Watches will be given to the status holder’s daughter in their Will. A Rolex likely is.
Increasing from 3.7 to 4.3? Wow! So impressive.
Too bad some people clearly can see only the present. Apple Watch right now is just a fitness tracker. Health aspect of it is still primitive. In a few years all these will change. People will wear Apple Watch (or something similar from Android) not because they’d love to but because they have to. And most likely the ones who will need Apple Watch most are the ones who have money to wear Rolex.
That’s when the shit will hit the fan.
They've given me good service at a good price. But, at this point,I plan to switch to T-Mobile so I can buy (and use!) a Series 4 with LTE.