Can't I just use my iPhone???

[JerTheGeek]

I have been thinking a lot about the apple watch lately. I still want it, cause I'm a big geek.
But after thinking more and more, I can't help but feel that the Apple watch is nothing more than a miniature iPhone strapped to my wrist. I know it adds cool features to a wrist watch, but are these features really necessary when I already have them in my pocket with my iPhone? I do admit that it is very very cool to raise your wrist and just say hey Siri to get access to tons of information, and to quickly respond to a message right from your wrist. But I also realize that it is extremely easy to pull out my phone and quickly respond to a message right from the lock screen thanks to the new iOS 8 feature.I mean seriously if I want to read an email or use Siri or respond to a message I can just as easily pull my iPhone out of my pocket. To me it seems like it is just as convenient to look at my wrist as it is to pull out my phone.

Am I the only one who feels that the watch doesn't really add much more functionality to what I already have on my iPhone?

Oh and PS I don't want anyone to think that I'm hating on the watch because I still think that is a very cool product. I think it looks very well-made and I'm sure it will be very high-quality, it's just I don't really see how many of the features are really necessary when I already have my iPhone just seconds away in my pocket, with the same features and with a bigger screen too.


Who else feels the same?

 

[Julien]

...I can't help but feel that the Apple watch is nothing more than a miniature iPhone...

I heard that iPad thing was going to be nothing more than a big iPhone.

 

[JerTheGeek]

I heard that iPad thing was going to be nothing more than a big iPhone.

I agree, I'm sure the Apple watch will end up proving itself. I still plan on buying one, but I am not quite sure how much more useful it will be.

 

[Rogifan]

I agree, I'm sure the Apple watch will end up proving itself. I still plan on buying one, but I am not quite sure how much more useful it will be.

I think it's really about convenience. For the times you don't want to pull your phone/phablet out of your pocket or handbag. Is that something people will pay for? Time will tell.

 

[JerTheGeek]

I think it's really about convenience. For the times you don't want to pull your phone/phablet out of your pocket or handbag. Is that something people will pay for? Time will tell.

Yes time will tell, no pun intended lol
You do have a point there, however I think pulling it out of my pocket isn't a big deal, but out of a handbag or briefcase or something, it would be more convenient to just deal with things on your wrist.

 

[magicMac]

could let you pay for things with ApplePay even if your phone has gone dead from playing too many games or movies.

 

[TheMTtakeover]

I heard that iPad thing was going to be nothing more than a big iPhone.

Turns out that you heard correctly.

 

[melman101]

Yes time will tell, no pun intended lol
You do have a point there, however I think pulling it out of my pocket isn't a big deal, but out of a handbag or briefcase or something, it would be more convenient to just deal with things on your wrist.

I'll tell you, I don't have these situations often, but yesterday I had to catch a 5:51 train and I left at 5:40 and I wanted to check the time to make sure I was on time. It was a pain in the butt to keep pulling out iPhone. Could a regular watch do the same thing, sure. But this does a whole lot more.

 

[maflynn]

The thing is, its not a miniature phone, it has no GPS, no cellular, it just has apps. I think its wrong to compare the two because they do so many things differently.

I have no idea if the watch will be successful but I will say the iPhone is more powerful, has more features and price wise is more affordable.

 

[matrix07]

the iPhone is more powerful, has more features and price wise is more affordable.

That's because you didn't pay full price, like me.

 

[MacDevil7334]

With you 100% OP. I have always felt that smartwatches in general are a solution looking for a problem. Maybe it's because I carry my phone in my pocket and have it with me pretty much everywhere I go. But, I've never really felt that having to take my phone out to respond to an email or a text message to be a huge pain point. Would I feel differently if I carried my phone in a purse or briefcase? Possibly. But, I think the iPhone offers so much more functionality and screen space than a watch that it would still be worth taking the 5-10 seconds to fish it out.

