The Apple Watch Reviews are Here (Verge, NYT, CNET, etc.)

[ilikemacandpc]

 

The Verge

The Apple Watch is one of the most ambitious products I’ve ever seen; it wants to do and change so much about how we interact with technology. But that ambition robs it of focus.

 

NYT

The first Apple Watch may not be for you — but someday soon, it will change your world.

 

CNET

In the months and years to come, that may change: with Apple's assortment of iPads, Macs, Apple TV and who knows what else to come, the watch could end up being a remote and accessory to many things. Maybe it'll be the key to unlock a world of smart appliances, cars, and connected places. In that type of world, a smartwatch could end up feeling utterly essential.

 

This is going to be big! Problems do include a bit of lag, since apps are not local on the watch for now, and a short battery life, but still a battery that will still take you through the day. However, Apple's platform seems to be significantly more powerful than Android Wear. It's more like a new device, less an extension of your phone. Smartwatches are headed towards the mainstream, and I definitely see people at my school and outside buying apple watches, just to be the first. And this product will only get better over time, with more developers and more competition pushing it forward along with the entire category.

 

Opinions?

 

Other Reviews:

• WSJ
• Re/Code
• Bloomberg

[ShadowCaptain]

I think they look really promising, to me its the best implementation so far.. but still a long way to go

 

this OS demonstration video sold me on the idea, the interface is really elegant

 

[Victorious Secret]

Probably getting one, maybe even the Stainless Black with black stainless strap. 

 

I eagerly await people of LTT to tell me how I'm bad for spending my money this way (when you all know you spend just as much on equally useless shit, but thats none of my business now is it?) 

[werto165]

Still don't understand the use case for someone like me, I'm a student and most of the watches are just too expensive or just pointless to me. And a business user it seems too gimmicky, you don't want a million and one notifications going off when in a meeting or something similar. Also I use android, android watches haven't enticed me at all neither will the apple watch. 

[ShadowCaptain]

Probably getting one, maybe even the Stainless Black with black stainless strap. 

 

I eagerly await people of LTT to tell me how I'm bad for spending my money this way (when you all know you spend just as much on equally useless shit, but thats none of my business now is it?) 

 

You and me both, but I might just get the cheapest option (just dont have the cash right now)

 

 

Still don't understand the use case for someone like me, I'm a student and most of the watches are just too expensive or just pointless to me. And a business user it seems too gimmicky, you don't want a million and one notifications going off when in a meeting or something similar. 

 

its a luxury device, designed to add some convenience and fun, its far from essential, but in the future, it will make more and more sense

[Victorious Secret]

You and me both, but I might just get the cheapest option (just dont have the cash right now)

 

 

 

 

its a luxury device, designed to add some convenience and fun, its far from essential, but in the future, it will make more and more sense

 

That Apple employee discount however  

[Enderman]

looks bad IMO

not even a watch

just like a ipod nano strapped to your wrist with a tiny screen

[werto165]

its a luxury device, designed to add some convenience and fun, its far from essential, but in the future, it will make more and more sense

They need to make an app that makes me say I "need" that, at the moment there is no such thing imo. If I had some money I might consider one as I just like messing around with stuff but I can't justify it in my current situation.  

[Victorious Secret]

They need to make an app that makes me say I "need" that, at the moment there is no such thing. If I had some money I might consider one as I just like messing around with stuff but I can't justify it in my current situation.  

 

All they need to do is get DJI to release their Vision app for the Watch, and they have my sale. Being able to have to drone engage in "follow me" mode using my Watch as the frame of reference to follow and allow me to not constantly yank my phone out?

 

Pretty awesome. That would let me use a dedicated monitor with Lightbridge and leave the basic setting changes to the watch. 

[ShadowCaptain]

That Apple employee discount however

If only I worked for them

 

 

Probably getting one, maybe even the Stainless Black with black stainless strap. 

 

I eagerly await people of LTT to tell me how I'm bad for spending my money this way (when you all know you spend just as much on equally useless shit, but thats none of my business now is it?) 

 

 

"Arial wrist tracking" might be useful for the porn industry too

 

They need to make an app that makes me say I "need" that, at the moment there is no such thing imo. If I had some money I might consider one as I just like messing around with stuff but I can't justify it in my current situation.  

 

Give it time, there are still developers yet to start making apps and programs for it, whats there now is good, more as a toy, but they will get more essential and useful, for example Apple Pay is a killer feature to me, I can just pay with my wrist etc, dont even have to carry a wallet or remove my phone from my pocket

 

its all about, making life easier, and keeping the amount of times you have to get your phone lower , I often grab my phone to check the time, and then spend a few minutes checking emails and stuff, the watch would cut that time down to a  few seconds to check the time and notifactions

 

I can use it for simple taxts such as replying to a text when at work or too busy to do it on my phone, control my music, pay for goods, etc etc 

 

its also a sexy piece of tech and a fun gadget

[DildorTheDecent]

Probably getting one, maybe even the Stainless Black with black stainless strap. 

