I second that! The possibility of Apple giving away even the cheapest band for free is highly unlikely.
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How Apple will charge a premium for the Space Black Stainless Steel Watch
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I second that! The possibility of Apple giving away even the cheapest band for free is highly unlikely.
When you buy an iPhone, you get earbuds for free -- or they are included in the cost of an iPhone, if you want to look at it that way.
So it could be that when you buy an Apple watch, you get a sports band for "free." And if you want a more premium band, you buy that separately.
I think you use of the word free is causing the problem here.
Shall we try the same thing, but using different terms?
The rubber strap, which will probable cost Apple way less than $5. Probably only a couple of dollars could simply be the default strap that's included in the price you see for the standard watches.
If you wish a different strap then you have to pay more, but, by default, at the price shown, unless you select an alternative, they all come with this rubber strap, in your choice of color, for the price shown.
So you are not getting it for free, it just is the strap that comes, by default with the watch.
Then, even if you pick a more expensive strap option, you still will get the default rubber strap included, as when you come to sell the watch on in the future, you can if you wish keep your expensive optional strap and sell the watch with the rubber strap which does as I say come with all models as its included in the basic price for all models.
Simple ?
Shall we try the same thing, but using different terms?
The rubber strap, which will probable cost Apple way less than $5. Probably only a couple of dollars could simply be the default strap that's included in the price you see for the standard watches.
If you wish a different strap then you have to pay more, but, by default, at the price shown, unless you select an alternative, they all come with this rubber strap, in your choice of color, for the price shown.
So you are not getting it for free, it just is the strap that comes, by default with the watch.
Then, even if you pick a more expensive strap option, you still will get the default rubber strap included, as when you come to sell the watch on in the future, you can if you wish keep your expensive optional strap and sell the watch with the rubber strap which does as I say come with all models as its included in the basic price for all models.
Simple ?
Very simple but it doesn't mean theWatch will be sold that way.
Indeed
Well think of it this way.
You buy the Watch you like.
You pay a LOT extra for the strap you love.
You come to sell the watch, but the strap is perfect, and you want to keep it for your next watch, and we are sure they won't change the attachment method for a LONG time.
So you either sell the watch with no strap, which would seem odd.
Or you have to buy a new strap to put with the watch you are about to sell.
If every watch comes with the rubber strap by default, in with the price as standard, and the other straps are additional optional extra's
Then that problem does not exist.
Just a thought
Maybe but I doubt it. If you look at Apple's website there's nothing that hints at a standard band coming with each watch. Clearly Apple has put a lot of effort into the bands. If every watch came with a black or white sport band in the box I can guarantee you Apple would sell fewer of the other bands. But if consumers had to make a choice (and it didn't feel like they were getting a band for "free") they would probably be more inclined to choose the band they really want (i.e. one of the more expensive bands).
I've been thinking about this and could it be like when ordering a Mac? You get to add extras, so for the Watch it could be which model do you want, Sport, Watch, Edition, and then you choose the band you want to go with it and finally you get to add extra bands if you want, like when buying iPhone or iPad cases.
Why would Apple give you a sport band if you want something else and are willing to pay for it? If every watch comes with a black or white sport band by default I guarantee fewer people will buy the other bands. I doubt Apple went through all the work of creating these different higher-end bands for very few people to buy them.
If by one of the most popular you mean the only colour available till the second generation and one of only two available till the 5s, at which point it was no longer available at all, yes, it's one of the most popular.
And no, the 5c is simply not relevant in a discussion of premium colour options on the Watch
Yes. Exactly. You chose a collection and you chose a band (based on the models Apple is showing on their website). Perhaps at the time of purchase you'll be able to select more than one band if you want. Eventually Apple will have a good handle on what models are most popular and have those stocked in stores.
Of course you'll be able to buy more than one band with the watch if you want. What possible reason is there not to be able to do that?
As for people not buying a premium band if a cheaper band was included with the watch, if people are not particular about the band -- that is, they just use whatever band comes with the watch, then if they had to buy the band separately, wouldn't they just pick the cheapest option?
That said, I do think selling the band and watch separately makes logical sense. But marketing isn't always about logic, so I can see it going either way.
Looks like a proprietary watch band attachment system where, visually there is no clear way to switch bands yourself if thinking of buying 3rd party watch bands as far as I can see.
