Opinion: Apple Watch Still Has Something to Prove [feedly]

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Opinion: Apple Watch Still Has Something to Prove
// MacLife

The following editorial will appear in the upcoming December 2014 issue of Mac|Life magazine. For more on Apple Watch and iPhone 6, look for special issues coming soon to the Mac|Life Newsstand app. Our Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch can be found here.

It was a long time coming, but Apple finally showed us the iWatch — I mean, Apple Watch. (Sorry, that's going to take some getting used to.) The September 9th unveiling not only marked the company's entry into a new market, but it was also the first time in the post-Jobs era that Apple stuck its neck out and took a risk. For Apple fans like us who get giddy over this stuff, the event — which also introduced the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus — had it all: slick promo videos, poetic corporate philosophy, live demos by the usual gang, and an introduction to the Apple Watch by the smooth-talking Jony Ive. Tim Cook even used Jobs's classic "one more thing" line, which got the biggest cheer of the day from the assembled press. There's no telling what Steve would have thought of the event or the products on display — I'm sure he would've had his own strong opinions, as he always did — but I believe the current crew at Apple honored his legacy.

But back to the Apple Watch: I dig the design, I really like the look of the UI, and it was introduced in about the best way possible…but I'm still not entirely sold. I want to be, because I've been waiting for Apple to make smart watches more interesting while Samsung and everyone else has struggled. I can't wait to wear one for a week to play with — to sift through the M&M app icons on the Home screen, sketch silly messages, and share my heartbeat with somebody — but when tech lust isn't taking me over, I don't know if there's a single defining function that justifies spending at least $400 after tax, or is worth wearing a watch again after I've ditched them for the last decade. There is no game-changing epiphany here like, say, the first iPod with its clear promise of "a thousand songs in your pocket."

Well, that's not entirely true: the health features do stand out a bit. The Activity and Workout apps look simple and fun to use, in ways that might make even a lazy sloth like me stick with a program. This appears to be the one area in which Apple Watch clearly surpasses the capabilities of iOS devices, and it provides a decent justification for dropping a lot of dough. I could probably talk myself into believing I'll start living healthier if that's what my conscience needs to splurge on one of these watches.

My guess is that Apple Watch will do great out of the gate thanks to diehard Apple fans and outside observers who want in on the next big craze. Beyond that, though? The device can never be more successful than the iPhone since every Apple Watch needs one to work. (The chances of it eclipsing Apple's flagship product were slim anyway, but still.) I don't think it will match the iPad, either. My somewhat pessimistic prediction is that Apple Watch will reach the level of Apple TV, a steady B-tier product with a loyal following.

Having said that, I very well may buy one. I'll want an Apple Watch just to ensure that I know what the hell I'm talking about here at Mac|Life, but I'd likely get one anyway because it's just too damn cool. That's the real killer app of any Apple product: they are so well crafted that you can't help but appreciate them.

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