 

I eagerly await people of LTT to tell me how I'm bad for spending my money this way (when you all know you spend just as much on equally useless shit, but thats none of my business now is it?) 

Well at least your spending money on a nice looking smart watch. As usual the Android ones look too traditional. rounds screens don't work as well as squares. 

 

In "Show off your latest purchase" post that you've bought/will but the Apple Watch. And wait for complaints. 

[werto165]

All they need to do is get DJI to release their Vision app for the Watch, and they have my sale. Being able to have to drone engage in "follow me" mode using my Watch as the frame of reference to follow and allow me to not constantly yank my phone out?

 

Pretty awesome. That would let me use a dedicated monitor with Lightbridge and leave the basic setting changes to the watch. 

Don't mind me just taking my pet drone out for a walk, but seriously that would be pretty cool. What basic settings can you change with the drone? 

[Victorious Secret]

Well at least your spending money on a nice looking smart watch. As usual the Android ones look too traditional. rounds screens don't work as well as squares. 

 

In "Show off your latest purchase" post that you've bought/will but the Apple Watch. And wait for complaints. 

 

I'm already expecting them here, cause I know how a forum like this with its gated mindset. 

 

At this level, nothing we purchase is a "need". Its all a want. I just have little issue wanting whatever I...want. 

 

 

Don't mind me just taking my pet drone out for a walk, but seriously that would be pretty cool. What basic settings can you change with the drone? 

 

 

A lot of the settings on the drone can be changed using the app right now. You can program in height limits, range limits, waypoints on the GPS based guidance, program in flight plans and tell it what angle to capture video from and all that fun stuff. Basically anything you care about, can be done through the app since DJI lets you tinker a fair amount with the APIs. 

 

Having even half that kind of functionality on my watch would be great. The issue with Lightbridge is that it, for the Inspire, generally sends video feeds to the phone/tablet. Not the best for image quality and field use. BUT Lightbridge lets you plug in any monitor to use for better colours and use outdoors, like so:

 

 

So I could realistically get rid of the iPad/iPhone/Android device entirely and use a monitor only on the go and using the Watch still have access to other drone settings. 

[werto165]

Give it time, there are still developers yet to start making apps and programs for it, whats there now is good, more as a toy, but they will get more essential and useful, for example Apple Pay is a killer feature to me, I can just pay with my wrist etc, dont even have to carry a wallet or remove my phone from my pocket

 

its all about, making life easier, and keeping the amount of times you have to get your phone lower , I often grab my phone to check the time, and then spend a few minutes checking emails and stuff, the watch would cut that time down to a  few seconds to check the time and notifactions

 

I can use it for simple taxts such as replying to a text when at work or too busy to do it on my phone, control my music, pay for goods, etc etc 

 

its also a sexy piece of tech and a fun gadget

Is apple pay based off a new technology or can it use existing touch-less payment? i.e. would shops have to incorporate it. The music control seems like a good feature, I would definitely use that if I got one. I guess the first iphone was sort of life the first apple watch, not many decent apps but as soon as the devs got their hands on it great ideas were flowing from their brains. I would probably get a gen 3 watch before even considering getting one. But cool none the less. 

[DildorTheDecent]

I'm already expecting them here, cause I know how a forum like this with its gated mindset acts. 

 

At this level, nothing we purchase is a "need". Its all a want. I just have little issue wanting whatever I...want. 

I love the Apple watch. I kinda want one. I don't need one. But it looks perfect. And knowing Apple it'll get support for a good two to three years easily. If it does an iPad 2 it could go for four. 

 

I want X99 and a second 980KPE. I sure as hell do not need them. But X99 we go this year, maybe (hopefully)

The next OTA update for the watch will probably take care of 1 and 2. The rest is on the user.

[werto165]

A lot of the settings on the drone can be changed using the app right now. You can program in height limits, range limits, waypoints on the GPS based guidance, program in flight plans and tell it what angle to capture video from and all that fun stuff. Basically anything you care about, can be done through the app since DJI lets you tinker a fair amount with the APIs. 

 

Having even half that kind of functionality on my watch would be great. The issue with Lightbridge is that it, for the Inspire, generally sends video feeds to the phone/tablet. Not the best for image quality and field use. BUT Lightbridge lets you plug in any monitor to use for better colours and use outdoors, like so:

 

So I could realistically get rid of the iPad/iPhone/Android device entirely and use a monitor only on the go and using the Watch still have access to other drone settings. 

All my knowledge of drones are just based of youtube videos this one specifically: 

Is that the same drone that you have? Also is the lightbridge thing sort of like a router for the drone, so the feed is sent to the lightbridge and then sent to the monitor? 

