iWatch anyone?

[HorsCat]

Cool technology, no doubt. But, to me, it's dorky, superfluous and not practical. Not saying I never will, but right now, sorta meh. I'd rather spend the money on new cycling shoes. AAPL, on the other hand, is a "buy."

[NFazzio]

I'm an android guy. I'm getting a moto 360 wearable once i find one in stock. Its a almost classic looking timepiece that doesn't scream nerd tech device. Those big square looking watches just don't blend in well with anything other then jeans and a tshirt. I think Apple jumped the shark this time around. Big phones, NFC, swipe keyboard. Things they said they would NEVER do. Playing catch up from 4 years ago. I am glad they went with a NFC payment though. With apple on board with it now every store will have it. I can finally use my google wallet.

[Nierman]

I just had my hot water heater, dishwasher and central vac circuit board shoot crap in the past week (each about 15yrs old). I don't need any additional things to complicate my life. But I won't mock the folks that want one. I was probably that giddy back in the mid 90s when flipping through the new Mountain Bike Action in search of latest suspension tech, as I'm sure my Dad was 30 years prior to that when his newest issue of Hot Rod arrived. I'm sure there were many times Dad was out on a romantic date cruising Lafayette Co in a 409 SS Impala and kept glancing down at his tach.

[j44ke]

I like that all this means the iPhone 5s is $99/149 (with contract) after being out a few days shy of a year. As crappy as my iPhone 5 was (finicky battery, touch sensitive zone smaller than screen, glass chips and oil smudges in lens) and given the new management at the helm, I want the iPhone that is the correction of all the things they screwed up in the previous iteration. I think Apple is getting back into the odd-even pattern of lemons and caviar where buyers are going to have to get into habit of skipping iterations to get decent products.

[TTX1]

Another note re: HRM.

Looking at the back of the watch... HRM looks like 2 lights and two sensors, which is 2x what most of the competition presently use...

It's unusual for Apple to announce a product in such detail so far before official availability - I wouldn't be surprised if there is much more information to come closer to the launch.

I have no interest in messaging or media features on the wrist, but the health/fitness angle could be interesting *if* this thing does what others do not. I expect that we'll learn more about phone integration, rich data telemetry from two independent sensors (watch + phone), and more.

[big boom]

Another note re: HRM.

Looking at the back of the watch... HRM looks like 2 lights and two sensors, which is 2x what most of the competition presently use...

It's unusual for Apple to announce a product in such detail so far before official availability - I wouldn't be surprised if there is much more information to come closer to the launch.

I have no interest in messaging or media features on the wrist, but the health/fitness angle could be interesting *if* this thing does what others do not. I expect that we'll learn more about phone integration, rich data telemetry from two independent sensors (watch + phone), and more.

My take is that the only reason apple rushed the Apple Watch announcement is because of the upcoming xmas season. A bunch of android watches were launched recently (Moto 360, Gear Live, G Watch) and they did this to take some of the shine off of those and have people hold out longer.

[TMB]

For companies like Apple, Google, IBM, etc, an entree into health care is an area where they can make an actual contribution to health but also tap into a very large profit center for the business.

So, the consumer toys are interesting and get a lot of press and will undoubtedly be adopted by some. But the utility of these devices to provide high value in other settings is just starting to evolve. If you like tech, watch this space because it will be very interesting. Particularly when coupled to molecular sensors. But that is a different ecosystem discussion for another day!

Cheers,

Mark

(*) many other examples than RA, just connecting this to some of our colleagues on VS

At least Apple is not selling your information on a real time basis.

I don't think the Apple Watch will provide continuous HRM like a chest strap based on thhe limited info provided so far. It appears to be a momentary HRM that must be manually activated, similar to Wiithings or Basis.

If continuous HRM is part of the deal, it's a potential game changer for runners, cyclists, etc.

Doesn't appear to be the case at this point.

My understanding is that it is continuous.

