The second pre announcement of the Apple watch has occurred (yup, they’ve not released it yet but pre announced the watch) and a lot of people have had very strong reactions to the watch. Loosely there are three reactions
- This is the end to civilisation as we know it [people are going to stop interacting with each other]
- No one will buy this, Apple will go out of business
- This is the best thing ever ever ever
- [bonus:] This will distract me
I am exaggerating each point a little but only a little. In truth, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything pull such a strong reaction…maybe Google glass. But I suspect that none of these things are true. So here are some quick thoughts from me.
- The Apple watch will sell “well” no it won’t be another iPhone but it maybe another iPad, in addition the iPhone didn’t start off selling well. Some people will buy the edition but just like a solid Gold rolex, I doubt you or I will see one (often?)
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Civilisation won’t end. (going out on a limb there)
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People will still interact with each other
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The watch may be less distracting than a phone. A more discrete device for quick glances or actions may help you to take action quicker and get back to whatever you’re doing. It may also encourage you to choose more carefully which notifications you get and reduce distractions. [I found that with Android wear]
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The Apple watch will be less distracting than Android wear. Google makes money by distracting you, Apple makes money by selling you hardware.
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The price will hold off all but the early adopters.
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Only the early adopters would buy it anyway. [See android wear]
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The interface will be key here. Android wear’s interface is okay but is quite like a phone interface on your wrist. The Apple watch is different, It sounds worse to me but I am waiting to try it out. I thought a touchscreen keyboard would be worse but now I love it.
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It will almost exclusively only do things you can do with your phone (to start with at least).
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Some of those things will be much better with a device on your wrist [deleting spam emails]
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Some will be worse [notifications from your free with in app purchase game]
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The square screen is the right direction. I didn’t think so when I first saw smart watches come out but now I’m more convinced it is. The screen is better for an interface and my favourite watch faces aren’t the imitation watch faces but the unique ones that make the most of the data and flexibility of the screen. The work just as well on a square and circular screen.
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It’s still to early to say. Many people want to have a firm opinion on this subject, after all they get paid to have a strong for or against opinion [plus ARGH TECHNOLOGY!!! sells really well]. In all likelihood this will be something which is both good and bad and we’ll have to look at the long term effects to really know. Take smart phones, we’ve seen the benefit of being more connected with people all around the world, not having to take some many different items with us (map, camera, notebook) and so on, but we’ve also seen the reduction of communication round the table and increased anxiety for Fear Of Missing Out.
So let’s wait and see eh.
What are your thoughts on the Apple Watch/Smartwatches in general?
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