[ShadowCaptain]

Is apple pay based off a new technology or can it use existing touch-less payment? i.e. would shops have to incorporate it. The music control seems like a good feature, I would definitely use that if I got one. I guess the first iphone was sort of life the first apple watch, not many decent apps but as soon as the devs got their hands on it great ideas were flowing from their brains. I would probably get a gen 3 watch before even considering getting one. But cool none the less. 

 

I believe the actual communication/technology part of apple pay, is exactly the same as a normal contactless card / google wallet type sytem, but Apple Pay is somethig the retailers have to opt into, as its a very secure system that does not exchange card information - its very clever

 

Yeah music control is great, as i say, apps will defiantly come out for it maybe some cool games, home automation, unlock your front door and car, turn on the lights etc, send things to Apple TV to watch movies and things

___________________

 

My thoughts:

 

Seems to be a great device, the best smartwatch yet, a few niggles, but still not essential yet

 

The price could be an issue, smart watches are not proven yet, and while the Apple watch is some great tech, Apple are banking on their reputation and appeal here more than any other product I have ever seen

An iPhone and Macbook are great products in their own right, and could be argued for the cost that they are well build, powerful devices... the watch? I am not sure, the cheapest model is fine, but  mean £1000 for the steel version?... it seems overkill and uncessary, only die hard apple fans will want this...

Its dangerous territory....do Apple have enough appeal to charge more than a device is worth....maybe? the numbers will tell us that

[Victorious Secret]

All my knowledge of drones are just based of youtube videos this one specifically: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JsGggcQRTM 

Is that the same drone that you have? Also is the lightbridge thing sort of like a router for the drone, so the feed is sent to the lightbridge and then sent to the monitor? 

 

Its the one I have ordered, yes. 

 

Lightbridge is DJIs video downlink system that sends a HD stream from the drones camera to whatever screen you want, while overlaying on screen diagnostic information. You don't specifically need Lightbridge, its just a very powerful all in one unit for sending video down to the ground. 

 

[werto165]

Its the one I have ordered, yes. 

 

Lightbridge is DJIs video downlink system that sends a HD stream from the drones camera to whatever screen you want, while overlaying on screen diagnostic information. You don't specifically need Lightbridge, its just a very powerful all in one unit for sending video down to the ground. 

 

So the lightbridge makes the drone more versatile? so you can fly further with a lightbridge/better video feed when you're further away? 

[Victorious Secret]

So the lightbridge makes the drone more versatile? so you can fly further with a lightbridge/better video feed when you're further away? 

 

It allows for longer range yes, but mainly its for pulling down the full video feed so you can record it to an external recorder, though the Inspire 1 has onboard storage so the Lightbridge system in that is really just for shits and giggles. It does come in handy for taking really nice photos and seeing accurately what you're looking at. 

[ilikemacandpc]

its also a sexy piece of tech and a fun gadget

 

This. This is going to get people to buy it more than anything else. That and the apple logo on it...

[ShadowCaptain]

This. This is going to get people to buy it more than anything else. That and the apple logo on it...

 

That whole "logo" thing is bullshit, its not for the Logo itself, Apple have created a brand identity, known to for high quality, great looking products, people trust and love their products, Apple have to be careful to continue that reputation, they cant just slap a logo on anything, 

[ilikemacandpc]

That whole "logo" thing is bullshit, its not for the Logo itself, Apple have created a brand identity, known to for high quality, great looking products, people trust and love their products, Apple have to be careful to continue that reputation, they cant just slap a logo on anything, 

 

I know, I was just saying it a bit humorously. Apple has an excellent and powerful brand identity, carefully crafted over years, and that is a big part of bringing their new products to everyday users. 

But, the mere fact that it is an Apple device helps it along. A similar device from samsung or motorola will not get the same success

[ShadowCaptain]

I know, I was just saying it a bit humorously. Apple has an excellent and powerful brand identity, carefully crafted over years, and that is a big part of bringing their new products to everyday users. 

But, the mere fact that it is an Apple device helps it along. A similar device from samsung or motorola will not get the same success

 

Yeah, its because their brand does not carry the same stigma, Samsaung make fridges and TVs, cheap phones, expensive phones etc, budget point and shoots, high end DSLRs,  there is no definitive "samsung" thing, they make any and all products

 

Apple ONLY make expensive high end products, like buying  Rolex, nobody goes "omg I bet that cost £5 and is shit" - everyone knows.. rolex = high end, same as Apple, or ferrari or any premium brand

[thexzenon]

I think no one actually knows what a smart watch should do, not even Apple. At least everybody is trying and in the end, we might end up with something nice. Regarding the Apple Watch, I just don't see a reason (except that it's Apple and it does look cool) to buy it, it's doesn't even show you the time exactly when you want it (see the Verge review). A wristwatch still seems the best thing at the moment, but maybe there'll be a product that will be really good and really cool worth buying sometime in the future