iWatch

[K12beano]

jmorgan said:

K12beano said:

Kermit power said:

It's the sheer quantity of Apple Watch buyers who sport tattooed wrists which seems to be the story...

Is it compulsory?

I suppose you could have an iWatch tattooed on?

well it can't be too far in the future that we get the Watch technology implanted under the skin.....

[Bungleaio]

Well I've tried to resist but I've caved in and ordered a 42mm black sport. Dispatch in June sometime.

I don't fit with stereo type so I shouldn't get any of the heart rate monitor issues that are being reported.

[ZesPak]

Anyone here who's been using it for a week? How does it compare to the loads of existing smart watches?

[leglessAlex]

Bungleaio said:

Well I've tried to resist but I've caved in and ordered a 42mm black sport. Dispatch in June sometime.

I don't fit with stereo type so I shouldn't get any of the heart rate monitor issues that are being reported.

Did you go and look at them?

I just ask because if I was ordering one blind I'd go for the 42mm but after seeing them I'd be more likely to go for the 38mm. The 42mm wears bigger than I expected, for me anyway.

[clonmult]

Bungleaio said:

Well I've tried to resist but I've caved in and ordered a 42mm black sport. Dispatch in June sometime.

I don't fit with stereo type so I shouldn't get any of the heart rate monitor issues that are being reported.

Just bear in mind Apples own caveats with the HRM, you'll be fine when running, but try a crossfit or weights session and it'll give what amounts to randomised readings. Optical HRMs only supplement a traditional HRM, they don't replace them.

[survivalist]

ZesPak said:

Anyone here who's been using it for a week? How does it compare to the loads of existing smart watches?

I've had one since Friday and I'm still trying to work that out. At this stage is have to say that it's just OK. I can only compare it to a FitBit I've used and a Pebble that one of my colleagues used for a while. Compared to them it seems far more functional in terms of the user interface, the ability to swipe from various corners etc

Build quality seems pretty good, although I've got the sport with a green strap, which is a pretty horrible colour (looked better on the website)

All the notifications etc work as expected - I'm just not sure if there's any real purpose to them - my phone is always in my pocket after all. Obviously that's a smart watch issue rather than just an apple watch one.

The health app is OK, although pretty limited.

You can use it to make calls and send messages using Siri - novel at first but ultimately a bit of a gimmick.

Sorry, if the above isn't much help. If I had to sum it up I'd say it's a much better executed version of the smart watches that already exist - typical apple really. If you want one for a specific task (e.g. Rowing) then there will be better options, but as a universal device it's hard to beat.

I think the thing that will make it a success is the apple ecosystem and huge development community and all of the apps that will come out of that. At the moment it feels a lot like the original iPhone, the potential is there but not really realised. Ultimately this will be the reason for keeping mine, otherwise I'd probably return it.

[ZesPak]

Thanks for that!

I usually get my hands on this kind of gear pretty quick, but the company I'm working for isn't going to buy one as it has enough smartwatches to test with .
Would like to see it next to the LG or Motorola watch, both look great and do what you describe, only problem is they only do it for Android at this time.

[audi321]

survivalist said:

I've had one since Friday and I'm still trying to work that out. At this stage is have to say that it's just OK. I can only compare it to a FitBit I've used and a Pebble that one of my colleagues used for a while. Compared to them it seems far more functional in terms of the user interface, the ability to swipe from various corners etc

Build quality seems pretty good, although I've got the sport with a green strap, which is a pretty horrible colour (looked better on the website)

All the notifications etc work as expected - I'm just not sure if there's any real purpose to them - my phone is always in my pocket after all. Obviously that's a smart watch issue rather than just an apple watch one.

The health app is OK, although pretty limited.

You can use it to make calls and send messages using Siri - novel at first but ultimately a bit of a gimmick.

Sorry, if the above isn't much help. If I had to sum it up I'd say it's a much better executed version of the smart watches that already exist - typical apple really. If you want one for a specific task (e.g. Rowing) then there will be better options, but as a universal device it's hard to beat.

I think the thing that will make it a success is the apple ecosystem and huge development community and all of the apps that will come out of that. At the moment it feels a lot like the original iPhone, the potential is there but not really realised. Ultimately this will be the reason for keeping mine, otherwise I'd probably return it.

Good post and pretty much sums them up as a total waste of money then. Pointless tech for techs sake

[smn159]

My wife is very pleased with the one that I bought her and I am currently in her good books.

For me, this makes the Apple Watch an unqualified success.

