CUPERTINO, Calif. — The Apple Watch doesn’t look like it comes from some distant future, where cars drive themselves and we never have to go through airport security again. Instead, it’s clearly the best smartwatch Apple could design based on knowledge gleaned from today’s experts — including those in arcane arts like metallurgy and horology.
And you will absolutely want one.
It may not look like it yet, but after trying out the Apple Watch, I’m convinced it will become an essential piece of kit – as important as your iPhone.
For starters, the Apple Watch doesn’t look or feel that big on your wrist. When you’re wearing it, instead of the biggish lump it looked like in the keynote presentation, you mostly notice the beautiful screen. It’s smaller and thinner on your wrist than you’d expect.
It looks like a lot of fun to use. The icons on the Home Screen are beautiful. I was shown the Apple Watch by an Apple staffer, who gave me a brief, two-minute tour. I was then allowed to wear one for a few minutes while it played a pre-recorded demo that showed off the main features and interface. Some journalists have complained that this so-called “hands-on” demo was a fake, and that the Apple Watch clearly isn’t finished. I got the feeling it wasn’t so sinister. I’m sure there are some glitches, and Apple didn’t want us ruining a seamless demo with a system crash.
I tried on a stainless steel Apple Watch. It was lighter and smaller than the Casio Pathfinder I normally wear, which is, I admit, a pretty big, heavy watch.
The Apple Watch buzzes alerts (email, text messages, etc.) quite softy on your wrist. At first it felt like an energetic little insect strapped to my skin, but it was quite subtle. One of the designers told me you quickly learn the various buzzes, and you can get a lot of info from the watch without even having to look at it. The Home Screen with the icons is really compelling. The fluid, flowing icons is a great UI and I was impressed by the built-in functions — encouraging people to stand up once an hour and then tracking that throughout the day, for instance.
After playing around with the Watch and seeing the demos, I’m convinced it has huge potential. They showed people using it as a TV remote control, changing music on the computer with iTunes, opening doors, checking in at the airport, buying coffee at Starbucks, etc.
Watching the presentation, I was reminded of when the first iPod came out. These days, the original iPod looks like a primitive, chunky brick. I predict that the Apple Watch will go through a similar evolution and within three or four years, will become an essential and attractive piece of electronic jewelry. No one will leave home without it, because you’ll need it for everything, from getting coffee to communicating with your spouse.
This could become a real universal remote, especially when wearing it opens doors and gets you food and shelter. I love the idea of unlocking a hotel room with my watch, and especially my own front door. Looking at it, I was struck by how the watch references a lot of Apple’s heritage — incorporating what they learned with the iPod scroll-wheel and Multi-Touch controls — and then goes beyond that.
Even the emojis show forward thinking. My first thought during the keynote was, “Emojis? How stupid can you get?” But using them as a form of communication on the Apple Watch shows some very deep thinking. They’ve taken something very current — my 18-year-old daughter sends me messages that are almost entirely cartoon faces — and turned it into a feature that works well with limited screen space. It’s a new form of communication. One that’s visual rather than textual or verbal. People complain about text speech — LOL, OMG and the like — but that’s nothing. Communication will become even more nonverbal once we get these ever-present devices strapped to our wrists. I can see how app developers will take it even further.
Just like the iPhone, the Apple Watch was released with a fairly limited feature set. It’s a watch(!), a fitness device and a health tracker. As usual, Apple is being too modest about how it will end up changing our lives. Already, all my fitness devices are dead to me now. Compared to the Apple Watch, they’re limited and unhelpful.
Apple is also angling to make the watch essential by coming out with three versions. Plus, the way you can mix and match the straps reminds me of how Apple Stores display various case combinations, giving you a look at how you can personalize your gear.
The price tag starts at $349 for the Apple Watch, with a polished or space black stainless steel case and a choice of straps. The Apple Watch Sport comes in a space gray or silver anodized aluminum case and Sport Band. The glitziest of them, the Apple Watch Edition, packs all that technology into an 18-karat rose gold or yellow gold case.
After pawing all three versions, I’m going for the stainless steel Apple Watch with a leather strap. The Sport version is a bit too Swatch for a fuddy-duddy like me and the Edition is way too Vegas for my tastes.
I’ll be getting one in a heartbeat.
Leander Kahney is the editor and publisher of Cult of Mac.
Leander is a longtime technology reporter and the author of six acclaimed books about Apple, including two New York Times bestsellers: Jony Ive: The Genius Behind Apple’s Greatest Products and Inside Steve’s Brain, a biography of Steve Jobs.
He’s also written a top-selling biography of Apple CEO Tim Cook and authored Cult of Mac and Cult of iPod, which both won prestigious design awards. Most recently, he was co-author of Cult of Mac, 2nd Edition.
