Watches as companion devices seem like a straight-forward upselling move. I don't think it'll work.
While we're still using physically constrained screens to show information, I doubt wristwatches will make a comeback. Even if we could fit the functionality of an iPhone into them, the screen is just too tiny to be really useful.
Somewhat related: A friend once told me that the cut-off age for wristwatches is 25 years. People that are older have one and younger people generally don't. I found this to be pretty accurate.
Edit: Just watched the video, too. The one-button design seems to be an ill-fated attempt at apple-like simplicity.
Keep in mind that when you receive a new message, inPulse vibrates and the messages pops up automatically on screen...you don't even need to press anything.
We designed inPulse to be useful in the 1-to-10 second timeframe. We knew that if it got too complicated or required too much fiddling, people would just pull out their cellphone. With one button, you can navigate with gloves, when your hands are wet, under the table...etc.
Who needs it? Awkward, annoying, and I find too many clocks in my life already. Remember when Daylight Savings changed? How many did you set? I counted 13 in my house. Why does the freaking stove need a clock?
One advantage to a smarter wristwatch would be that it could automatically adjust itself for daylight savings. A watch that always has the right time by constantly setting itself via GPS to the correct time in your location would be a very useful and popular product - I'd certainly buy one.
I can't see how a touchscreen in a wristwatch form factor will be anything but clunky.
Why not just make a nice stylish watch that also acts as a voice interface to my phone? Or a watch that can accept a SIM card for those occasions when carrying my smartphone is too cumbersome (seems that this might be especially useful for ladies who want to wear evening dresses that don't accommodate full-size smartphones).
Someone asked me what Apple's next big thing will be, I said, "Look at something MS did, but failed. It's what Apple will do next".
Apple's already half way there with the Nano.
If you integrated this with your other services: voice (just to know when you're getting a call, missed calls, voice mail), sms, twitter, email, facebook -- now you may have a somewhat interesting device. The tough part now though is that everyone has a smartphone... is this device necessary anymore?
Although if you could add a lot of biometric feedback that would be nice. And also solar powered so it had crazy battery life. My current watch has been going 10 years on solar power w/o a charge.
I'm 19, and I've worn a wristwatch for the last 10 years, at least. The one I currently have hasn't run down its battery for more than two years, and is comfortable and light enough that I never take it off. As a result, I'm often the only person in a group who knows what time it is.
I'm 18, and have worn a wristwatch since I proved to my parents that I could tell time with an analog clock at the age of 4. I will admit that about 2% of my school wears one though.
I'm incredibly violent to things on my wrist. I whack it on door frames, tables, everything. It probably means I'm getting too close to things when I'm walking around, but I heal - watches don't. (yet?)
The great benefit of a watch is that you can check the time quickly without being obvious about it. This is important when you are meeting with clients or involved in any other kind of important or potentially sensitive transaction: pulling out your phone to check the time is rude and disruptive, but you often need to know how much time has elapsed so you can bring the meeting to a close if you need to.
I'm often on a tight schedule and being able to check the time once or twice during a meeting without the client noticing is valuable.
Also, they look nice. And if they make me look older, and therefore more experienced, so much the better!
Actually I used to use my cell even when I had a watch.
Looking at my watch is a little too obvious, but I can pull my phone out to quickly -- I could be looking at the time, or expecting an urgent message from a family member, or maybe something really important was said during the meeting that I want to write a quick note ...
Wristwatches are like the buttons on a sleeves of a suit jacket, little or no functionality needed but fashionable as long as they are out of the way. The last thing we need are smarter buttons.
I really don't see the point of carrying a wristwatch. While it may save the odd second or two compared to grabbing your phone to check the time, why would you want to put yourself under the constant pressure of a watch?
If you have to check the watch all the time, something is wrong in your life.
If my phone could be the size of my watch, and I could wear it on my wrist, and it had all my email and a modern browser, I'd probably switch to it completely.
I am SICK of having my AWESOME smart phone on my belt or in my pocket. It feels like it gets bigger every day. It falls off me getting in and out of the car.
But I love it and can't stand to be without it.
And I'd look like an idiot if I Velcro'd it to my wrist.
So, I encourage the advancement of smart watches. I look forward to the day it projects a hologram screen that's the size of my tablet screen from my wrist and I can control it by touch.
For smartphone use, it probably makes more sense if the thing is a bluetooth handset (possibly with a dialpad) rather than an entire phone.
Advantages:
- You can keep your phone tucked in a bag, so it's less of a theft magnet and isn't microwaving the boys all day.
- The motion you use to take the thing off your wrist leaves it nicely positioned for talking in your dominant hand.
- You avoid both "douchebag with a headset" and "crazy person talking to themselves" syndromes.
- It could display the time, incoming caller ID (somewhere where you can actually read it rather than next to your ear), and with proper device support, incoming emails and text messages.
I don't think the inventors of the inPulse (or other watches with similar functionality) spent much time thinking about the utility of the device. Is having to look at a small subject line on the cramped display of a watch really better than simply taking out your phone and reading the whole message? I remain unconvinced that the watch will make my life easier in any meaningful way compared to the alternative.
