APPLE WATCH

The Apple Watch is the latest talking point of all techies across the globe. Yet one question is lingering in the air that we feel needs answering: ‘Is the Apple Watch actually worth the money?

We all know Apple have brought out some of the best smartphones and tablets to date. But with other wearable tech such as the Google Glass falling flat, we can’t help but wonder if the watch is heading for the exact same fate.

This blog is going to discuss everything you need to know about the watch, including stand out features and areas we feel could be improved. Then we’ll come to one big, ultimate conclusion.

This could be the blog that helps you decide whether or not you purchase an Apple Watch, so read on if you’d like to find out more about the latest offering from this global technology giant.

What we already know about the Apple Watch

So far, we know that the Apple Watch comes in three formats, and these are:

  1. Apple Watch
  2. Apple Watch Sport
  3. Apple Watch Edition

Each of these models are all priced differently, with the cheapest watch available coming in at £299, and the most expensive gold plated version coming with a hefty price tag of £13,500.

We also know that the watches can be easily personalised due to their interchangeable straps – which is attractive to those of us who enjoy customising our products.

On top of this, we know we can expect the watches to reach stores by April 24th.

But what are the exact features that come with the Apple Watch?

Apple Watch – The Features

The watch will bring a whole new level of interaction between users. You can do things like ‘tap’ someone’s wrist, as well as sending them your own heartbeat and sketches you create on your watch interface.

You can also use the device as a fitness tracker, and it will help you keep a record of your daily workouts and goals – making it a great addition to the fitness band market.

A fresh new design is another one of the key features of the Apple Watch, and it’s the first Apple device that features circle shaped apps instead of squares. This is to allow more apps to be displayed on the watch face – and has also required Apple to create a fresh, new operating system.

Another innovative part of the watch is the function of the crown. The crown is the circular wind up knob found on the side of most regular watches, yet Apple’s crown has a different function.

The crown can be used to zoom in and out of apps – which is vital considering the size of the watch face. And if you tap it directly on top, it will also return you to the homepage, sort of like a back button.

But now we’ve discussed all the great things the watch can do; What about where it falls short?

Apple Watch – Room for Improvement?

The watch has a great number of new and innovative tech, but is there anything that we think could be better?

In short – yes.

It’s worth noting that the Apple Watch is great if you have an iPhone. It will sync and display your messages – but what if your smartphone isn’t an Apple product? Well, then you’re going to miss out on a lot of great features that come with the watch, which makes it feel a little bit limited to us.

What’s more, despite being a great fitness tracker, the Apple Watch doesn’t go above and beyond any other fitness bands that are already on the market.

Right at the beginning of testing for the product, there were rumours of stress trackers and more, but this has all fallen to one side and we’re mighty disappointed with that news.

On top of these downfalls, one of the key features of the Apple Watch is its new software. Yet new software could mean that apps will have to be redesigned to accommodate the new system. This is something that app producers may not be willing to do until the Apple Watch proves to sell.

However, this is a double-edged sword, as some consumers may be put off purchase the product if the app selection is somewhat limited at first. We can’t help but worry that this could prove to be a problem for the product when it comes to selling it.

So is the Apple Watch worth the money?

It comes with a big price tag, we know that. Yet the cheapest version is similar to the price of a decent regular watch – and this one comes with a lot more features such as a fitness tracker.

However, we cannot ignore the limitations we talked about earlier if we really want to assess the Apple Watch fairly.

If you don’t have an iPhone, then the watch will be limited in what it can do. And if you are looking for a completely new way to track your fitness then you won’t find it with this device.

On top of this is the risk that app developers won’t buy into the Apple Watch, which will lead to an even more limited usage for those of us without iPhones. We can’t deny that at the back of the minds, we’re worried we’ll end up with a product that can’t really do much apart from being a great item we can show off to our friends for the first month we have it.

With that in mind, we’d have to say, that for now – the Apple Watch isn’t worth the money.

Yet if Apple continue to put effort into this device, and ensure that app developers are on board and creating new software to work with the device – we may be a little more tempted to dig into our pockets and purchase the next generation of Apple Watch.

But if this one won’t get off the ground first, we can’t image Apple will pursue it any further.

This blog was written by Jennifer Smith on behalf of itrentals.com, the equipment hire specialists for exhibition and event solutions.