Leander has been reporting about Apple and technology for nearly 30 years.
Before founding Cult of Mac as an independent publication, Leander was news editor at Wired.com, where he was responsible for the day-to-day running of the Wired.com website. He headed up a team of six section editors, a dozen reporters and a large pool of freelancers. Together the team produced a daily digest of stories about the impact of science and technology, and won several awards, including several Webby Awards, 2X Knight-Batten Awards for Innovation in Journalism and the 2010 MIN (Magazine Industry Newsletter) award for best blog, among others.
Before being promoted to news editor, Leander was Wired.com’s senior reporter, primarily covering Apple. During that time, Leander published a ton of scoops, including the first in-depth report about the development of the iPod. Leander attended almost every keynote speech and special product launch presented by Steve Jobs, including the historic launches of the iPhone and iPad. He also reported from almost every Macworld Expo in the late ’90s and early ‘2000s, including, sadly, the last shows in Boston, San Francisco and Tokyo. His reporting for Wired.com formed the basis of the first Cult of Mac book, and subsequently this website.
Before joining Wired, Leander was a senior reporter at the legendary MacWeek, the storied and long-running weekly that documented Apple and its community in the 1980s and ’90s.
Leander has written for Wired magazine (including the Issue 16.04 cover story about Steve Jobs’ leadership at Apple, entitled Evil/Genius), Scientific American, The Guardian, The Observer, The San Francisco Chronicle and many other publications.
Leander is an expert on:
Apple and Apple history
Steve Jobs, Jony Ive, Tim Cook and Apple leadership
Apple community
iPhone and iOS
iPad and iPadOS
Mac and macOS
Apple Watch and watchOS
Apple TV and tvOS
AirPods
Leander has a postgrad diploma in artificial intelligence from the University of Aberdeen, and a BSc (Hons) in experimental psychology from the University of Sussex.
He has a diploma in journalism from the UK’s National Council for the Training of Journalists.
Leander lives in San Francisco, California, and is married with four children. He’s an avid biker and has ridden in many long-distance bike events, including California’s legendary Death Ride.
You can find out more about Leander on LinkedIn and Facebook. You can follow him on X at @lkahney or Instagram.
118 responses to “Once you get your hands on the Apple Watch, you’ll never let it go”
That’s the ugliest watch I’ve ever seen
looks better then all the other crap that’s out there already
Really, take a look at the moto 360. I’m sure you’ll change your mind
The Moto 360 looks like a Fisher Price toy except Fisher Price toys are more fun to play with and get far better battery life. Nice try, Moto. Too bad you missed the brass ring and got the plastic zero.
Thats hilarious. Look at it again and see what looks like a toy a squarish frame or a rounded beautiful time piece. Just ask yourself. Does tag, movado or Rolex have a square frame? If apple made it you guys would be Nutting on the moto. This is hilarious to see.
APPL shares are at $100 because the stock split, you fucking halfwit. Take your moto 360 circle jerk back to 4chan with the rest of the kids.
Are you having a stroke? Who’s talking about stocks you halfwit! I’ll go buy my elegant moto while you buy the only choice you have, the ugliest watch ever made in the apple watch. Lol, it’s so hideous, it truly is.
But a Rolex is just a time piece, so round is perfect. A smart watch is designed to do more and as much as I credit Moto’s attempt at a round screen, it’s just much easier looking at information and data on a square/rectangular screen don’t you think? IMHO, the Moto 360 isn’t exactly beautiful to look at either. The thing is huge and just plain strange looking when it displays anything other that a watch face.
I really don’t understand how you can say it’s strange looking when it looks just like a real watch??? Explain that to me. You guys all talked smack about the galaxy gear so what’s so different about the ale watch other than the fact that it looks much worse. Again, typical iphone mentality. If apple came out with the awesomeness of the moto you would all be going crazy, that’s a solid fact!.
Did you see how many people are disappointed at Google I/o when they didn’t have the moto 360 even though they got the samsung gear and LG watch?
Whoa, I feel some aggression here and I’m just trying to have a conversation and share my opinions with you. What is iPhone mentality? I’m not even talking phones and how do you even know what kind of phone I have? To me, the Moto looks strange because it looks too much like a traditional watch. I don’t want a watch. I gave those up years ago. And I don’t want to look at a round screen to view photos or messages. Don’t be offended because we have different tastes.
I think the point he is making is Apple fanboys don’t have different tastes, they just like whatever Apple feeds them.
I border on being an Apple fanboy myself but I have enough common sense will to know crap when I see it, even if its served up on a silver platter.
The Moto 360 is drool worthy, something very Apple like.