[Composite Guru]

I can now see why they stopped making the touchscreen iPod Nano. Its essentially the same thing but cost a lot less than the iwatch. You just needed to to buy the additional strap for it.

I nearly fell over when i saw the price of the cheapest one. lol.

[clonmult]

smn159 said:

My wife is very pleased with the one that I bought her and I am currently in her good books.

For me, this makes the Apple Watch an unqualified success.

Woman I've been seeing for the last couple of months has stated she would like an Apple Watch.

I'm thinking that this is as good a reason as any to not see her any more.

[MuffDaddy]

ZesPak said:

Thanks for that!

I usually get my hands on this kind of gear pretty quick, but the company I'm working for isn't going to buy one as it has enough smartwatches to test with .
Would like to see it next to the LG or Motorola watch, both look great and do what you describe, only problem is they only do it for Android at this time.

What does your company do with smartwatches? (loaded question form smartwatch manufacturer)

[Richyboy]

So this is not the groundbreaking device I thought it would be. Never thought I would think this as an apple fanboy but the microsoft band thing seems like a much better option functionality wise.

[LittleSwill]

K12beano said:

ell it can't be too far in the future that we get the Watch technology implanted under the skin.....

Something similar was mentioned in Pulp Fiction.

[ZesPak]

MuffDaddy said:

What does your company do with smartwatches? (loaded question form smartwatch manufacturer)

I'm a contractor, but one of my clients just develops all sorts of solutions for all sorts of devices, ranging from Android HDMI sticks, chromebooks to tablets, and smartphones.
They are skipping the Apple watch for now, mainly (as I gather it from them) because at this point there's little market for it and the limited selection of iOS devices.

[Leithen]

Richyboy said:

So this is not the groundbreaking device I thought it would be. Never thought I would think this as an apple fanboy but the microsoft band thing seems like a much better option functionality wise.

Far too early to tell IMO. Will either gain a substantial number of users? What will developers dream up? Battery tech appears to be the limiting factor. Perhaps Apple have released Version 1 too soon, or perhaps establishing a user base and iterating is the clever move.

[Bungleaio]

leglessAlex said:

Did you go and look at them?

I just ask because if I was ordering one blind I'd go for the 42mm but after seeing them I'd be more likely to go for the 38mm. The 42mm wears bigger than I expected, for me anyway.

I have had a look at them in the Birmingham store last week but I didn't try them on. My usual watch up until recently has been a Omega PO XL which is 45.5mm so I don't think the 42mm apple watch should be an issue but I appreciate the heads up.

clonmult said:

Just bear in mind Apples own caveats with the HRM, you'll be fine when running, but try a crossfit or weights session and it'll give what amounts to randomised readings. Optical HRMs only supplement a traditional HRM, they don't replace them.

Cheers but it's not the main reason for getting one. I don't run or go to a gym but I do walk and cycle quite a bit. I did try and put off the watch by getting a Fitbit Charge and as good as that is it doesn't take account of any cycling so on the days when I'm tied to my desk I look like I've not done anything even if I put some miles in on my bike. I monitor my cycling through an app that imports to the apple health app so with the apple watch I'm hoping I can get everything all in one place.

Its weak justification I know but it was part of the calculations that went into the man maths justificationer.

[clonmult]

Bungleaio said:

Cheers but it's not the main reason for getting one. I don't run or go to a gym but I do walk and cycle quite a bit. I did try and put off the watch by getting a Fitbit Charge and as good as that is it doesn't take account of any cycling so on the days when I'm tied to my desk I look like I've not done anything even if I put some miles in on my bike. I monitor my cycling through an app that imports to the apple health app so with the apple watch I'm hoping I can get everything all in one place.

Its weak justification I know but it was part of the calculations that went into the man maths justificationer.

Its a gadget, man maths needs little justification

It should be relatively accurate when cycling as long as you aren't one for regularly standing up and making major use of your arms.

Shame it doesn't do sleep tracking, as that would also give you useful information about resting heart rate - which can be invaluable for some training. But then it is a v1 product.

[ZesPak]

clonmult said:

Shame it doesn't do sleep tracking, as that would also give you useful information about resting heart rate - which can be invaluable for some training. But then it is a v1 product.

Wouldn't that be just software? So an app or similar? Problem will be battery life for that, if you're going to track your sports and your sleep, when are you charging it?

[silentbrown]

clonmult said:

It should be relatively accurate when cycling as long as you aren't one for regularly standing up and making major use of your arms.

For cycling you'd be using the phone's GPS as the watch doesn't have one. It's basically an HRM + display at that point. And if you try mounting it to the handlebars it won't work as an HRM.