Apple Watch reviews are in: Best smart watch, but smart watches are unnecessary.

[CZroe]

I didn't see that listed as a criteria. Would any smart watch available today be confused with a normal watch?

Because some people want functionality instead of a cut-down smartphone on their wrist. I guess the Pebble is more like a cut-down eInk Kindle than a cut down smartphone, but the same concept applies. There is a huge segment of the population that wants the utility without all the whiz-bang. It never needed to look like a gizmo to do those things as shown by the MBW series that started in 2005. The main issue was that smartphones hadn't matured yet then and now we are stuck with no alternative. The closest I know of is the Martian (not the Notifier).

 

[Ichinisan]

Really, in the greater scheme of things, this is a non-issue.

The other issues already mentioned are much, much bigger issues. Probably the biggest annoyance for me would be the fact that you have to shake your watch to see the time. IMO that totally defeats the point. I'd rather just wear a $10 Mickey Mouse watch. And for the hipsters, a $10 Mickey Mouse watch probably has more cred than a smartwatch.

Really? That was one of the dumbest things about the Galaxy Gear. Does the Apple Watch really require you to shake it to see the time?

 

[Ichinisan]

So basically you want all the features available in the Pebble ... Just made by someone else?

I've always thought the Pebble sounds like it's functionally perfect, but I guess I left out the criteria that I want it to look like a watch. That's what the Sony Ericsson MBW150 got right sooo many years ago.

One of my coworkers has a Pebble from the initial crowdfunding. I haven't paid much attention to it, but the screen doesn't seem very high-contrast and I can't recall ever being able to make out anything on it. If I can't see high-contrast time at-a-glance, then I don't want it.

I would prefer an OLED display with white-on-black only.

 

[Ichinisan]

I didn't see that listed as a criteria. Would any smart watch available today be confused with a normal watch?

Yeah. I would prefer that it looks like a normal watch, but it's not an absolute requirement. I'll probably get the Pebble someday. I don't think I'll have any disposable savings any time soon, unfortunately.

 

[ControlD]

I've always thought the Pebble sounds like it's functionally perfect, but I guess I left out the criteria that I want it to look like a watch. That's what the Sony Ericsson MBW150 got right sooo many years ago.

One of my coworkers has a Pebble from the initial crowdfunding. I haven't paid much attention to it, but the screen doesn't seem very high-contrast and I can't recall ever being able to make out anything on it. If I can't see high-contrast time at-a-glance, then I don't want it.

I would prefer an OLED display with white-on-black only.

The Pebble screen has quite good contrast. You can easily read it from any angle with a quick glance. Still, I understand the desire for something higher tech.

 

[Eug]

Really? That was one of the dumbest things about the Galaxy Gear. Does the Apple Watch really require you to shake it to see the time?

Yes, or else lift up your arm. According to reviews, you can't just turn your arm and look at it. It will stay black.

eg. Let's say you're resting your arm on the table, while typing on the AnandTech forums. You want to see what time it is so you turn your wrist towards your face. All you get to see is a blank watch face.

Very well said and I would tend to agree with you. Question: In the context of you statements above ... what do you attribute ANY sales of this flawed item to the masses? Mass hysteria? Mass insanity? Perhaps certain people have a genetic predisposition to purchase anything (as flawed as it is) with an Apple logo on it?

The only person I know personally that has purchased the Apple Watch is an uber fanboy. However, there are two caveats to that. Not only is he an uber fanboy, he also:

1) Is an iOS developer so he needs these Apple devices for testing purposes.
2) Can write off these purchases as business expenses.

I am also quite the Apple fan at times, but I have to pay for these things out of my pocket. So why are so many other people buying it? Well, one should realize the absolute numbers aren't actually high most likely when compared to other iOS devices, but they're high compared to other smart watches, so it's all relative. Also, it's because people trust Apple blindly to create a good product, which I think is misguided, since history tells us that even when it is a good idea, Apple sandbags on version 1. Also, Apple has done a wonderful job in marketing this device precisely to the non-geeks. There are big spreads in fashion magazines, and they're selling it at non-tech boutique shops.

The Apple Watch is more a jewelry piece than the iPhone ever was, and some people criticize the iPhone for being bling.

 

[Oyeve]

Really? That was one of the dumbest things about the Galaxy Gear. Does the Apple Watch really require you to shake it to see the time?