Michael, I know where he’s coming from. I just get insulted when assumptions are made that aren’t true. I’m like you. I love Apple stuff, but I don’t buy crap no matter who makes it. As if Fandroids aren’t sheep in their own way. I just think it’s ridiculous and childish. I just want to talk about the technology in an intelligent way but it’s no longer possible in forums like these.
Sorry man, my frustration is towards the apple fan boy mentality that criticizes watches like samsung and praise the apple watch when structurally is similar but even worse looking. Again if apple came out with the moto x, apple users would going crazy at it now. It’s both funny and frustrating. Sorry if I offended.
To offer some balance between these two ridiculous immature and biased discussions. The Moto 360 is a lovely looking watch, but its far too big and far too thick unfortunately. I too do like the round idea, but it doesn’t’ really work with a smart watch, the back border at the bottom is odd when in use and the software isn’t really made for it to be round. I think Apple could have built software from the ground up to be round but they didn’t.
On first glance the Apple Watch isn’t that pretty either but some of the straps are really nice work and I think i’ll find a combo which works. Ultimately the Apple Watch has a lot more functionality to it and usability which I’m sure will be copied by the Android watches long term (i’m waiting for Google’s Pay version on similar Apple terms and someone to use the digital dial to navigate their watches, it’ll happen)
http://www.androidpit.com/how-apple-dropped-the-ball-with-the-apple-watch
Thanks for sending me a link to someone’s opinion piece…
But is it really easier to look at data on a square screen? Maybe but I don’t see anything in Apple’s Watch that really makes use of that additional real-estate. I saw a text message screen where 1/3 of the top of the display took up the header leaving only space for a couple words. Even the main icon pool screen is roundish shaped.
Yes, I actually do think it’s easier to look at data on a square screen. I’m sure that add’l real estate will be put to good use. Do you want to look at a round map or a square map? How about a photo?
When I first saw the Moto 360 I was sure that a round screen was not going to work but in all the videos I have seen, it seems to be fine. I am certainly not going to be looking at photos on my watch and the thing that impresses me about the maps function is the buzzing for when you need to turn. A round screen or square the maps on a tiny screen like that is only for reference, its not usable in my opinion.
Actually…yes! All of those brands you just mentioned have watches with square frames. Actually one of the most famous TAG models (The Monaco), is a square watch!
What’s hilarious to see, is your complete lack of knowledge of the subject your talking about, grasping at straws, just to try and prove that your preference for round watches is in some way superior or more correct than his preference for a square watch. Really hilarious!
No what’s actually ridiculously hilarious is that you don’t understand the point I’ve been making. It’s not really the rounds face is the fact that people talk smack about the samsung and other watches but when apple releases the ugliest smart watch that is structurally similar and you guys shit all over yourselves. Brainwashed by the cult if apple. Get over it.
Again, grasping for straws. First it’s the round faces because luxury brand X, Y, Z only makes round ones. When that is proven wrong, it’s not about the round watch faces anymore, it’s because of smack talk.
And why do you care if people talk smack about said companies? Does it affect you personally? Because if it does, that’s just weird. You sir, should get over it, or find some professional help.
Then you say everyone here is brainwashed, but you’re the first guy commenting on a news report, about a type of product you clearly don’t understand or have little knowledge of, about a brand that you clearly don’t like, for whatever bullshit reasons you can provide.
I don’t like the Moto 360, and although i’m heavily invested in Apple’s ecosystem by now (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, MacBook) I ALSO don’t like the Apple watch. What now? Can i continue to exist? Sorry for not fitting in your distorted picture of what Apple “fanboys” should be.
Again you don’t know what I’m taking about you should read my initial posts before you make a fool of yourself. The main argument is about how ugly this watch is but because it’s apple you all are drooling over it. Maybe it’s because you have no other option? Maybe it’s because you have been jealous of other non apple users having a smart watches? The pebble is no comparison. I don’t know maybe it’s bias. To call this beautiful and better then the rest if the crap out there shows how brainwashed apple users are. Cuz this watch is damn ugly.
Ok, you just convinced me you’re not worth it. You’ll keep banging that drum no matter what, so there’s no point continuing with this “conversation”.
The Tag Monaco range are square frame and in many peoples eyes highly desirable. http://www.tagheuer.co.uk/int-en/monaco/monaco-models
edit for typo
Smart watches from the beginning have never been round, nothing new here. I think the round Moto360 will flop.
Thays why it sold out with in a few minutes at motorola, vest best buy and Google play?
Well they only had a couple hundred or thousand what did you expect….. They say ‘sold out’ in 3 hours to be exact but no mention to how many there were available in the first place so your statement is mute.
Listen don’t be jealous of the moto’s awesome design. Send me a link of those stats.
I never said it wasnt an awesome design bro, Just that a smart watch is better used with a squard screen design. It does ‘Look’ good but the circle has a lot of short comings. What stats?
