Last week Apple officially unveiled the Apple Watch and announced its April 24 release date. I know there are downsides to buying the first version of any new technology, and I’ve already read some valid criticisms, but still I want an Apple Watch.
[Tweet “Why I want an Apple Watch”]
Let’s start with the fun stuff–here are a few reasons why I want an Apple Watch:
1. Technology on my wrist. I blame my Garmin Vivosmart as being a gateway drug and sparking my addiction to technology on my wrist. I chose the Vivosmart over the Vivofit for its smaller profile, and wasn’t very interested in its ability to display notifications from my phone. But, a mere four months later, I am enjoying the convenience of reading text messages on my wrist and knowing I’m getting a phone call (and who’s calling) even if my iPhone is in the other room. Apple Watch offers all that and more, with text message, phone, email, and calendar interfaces, and built-in apps like Weather and Maps.
2. Credit for all activity. I also blame my Vivosmart for my desire for a better fitness tracker. I hate that the Vivosmart does not track the activity of bike riding or indoor cycling, but will reward me for reaching my goal when I’m stirring the batter for a batch of brownies. 😛 Apple Watch will keep track of regular activity, more vigorous activity, and standing time, and promises to “count” indoor cycling.
3. Built in heart rate monitor. I am getting interested in heart rate training and love seeing how different workouts impact my heart rate. While I don’t mind using my chest strap-style heart rate monitor for spinning and short runs, a fear of chafing keeps me from using it on longer runs. Apple Watch will have a heart rate sensor based on LEDs and photodiodes that can be used with the built-in Workout app or read with a swipe. That feature will make it easier to monitor my heart rate during all activity–and inactivity!
4. Built-in apps and App Store apps. Apple Watch will come with a few built-in apps, and there are more App Store apps ready to launch. While most of the sports apps (Nike+Running, Strava, RunKeeper) will only work with an iPhone nearby, I think I will appreciate being able to see the information on my wrist while my phone is safely tucked away in my pocket or fuel belt.
[Tweet “Why I don’t want an Apple Watch”]
As much as I want an Apple Watch, I have to admit that there are a few things about it that may hold me back from the pre-order frenzy:
1. The price. When I told my husband I was serious about wanting an Apple Watch, he asked “Aren’t they really expensive?” My answer, rolled off my tongue before I stopped to think about it.
“No, only $349!”
Yes, Apple has brainwashed me into thinking that $349 is not a lot of money to pay for a jacked-up watch! Thank goodness my tastes don’t run to the blingy $17,000, 18-karat gold version. Once we pay our taxes and see what next year’s college tuition bills will be, I may decide that Apple Watch is not such a great deal after all. 😉
2. The basic limitations. Apple Watch is not a mini iPhone–it’s hard to figure out just what it can do on its own, but most of its features seem to rely on your iPhone being nearby. It also seems to be better at receiving information than sending it. While you can dictate text messages or respond with preset options or emoji’s, you can’t type a response. You can synch a playlist to Apple Watch, but will need Bluetooth headphones to listen. If you download the Twitter and Instagram apps, you can see your feeds and “like” items, but you can’t really reply or comment.
3. The running limitations. Although Apple is touting the fitness capabilities of Apple Watch, it will rely on the GPS function of your nearby iPhone for pace, distance and mapping. While I have used by iPhone to track runs in a pinch, I know the GPS on my Garmin Forerunner 10 is much more accurate. Will I really wear two watches when I run? 🙁
4. The size. Apple Watch is a watch, and while they’ve packed a lot of technology into a small device, it’s still a larger device than I’m used to wearing all day every day. I find it ironic that one thing that really attracted me to the Garmin Vivosmart was its small size, and now I am debating something about twice as wide. If I’m going to wear a watch, would I be happier with a Fitbit Surge?
Do you want an Apple Watch?
Have you heard any more things about Apple Watch that should hold me back?
Do you have a Fitbit Surge?
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Im the only one of my friends who DOESNT WANT the watch.
It makes me tired to think of another thing to charge <3
speaking of? I WANT THE FITBIT CHARGE 🙂
Tell me more!
I am thinking I don’t want one. You still need your phone with you and its kinda big and not so girlie. I just bought a multisport tom tom to track swimming too. Gadgets yes!
Yeah, I should try to get a peek in the store before I order to check the size.
I’d love it…i’m a techie but probably the cost will prevent it.
I think it looks like such a fun new tech toy, but I’m going to wait until it can replace my phone on runs. I really dislike carrying my phone on runs… although there is the safety aspect. I’m with you on the price, $349 doesn’t seem that bad. My husband read somewhere that the battery life is terrible. It apparently only lasts a day and you have to charge it every night. Although, maybe that’s just bad if you consider it *just* a watch, which of course, it’s not.
I think they are saying it has a 17 hour battery life, but the more features you use, the faster it will drain. Oh, and of course it has a different type of charger than all the other Apple devices!
I’m definitely intrigued by the Apple watch but I am not ready to make a commitment to it. I do however look forward to seeing what people think of them when they do come out.
I’ll probably want an apple watch after a year when the price goes down and they work out the kinks!
That sounds like a pretty good plan …
I want one SO badly! I may wait a year or so to let them work the kinks out though… and I hope they make one that works well on a woman’s wrist. Some of them are just so huge.
I have definitely oh’d and ah’d over this one but will probably wait a while – the price is a deterrent and for all that money I want all the bugs worked out!
My main concern would be…would I be able to see it? Now, if you could project the display screen down onto the pavement in large print…I’d be all over that!
LOL! Oh, that is so true! I already hold my phone to my face sometimes … but maybe that would be less awkward with a watch? 😉
Yea, I’m not really that interested in it. The fact that you need your phone nearby is a no-go for me…I don’t really see the point if it will do the same that the phone does. The HRM part is cool, but not for the cost.
Sigh. You’re probably right. Did you ever get a device that does HRM on the wrist?
I ended up returning the FitBit with the HRM…I decided I didn’t really need the fitness tracker. I would rather spend my money on something else. Soleus actually just reached out to me and sent me their GPS with HRM watch to try out, so I’m excited to see how that works out. I’m still trying to figure it out and will do a review soon.
I don’t want one right away because I’m sure that it is like anything else – it will get better the 2nd (or 5th) round!!!
My husband is just as bad, he totally wants one. I think I’ve talked him into waiting until a 2nd or 3rd version… and he’s not even super fitness guy, he just loves gadgets and loves apple. 🙂 Me… I can wait.
nope, i’m going to pass. like you pointed out, most capabilities depend on an iphone being nearby. and i definitely wouldn’t want to wear two watches while running!
Very cool stuff you have posted Coco! I am a big fan of apple watch. I like the thing in this it will come up with built in apps feature. Can’t wait to hear more updates about this one!! Keep sharing such information.
yeah you are right we must have apple watch as per features and technology its great but for me its little costly so not able to buy right now let see it later but finally can say wearable cool stuff for me
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