It reminds of Nokia's effort at implementing NFC I read about somewhere recently - to buy a soda from an NFC-equipped vending machine, you had to bring the phone in contact with the machine,make a selection, wait for a text message asking for confirmation, and then respond to the message before you got your drink. The designers were convinced that this would be easier than simply putting in a coin and getting your drink.
Wristwatches, really? Who wears a wristwatch anymore?
Don't these people have access to a phone, or a computer, or a tablet, or a cable box, or a car stereo, or even a sign outside a nearby bank?
Even if they don't isn't there someone near by with one of those devices that they could simply ask?
Sure, you can make the argument these are 'smarter' then your grandfather's wristwatch, but is it really that much work to take your phone out of your pocket?
Nobody wants a device they need to carry on their wrist that is less capable then their smartphone. To borrow a phrase from Sean Parker, we need "to put a bullett in this thing".
Pretty much the only wristwatch I've worn in years has a built-in heart rate monitor. That's been great for answering how hard I'm pushing myself in a workout or long run. It also allows me to track progress as similar workouts result in lower HR than than they used to, or track decline after being sedentary for a few months. It's also good for keeping tabs on my sleep cycles.
That said, it's enough of a hassle that I don't feel like wearing it normally. I'd never want one just for telling time.
33 comments
[ 3.0 ms ] story [ 41.3 ms ] threadWhile we're still using physically constrained screens to show information, I doubt wristwatches will make a comeback. Even if we could fit the functionality of an iPhone into them, the screen is just too tiny to be really useful.
Somewhat related: A friend once told me that the cut-off age for wristwatches is 25 years. People that are older have one and younger people generally don't. I found this to be pretty accurate.
Edit: Just watched the video, too. The one-button design seems to be an ill-fated attempt at apple-like simplicity.
We designed inPulse to be useful in the 1-to-10 second timeframe. We knew that if it got too complicated or required too much fiddling, people would just pull out their cellphone. With one button, you can navigate with gloves, when your hands are wet, under the table...etc.
That's why it has one button.
This watch has the potential to be even more interruptive than a silent vibration in your pants. (that came out wrong ... and that too)
The idea is that you put an uncooked meal into the oven in the morning, go to work, and it's ready when you get home.
I've never used that feature because the idea of raw food sitting in an off oven would puts me off.
Why not just make a nice stylish watch that also acts as a voice interface to my phone? Or a watch that can accept a SIM card for those occasions when carrying my smartphone is too cumbersome (seems that this might be especially useful for ladies who want to wear evening dresses that don't accommodate full-size smartphones).
I remember it was expensive and nobody really wanted it.
Apple's already half way there with the Nano.
If you integrated this with your other services: voice (just to know when you're getting a call, missed calls, voice mail), sms, twitter, email, facebook -- now you may have a somewhat interesting device. The tough part now though is that everyone has a smartphone... is this device necessary anymore?
Although if you could add a lot of biometric feedback that would be nice. And also solar powered so it had crazy battery life. My current watch has been going 10 years on solar power w/o a charge.
- Sincerely, people under 25
I'm often on a tight schedule and being able to check the time once or twice during a meeting without the client noticing is valuable.
Also, they look nice. And if they make me look older, and therefore more experienced, so much the better!
Looking at my watch is a little too obvious, but I can pull my phone out to quickly -- I could be looking at the time, or expecting an urgent message from a family member, or maybe something really important was said during the meeting that I want to write a quick note ...
If you have to check the watch all the time, something is wrong in your life.
I am SICK of having my AWESOME smart phone on my belt or in my pocket. It feels like it gets bigger every day. It falls off me getting in and out of the car.
But I love it and can't stand to be without it.
And I'd look like an idiot if I Velcro'd it to my wrist.
So, I encourage the advancement of smart watches. I look forward to the day it projects a hologram screen that's the size of my tablet screen from my wrist and I can control it by touch.
Don't stop, keep innovating on that watch!
http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/Slap_20Bracelet_20Cell_20Phon...
For smartphone use, it probably makes more sense if the thing is a bluetooth handset (possibly with a dialpad) rather than an entire phone.
Advantages:
- You can keep your phone tucked in a bag, so it's less of a theft magnet and isn't microwaving the boys all day. - The motion you use to take the thing off your wrist leaves it nicely positioned for talking in your dominant hand. - You avoid both "douchebag with a headset" and "crazy person talking to themselves" syndromes. - It could display the time, incoming caller ID (somewhere where you can actually read it rather than next to your ear), and with proper device support, incoming emails and text messages.
Don't these people have access to a phone, or a computer, or a tablet, or a cable box, or a car stereo, or even a sign outside a nearby bank?
Even if they don't isn't there someone near by with one of those devices that they could simply ask?
Sure, you can make the argument these are 'smarter' then your grandfather's wristwatch, but is it really that much work to take your phone out of your pocket?
Nobody wants a device they need to carry on their wrist that is less capable then their smartphone. To borrow a phrase from Sean Parker, we need "to put a bullett in this thing".
That said, it's enough of a hassle that I don't feel like wearing it normally. I'd never want one just for telling time.