Keeping with Apple's recent policies of non user serviceability are the case watch band pins/pivot point soldered welded into the case from the inside?
(or glued)
If so, replacement of a watch band would entail replacing the whole case which could only be done by Apple and force watch wearers to purchase Applecare? (much like the laptops..) and when applecare expires, new watch band = new watch if non covered *repairs* cost as much as buying new?
Questions I am throwing out there as I see no clear standard way to do a simple watch band replacement.
Keeping with Apple's recent policies of non user serviceability are the case watch band pins/pivot point soldered welded into the case from the inside?
(or glued)
If so, replacement of a watch band would entail replacing the whole case which could only be done by Apple and force watch wearers to purchase Applecare? (much like the laptops..) and when applecare expires, new watch band = new watch if non covered *repairs* cost as much as buying new?
Questions I am throwing out there as I see no clear standard way to do a simple watch band replacement.
No No...
This is where some confusion with words is coming from.
I'm not for one moment saying Apple would "GIVE" you anything.
And this only a thought of how it could be done.
I am saying the rubber strap (sports band if you call it) is simply the one that could be priced into every watch as standard by default.
If you buy any watch but don't select an 'Optional' more expensive strap, then you will get the standard rubber one, as they won't sell a watch without a strap.
But this rubber strap is included in the basic price shown for the watch.
If you then decide to go on and select to buy an optional more expensive strap, then you don't lose the rubber strap, you get that as standard, as well as your optional more expensive one.
Perhaps you don't like this idea, but it would work well, and be practical.
As I said, if you only got your optional very expensive strap, then next year there is a new watch, which will of course take the same straps, then what do you do ?
Sell the watch with no strap, or have to sell the expensive strap at a loss and buy another expensive strap for the new watch you will buy.
What I am saying, would make sense, and be easy for everyone.
Again, Apple are not giving anything away.
It would simply be the strap that every watch comes with and added into the cost of the watch as standard.
Looks like a proprietary watch band attachment system where, visually there is no clear way to switch bands yourself if thinking of buying 3rd party watch bands as far as I can see.
Keeping with Apple's recent policies of non user serviceability are the case watch band pins/pivot point soldered welded into the case from the inside?
(or glued)
If so, replacement of a watch band would entail replacing the whole case which could only be done by Apple and force watch wearers to purchase Applecare? (much like the laptops..) and when applecare expires, new watch band = new watch if non covered *repairs* cost as much as buying new?
Questions I am throwing out there as I see no clear standard way to do a simple watch band replacement.
Haven't you seen the keynote? The band is user replacable. It just slides in and out.
I think this makes the most sense, people like myself will want to purchase more than one band. I want one for the gym (sport band) and one for general day to day wear at univeristy and work. This is a new product category for Apple so maybe they will do something different, I guess we will find out in a couple of months.
I agree that Apple won't sell a watch with out a band. I disagree that you'll get a sport band regardless if you choose it or not. I don't know what's so complicated about this. I select the SS collection in the size I want. Then I get a list of bands to choose from. I pick the band I want, done. I think people are overcomplicating this. It's not Apple's concern what you do with the watch once you buy it. My guess is they'll offer some sort of trade-in or recycling program for people that want to get rid of their old watch and get a new one.
You may indeed be right.
I am just thinking a Littlemore into the future.
So, if we run with how you think it will be. Which may indeed be right.
You select the watch body you want, then you HAVE TO select from at least one band to buy.
You select say a $300-$400 luxury band, and that's all you get.
Next year, you want to get the new watch, which will of course fit your luxury band you still have which is perfect.
You want to sell it private as you can get a higher price for it than a poor Apple trade in value.
Oh dam, now you are stuck.
No one really wants to buy a watch without any strap.
You don't want to sell on your luxury strap, as then you will have to buy another one.
Dam, if only All the watches came with the rubber strap as standard, as then you could of sold your watch on with that.
Perhaps now, you will have to go out and buy a brand new rubber strap, just so you have something to sell your watch with.
Whilst I may well be wrong. See how much better it would be for customers if all watches included and came with the rubber strap (of your colour) included in the price of every watch.
And your luxury strap was in addition to the rubber one, not instead of.
Again, I don't think its Apple's concern what you do with the watch after you buy it. No if you resell it you won't get as much for it as when your bought it. But that's not Apple's problem.