Ok guys no worries, I simply wanted to point out how apple can do no wrong in fan boys eyes and the apple watch is a great example. I really hippie sole innovates again because the iPhone is simply a 5s with a bigger screen and the ale watch
Watch is nothing new but only extremely ugly like some of the other watches. Enjoy your new products. Can’t wait for my galaxy note edge and moto 360.
Its supposed to look like an iPhone. thoug Its from the same brand so stop expecting them to have big design change every year.
And how is that any different than any Android phone ? What is so different about the Note 4 over the Note 3 or the Galaxy 5 over the 4. They all make small adjustments and improve the specs. There is not a lot of hardware changes you can make anymore besides looks and specs. So tired of hearing this crap from uninformed Android fanboys. You make statements without first thinking about them. I find it funny how butt hurt the Android fanboys are whenever Apple does something. Funny stuff for sure.
Lol, I need to think about what I’m saying? Look at the galaxy note edge. And tell me that it looks like the old note. Do some research and then we’ll talk about who’s innovating and who’s just making the same phone.
I’ve handed on Moto 360 for a while. It is really cool at first glance, but soon you’d find its weird while using any function other than clock.
About 10% of the round screen is cut-off at the bottom side, and ordinary text messages are squeezed to fit into the inner rectangle, which is a about only 50% of area comparing to “traditional” square smart watches. There is only one word that can describe the feeling when using it: weird.
I’d admit that the round watch surface is quite impressive, but apparently it’s not a good idea for smart watches today.
Thank you. They just don’t understand. I admit its a nice time piece but for a smart watch the round display is a no go.
That picture doesn’t turn me either. However, the bands are changeable and the one with the metal band looks very nice. I haven’t worn a watch in years and this probably isn’t going to change my mind. Just not a watch guy.
I stopped wearing a watch years ago because I had a cell phone that I could check for the time. I would wear a watch again not because it tells time, but because it’s an extension of my phone and allows me to keep it in my pocket and not have to take it out every time. Also, I like the activity monitors and would use it a lot for working out. Just a lot of little conveniences. Does everyone need a smart watch? Of course not. Just like not everyone needs a smart phone.
I completely agree, and like you, I like the Moto 360 better because it’s elegant- and modern-looking, unlike Apple’s watch. I like round things, which is why I like modern chic design. I cannot stand that ugly ass button on the side of the watch, either!
So which do you want?
James Elia, That picture that CoM posted in the article is very weird looking. It makes the watch look bad, I think its the angle the picture was taken, so the perspective is off. So based on this pic, I would agree that it looks ugly. But go to the Apple site and look at the watch, it looks amazing. The Moto360 is a beauty as well. But it is round. Nothing wrong with that, but I have never (personally) been a fan of round watches. I haven’t had a round watch since elementary. I got the Casio with the calculator, then the really cool watch that enabled you to control TVs.
Here’s the one thing that you guys are forgetting: Making a watch for everyone is flipping super difficult. Think about the hundreds of thousands of designs that have been out since the watch was created. Everyone isn’t going to like what each of us like. Some people want round faces, or numbers, or roman numerals, or diamonds as number, or hell movado puts nothing on their watch face. I think what apple has done looks amazing! I have gone to switzerland and could not find a watch that I liked. Yeah, I know, shocking. But the only watch that caught my eye that wasn’t strictly for show was the Moto360. Plus I love supporting American businesses, so that was a plus! But I decided to wait for Apple’s watch and really, I must say, I was not let down. The only bummer to me is battery, but you know what, that’s going to be an issue for all these backlit, color-screened watches.
James, if you still don’t like it after you go to Apple’s site and see the videos and pictures. That’s cool, because it’s your opinion and your money. You should buy whatever makes you happy. I will get the watch edition, with the red strap, the Black strap and the white strap. It will probably cost me somewhere in the ballpark of $1200 to $1500. It may seem like a lot, and if it does, you are not the target demographic. But that’s what I’d pay for a 18k gold well made smartwatch. And come on you gotta see the part in the keynote where the guy creates his own 3D emoji. LOL. Cheers!
James that’s a fair argument. But I still come back to what I’m originally saying people are thinking it’s nice because it’s apple. In reality if this was a non apple device you all would hate it. Cuz this thing is damn ugly. I’ve seen the website and damn it’s ugly. Just like all the samsung, LG and htc. Round watches are more common than square. Majority of people I see wear a rounded watch. So I disagree with that part. Again if apple came out with a round watch your attitudes will be much different you just don’t realize the grasp apple has on you. Watch in time apple will follow the trend to round watches and you all will flock…. because it’s apple and not because it’s a good product. But I respect your opinions and the reason why I commented was because someone said it looks better then the rest of the cra out there. When in actuality it looks worse than most, but after all its apple.