As a fun toy and maybe a sports-related tool, I'd hit it. Is it waterproof? I haven't seen that part. I have a friend (a design/UX guy) who keeps bitching (seriously, it's been what, 19 hours since it's announced and I've heard and read umpteen posts from him) about "how's it work for lefties?".

It wouldn't replace my daily mechanical watch. I'm more interested in a Sunto w/ GPS or something, but the apple watch could be interesting. I will be jumping on an iPhone 6 though since my 4s needs replacing.

The watch is Water Resistant, not for swimming with. As to lefties - the UI flips right to left.

[Brandon White]

The watch is Water Resistant, not for swimming with. As to lefties - the UI flips right to left.

How will it do with a sweat soaked cyclist? That's where the batter charges - right where all that sweat runs.

The UI does flip, but then the crown is on the bottom rather than the top. Probably placed off center due to the batter, but still a little odd. I'd like to see it w/o a crown all together.

[turkish]

[monadnocky]

Enough with the I.
Really.

[Matthew Strongin]

Enough with the I.
Really.

Even Apple got rid of it for the watch.

[monadnocky]

Even Apple got rid of it for the watch.

Huh! I looked at Apple's site and everything and just assumed it was there!
The things we expect to see are the things we see... (!)

[Matthew Strongin]

Huh! I looked at Apple's site and everything and just assumed it was there!
The things we expect to see are the things we see... (!)

I'm with you. I've been calling it the iWatch even though I know it's not, and I'm glad it's not.

[Mr B]

How will you know somebody's bought an iWatch?
Because they'll correct you and tell you it's an Apple Watch.

(similar to the old gag; 'How do you know somebody read the book before they saw the film? Oh don't worry, they'll damn well tell you.')

[Mabouya]

I refuse to let those people integrate their stuff into my life.

No mobile/cell/smart/Crackberry phone, no laptop, no TV at all, only slow dial-up web access for my home computer, no e-books, and certainly no Apple watch / FitBit / Google Glass / brain implants for me.

Oh, and btw, DT shifters rule.

[Nierman]

I refuse to let those people integrate their stuff into my life.

No mobile/cell/smart/Crackberry phone, no laptop, no TV at all, only slow dial-up web access for my home computer, no e-books, and certainly no Apple watch / FitBit / Google Glass / brain implants for me.

Oh, and btw, DT shifters rule.

Even your signature link doesn't work. That's stickin' it to 'em!

[Mabouya]

Even your signature link doesn't work. That's stickin' it to 'em!

Used to work. I'll find another link. ;)

[Mabouya]

Signature link has been updated. :)

Santana does a cover of the Tabou song on the album "Shaman." Tabou calls the song "Mabouya" (hence my choice of that for my signature) and Santana calls it "Foo Foo."

Santana vid:

[Earl Gray]

I refuse to let those people integrate their stuff into my life.

No mobile/cell/smart/Crackberry phone, no laptop, no TV at all, only slow dial-up web access for my home computer, no e-books, and certainly no Apple watch / FitBit / Google Glass / brain implants for me.

Oh, and btw, DT shifters rule.

Sounds more like fear than resolve.

Jus sayin

[Mabouya]

Sounds more like fear than resolve.

Jus sayin

I'm an engineer and work with some of the highest tech stuff you could possibly imagine (and some you couldn't imagine) so it certainly isn't fear.

My mother is a librarian and I've always loved books, so I have no plans on getting an e-reader, even though she's told me many times how great they are. I keep nearly all my books and don't want to have to rely on obsolete software to re-read them 20 years from now.

If I'm driving or on bike ride and folks want to call me RIGHT THIS INSTANT they'll just have to leave a message. I'm not going to make myself available to the world every single millisecond of my life simply for it's convenience.

When I walk around I like to look at the world. I look people in the eye and see what's going on; I don't have my head down checking the latest post on Facebook or the latest tweet from Paris Hilton.

That's just me. YMMV

Peace :)