We’re all talking about it – Apple announced its Apple Watch yesterday and we’re already talking it up or tearing it down.
I’m not going to lie – as a fan of Apple myself, watching the Apple Watch described and demoed made me salivate. Sure, there will always be lower cost options from Android, sure Android manufacturers may have been the first to navigate into the smart watch wearable market, and sure there may be a dozen options that are functional that already exist in the market, but seeing the Apple Watch made all those other points moot. Apple, above all else, knows how to make an announcement that will stick in the mind of its customers.
The first most notable thing of the Apple Watch that stuck with me was the excruciating amount of detail put into the design of the watch. While they are far from reinventing the wheel, Apple’s reinterpretation of the classic watch dial (their “digital crown”) suggests a consideration of a classic form factor as applicable to a new technology. Other manufacturers drop the watch dial entirely in favor of buttons, losing an opportunity that Apple capitalizes on – the dial ties in neatly with the navigation that the Apple Watch will use. Having a physical dial also allows a degree of connection to regular watches – for those of us who still wear them, the dial is the place we reach to first for any adjustments we may need to make. This simple logic in the Apple Watch design lets customers acquaint themselves with the Apple Watch more rapidly and in a manner that will feel familiar to them already.
Apple’s obsession with functional design doesn’t leave fashion out of the equation though. Smart watches (and other wearable technology) face the hurdle of whether or not people will be caught dead wearing them. While other manufacturers don’t seem to fully grasp that wearing technology means that a customer’s fashion sense will affect their decision to buy a smart watch, Apple embraces the fashion side of things and offers a variety of watches and bands that are suitable for any style. This is a major departure from other smart watch manufacturers who seem to believe that having the same style watch band in a variety ofcolors will be enough for a customer’s sense of style.
It’s this combination of function and fashion that make Apple such an easy brand to become part of, as a customer. With their much anticipated announcements and this degree of dedication to functional and fashionable design, Apple holds a market captive in a way that none of their competitors can. You can be sure that there will be people buying the Apple Watch on day one, and that Apple will enjoy a continued momentum on Apple Watch sales as the functionality of smart watches improves.
All this glowing praise aside, the question that I would like to ask is whether or not the Apple Watch will change or popularize the industry of wearable technology. Google Glass has a smeared reputation, the LG G Watch, Moto 360, and Samsung Gear all made a strong initial splash before disappearing into the mix…will the Apple Watch stand out? Some people argue that it’s a matter of functionality and that the smart watch should replace the smartphone entirely – I disagree. In the Apple Watch, I see a fashionable accessory that serves to supplement my phone experience. Instead of letting go of my phone entirely, the Apple Watch can easily bring the most relevant information I need (close to) my fingertips. I’m of the opinion that this is a step in the right direction for wearable technologies – the Apple Watch may not revolutionize the industry, but it neither compromises fashion nor function in its promise to deliver something that its customers will proudly wear.
Adorama is an authorized Verizon Wireless reseller and will be carrying the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and Apple Watch as soon as they become available.
