I’ve already been saying that Apple had to do something really awesome to beat Android Wear watches. After today’s unveiling of the Apple Watch, I’m a bit disappointed in Apple.
Rectangular Screen?
Android Wear already proved that people don’t want a watch with a rectangular screen. The first ones to come out had rectangular screens, and they didn’t sell very many of them. But when the Moto 360 circular watch was released last week, they sold out in the first day.
It was shocking to me that Apple released the Apple Watch that has rectangular hardware, yet has a UI that is heavily focused on circles. I suppose Apple fans will have to wait for the Apple Watch 2 (the next “breakthrough” coming in Fall 2015, I’m sure).
Another thing about the rectangular screen design, it has a very beveled & rounded corner design. I thought Apple left that design concept back with the iPhone 3G. Apple seems to be slipping back in to their old ways because the iPhone 6 has the same rounded, beveled edges. #sadday
Digital Crown?
Ok, lets be serious. It’s just a scroll dial. Blackberry was quite familiar with them. This is not something new and not something revolutionary like Tim Cook would like you to believe.
The clearly showed that this “crown” is just a scroll wheel meant to zoom and scroll (like on a PC). When they got deep into the interface showing off the apps, they never touched the digital crown.
Force Touch?
Ok, so what’s with Apple giving some fancy names for pretty standard things that have been around for ages. Force Touch is basically a right-click feature caused by a long tap on the touch screen. How is this different from what you can already do in iPhone, Android, and heck, even the old Windows Mobile PDAs with the stylus?! Revolutionary? I don’t buy it.
There’s obviously a lot more to the Apple Watch, but these were just some of my thoughts as I watched the unveiling of this watch (they’re not calling it a wearable BTW).
Sure, if you’re an iPhone user, planning on getting the new iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus (the bigger 5.5″ version), the Apple Watch seems like a nice accessory that brings a lot of nice features.
Hasn’t the World Waited Long Enough?
The Apple Watch will be available “early 2015” starting at $349. This came as yet another big surprise to me. Apple has been working on this for SO LONG, I thought for sure they’ve already mass produced them and they would be on sale today…. but no. Sorry, you have to wait even longer.
So, Apple Watch or Android Wear?
In the end, it comes down to which ecosystem you live in… the Apple ecosystem or the Google ecosystem. The smart watches on both sides simply add to the experience of that ecosystem. People could argue forever about which watch is better, but does it really matter? If you’re and Android user, you’re probably not going to get an Apple Watch, and if you’re an Apple user, you’re probably not going to get an Android Wear watch.
What do you think? Am I wrong? Is there anything here that should make me (or anyone) want to switch sides?
I don’t like the watch myself. The design isn’t impressive that Switzerland needs to worry. The functionality is…well nice but almost pointless. The fact that the watch can’t work without a phone really limits its use. The dial looks clumsy to use and the swappable bands – meh.
Much ado about nothing. And, yeah, I doubt Switzerland is going to lose too much sleep over it.
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I am personally very disappointed with the Apple Watch from a design standpoint as I expected more from Apple – some sort of innovative layout that sets it apart from the rest of the pack. Instead we get a flat, square watch with a rather thick profile and it seems like the bands show more inspiration than anything else. At least the Asus ZenWatch bothered to curve the body and display and the LG G Watch R went with a true analog watch look, giving them some notoriety (don’t ask about the Moto 360, I’m not a fan).
Then there is the knob deal on the side. Why do we need this? Because touch screens are too limiting? That doesn’t make sense or maybe it does with the odd-looking interface the watch has with floating circles of apps. I guess time will tell on that one.
Then there is the price, $349. Really? I know Apple products are known as “Premium” products and you pay for what you get, but where is the “Premium” here? Shiny finish and fancy bands? The Apple OS? I just don’t see it. And not available until next year? What?
So, in summary, Apple has finally announced their fabled smartwatch, called the “Apple Watch” (instead of the obvious iWatch which is confusing at best), is pretty much a “me to” product, cost a lot more that the others, and isn’t available for purchase until next year.
Right.
And as far as square vs round watches are concerned, square mechanical watches have been around nearly as long as the round ones and are very stylish. I think the ZenWatch is a good example of what can be done and I think the two formats can work if done right.
The iWatch (?!) is not done right.
Terry, very nice comment. You have some very good points. Thanks for sharing.
The apple watch looks 10 times better than the zen watch, who r u fooling.. try again sir.
I didn’t say I liked the Zen watch the best, but really? 10 times better? I suppose everyone has their own taste in styles.
You’re right about the ZenWatch. I’d never seen it before your post but I’ve looked it up and its better looking (more refined) than the Apple Watch. However, I do disagree with you about the Moto 360. That thing is gorgeous!
You are wrong about force touch. It´s not a long tap. The screen can distinguish between a finger touch and a finger press. It´s a faster and better interaction choice than a long tap.
Alexandre, I suppose you’re right. It may be a subtle difference that makes all the difference in the world, but it is very similar and might be confusing for some users or hard to get used to.
The digital crown is good. Granted Apple likes to give fancy names to old tech, but it will allow you to do more. On a screen that small, anything outside of swipe or tap is difficult to control. This, this will help.
And in regards to your statement on ecosystems, I have mixed feelings. I feel that Android and iOS continuously grow closer. The Apple Watch and Android Wear gadgets distance the platforms yet again. But give it time and pretty soon, hardware will be dead.
Interesting!
What would you prefer, the Apple Watch or your current Moto 360 (assuming they both worked with your phone)?
Which do you prefer, the Apple Watch or your current Moto 360 (assuming they both ran the same OS)?
Nathan nice post.
I am firmly in the Android camp so the iWatch really makes no
difference to me, but the UI looks ridiculous.
Actually the one thing I really like is the watch strap swapability.
I would like to be able to have a nice stainless bracelet on my
360 for work, then do a quick swap and put on a clean leather band for dinner, and even to go to a sport band for my run.
With Android Wear, all the watches use standard connections so I
have unlimited options but it is too much hassle to swap.
As for the digital crown, well it might be a nice option, but really all they did is resurrect the scroll wheel from the iPods. I guess
they couldn’t figure out how to interact with the watch so it is just a teeny tiny iPhone and Zoom is so important they spent millions developing a micro scroll wheel. I think Steve would have focused on how the UI should work and less on buttons to work with an old UI.
Wear is not perfect but with up/down/left/right swipes, tap and
long press, and voice command we easily avoid the need for this expensive complexity which just introduces another failure point.
As for the “Force Touch” (Luke use the Force), sure this speeds up the process of long press from 1.5s to 0.3 sec. Innovation for sure.
Also moving parts and people poking their screens. This is
an invitation to damage their iWatch and then buy a new one.
The reason they need this “Feature” is that the UI is so small you need to be able to keep your finger on the watch as you fiddle
around to get the “Curser” on the correct teeny tiny icon, then you
“Force Push” (Luke use the Force) to click, like with a mouse.
I guess that Apple just loved the Xerox mouse technology and wanted to keep it alive … in the iWatch.
Improved watch, according to Steve Jobs? First start to hate the regular watch for a good reason (difficult to switch regular watch functions ???), also love a watch for good reasons (such as the exact time from radio-controlled watches), and you are almost there designing a great ‘improved’ watch that Jobs would be passionate about. Your watch should make you as punctual as the Spanish inquisition, for instance, show a count down counter to your next meeting (in case you’d set a warning related to your next meeting in your smartphone agenda app). Just forget about through watch communication or fitness info. Share your heartbeat (?), c’mon, I share my fart vibrations if you like.
“Siri, call an ambulance” app for apple watch, in case your heart beat stops.