I think you have me confused with someone else. I give credit where credit is due. When Apple makes something I don’t like, I don’t buy it. When other companies make something I do like, I buy it. I really liked the Gear fit until I used it. It was extremely buggy, and the lag was atrocious. That was more of a fitness band than a smartwatch to me, but I still liked it. You keep saying that in order to be a watch it has to be circular. I remember back in January 2007 when Apple showed off the iPhone. The forums erupted with hate. “Phones are supposed to have buttons!”, “This is a fad, no-one wants a full screen phone!”, “This is the dumbest thing Apple has ever done!”. This was said the Joe Blows, as well as CEOs of RIM (Blackberry) and Microsoft. Now 96% of all phones used are “Full Screened” phones. Apple didn’t create the first full screened phone, but they put so much tech in it that people wondered how we ever got along before. I think this is what you are witnessing now. Time pieces have always been round. So you feel that every watch that is to be created needs to be round in the future. Well here’s the deal. Watches were actually round because of sundials. We actually haven’t taken time by sundial hundreds of years. There is actually no reason for a watch to be round anymore, unless its for pure aesthetics. Apple is not in the business of being a play it safe company, or a company that is just doing what’s traditional for tradition sake.
I like the look of the Moto360, I really do. And I think there’s nothing better in the Android space, but the feature set I need isn’t there. Plus its round, which is a deal breaker for me, just like it is for you. Except we are on opposite sides of the fence, and that’s ok. That’s why there’s a Tag, Movado, Rolex, etc. Like I said, It’s what I’ve been looking for, But I am really happy its coming from Apple. I do like their quality, and you can tell they didn’t just throw this together in 6 months to a year. They actually created new materials, invented Multiple new strap designs (meaning you don’t even wear it the same as other watches), invented a new way to swap bands, revolutionized user interaction (albeit some may be gimmicks, don’t know yet), There really is a lot of tech in there. But I’ll tell you like I told all the naysayers when the iPhone came out, “The tech will be tremendously copied, and that’s how you know they hit the nail on the head. No one copies crap.”
I don’t know man, if the Moto360 doesn’t take off tremendously well, circular watches days may be numbered. Also if Apple offered it Circular, I seriously don’t think I’d buy it. I real don’t like circular watches. I think they look great on others, just not on me.
Yea….so ugly.
http://images.apple.com/watch/apple-watch/images/collection_16_large.jpg
http://images.apple.com/v/watch/a/apple-watch/images/hero_water_large.jpg
Top Reasons why you should buy Apple Watch instead of any other smartwatch==>http://www.iappnalysis.com/2014/09/first-look-apple-watch-features-cost-release-date.html
http://versus.com/en/2014/09/09/6-reasons-the-apple-watch-is-a-rip-off
I love that you posted a link that had six reasons why not to buy the new Apple watch. Two of those reasons were actually false (you can change it for left-handers, and you can change all of the watchbands). One of those reasons is purely aesthetic’s and opinion based . And the final reason was because the Apple watch only works with iOS system. Just like every other companies watch does work with their own OS. So it’s not really a reason.
Seriously, just fuck off troll.
Yeah. I can’t believe how right they got it. They understood that fashion is about personal taste and ability to react to trends more necessarily than just sharp design. The moto is beautiful but not everyone’s a minimalist. None of the android wear watches account for that. Apple got the intangibles right and that’s what’s going to make this sell millions. I’m also thinking of the possibilities for third party straps. Imagine a Prada or Gucci strap on the Watch. Or a Nike one. Brands will be able to jump on this and cross promote.
And you think the moto can’t interchange the straps. Do some more research. The moto is elegant. The iwatch looks like a toy. Why would you ever put a Prada strap on such an ugly thing?
You need to chill. Go and buy your moto. I won’t judge you. Its nice but I’ll buy my Apple Watch and I’ll be happy with it. I don’t see how that affects you.
“Interchangeable straps” isn’t fashion or real customisation. I guarantee you even Motorola will be looking at customisation and de-geekifying android wear in a big way after they see apple’s sales numbers. Smart watches have always struck me as something tech companies should approach with extreme caution.
You see Jim I’m just trying to educate. The moto does everything the iwatch does. It’s just so ugly and if samsung eye to come out with this every apple user would be talking smack. And now apple puts out this hideous thing and all the iPhone users
Are loving it not because its good looking but because its apple and you have no other choice. Absolutely buy it bit don’t day is good looking or better than other watches. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but damn this watch is ugly, you gotta admit.
troll go away! its all a matter of taste. moto looks sharp but too much like a watch for me. i gave those up years ago. Apple watch now that’s something new and in the end its always about software and in that moto will never be able to compete
A paid shill if ever I saw one. Every post mentions moto. Good try, you’ve been found out. Move along troll.
http://venturebeat.com/2014/09/09/apple-watch-is-ugly-and-boring-and-steve-jobs-would-have-agreed/ it’s not just me. This watch is not apple worthy and you all know it.