If we use your scenario, that in one year the watch will be so much better (but still supporting the same bands as gen 1) then perhaps Apple will allow people to trade in just the watch face for a new one and keep the band(s) they have.
Bottom line: I dont think Apple designed this product around 'how can we make sure people get the most $$ possible if they choose to re-sell it a year or two later'.
Yes, but you can see my point and my logic I hope.
Note: Many people don't like using Apple's trade in scheme as naturally people often want as much money as they can get from an item, and that usually means a private sale rather than what Apple will give you.
I hope you can see, if "YOU" bought the stainless version, with say a (let's say) $300 loop band.
If that is the ONLY band you get.
When you come to sell it, if you love the band and want to keep this, you can see how, for you, this is now difficult.
If your Stainless steel watch did come, as standard with the rubber strap (it was built into the price of the watch) and your luxury loop optional extra strap was in addition to the rubber strap they all came with.
How much easier it would be for "YOU" when it came to upgrading time.
I'm not saying I'm right
I'm just putting forward this as a good scenario for everyone.
The other way to get around this, would of course be to buy 2 straps when you get the watch in a couple of months time.
You buy the watch.
The luxury band you want.
And you also buy the rubber band to be able to sell the watch privately later on without losing your luxury one.
And yes, you are right, Apple don't care about you and the future, They wish to sell you the watch for as much money as possible, and then they will work hard on the next model, in the hope you will sell the old one and buy the newer next model so they make more money.
That's business
I'm just pointing out, as the strap will cost them about 5 dollars to make, that 5 dollars could be build into the price of the watch, so everyone in effect buys the rubber strap by default.
You may be right however, and they feel they may lose sales if they did that.
We will see soon enough
I think, the most important thing we are all wondering about is how they will handle the new models in another year or so.
Many seem to be expecting they will change the business model they have used for years / decades.
Or they may just do what they always have done, offer you a new improved model, offer a lowish priced trade in for your current model and just let you decide what to do.
That's fine if you really want to think of it that way...
But a bit weird. The starting watch will be $350 & come with a band... If it comforts you to think that you're buying the watch for $330 & paying for a band, feel free.
But do you mentally break down the cost of an iPhone to $630 with a $20 pair of headphones?? If not, why the sudden interest in doing it this way?? Seems like a distracting extra layer of thought.
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Haha.... I just posted the EXACT same, then read your post! =P
Get out of my brain!! ;0)
No what I'm saying is the watch will come with the band YOU CHOOSE. Apple's not going to throw the sport band in the box and if you want something different you buy it separately (essentially making you pay for two bands). If someone wants a SS watch with milanese loop that's what they'll order and that's what they'll get. Of course the prices will be different depending on which band you chose but the band will be your choice.
Indeed.
There is no such thing as free.
It's just all hidden behind the final retail price.
There is no such thing as free delivery, free headphones, free charger, free strap, free anything
Apple want to maximise profits.
I suppose the best way is for them simply to do the following (which they do on their web site already) for other products.
You select the body you want.
This by default comes with the rubber strap for that price.
You can then go into the "customisation" area and select, for an additional cost, to pick a more expensive strap.
But you can't buy it without at least the basic default rubber strap
I think we can all probably accept that this is a realistic way to handle it and keep customer happy.
The only thing really up for debate would be. If you DID select a more expensive strap, would you still get the default strap, or would you lose that the moment you selected a different strap.
There is no such thing as free.
It's just all hidden behind the final retail price.
There is no such thing as free delivery, free headphones, free charger, free strap, free anything
Apple want to maximise profits.
I suppose the best way is for them simply to do the following (which they do on their web site already) for other products.
You select the body you want.
This by default comes with the rubber strap for that price.
You can then go into the "customisation" area and select, for an additional cost, to pick a more expensive strap.
But you can't buy it without at least the basic default rubber strap
I think we can all probably accept that this is a realistic way to handle it and keep customer happy.
The only thing really up for debate would be. If you DID select a more expensive strap, would you still get the default strap, or would you lose that the moment you selected a different strap.
I don't think we can compare this to iPhones. I think there's infinitely more people that will pay for a higher end watch band than would pay for more expensive headphones. You throw a sport band in the box and how many people will say "good enough" and never buy a different band? My guess is a lot. I doubt Apple went through the trouble of creating these high end bands (and hiring all these fashion execs, the latest of which is someone from Burberry) if every watch is going to come with a rubber band.