I dont know about shaking, but on my Gear 2 all I have to do is look at the time normally and it lights up.

 

[touchstone]

Yes, or else lift up your arm. According to reviews, you can't just turn your arm and look at it. It will stay black.

eg. Let's say you're resting your arm on the table, while typing on the AnandTech forums. You want to see what time it is so you turn your wrist towards your face. All you get to see is a blank watch face.

Uh, I don't know who told you that you have to 'shake' the Apple Watch to see the time, but you're totally wrong here. All you do is turn your arm. No need to lift it, no need to shake it, no need to spit on it or lick it...

The situation you describe works fine. You can just turn your wrist and , yes, even leave your arm on the table! Amazing.

More misinformation from a so-called Apple 'fan'

 

[touchstone]

I've always thought the Pebble sounds like it's functionally perfect, but I guess I left out the criteria that I want it to look like a watch. That's what the Sony Ericsson MBW150 got right sooo many years ago.

One of my coworkers has a Pebble from the initial crowdfunding. I haven't paid much attention to it, but the screen doesn't seem very high-contrast and I can't recall ever being able to make out anything on it. If I can't see high-contrast time at-a-glance, then I don't want it.

I would prefer an OLED display with white-on-black only.

I think the pebble and Jawbone both have a spot along side the Apple watch and future wearables, they aren't just being 'replaced'. Same with Galaxy Gear, it will all improve... some wearables will have features that others won't.


The Apple watch is useless in water. It is also mostly useless as a continuous sleep tracker, unless you charge it before you go to sleep. This is where Pebble shines, you can leave it on and not worry about it.


All the haters... smartwatches need to shake it off, shake it off.

 

[Michael]

I have an apple watch sport on now. Turn wrist and it lights up. No lifting and no shaking.

Michael

Ps - it is a watch and actually is cheaper than the two watches I normally wear.

 

[Eug]

Uh, I don't know who told you that you have to 'shake' the Apple Watch to see the time, but you're totally wrong here. All you do is turn your arm. No need to lift it, no need to shake it, no need to spit on it or lick it...

The situation you describe works fine. You can just turn your wrist and , yes, even leave your arm on the table! Amazing.

More misinformation from a so-called Apple 'fan'

Venture Beat: 12 things I don’t like about the Apple Watch

1. Arm motion doesn’t always wake up the Watch

When you want to look at your Watch you’re supposed to be able to just lift your wrist and the device will wake. But I found that this didn’t always happen. I was often met with a blank screen when I raised my wrist, causing me to have to do a wrist spin to tell the Watch to wake up and be useful.

AppleInsider: Review: Apple Watch is beautiful, but rough around the edges

Setting the Watch to Activate on Wrist Raise will most likely be the common (and is the default) setting. Three out of four times the watch turned on when we attempted to look at it. Sometimes the motion was too subtle and the screen did not turn on. Other times we would notice the screen stayed on unintentionally.

The Guardian: Apple Watch review: beautiful hardware spoiled by complicated software

The gesture works ok. Most of the time it lights the screen, but forget it in bed or at odd angles, and there are more times than I’d like where it fails to light requiring a second hand to press a button. That normally happens when I’m rushing for a bus or a train, precisely when knowing the time down to half a minute is crucial.

---

...and so on.

 

[touchstone]

Venture Beat: 12 things I don’t like about the Apple Watch

1. Arm motion doesn’t always wake up the Watch

When you want to look at your Watch you’re supposed to be able to just lift your wrist and the device will wake. But I found that this didn’t always happen. I was often met with a blank screen when I raised my wrist, causing me to have to do a wrist spin to tell the Watch to wake up and be useful.

AppleInsider: Review: Apple Watch is beautiful, but rough around the edges

Setting the Watch to Activate on Wrist Raise will most likely be the common (and is the default) setting. Three out of four times the watch turned on when we attempted to look at it. Sometimes the motion was too subtle and the screen did not turn on. Other times we would notice the screen stayed on unintentionally.

The Guardian: Apple Watch review: beautiful hardware spoiled by complicated software

The gesture works ok. Most of the time it lights the screen, but forget it in bed or at odd angles, and there are more times than I’d like where it fails to light requiring a second hand to press a button. That normally happens when I’m rushing for a bus or a train, precisely when knowing the time down to half a minute is crucial.

---

...and so on.

