The 9/9/2014 Apple Launch Event Thread

[Kaido]

I can tell you this...the iWatch will be HUGE in business going forward for insurance purposes. They're already using stuff like the FitBit for insurance discounts in the workplace. Imagine having super-accurate tracking for employees on a shop floor where time is tracked...

 

[dawheat]

Yeah Apple is really taking the wrong route with the smart watch. I personally don't think it should be a device that you actively sit there and fiddle with for minutes on end, especially if you have to have your phone nearby too. They're trying to do everything with the watch, and that's just bad design IMHO.

Also the round digital watch face on rectangular hardware is not a flattering combination.

Hmm interesting point - I was getting a bit caught up with the different apps, but do you really want to be fiddling with your watch and tiny screen constantly? This is less a companion/convenience device and more a secondary device. I wonder in real life whether it'll get old pretty fast.

 

[fierydemise]

Yeah Apple is really taking the wrong route with the smart watch. I personally don't think it should be a device that you actively sit there and fiddle with for minutes on end, especially if you have to have your phone nearby too. They're trying to do everything with the watch, and that's just bad design IMHO.

Also the round digital watch face on rectangular hardware is not a flattering combination.

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.

 

[Anubis]

Imagine having super-accurate tracking for employees on a shop floor where time is tracked...

Unions will never allow that

 

[senseamp]

So basically you gotta carry the iPhone in your pocket anyways if you go running or whatever. Kind of defeats the purpose of a watch for me. If I am going to carry a phone, I'll just use the phone.

 

[ChronoReverse]

But why would GPS have been integrated? I think for maps, obviously it needs maps data. But what if you want to go on a run? Then a standalone GPS makes sense so you don't have to lug your phone along.

I'm actually watching the stream, and they said it uses your iPhone's GPS for the location features.

Well, that's +1 for battery life but -1 for actually being different from everyone else.

 

[HN]

the health stuff should give app store credit for reaching goals

 

[maevinj]

So...... Have we still not heard if the 6 comes with 1GB of memory? I wonder if the 6+ will come with 2GB?

 

[dlock13]

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.

I have to agree with that. Yes, it is amazingly nice to have a dedicated fitness tracker and to be able to respond to notifications, etc... The fact is that I'm not going to pull up pictures on my watch or write a little weird picture to my friend.

I don't know, but this does way, way too much IMO. Maybe it'll be easy when you use it, but I honestly don't see that happening!

 

[Oyeve]

350, starting price, ouch.

 

[HN]

"I use mine to control my Apple TV. Another member uses theirs as a viewfinder for the iPhone camera. Walkie talkie ability. List of features is a mile long."

that's kinda nifty

 

[Anubis]

350$ for the watch starting price
2015

 

[Red Storm]

Hmm interesting point - I was getting a bit caught up with the different apps, but do you really want to be fiddling with your watch and tiny screen constantly? This is less a companion/convenience device and more a secondary device. I wonder in real life whether it'll get old pretty fast.

Yeah, it just surprises me that Apple would do this, considering their usual attention to detail. Android Wear isn't perfect, but it was designed the right way for a watch. It focuses on Notifications and Google Now's voice search capabilities.

 

[fierydemise]

And theres the price $349.

Still no word on battery. Thats worrying, if it were any good you'd think they tout it.

 

[senseamp]

So...... Have we still not heard if the 6 comes with 1GB of memory? I wonder if the 6+ will come with 2GB?

Would make sense to me 1GB for 6, 2GB for 6+, just based on screen res and corresponding VRAM needs.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Yeah, too expensive ($350) and not coming until early 2015. Bleh, that was just a waste of 40 minutes I think. Haha.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

$349 rofl

 

[Kaido]

Unions will never allow that

It's old news already:

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

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

 

[s44]

ohh a lady version... that's an idea! (not sarcasm)

This is literally the only winning idea here.

 

[dawheat]

350$ for the watch starting price
2015

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.

 

[Kaido]

Watch has NFC for Apple Pay:

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

 

[Kaido]

I wonder how the Watch authorizes pay, if Touch ID is required to activate it?

 

[Anubis]

It's old news already:

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

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

that's slightly different then using it to track time on a shop floor which around here would be union people.

Company people wearing it in the office for insurance reasons is a totally different thing

 

[HN]

so, going on a jog -- $199 iphone + $349 iwatch. yikes, time for ibodyguard

 

[dlock13]

I wonder how the Watch authorizes pay, if Touch ID is required to activate it?

By a specific tap pattern maybe?