The 9/9/2014 Apple Launch Event Thread

[dlock13]

so, going on a jog -- $699 iphone + $349 iwatch. yikes, time for ibodyguard

*Correction.

 

[cbrunny]

It's old news already:

http://mobihealthnews.com/34847/employer-gets-280k-insurance-discount-for-using-fitbits/

http://www.fitbit.com/fitbit-wellness

This is quite a bit different though. Tracking productivity is a LOT different to a union than tracking health.

 

[HN]

i don't think traditional watchmakers are shaking in their boots.

 

[Anubis]

Watch has NFC for Apple Pay:

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2014/09/zsh0396.jpg

yep and in every image it shows what card you are using (I assume that's what that is)

so a default card? and if you want to use a different one you would have to open it and swipe to the one you wanted?

 

[cbrunny]

wtf is U2 doing there?

 

[Ravynmagi]

Now Apple is announcing the iU2!

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Can Google revamp is Google Wallet strategy and integrate w/ Android Wear in 6 months? Maybe.

 

[fierydemise]

That release date is a little shocking, though not surprising from the leaks. Not that they'll be able to, but Android OEMs now have a window to "borrow" some of the best ideas and get products out around the same time.

It's not an intensely focused, simple device. It's a highly functional, borderline complex device. It'll take 3 months after product release before I think we know whether it will be long term viable.

There isn't much on the device that the android watches don't already have in some form. I like the dial concept (sorry lefties) but otherwise it doesn't seem to have anything that really sets it apart from what everyone else has been doing. The watch feels like a "me too" product more than anything else they've come out with in recent memory.

EDIT: Also that they didn't mention battery life at all is really worrying.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I'm not feeling this one. I think both phones should have been 1920x1080 similar to how both new ipads have the same resolution despite the smaller screen on the mini. Now I'm stuck with the dilemma of having the only phone with a 1080P screen be entirely too large. None of the additional features are doing anything for me. No stores around here use nfc payment solutions to my knowledge. The LTE here is too slow to take advantage of the increased LTE capability. I don't give a shit about taking pictures with my phone. The A7 was already too powerful for the 5s, so I'm wondering what noticeable performance increases will be realized with the A8.

I've always been intrigued by the smart watches, but I know I'd end up not using it if I bought one.

Guess I'll be using my 5s for at least another year.

 

[dlock13]

wtf is U2 doing there?

U2 and Apple have always been BFFs.

 

[ElFenix]

From Brian Barrett at Gizmodo Livestream:

"A whole new world of emoji here people. Animated, too. The tongue sticking out waggles its tongue."



SOLD!

anyone else feel old when people say 'emoji' rather than 'emoticon'?

 

[Anubis]

wtf is U2 doing there?

new ipod maybe?

 

[Oyeve]

Wow, I lost what little respect I already had for U2.

 

[Kaido]

yep and in every image it shows what card you are using (I assume that's what that is)

so a default card? and if you want to use a different one you would have to open it and swipe to the one you wanted?

I'd imagine a combination of card selection & PIN entry.

 

[Red Storm]

Can Google revamp is Google Wallet strategy and integrate w/ Android Wear in 6 months? Maybe.

This is one thing Android Wear could use, I agree.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

My thoughts exactly, Apple seems to be commiting the same sin Samsung did with their first gen watch. Throw the kitchen sink worth of features on the watch to make it "more functional" while missing that the key power of the watch over a phone in convenient display rather than interaction.

But it does have basic notification mirroring. IF you think about Android Wear, its just mirroring notifications + Google Now. Granted Apple lacks Google Now, but they will display some stuff like weather, etc. But why limit yourself to basic notification mirroring? Its up to the user if they want to fiddle on their watch or not.

Remember 7 years ago we laughed at the idea of doing everything on your phone. But it ended up happening. Things that would make more sense to do on a desktop or laptop, we're doing on our phones today. Even if it means clunky non mobile interfaces where you need to type in your credit card info? People do it everyday.

 

[Ranulf]

I'm more curious about the unlocked phone prices...

$649 for the 6, $749 for the 6+?

So that's what $749, $849, $949? LOL. Almost $1k on a freaking phone?

Its apple, what do you expect? What will be interesting is if people buy it. People may hate them but makes my unlocked Blackberry z10 for $200 last year a deal.

 

[Kaido]

There isn't much on the device that the android watches don't already have in some form. I like the dial concept (sorry lefties) but otherwise it doesn't seem to have anything that really sets it apart from what everyone else has been doing. The watch feels like a "me too" product more than anything else they've come out with in recent memory.

EDIT: Also that they didn't mention battery life at all is really worrying.

The biggest thing I got from all of this is that Apple Pay will probably take over the universe, especially if it makes online shopping easier...it's going to make impulse spending online a whole lot worse haha.

 

[sze5003]

I do like the way the watch looks but I'll never get an iPhone.

 

[Kaido]

The white lip around the watch in this shot looks pretty dorky:

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2014/09/zsh0396.jpg

 

[Kaido]

But it does have basic notification mirroring. IF you think about Android Wear, its just mirroring notifications + Google Now. Granted Apple lacks Google Now, but they will display some stuff like weather, etc. But why limit yourself to basic notification mirroring? Its up to the user if they want to fiddle on their watch or not.

Remember 7 years ago we laughed at the idea of doing everything on your phone. But it ended up happening. Things that would make more sense to do on a desktop or laptop, we're doing on our phones today. Even if it means clunky non mobile interfaces where you need to type in your credit card info? People do it everyday.

I wonder how well integration will work - will it mute my phone & only buzz/ring my watch for a new SMS?

 

[HN]

enjoy U2's latest album for free courtesy of Apple

 

[Ravynmagi]

U2 and Apple have always been BFFs.

Apple is giving away a free U2 album on iTunes. I bet Apple is paying U2 a pretty penny for that. Apple is rich, I'd be their BFF too.

 

[sze5003]

I wonder how well integration will work - will it mute my phone & only buzz/ring my watch for a new SMS?

You can silence the phone and probably have vibrate setting in the watch for notifications. For apps you can probably set them individually in each app's notification settings.

 

[Red Storm]

I wonder how well integration will work - will it mute my phone & only buzz/ring my watch for a new SMS?

Android Wear let's you either have both phone and watch alert you, or you can mute the phone while the watch is connected. I would like to think Apple will have a similar option.