Well, guess what? I have had the watch for a week, and it works fine. These reviewers had pre-production review units, why are twisting what the reviewers say into your own weird agenda. The reviewers literally says "The gesture works ok." on a review unit, how well do you think it works weeks later with multiple software updates and a full release?


You are really showing yourself to have zero knowledge about macs and Apple in general. You also seem to have a real problem with other people liking smart watches, and weirdly you claim to be a mac fan while the whole time talking about how apple is bilking millions into buying worthless junk.... hmm. I see that you seem to hang out in the Apple forum, but I usually don't come here because I don't use macs. Are you a troll?

I would rather not converse with trolls who don't take reality into account.

 

[Eug]

Heh. Sorry if you feel that way. I prefer to look at things objectively. The Apple Watch screen activation issue has been WIDELY reported, not just in articles, but also by individuals. There are threads on it in the Apple Discussion groups too.

Consider yourself lucky if you haven't experienced it at all, because it's a common issue. Yes, it may be fixed later, but the truth of the matter is that is an issue now for many people. And we all know that problems that don't affect you can affect a lot of other people. If you knew the history about Apple products, you'd know and acknowledge this. Maybe not the majority in this case, but an issue doesn't have to affect the majority to be very significant.

BTW, I find it interesting that you first said the issue didn't exist, but when presented abundant evidence that it does exist, you changed your argument.

P.S. I've been buying Macs for 15 years, and I currently personally own 9 Macs, 4 of which are Intel machines. I also own about same number of iOS devices, so I'd say I've got pretty good experience with Apple products. And by the sounds of it, I've probably got a lot more experience with Apple products than you do. You're barking up the wrong tree if you're trying to paint me as an anti-Apple troller.

 

[mmntech]

Been reports that tattoos bork the heart rate monitor.
http://9to5mac.com/2015/05/01/apple-watch-tattoos-apple/

I'm assuming this isn't just limited to the Apple Watch, unless it uses a different technology than other heart rate monitors.

 

[ponyo]

I can confirm the watch face doesn't always wake up with the arm motion. My wife thought the watch was broken at one point because it wouldn't wake up after multiple attempts. There is also slight delay of like a second before the watch wakes up when you turn the wrist.

 

[Oyeve]

Ironically, I am not hearing much chatter about the iwatch. Either at work, friends, hell, even here. Not much chatter. Has this been a "meh" launch?

 

[vi edit]

I've got an MS Band. I was helping a doctor out earlier this week and I got an email that sent a notification to the band. I glanced, and went back to work. The doctor asked "Is that the new Apple watch?"

If Jonny Ive had heard that he probably would have had a stroke.

 

[smackababy]

Been reports that tattoos bork the heart rate monitor.
http://9to5mac.com/2015/05/01/apple-watch-tattoos-apple/

I'm assuming this isn't just limited to the Apple Watch, unless it uses a different technology than other heart rate monitors.

This is rather disappointing. =( I was liking going to pick on up just to test functionality with my app, but I might not even be able to test it!

 

[touchstone]

Been reports that tattoos bork the heart rate monitor.
http://9to5mac.com/2015/05/01/apple-watch-tattoos-apple/

I'm assuming this isn't just limited to the Apple Watch, unless it uses a different technology than other heart rate monitors.

Black ink disrupts photophlesmography. Moto360 would have the exact same issue as it uses the same sort of sensors, however Apple Watch has the added benefit of infrared sensors that should be able to penetrate the ink on people who don't have a lot of hair on their arms.

I can confirm the watch face doesn't always wake up with the arm motion. My wife thought the watch was broken at one point because it wouldn't wake up after multiple attempts. There is also slight delay of like a second before the watch wakes up when you turn the wrist.

You're not turning your arm right

 

[touchstone]

Heh. Sorry if you feel that way. I prefer to look at things objectively. The Apple Watch screen activation issue has been WIDELY reported, not just in articles, but also by individuals. There are threads on it in the Apple Discussion groups too.

Consider yourself lucky if you haven't experienced it at all, because it's a common issue. Yes, it may be fixed later, but the truth of the matter is that is an issue now for many people. And we all know that problems that don't affect you can affect a lot of other people. If you knew the history about Apple products, you'd know and acknowledge this. Maybe not the majority in this case, but an issue doesn't have to affect the majority to be very significant.

BTW, I find it interesting that you first said the issue didn't exist, but when presented abundant evidence that it does exist, you changed your argument.