So you can read minds too? Wow, you’re one amazing troll. Tell me what to think next, please!
I thought for sure apple would come out with a round watch that actually looks like a real time piece.
But James, you keep referring to it as a time piece. If you want a time piece, get a Rolex or Tag Heuer. This is a smart watch. I guarantee you, people will not be flocking to the Apple Watch because it tells time.
Yes, but the awesomeness of the moto is that it’s a great looking watch and a great smart watch. That’s all I’m saying. I’m just amazed that apple can put out something ugly like this and people say it’s beautiful and have talked smack about the android wear watches typical of cult fashion iphone users. Buy as many as you guys want but don’t say the samsung and LG are ugly when this watch is very similar in structure and actually much uglier. Call a spade a spade and don’t be brainwashed by apple. This watch may be useful like other smart arches but it’s damn ugly
Listen, I’m not talking smack about Android. I like all technology. Ease up a little. There is smack going both ways. You call out the Apple Watch as “ugly” someone’s gonna say the same about something you like. I never said the Moto 360 is ugly, I just have a different opinion. And you can’t call out anyone who uses an Apple product as brainwashed. It’s an insult.
I thought only Samsung hired paid shills. Apparently Moto is as well.
I work for neither buddy. Pointing out what’s obviously ugly and similar to the other square watches. But for some reason this one is beautiful…. just put apple on any product no matter how ugly and you will love it. Sad.
You haven’t got a girlfriend have you? You’ve posted about 40 messages on an Apple forum for a watch you don’t like telling everyone how you don’t like it and how they shouldn’t either.
Just think about that for a second. You live once, go outside mate you weird weird person.
By the time you change the strap the battery will be dead. Better get a motorcycle battery to carry around in your pocket for a full day’s Moto 360 enjoyment.
So the moto lasts 24 hrs. How much longer does the apple watch last? Hopefully longer than the crappy 5s battery life
Troll
Are you a moto rep or employee by any chance.
The Moto in appearance is just a traditional watch. It’s simple and stale. I’ve seen that version 100 times and had dozens of watches like that throughout my life. It’s no different than 1 million other watches that have been made in the past. It just makes no statement whatsoever fashion wise, and the only thing it has going for it is it’s functionality which is limited because of the shape of the watch.
Again, do you get a commission by mentioning moto everywhere today?
Take some notes from moto 360.
They won’t. And they won’t by actually selling millions of them the first month.
Millions of people are going to look ridiculous with this ugly ass watch. If Steve Jobs was alive he would never Allow such a hideous thing be released, and he would be in envy of the moto 360.
You just said it. MILLIONS. I’m sure Apple will be ok with that.
Yeah, because how many they sell and profits is what makes Apple special. Steve jobs would be ashamed.
This is not Apple. Once your fanboy new gadget daze wears off you will be thinking the same way.
Unlikely.. Battery will likely be the main determining factor if it takes off..
That said, after reading your ongoing comments, I’m amazed that so many people put up with technology bigots like you who just insult people for preferring a tech you don’t. Just amazes me… I mean, fanboy, seriously? because they like it and you don’t?
I am not ashamed to admit I am an Apple fanboy, or at least I think I was up until I saw this watch. I guess my love for Apple is not so strong I can just overlook when it stumbles like this.
Will I buy the Apple watch, very probably yes. Not initially, I will have to learn to love its features in spite of its ugliness.
I just wish it looked half as cool as the Moto 360.
The deal breaker will be the battery life. I need a full day of moderate to heavy use. The silence on the matter is telling.
I know its going to be contingent on the use of the watch and apps running but seriously this thing needs to last or its dead in the water.
They should have gone with a curved display and extended the sides out more to make room for more battery.
“I am not ashamed to admit I am an Apple fanboy”
“I have not had good experiences with Siri and don’t know anyone who has.”
“Looks just like the outdated and ugly 1st Generation iPhone.”
First rule of paid shills, tell them you’re an Apple fanboy then bash Apple
Don’t take my word for it, just listen to what the paid shills at any Apple news website including CultofMac have to say. Siri is almost universally regarded as being unreliable.
To be honest though the last time I tried to use Siri was more than 6 months ago, so maybe it has improved.
Your bias is tainting the facts really. Perhaps you gravitate to paid shills who enjoy put the boots in? In my experience, Siri works exactly as I want it to. Somehow I think you protesteth too much.
You on a commission to mention moto in every post?
http://www.zdnet.com/so-apples-watch-turned-out-to-be-a-thick-ugly-expensive-yawner-7000033538/ it’s not just me!!
