This just in --- Apple came out with a watch today! $300 - 17K.
That is so weird because I don't know anyone who wears a watch?
You will soon. Every single model is sold out through June. That includes the gold one.
Sheeple be crazy. We spend 20 years realizing that watches are stupid now that there are clocks everywhere and don't wear them anymore. Then Apple and their marketing tell us we gotta have one, even if we don't know what it does. It's Apple and therefore by definition is cool, so get out your Visa.
It could be easy to dismiss if you think of it as just a watch whose only function is to tell time. However, if you think of it as a computer on your wrist with a display and a host of biometric sensors, linear actuators that can produce haptic feedback, a GPS, accelerometers along with an API that can be used by developers to create apps, then the reason someone might want one become a little more apparent.
The technology along with the we ability unlock new functionality and make existing use cases much easier:
Telling time
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Current: pullout your phone and look at screen
Watch: look at wrist
Reading a Message
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Current: Pullout phone, read message on home screen
Watch: Look at wrist
Meeting Notification
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Current: Vibration on phone, pullout phone to view meeting location
Watch: Haptic vibration; look at watch
Monitor Steps
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Current: Variable depending on device but most likely push a button to see step indicator
Watch: Use glance on watch or use haptic vibration
Navigate to a location
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Current: Pull out phone, unlock screen or use Siri, pull up maps app, enter location, use map app with phone out to navigate
Watch: Tell Siri location. Look at screen to navigate or navigate entirely with haptic feedback
Payments
Current: pull out phone or wallet, use phone or items in wallet to make purchase
Watch: verify purchase on watch
These are everyday use cases. Is it necessary? No. Does it simplify the use cases? Absolutely. Each user problem it eliminates a step and makes it easier.
These use cases are for the default feature set (and there are more). Imagine what will happen when a developer community is unleashed on it. Great things will happen.
One of the best things about it I think is the haptic feedback. It will make the technology we use today more discreet. Haptic feedback will help enable this.
So, I don't think it's marketing alone, although it will certainly help. I think a lot of people will view the watch as making current user problems easier and more streamlined.
How will it be received? I don't think we know yet, but it will be interesting to watch unfold (no pun intended).