P.S. I've been buying Macs for 15 years, and I currently personally own 9 Macs, 4 of which are Intel machines. I also own about same number of iOS devices, so I'd say I've got pretty good experience with Apple products. And by the sounds of it, I've probably got a lot more experience with Apple products than you do. You're barking up the wrong tree if you're trying to paint me as an anti-Apple troller.

If I want to make the Apple Watch screw up, I can. I could turn my arm slow enough for the sensor to not read it, or look at it from an angle... the point is that it is work 95%+ of the time, much like TouchID. The complaints are by people who don't own the watch, don't want to own the watch, and usually think the watch is a waste of money and therefore nobody else should own it.


I have yet to see you actually say you like anything about an Apple product. So far, I read the thread about the new Macbook and while I agree with you that it is not a good computer, it still doesn't present you as any sort of a fan. Whether you realize it or not, you actions indicate you actually don't like any Apple products and are mostly here to complain. Which is your right, but please don't try to pretend to be some hardcore fan. You aren't a fan.

 

[Childs]

If I want to make the Apple Watch screw up, I can. I could turn my arm slow enough for the sensor to not read it, or look at it from an angle... the point is that it is work 95%+ of the time, much like TouchID. The complaints are by people who don't own the watch, don't want to own the watch, and usually think the watch is a waste of money and therefore nobody else should own it.


I have yet to see you actually say you like anything about an Apple product. So far, I read the thread about the new Macbook and while I agree with you that it is not a good computer, it still doesn't present you as any sort of a fan. Whether you realize it or not, you actions indicate you actually don't like any Apple products and are mostly here to complain. Which is your right, but please don't try to pretend to be some hardcore fan. You aren't a fan.

Eug is probably the most active poster in All Things Apple. Being a fan doesnt mean you cant criticize. Nothing wrong with wanting products from a company you like to be better.

 

[CZroe]

If I want to make the Apple Watch screw up, I can. I could turn my arm slow enough for the sensor to not read it, or look at it from an angle... the point is that it is work 95%+ of the time, much like TouchID. The complaints are by people who don't own the watch, don't want to own the watch, and usually think the watch is a waste of money and therefore nobody else should own it.


I have yet to see you actually say you like anything about an Apple product. So far, I read the thread about the new Macbook and while I agree with you that it is not a good computer, it still doesn't present you as any sort of a fan. Whether you realize it or not, you actions indicate you actually don't like any Apple products and are mostly here to complain. Which is your right, but please don't try to pretend to be some hardcore fan. You aren't a fan.

Please leave this conversation.

 

[touchstone]

Eug is probably the most active poster in All Things Apple. Being a fan doesnt mean you cant criticize. Nothing wrong with wanting products from a company you like to be better.

Trolls tend to be very active. Maybe before I came to this forum he was a fan, but I've been here for months and haven't seen a single example of him liking any Apple product... that says something considering I usually agree with the sentiments he has and also, he posts (as you said) all the time. I mean he has been one of the most vocal detractors of the Apple Watch, along with a few others here that for some reason love to post in this thread but also don't care about it at all because 'it's not useful to me'. LOL.



Maybe he has all of you fooled, but not me.

 

[vi edit]

Being a fan does not mean one must suspend judgement or criticism. If anything, his opinion should mean more than anyone else. He has bought Apple products over the years for whatever reasons that may be, build quality, performance, portability, ect. Now he is choosing not to buy a product from that company? Why? That company would be doing themselves a favor to understand what it was that they botched to not earn a sale. Was the product rushed? Did it not offer enough function for the price? Were there too many compromises made for the sake of style or size?

These are not gifts bestowed upon us for free. These are devices costing hundreds, if not thousands of dollars with the sole intent of earning Apple millions, if not billions of dollars. If "fans" of Apple are not satisfied with them, Apple would be best to listen.

 

[smackababy]

Trolls tend to be very active. Maybe before I came to this forum he was a fan, but I've been here for months and haven't seen a single example of him liking any Apple product... that says something considering I usually agree with the sentiments he has and also, he posts (as you said) all the time. I mean he has been one of the most vocal detractors of the Apple Watch, along with a few others here that for some reason love to post in this thread but also don't care about it at all because 'it's not useful to me'. LOL.



Maybe he has all of you fooled, but not me.

Eug also seems to have more problems with Apple products than most. I don't know if his usage is simply atypical or he is just extremely unlucky.