Julien pointed out that many people panned the first iPad for being just a big iPod touch. I don't think that comparison quite works here. While Apple didn't do much with the default software on the first iPad, the device had clear potential because its screen was so much larger. It has always been difficult to be productive on a smartphone because the small screen necessitates a lot of zooming. The iPad addressed this pain point by providing a large screen that still provided all the touch benefits of the iPhone in a package that was much lighter than a laptop. The iPad may not have been much more than a large iPod touch at first. But, it had a clear reason to exist and the potential to be so much more.

That's my main problem with the Apple Watch (and all other smartwatches). Why does it need to exist? Where's the pain point in my life that this device addresses? What does it do better than the phone that I already carry with me all the time? Glances are a nice way to get quick information. But, I could get that information in the Today view on my iPhone's Notification Center (and I don't even have to unlock the phone). There's quick viewing and replying to texts. But that's only really useful if my reply is one of the three things the Apple Watch guesses (and if the watch uses the same algorithm as the predictive text in iOS 8, that will be pretty much never). Otherwise, I'm fishing out my phone. And some features are downright gimmicky. Sending someone a quick sketch or my heartbeat? Please. That will be cool for about 20 minutes until the novelty wears off. How on earth is that of any real value in my life?

Now, all that being said, I do think that Apple has come the closest to getting the smartwatch "right" and there will be many people who will buy it. It's a beautiful piece of hardware and it is clear that Apple understands that a smartwatch is a piece of jewelry in addition to being a mini computer. The interface seems pretty well designed for a screen that size. There are no tiny keyboards (looking at you Samsung) and the digital crown seems to solve the issue of interacting with the small screen without covering it pretty well. There are a few features that would be nice, such as easy music controls when I'm exercising or a map when I'm walking somewhere. But, these small benefits don't justify a separate $350+ device in my mind.

 

[JerTheGeek]

With you 100% OP. I have always felt that smartwatches in general are a solution looking for a problem. Maybe it's because I carry my phone in my pocket and have it with me pretty much everywhere I go. But, I've never really felt that having to take my phone out to respond to an email or a text message to be a huge pain point. Would I feel differently if I carried my phone in a purse or briefcase? Possibly. But, I think the iPhone offers so much more functionality and screen space than a watch that it would still be worth taking the 5-10 seconds to fish it out.

Julien pointed out that many people panned the first iPad for being just a big iPod touch. I don't think that comparison quite works here. While Apple didn't do much with the default software on the first iPad, the device had clear potential because its screen was so much larger. It has always been difficult to be productive on a smartphone because the small screen necessitates a lot of zooming. The iPad addressed this pain point by providing a large screen that still provided all the touch benefits of the iPhone in a package that was much lighter than a laptop. The iPad may not have been much more than a large iPod touch at first. But, it had a clear reason to exist and the potential to be so much more.

That's my main problem with the Apple Watch (and all other smartwatches). Why does it need to exist? Where's the pain point in my life that this device addresses? What does it do better than the phone that I already carry with me all the time? Glances are a nice way to get quick information. But, I could get that information in the Today view on my iPhone's Notification Center (and I don't even have to unlock the phone). There's quick viewing and replying to texts. But that's only really useful if my reply is one of the three things the Apple Watch guesses (and if the watch uses the same algorithm as the predictive text in iOS 8, that will be pretty much never). Otherwise, I'm fishing out my phone. And some features are downright gimmicky. Sending someone a quick sketch or my heartbeat? Please. That will be cool for about 20 minutes until the novelty wears off. How on earth is that of any real value in my life?

Now, all that being said, I do think that Apple has come the closest to getting the smartwatch "right" and there will be many people who will buy it. It's a beautiful piece of hardware and it is clear that Apple understands that a smartwatch is a piece of jewelry in addition to being a mini computer. The interface seems pretty well designed for a screen that size. There are no tiny keyboards (looking at you Samsung) and the digital crown seems to solve the issue of interacting with the small screen without covering it pretty well. There are a few features that would be nice, such as easy music controls when I'm exercising or a map when I'm walking somewhere. But, these small benefits don't justify a separate $350+ device in my mind.

I think what I'll end up doing is buying the Apple Watch anyway, to see and experience firsthand if it really does add any functionality that is really useful.

 

[MacDevil7334]

That's because you didn't pay full price, like me.

