Apple Watch is probably a product that receives the most publications, advertisements and even awards before it is even available for public purchase. It is Apple’s first new product category since the iPad and they are serious about generating big hype. I have read most news on this smartwatch and have decided not to get it (at least this year’s generation) since months ago when I heard about “about a day” battery life.
At this point, I think the world does not need yet another article on Apple Watch since there are so many out there. But I guess I might just briefly mention few things about this smartwatch. First, Apple Watch is available in two sizes: 38mm and 42mm. Apple says that both models are unisex, so this is not about male or female model. This is more about getting a model that looks good on our wrists. Each size comes in three different main categories: Apple Watch Sport (the cheapest model with plastic bands), Apple Watch (with metal bands) and Apple Watch Edition (the luxury models). There are many available bands for each model and I suppose Apple could add more in the future, creating even more possible color and style combinations.
Just like other smartwatches, we can change the watchfaces of Apple Watch. It will come preloaded with some choices, and I am quite sure Apple will make it possible for us to add more.
Battery life is probably Apple Watch’s biggest issue for me. Apple said that the battery life should last about a day. Some reviews say that it is actually true most of the time. This means I would have to charge my watch every night, with a little chance of my watch runs out of battery before I return home in the evening in busy day when I receive lots of notifications or use the watch features frequently.
Design-wise, wearing most other smartwatches released earlier is like a declaration “look everyone, I’m a geek, I wear a computer on my wrist”. Apple Watch looks like a normal watch. Still bigger than my usual taste for a watch, but the design does not scream geek accessory. I generally do not like big watches. The smaller model is probably a good idea, but later information said something about the 38mm model has slightly smaller battery and shorter usage duration.
Apple Watch is operated by touch. Thanks to its “force touch” technology, it can tell the difference between “tap” and “press”. This allow the user to do more activities and controls. Alternatively, users can also use the Digital Crown on the right side to control the watch interface without our finger blocking the small screen.
As a wearable device, Apple Watch is equipped with built-in GPS, accelerometer and heart-rate sensor. These three sensors enables features related to health and fitness, or just tracking our everyday life’s patterns. The Activity app tracks how long we sit, walk and do exercise in a day. For some people, this will encourage them to move more. For some others, this will be simply ignored.
Just like any other smartwatches, Apple Watch can show notifications. Not just showing us notifications, Apple Watch offers various ways to respond, from using voice, share our GPS location, draw on the tiny screen or send an emoji. It can send our heartbeat to other people, but I see very little point in doing so. As a bonus, we can call Siri from the watch.
The strongest point of Apple Watch is probably Apple’s big name. Weeks before the launch date, a lot of major companies already announced their Apple Watch apps. Having an electronic device capable to do many things is kinda pointless if we need to code every little things ourselves. With many big companies joining the ride, a huge selection of apps immediately bring more real-life benefits to this product. For example, apps from airlines to get updates on flight schedules or do check-in is extremely useful for travelers. Apps to quickly show the next bus or train schedule on our wrist based on our location is also awesome. None of this will be possible if the big players of other industries do not join the hype.
Now let’s go back to basic. Do we need an Apple Watch? Or maybe, do we need a smartwacth at all?
Let me start with a little personal disclaimer. In the era where less and less people wear watches, I still use watch. In 2012 I backed Pebble smartwatch (the original model) and I wear it as my primary watch since then. I have also tried some models of smartwatches with Android Wear.
1. I like the fact that I can change the way my watch looks (the watchface).
2. Receiving notifications in my watch is totally useless when I am indoor as I always prefer to open my phone instead. However, when I am outdoor or in important meetings, these notifications are lifesaver. It has saved me countless times because I don’t have to open the phone in situations when reaching out for my phone is either unpractical or can be considered impolite.
3. I am a person who strictly control which apps get to show me any notification in my phone. I turn off my Facebook (and many other apps) notifications completely. So, there are not many notifications being shown in my Pebble. Only the ones I already consider as “could be important”. If your phone delivers plenty of notifications, chances are, having a smartwatch will drive you crazy. Or it could draw you even deeper to the world of social media addict.
4. Playing games in a smartwatch is NOT fun. No matter how beautiful the screen is, it’s still bloody small.
5. When outdoor, having a smartwatch has helped me many times to hear phone calls which I wouldn’t notice without a smartwatch.
6. Charging a smartwatch is a pain. Especially after we already pass the initial “honeymoon period” of excitement after buying a new gadget. So a smartwatch should last at least few days every full charge. This is way more important than it may sound, and you will understand this more when you use smartwatch as your main watch for several months.
Now with all the experience I’ve got from the last few years, I decided that I still need a smartwatch. I also concluded that Apple Watch is definitely my future smartwatch, mainly because of the massive amount of apps that will be available in the next few years.
But the time for me to buy an Apple Watch is not this year. Not this generation.
Apple will improve their product every year. Hopefully it will reach a stage of thinner design and much better battery life in the next few years. Plus the app ecosystem will be more mature by that time point.
For now, I am still happy with my Pebble. I have confidently backed their new Kickstarter project: Pebble Time, and will receive Pebble Time Steel in the next few months. With 7 days battery life, reasonably good design (even admittedly still not as pretty as Apple Watch Edition) and good OS that actually works, it’s a no brainer for me.
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