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Apple Watch: the next big trend?

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8th Jan 2015
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As it's just after the Christmas rush, you may want to not have to think about buying anymore gadgets until next year. 

However Apple fans will be thrilled to note that the Apple Watch is rumoured to have a pre March end release date. 

According to Apple bible MacWorld, the watch is set to be around £300, and production of the watches begins this month in Taiwan. 

For those who didn't follow the Apple product announcements in 2014, here's a lowdown of the specs: 

  • Different designs and colours from sporty to dressy to kids
  • Three versions of watches - entry level, sports watch and gold edition
  • Also an option to build a watch to your own specs
  • 42mm version will have a 390 x 312 pixel resolution scren, while the 38mm model's screen will have a pixel resolution of 340 x 272
  • No need to 'pinch and zoom' like on the phone - you can move things on the screen without even using your fingers 
  • iPhone required to use the watch, either the iPhone 5, 5c, 6 or 6 Plus
  • Customisable watch face
  • Multiple apps
  • Display alarms, moon phases, calendars on the screen
  • Use the watch to view and answer emails, texts and calls, talk to other Apple Watch users and even share your heartbeat (?)
  • Multiple health monitoring tools
  • Apple Pay integrated into the watch
  • Battery life is 'about a day' but this could be improved before its launch

While there's no doubt that this will be a success among the Apple fans, there are also a number of smartwatch rivals on a more affordable level and that cater for Android and earlier versions of iPhones. 

The Pebble is perhaps one of the most versatile and affordable, at around £95 and catering for both iPhone and Android. But there's also the LG G watch, Sony Smartwatch, Samsung Gear and Moto 360.

And there are definitely more to come. 

So what is it that makes the Apple Watch stand out, despite the market competition? Perhaps the same thing that has made Apple stand out all along, that secret ingredient that keeps fans coming back for more - the mix of design, quality and most of all, reputation. 

But the proof will be in the sales figures and reviews - which we may know even as soon as March. So tech fans, expect a gadget countdown review of the Apple Watch in less then 365 days from now! 

It will also be interesting to see how many accountants will adopt these for work purposes. After all, how many of you foresaw the impact of the simple iPad or smartphone on the profession?

 

Did you get a smartwatch for Christmas, or do you want one? Why not give us a brief review below or tell us which one you want?

 

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Replies (12)

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Locutus of Borg
By Locutus
08th Jan 2015 18:57

Curious

I do a lot of running (usually several half marathons each year and sometimes a full marathon) so I am curious about the sports version of the Apple Watch.

I currently have a Garmin sports watch, which is a very popular brand amongst runners.

It's disappointing that the Apple Watch battery life is expected to be little over a day, as is the fact (as I understand it) that you have to have your iPhone within range for it to do anything much.

I don't really understand the need to be able to view your text messages on a tiny screen, when you will have a better device designed for that purpose (your iPhone) to hand.

As with most products, I suspect that version 1 won't quite hit the target.  It took a couple of iterations before the iPhone and iPad were really the products they were supposed to be.

But I really like the "big data" idea on the iPhone 6 of collecting health stats in the background, including steps walked / run and distance travelled.  This is an idea that Apple can build upon with the Apple Watch.

 

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By GaryMc
09th Jan 2015 08:47

Sports version

One of the issues I have is that there is no built in GPS so you have to take your £600 phone and your £300 watch with you to record your data - if you want to include your route/elevation etc.

If they can add GPS so the watch can go out on its own and then synch with the phone when you get back, it could be a great piece of kit when you add in the Healtkit side of things.

Will be interesting to see how the battery lasts.  I use my iPhone to track my running at the moment and it can eat the battery.  Hopefully the watch will be better at this.

Will probably stick to my Garmin for long runs - can see it lasting an ultra but my phone probably wouldn't.

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By Rachael White
09th Jan 2015 09:33

No GPS

I did spot that but I presume they are banking on the quality of their fitness and heart monitoring app quality to get them past this hurdle. Plus their branding. 

IMO they're missing out on a potential huge market. But perhaps they are trying to ensure no one is able to utilise one without their phone. 

Typical Apple eh?

The battery life was something they weren't happy with at the time of announcement and were seeking to improve.

Very true about Garmins! Think I'll stick to mine too. What version do you have?

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By Rachael White
09th Jan 2015 09:35

Also Locutus

Didn't know we had another runner in our midst - we'll have to form some kind of Aweb running club! 

Do any of you use Strava? 

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By GaryMc
09th Jan 2015 09:44

I'm there

I'm on Strava - it isn't the perfect app but it is pretty good.

I've got a Forerunner 205 - years old but still works.  If anyone has a more modern Garmin, does it pick up satellites quickly as my 205 has always taken ages!

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By Rachael White
09th Jan 2015 10:52

Sounds good

Mine takes a while to pick up satellites depending on where I am. It's one of the newer forerunners. 

So would anyone be up for an AccountingWEB running group? Always good to have some online motivation.

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Locutus of Borg
By Locutus
09th Jan 2015 15:01

Aweb runners

I've not used Strava, but will have to look at it.  My iPhone running app is RunKeeper.

My Garmin watch is a four year old Forerunner 110, which could do with replacing.  It looks like Apple Watch version 1 won't be much use for the task.

I'm a veteran of seven marathons, one 50km ultra marathon (last October) and many shorter races.  I would be up for joining an Aweb running group, although my focus at the moment is a 12 week boxing programme (started this week) - possibly with a "white collar" bout at the end of it.  I was up at 4am this morning to walk / run to the meeting point in south east London!

Rachael, I recall you was training for a marathon at one time.  Are you going to go back to it?

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By Rachael White
12th Jan 2015 10:23

Locutus

I used to use MapMyRun but found Strava much better. 

Wow, you've done a lot of running in your time! Boxing sounds interesting though, best of luck.

I did try to run one last year but got injured. I'm running the very new Bristol to Bath marathon in October however and intend on taking very good care of myself! If you've got any tips to impart to me please feel free to share! 

Here's a discussion I created about getting an online running group together. The purpose being, for accountingweb members to share their progress and running tips throughout the year. 

 

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By GaryMc
12th Jan 2015 10:34

Bristol to Bath

I caved in and signed up for that one.

I've also entered an ultra so I may be dead before the Bristol Bath run :)

Rachael that link goes to a different discussion - unless my browser is playing up.

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By Rachael White
12th Jan 2015 10:43

I suck at multitasking... it's fixed now.

And excellent, that's two Aweb members now running that. Just don't burn yourself out beforehand! 

R

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By GaryMc
13th Jan 2015 09:32

Ooops

An ultra in June may not be a good idea then? :)

Two big goals to keep me plodding along through the year this year.

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