But the Apple Watch requires the iPhone, so you'd have to pay for both...

I think what I'll end up doing is buying the Apple Watch anyway, to see and experience firsthand if it really does add any functionality that is really useful.

I don't know if I'll ever see the need for one, but I'll be sitting out the first generation for sure. I know from experience with the iPhone and the iPad that the first generation of a new Apple product is rarely worth your money. I think that is doubly true with the watch because it seems to offer so little additional value in my life at first glance. Waiting a while will give me a chance to see if 3rd party apps can bring additional value to the watch beyond what is there now. My gut feeling is that the Apple Watch will become essentially an expensive (if incredibly beautiful) fitness tracker and 2nd screen for iPhone notifications. I sincerely hope 3rd party developers show me it can be more because I don't think I'll ever buy it otherwise.

 

[Cashmonee]

I heard that iPad thing was going to be nothing more than a big iPhone.

In the interest in taking the comparison all the way, it is beginning to look like the iPad may not have staying power. It's numbers are down rather significantly, and the tablet market looks like it is going through a correction.

On a side note, I do wish people would stop comparing the Watch to the iPhone and iPad. By simply requiring the iPhone in order to function properly, the Watch will never be able to reach iPhone (or even iPad probably) sales numbers.

 

[Rogifan]

Since nobody will be required to own an Watch and iPhone will function just fine without one you can just use your iPhone.

 

[Tycho24]

When smartphones first came out (think Treo, Palm, BB), if you were a businessman you almost certainly had your notebook computer on you at pretty much all times & it could perform all tasks your smart hone could and many many more much better. It was not that much trouble to open your notebook.
Yet, over time... there became more & more tasks that you could perform as well or better (and certainly more conveniently) on your smartphone.

This is where we are at with smartwatches. Currently, anything you can do on one, can be done as well or better by pulling out your phone... which is not that much trouble. But soon, more & more tasks would seem as as silly to pull out a phone for as pulling out a laptop to not a quick email.

 

[Piggie]

When smartphones first came out (think Treo, Palm, BB), if you were a businessman you almost certainly had your notebook computer on you at pretty much all times & it could perform all tasks your smart hone could and many many more much better. It was not that much trouble to open your notebook.
Yet, over time... there became more & more tasks that you could perform as well or better (and certainly more conveniently) on your smartphone.

This is where we are at with smartwatches. Currently, anything you can do on one, can be done as well or better by pulling out your phone... which is not that much trouble. But soon, more & more tasks would seem as as silly to pull out a phone for as pulling out a laptop to not a quick email.

I wonder how great the iPhone would of been considered if you needed to carry your laptop with you at all times, and Apps ran on the Laptop, and the iPhone was, for the most part just a display for the Laptop.

That's the position we are in with the Watch for the time being it seems.

 

[Tycho24]

I wonder how great the iPhone would of been considered if you needed to carry your laptop with you at all times, and Apps ran on the Laptop, and the iPhone was, for the most part just a display for the Laptop.

That's the position we are in with the Watch for the time being it seems.

My example was going back to MUCH less functional smartphones than the iPhone (I actually mentioned them by name to avoid confusion...), and YES people still carried around both their early gen smartphones & their laptops, as the smartphone did not begin as a notebook replacement. It certainly is for many now though... a few gens later.
THAT is where we are now.

 

[Cashmonee]

My example was going back to MUCH less functional smartphones than the iPhone (I actually mentioned them by name to avoid confusion...), and YES people still carried around both their early gen smartphones & their laptops, as the smartphone did not begin as a notebook replacement. It certainly is for many now though... a few gens later.
THAT is where we are now.

I think you miss his point. A cellphone in 1999 was able to function as intended (make a call) without the need for your laptop. Smartphones just brought more functions. And early smartphones synced via usb to allow you to have your contacts, calendar, etc, so the laptop while needed for a point, it was only for the moment to sync.

I think many have stated that the main function of the watch is notifications. Obviously, another device is required for that function to work. Also, most of the features that have been pushed as reasons to buy the watch would require the phone to properly function. You analogy doesn't work.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

The thing is, its not a miniature phone, it has no GPS, no cellular, it just has apps. I think its wrong to compare the two because they do so many things differently.

