To Apple Watch, Or Not

By thebigt, 11 April, 2015

Forum
watchOS and Apple Watch Apps

I'm really in two minds about getting an apple watch. I saw it yesterday without voice over cause it was only a demmo on the watch, and i was all for having one.

My main reason for getting one is because i do a lot of walking and although i use the run keeper app on my phone, it can be a a hassle getting it out of my pocket to unlock it to check my time.

Are there any other devices that would give me my time and pace etc like the sports watches would for sighted people?

Part of me really wants the apple watch, but then in the next breath i'm convincing myself that i don't need it.

Oh and what size would be best? The apple person said the 38 mls looked really nice on me but i also tried on the 42 which i liked too.

Cheers for any help.

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Comments

By Tree on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 - 17:25

I think if you are interested in the activity stuff, which I assume you are since you mentioned using run keeper, the then the watch could be a really good thing to get. I know I have been excited about the watch for a long time, and as long as the speaker gets loud enough I can't wait to get my hands on mine.

One thing to consider is availability. I ordered my watch at midnight, the day it came out, but from what I understand there might be more of a wait for people who didn't order it as quickly, and I imagine that wait might increase if you wait.

As far as which size to get, I guess that depends mostly on how big your wrist are. If the person in the Apple store said the smaller version looks good on you that might be the best choice. I know its the one I'm getting, plus I think one of the main appeals of the larger one is a larger screen, which I don't think is as important for voice over users.

I would be very curious to hear more about what you think of the hard where. I have not gotten to look at it yet, but I have heard lots of mixed things about it. Some people think its the most stylish thing ever, and some say its too thick. Did you find it thick?

By thebigt on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 - 17:25

I don't mind waiting, although that may make me not get it at all lol! I'm going to check out accessibility over the next couple of days since the apple store only had demmo moddels yesterday.

Yeah i have tiny wrists lol. I thought the watch itself looked nice!

I wrote a blog about it which you can read below if you would like.
http://www.thebigt1.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/apple-watch-first-impressions

I hope that's allowed :)

By Chuck on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 - 17:25

I also have small wrists, and with voice over I do not think the extra real estate is necessary.

I liked the look and feel of the watch, although it is slightly thicker than my Pierre Cardin watch I use to wear, and that watch only tells time. I went with the 38mm stainless steel model with the Milanese band.

The Apple watch looks like a watch, not like a wrist computer. I've seen the other wearables...IMHO they look very clunky.

I have been waiting for a wrist interface since I bought my first iPhone in 2009. It just seems like the next step in the evolution of personal computing.

I have always been a gadget geek, which explains the drawers full of obsolete electronics. :)

BTW here is were you can read about the Apple Watch accessibility.

http://www.apple.com/accessibility/watch/

By Laurent on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 - 17:25

Hi,

I disagree with most of the posts about the AppleWatch... If it was the next step in term, of wearable technology, it should be an autonomous device, And it is definitively not... The iPhone was one on its launch, What does the watch do that the iPhone doesn't (except not being inside your pocket)? When I first heard about it, I was really expecting a breakthrough in the digital watch technology with something that could replace my phone ; apparently Apple wasn't there already...

So what is the AppleWatch today? A wonderful piece of art and technology but certainly not a revolution. I can understand that many want to buy it, mainly because they like wearing a watch and that the Apple one is the current trend, but let's not introduce this new device as if it was something revolutionary...

I will buy one but only when I will be able to trade it for my phone.

Cheers...

By David on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 - 17:25

Having looked at the physical, but non-functional, watch, it may look nice. But given that for close to the price of a full IPhone, it's actually not adding anything at all that the phone can't do, I really can't justify it to anyone.

Prices in the UK start at £300 Sport, £480 Watch and £8,000 for Edition. For that amount of money, I'd expect much more than is being offered. It's frankly becoming a fashion accessory, not a useful development of the communication technology.

And you can pretty much bet that you won't get to upgrade it over the years. It'll be just like the phones in that you will probably be expected to replace it every few years to take advantage of any fashion/technology changes that come alogn.

For those who want it so they don't have to reach for their phone... just get yourself some Bluetooth headphones and you can access many features that way for much less than the Watch.

Very disappointed really. Just because it's accessible doesn't make it useful or worth the money.

I very much agree with what you're saying. And I'm glad that there are at least some people here who have a more critical attitude towards these devices. So thanks for your comment :-) .
Yes, I'm also disappointed, and yes, just because it's accessible doesn't mean it's great. So sad that people are spending money for this, pre-order as soon as possible, and get so excited.

Let us not be so materialistic, uncritical and shallow.
*****[a certain company] makes enough profit already, why buy every product they release? Why fall for all that nonsensical, ridiculous hype? I find it so sad how some are not only convincing themselves that they 'really need' this nonsense, but also persuading others that these watches are great.

And as far as 'Watch or Not' is concerned: Why not ask yourself, for example:
Do I really need this? / Am I perhaps just over-excited because of the hype?
What would I use it for, and can I perhaps do these things with my existing devices?
What else that is much more useful to me could I buy with the money?

Why not, for example, use the Timer on your phone and a bluetooth headset?

So my answer to your question would be: Please don't let anyone persuade you to buy this! Now you may be imagining how fantastic it would be to have this stylish new device, how nice it would feel -- smooth and cool, but do you really need it? And is it morally right to buy something just because one wants it?

And finally, for the sake of completeness: I am not attacking anyone personally. I am merely making a general comment, and expressing my views on statements I read here.

By Justin on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 - 17:25

I think that it's up to you whether you purchase one or not. I will personally be buying the sport watch, since it is the cheapest version out there. I like to keep up with tech and wearable tech is really taking off now. Sure the watch has disadvantages and bugs, but remember, this is the first in smart watches. Apple hasn't designed anything like this before, so there's probably going to be some issues out there, but we'll have to wait and see what happens on the 24th. I'll wait to see what kinds of podcasts are released about the watch usability before I jump on the band wagon and buy onee

By riyu12345 (not verified) on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 - 17:25

I will be buying the watch mainly for the fitness side of things.

I've got to get back into the gym. (I need to loos my tummy :) ) And what better way to loos wait than to get back into the gym with this watch. For me, this is something I do need.

I'll be going for the cheapest version, and really look forward to knowing how far I've ran and how much I'm loosing. Do I know if all the info I'd want will be on the watch? No I don't. But I bet it will be enough to make me go back to the gym and that's good enough for me.

Another reason I'll be getting it is because of the maps feature.

I like the idea of a haptic engine or what ever it's called.

I like that it would tap you on the wrist and will have different taps for left and rite. No speech telling you go this way then that way, for me, that will be quite awesome. It doesn't mean I'll be forgetting to ask people for help, (remember, tech can run out of charge and once that happens you need to fall back into asking. Or if you're like me, you'll ask anyway.)

So those are why I will be buying one.