Without holding it myself, I had much of the same reaction as you to the keynote. Definitely beautiful, but not something I immediately wanted (ditto on the 6 now!!!) I see this evolving significantly over the first few generations into something really game changing.
The 18k gold kinda surprises me though, too gaudy for my tastes. Apple’s minimalistic style has always been high on my list of appreciation for their devices.
I think its ugly as sin but I’ll hold actual judgement if and when some 3rd party covers come out for it. It will probably add bulk but might add some protection and cover up that hideous bezel. Ugh.
I was really hoping Apple’s renewed minimalist style would have found its way to the watch but its evident they decided to go in a different direction. OMG those emoji’s! I’d be embarrassed to be in a meeting feel a buzz look at my watch and have one of those glaring in my face.
bezels bezels bezels blah blah blah
Actually, the Apple watches a fairly forward-looking and modern design. The reviews state that it is of high quality and you can feel that when you’re wearing and holding it. I think the Moto watch is too stale. I’ve thrown away a hundred watches the look just like it. It has nothing that differentiates it from 1 million other watches throughout history. It has some good functionality, and I can see why some people might like that kind of watch. But in my opinion, the Apple watch it blows it away in functionality and compatibility with the iOS. Course it’s Apple so it’s going to do that. But you really can’t compare the two
I was not able to watch the Apple Live Stream. Why does it take them such a long time to put up a Keynote Video???
its already up apple.com
As a woman, I would get the smaller one….I use 2 large female watches now, (swiss army and …??) and took about 15 min to get used to…love the size..so, I am excited for this watch. Mainly for the health kit …. “movement”…sensors…they say the women won’t buy it…I beg to differ
Still not enough to get me to give up my beautiful IWC.
Note that’s a watch
Can’t wait for the watch and a possible jail break to make it the best ever.
The Moto 360 is very attractive, but the iWatch is stunningly beautiful. I collect high-end watches and prefer them round. But the iWatch caught me right away. However, everyone has their own taste so screaming that something is ugly (thereby demanding everyone bow to your personal taste) is childish in the extreme.
Putting that aside, what really matters is its tech, and here it blows every other watch out of the water. I’ll certainly buy one, and so will tens of millions of other people. While we’re enjoying this incredible device, Samsung fans and Android trolls will rave to the heavens, as they always do. Enjoy your Moto, Mr. Elia, it’s a very nice watch. But it’s not in the same time zone as the iWatch.
does it have siri?
yes
I have not had good experiences with Siri and don’t know anyone who has.
I use siiri dozens of times a day and it works 99.99% of the time. I use it for everything for making phone calls, to sending messages, looking things up on the web, and even making my appointments in my calendar. I know dozens of people that actually use it on a regular basis. I realize that my examples are anecdotal, but then so are yours.
You are the first one I have ever heard of that had Siri work for them 99.99% of the time. You may be the only one in existence.
Anyone else willing to chime in with their Siri experience?
I don’t use it for much but when I do it’s pretty much flawless. It was pretty balls at launch but it got very good, very quickly.
Make that 2 Michael. Pretty much spot on 90%+ for me.
Looks just like the outdated and ugly 1st Generation iPhone.
What gets me is this looks like the UI was designed to be used on a round device, so what happened?
And those gimmicky emoji and social drawing apps were certainly geared to a younger crowd, but what parent in his right mind is going to buy his irresponsible and accident prone kid a $350 watch?
Watches are for adults, who need to be on time, to get stuff done and as a fashion accessory. Its not a kids toy.
Michael, I thought the animated emoji’s were gimmicky at first but then I thought about it and it’s actually very clever. Since we are going to be glancing at our “watches” for information, I would use animated emoji’s as a quick response to a message or a quick way to convey an emotion or feeling about something rather that typing something or having to read something while I’m active.
I like the concept but a simple black and white outline emoji would have sufficed, hopefully that will be an option. I thought Apple was getting away from those 3d shaded icons and going flat and minimal which I prefer for a more professional look.
Yes, by all means let let’s make it boring and one-dimensional, since watches are only for adults who like to get business done. What an asshole.
Thats good for you that your parents would buy you one, why a child needs a $350 smart watch is beyond me though.
I’m a gadget geek and I am hard pressed to justify buying this watch for myself because I don’t see the utility is worth the hassle of wearing a bulky device on my wrist and charging every night.
But then again I don’t get the appeal of sending little scribbles to each other either so maybe this watch is for children after all.
My parents haven’t bought anything for me in about 30 years,. That being said, just because you don’t value and something doesn’t mean it’s not valuable to somebody else.
I can see the potential value and how it could be developed to emphasize and simplify social communcations.