I have no idea if the watch will be successful but I will say the iPhone is more powerful, has more features and price wise is more affordable.

And an iPhone would look ridiculous mounted on your wrist.

Unless you are The Hulk.

Just sayin'...

 

[Tycho24]

I think you miss his point. A cellphone in 1999 was able to function as intended (make a call) without the need for your laptop. Smartphones just brought more functions. And early smartphones synced via usb to allow you to have your contacts, calendar, etc, so the laptop while needed for a point, it was only for the moment to sync.

I think many have stated that the main function of the watch is notifications. Obviously, another device is required for that function to work. Also, most of the features that have been pushed as reasons to buy the watch would require the phone to properly function. You analogy doesn't work.

Well, that certainly is AN opinion.
However... I disagree. If you want to say that the main function of a smartphone was to make phone calls (an assertion I would disagree with), then to combat that argument I'll pretend like the main function of a smartwatch is to tell time... which can clearly be done without a phone present.

 

[Trius]

Having recently started wearing a normal watch, I'm really surprised how often I check the time. I've noticed I pull my phone out of my pocket WAY less. That's just checking the time. I think the Apple Watch will find it's place. This is what Apple does, creates a device that no one thinks we need that turns into something we can't live without. I'm keeping an open mind with this one..

 

[Cashmonee]

Well, that certainly is AN opinion.
However... I disagree. If you want to say that the main function of a smartphone was to make phone calls (an assertion I would disagree with), then to combat that argument I'll pretend like the main function of a smartwatch is to tell time... which can clearly be done without a phone present.

You still misunderstand. Say the main functions of early smartphones were calendar, better contacts, and email. None of that required it being tethered to a laptop. The idea that you needed to tote around a laptop to make early smartphones functional is false. At most, it needed regular syncing, which while inconvenient these days, still allowed the phone to be fully functional (calendar, contacts, email) for the 99% of the time is wasn't connected to a laptop.

The Watch will require a tether with an iPhone to be fully functional. The analogy simply doesn't fit.

 

[Trius]

You still misunderstand. Say the main functions of early smartphones were calendar, better contacts, and email. None of that required it being tethered to a laptop. The idea that you needed to tote around a laptop to make early smartphones functional is false. At most, it needed regular syncing, which while inconvenient these days, still allowed the phone to be fully functional (calendar, contacts, email) for the 99% of the time is wasn't connected to a laptop.

The Watch will require a tether with an iPhone to be fully functional. The analogy simply doesn't fit.

I believe the point he is trying to make is that we are in the early stages of this product. Back when smartphones were brand new, while they were independent devices, they were not functional enough for most people to completely replace their computer. Fast forward to today, several generations later, and most people can easily carry a smartphone without having to have their laptop as a backup. The watch is in the same place, functionally speaking, as the smartphone was back in the day. The watch functions well on it's own for it's original intention (telling time), but people will still need to carry their smartphone to extend functionality.

While it isn't a perfect analogy, I understand his point. I'm sure as the watch progresses, we will see the same sort of thing.. Eventually, you won't need both devices.

 

[Cashmonee]

I believe the point he is trying to make is that we are in the early stages of this product. Back when smartphones were brand new, while they were independent devices, they were not functional enough for most people to completely replace their computer. Fast forward to today, several generations later, and most people can easily carry a smartphone without having to have their laptop as a backup. The watch is in the same place, functionally speaking, as the smartphone was back in the day. The watch functions well on it's own for it's original intention (telling time), but people will still need to carry their smartphone to extend functionality.

While it isn't a perfect analogy, I understand his point. I'm sure as the watch progresses, we will see the same sort of thing.. Eventually, you won't need both devices.

I understand. I just was trying to point out that those original smartphones were fully functional without the computer nearby, once synced. The watch is not fully functional without an iPhone nearby. It goes to the core of the major flaw with the watch. It requires a second device. Apple is asking people to pay a perceived higher price (than the cost of the main device) for an accessory.