Do you think we will see officially branded Watches?

[Piggie]

Whilst looking at "normal" watches I wondered about this.

Do you think, in time we will see Apple Approved, officially branded Apple watches for sale on Apple's web site?

What do I mean? Ok, let's go with a very OTT example

Say a "Hello Kitty" model.

A Pink body, perhaps Pink anodized aluminium, a pink strap with Hello Kitty logo/words on the strap, and a Hello Kitty backdrop to the screen.

http://www.britishwatchcompany.com/...ildrens-hello-kitty-watch-p4279-4105_zoom.jpg
http://pinkprops.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/hello-kitty-watch.jpg
http://img.freeauctiondesigns.com/b...es/hello-kitty-watch_3-colors-_pink-01bbb.jpg


A wild example I'll admit, but think of doing this for any BIG brand.

Colour of the watches body, The Strap, and the clock display.

Do you think we will ever see full official branding like this take place with Apple's approval ?

 

[NewtypeCJ]

Wouldn't be surprised to see a product red strap

 

[UltimateSyn]

No

 

[Piggie]

No

Thanks.

Ok, how about Officially Approved & Branded Straps and Faces ?

Perhaps an Angry birds Watch Face & Matching Officially Approved Rubber/Plastic printed Angry birds strap.

For Example.

Do you think we will see, Approved Watch Face & Strap Combinations ?
Just we won't see the watch body in any matching other colours...

Yes / No ?

 

[DeltaMac]

Apple has done product licensing in the past, at least to a limited degree.
Product Red most recently, and the U2 iPods.
I'm not sure if the HP-branded iPods would fit in that category (?)

 

[lunaoso]

I can't see that happening. Maybe the product RED band as mentioned above.

 

[chabig]

Thanks.

Ok, how about Officially Approved & Branded Straps and Faces ?

Perhaps an Angry birds Watch Face & Matching Officially Approved Rubber/Plastic printed Angry birds strap.

No. Not officially branded. But other companies won't need Apple's permission to sell straps and watch faces.

 

[0007776]

Do you think we will see, Approved Watch Face & Strap Combinations ?
Just we won't see the watch body in any matching other colours...

Yes / No ?

No, or very very few. If there are it would be for something like Red.

 

[Rogifan]

Outside of Product RED I doubt it.

 

[Piggie]

No. Not officially branded. But other companies won't need Apple's permission to sell straps and watch faces.

Well, I agree about the straps.

If you kids are CRAZY into My Little Pony, which I believe some are, then indeed, you can't stop someone far away making say a rubber/plastic My Little Pony watch strap.

It would be nice if it was officially branded for all sides, but as you say, you can't stop that.

What Apple CAN stop, and is a question I did ask a few months back.
Was Will Apple stop watch faces.
They can restrict those, and that may be their plan.

Only allowing official / approved watch face designs on the Apple watch.

In fact, when I asked the question, quite a few people felt that, Apple should do this and not allow people to watch faces, only allowing official / approved watch faces.

I felt this was a shame, as, especially with the Moto 360, like the watch or not, there is a thriving area of watch face designs for the device, which really gives it a excellent customisation and personalisation community feel.

Here is the thread in question:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1778576/

We still don't know the answer to this.

I wonder if Apple will say anything about this at the pre-launch show, so we shall know before the day of purchase if this will be possible, or if they simply won't say anything on this matter?

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

You forgot to mention SpongeBob SquarePants. After all, the Watch is square.

 

[Piggie]

You forgot to mention SpongeBob SquarePants. After all, the Watch is square.

Well, many kids, LOVE branded things, If they hope to get kids wearing the smaller apple watch, I hope they will make it less drab and boring looking for them.

Naturally, this is not something I'm after. Well not SpongeBob

Mind you Thunderbirds still has a soft spot for me

 

[Piggie]

Enjoy

 

[0007776]

Well, many kids, LOVE branded things, If they hope to get kids wearing the smaller apple watch, I hope they will make it less drab and boring looking for them.

Are there really that many parents out there who give in to whatever their kids want that a $350 watch plus a $500+ phone for kids is actually a market?

 

[Piggie]

Are there really that many parents out there who give in to whatever their kids want that a $350 watch plus a $500+ phone for kids is actually a market?

How many "Kids" / "Teenagers" who are not yet old enough to be out working or earning money have iPhones.

I think we all know it's not just a tiny handful.
They may well have a iPad also.

And there will be Birthdays and Christmas gifts to find for them.

Think you can see what I mean here

 

[0007776]

How many "Kids" / "Teenagers" who are not yet old enough to be out working * earning money have iPhones.

I think we all know it's not just a tiny handful.
And there will be Birthdays and Christmas gifts to find for them.

Think you can see what I mean

I guess, but it seems like a phone is easier to justify to a parent than an accessory like the watch. Then again if I had kids I wouldn't get them a smartphone, so maybe I just don't understand that mentality.

 

[Piggie]

I guess, but it seems like a phone is easier to justify to a parent than an accessory like the watch. Then again if I had kids I wouldn't get them a smartphone, so maybe I just don't understand that mentality.

This may shock you !

http://www.macnn.com/articles/11/09/21/one.in.20.primary.school.kids.have.an.ipad/



And if that's the UK, where Android is very popular, what do you think it's like on Apple's home turf in the USA ?

An Apple Watch could very VERY easily be THE wanted Birthday/Christmas gift for the little spoilt brats.

Ahem, sorry, I mean adorable little angels who deserve to be bought everything to keep them happy

 

[0007776]

This may shock you !

http://www.macnn.com/articles/11/09/21/one.in.20.primary.school.kids.have.an.ipad/

I really wish that article was satire, but sadly I believe it. I can understand handing down an old smartphone to a teenager, but why a kid under 10 has any need for a phone at all I don't know. I somewhat question if these kids will be able to be functional at all if they have to do something on their own without the help of a computer when they grow up.

 

[Piggie]

I really wish that article was satire, but sadly I believe it. I can understand handing down an old smartphone to a teenager, but why a kid under 10 has any need for a phone at all I don't know. I somewhat question if these kids will be able to be functional at all if they have to do something on their own without the help of a computer when they grow up.

I can tell you exactly the reason.

And this will be something almost all parents will hear about something at some point.

"but everyone else in my class has one"

Do you want your child to be the odd one out, picked on or tormented by her classmates as they don't have something everyone else in the class has?

Or so the thinking goes.

Of course, not every single child DOES have one, a few many have, but it's hard as a parent when confronted by this line of argument, esp when your child comes home telling you how they are laughing at them and saying they have poor / mean parents.

So many parents cave in, as they don't want their child feeling left out or unhappy

 

[Mascots]

No. Not officially branded. But other companies won't need Apple's permission to sell straps and watch faces.

Hmm...

Chances are very very soon we will another program similar to MFi that allows Apple to profit from and regulate the strap economy around  Watch. I'm very surprised we've seen nothing of this yet.

As for watch bodies and watch faces? Probably no chance other than a few random ones here or there for random occurrences (thinking of U2 or PR iPods).

I'd say by next year Apple will have softened its extension system around the edges and begin allowing developers to create and sell watch faces (among other things). I'd like to see more.
At the very least, I'd like them to bring in the Swiss Railway face that they paid a few million in penalties to.