You know what is going to be even more annoying, we will still have all those people with theirs faces in their phones all the time, except now there will be a whole off shoot of people checking their watches constantly. That phantom buzz from your pocket will now be on your wrist.
Actually, according to you in a couple of the people on this discussion, there already are a whole sub segment of people that are constantly checking their watches, people that use Moto and Samsung gear. Right?
I was a bit disappointed by the health and fitness sensors (or lack thereof)
A shame it’s not waterproof. Most of my exercise/activities involve immersion in water so it’s not going to work as a fitness monitoring device for me.
Perhaps wait for version 2…
I went through a range of emotions about the design during the reveal. The video they played I was really excited. But then the still photos after kind of made me think it looked like a bulky toy. The interface looked a little too cartoonish because I was expecting some finely crafted watch with a luxury interface.
But now that I’ve looked through the overview on the Apple website it’s really starting to grow on me. Especially the stainless steel collection because it looks the MOST like a regular watch. The others look too obvious and “geeky” for me to wear. I am not a watch wearer to begin with.
The only thing is I guarantee that the $350 starting price tag is for the SPORT collection with the cheapest finish and straps. The Stainless steel will probably start at $600 and the 18k Gold is clearly going to cost THOUSANDS. But honestly the gold looks very gaudy. The stainless steel is definitely the nicest looking.
But I usually notice this trend when upgrading my iPhone. But in that case I have context since I am comparing it to a current device. With iPhone I always find some issue with the design changes because I’m so used to my current device. Right now the iPhone 6 looks ugly to me and I prefer my iPhone 5S design.
But when the 5S came out I thought the blank home button and space grey color looked ugly. Now I think the iPhone 5S looks way nicer than the old iPhone 5 I had. When I got the iPhone 5 i thought it looked ridiculously tall and preferred my iPhone 4S’s compact all-glass design. Then a couple of weeks later I started liking the iPhone 5 design better.
I think the issue is that Apple devices become such a huge part of our everyday lives that we grow used to seeing a design. So any changes even if they are subtle are hard to grasp at first. But in the long run you look back and realize Apple had the right idea all along. That’s my opinion at least.
THIS looks beautiful! http://images.apple.com/watch/apple-watch/images/collection_16_large.jpg
LOL! Apple should be ashamed of itself for thinking people are going to buy it. Did everyone forget about the original iPod Nano? It was also a smartwatch-like little gadget that could be worn on the wrist. It bombed, and so will this. Who is wearing watches still? The mobile companies seem to think wearable tech is the next big thing, and they are dead wrong.
Hmmmmm… I thought that this thing that fits in my pocket, which is a clock, calendar, computer, camera, calculator & asst’d other gadgets all rolled into one was the reason why lots of folks stopped wearing watches. Even in the medical field (for calculating pulses if you don’t have a handy dandy pulse-ox in your scrub pockets), your cellphone/iPhone can be used to count seconds, so why go in reverse to buy a watch that has a teeny tiny screen? Isn’t the whole focus on Apple’s iPhone 6 the offering of a larger screen? If I need a watch, I’ll just bust out my classic Ingersolls (a Mickey Mouse made the same year I was born & a really old one from when my great-grandparents come over from Austria when dinosaurs roamed the Earth…) I’m not going to be swept up as an Apple fangirl to buy this silly thing no matter how great the packaging is. (gnomesayin?)
It’s too bad there isn’t a sleep tracking function….or that the battery doesn’t last long enough for there to be a sleep tracking function….
It’s cult of mac….not a true tech blog. Anyone posting on here in anticipation of discourse that’s not biased is kidding themselves.
I will respect Apple folks; but really…it’s a smartwatch. That implies simplicity and minimalism. The OS displays crammed information on a bulky watch with an exaggerated stem. Not revolutionary, not original and not cool.
Android wear is simple, clean and easy…brevity is key.
I won’t buy any of these watches…because they’re not luxury and in a professional environment they look like toys. Except for the Moto 360, they’re all 60’s examples of what they imagined the future to look like…right out of star trek. AND the apple watch isn’t even available…feels prototyped and rushed perhaps because apple is behind the curve. Just my opinion.
Great piece. It’s amazing how many of my “Non Geek” friends have said they are going to buy an Apple Watch. This is going to be huge! Apple have done it again :)
Apple Watch: Only $350+ for a device that doesn’t solve any problems. The first time I see someone fiddling with a “digital crown” on their 1″ screen, I’m going to stand next to them and use my phone like a normal person.
Here’s an insider Apple’s secret: Apple is only releasing Watch because of competitors. They know that the wearables market will be huge one day but is still premature, but Apple has a disadvantage if they try to enter the market later due to their competitors, so they’re releasing something now believing full-well that their fan-base will give enough sales to justify their development. Surprise!!