Apple wearable - What would it take to win?
May 27, 2020 7:59:26 GMT -8
CdnPhoto, Dave, and 1 more like this
Post by Lstream on May 27, 2020 7:59:26 GMT -8
Let’s see if we can get any traction on this as a discussion topic.
I have experience with these devices in an industrial setting, but not in consumer. I think Apple needs this to be a broadly adopted consumer product. What will it need to be and do, for you to consider buying it? Some quick thoughts below.
1. If we believe the rumors then, it will launch as a remote accessory for the iPhone. But certainly purpose built and not just a screen mirror. For now, that is what I am assuming.
2. Must haves and have nots
- it must be impossible to detect that you are wearing these. No repeat of the Google “glasshole” label
- all day battery life. Essential in this class of device.
- cannot get warm to the touch. All industrial devices have this problem. A by-product of power consumption being too high. Apple’s low power expertise needs to deliver here
- no camera. A camera will cause a backlash by non-users, due to privacy concerns.
- wide field of view. No squinting into the equivalent of tiny, finicky screens
- key safety concerns dealt with at launch. Some really challenging questions here. Are Messages allowed while driving?
- display must be readable in bright sunlight. A serous challenge with existing devices
- an almost non-existent weight penalty.
- really low latency between the phone and the device.
- really simple and infallible UI? Gestures? Voice? Eye tracking? I don’t think Siri is quite up for the job yet.
- value add to owners who already have an iPhone and Apple Watch. It needs to deliver its own unique value proposition
- sufficient registration accuracy so that any AR apps know what the user is seeing in enough detail. This device needs to be a true AR catalyst
These factors convince me that this could be the most technically challenging product that Apple has ever done. The good news is that it will be hard to duplicate and copy.
3. Use cases
Have not thought about this much. Wonder what others think about must-haves
- Heads up display for Apple Maps. Driving or walking. Safer, more convenient and so-on.
- Gaming accessory? Assuming low enough latency and battery life.
- Innocuous notifications? Less intrusive than the phone or watch.
Inputs? Thoughts?
I have experience with these devices in an industrial setting, but not in consumer. I think Apple needs this to be a broadly adopted consumer product. What will it need to be and do, for you to consider buying it? Some quick thoughts below.
1. If we believe the rumors then, it will launch as a remote accessory for the iPhone. But certainly purpose built and not just a screen mirror. For now, that is what I am assuming.
2. Must haves and have nots
- it must be impossible to detect that you are wearing these. No repeat of the Google “glasshole” label
- all day battery life. Essential in this class of device.
- cannot get warm to the touch. All industrial devices have this problem. A by-product of power consumption being too high. Apple’s low power expertise needs to deliver here
- no camera. A camera will cause a backlash by non-users, due to privacy concerns.
- wide field of view. No squinting into the equivalent of tiny, finicky screens
- key safety concerns dealt with at launch. Some really challenging questions here. Are Messages allowed while driving?
- display must be readable in bright sunlight. A serous challenge with existing devices
- an almost non-existent weight penalty.
- really low latency between the phone and the device.
- really simple and infallible UI? Gestures? Voice? Eye tracking? I don’t think Siri is quite up for the job yet.
- value add to owners who already have an iPhone and Apple Watch. It needs to deliver its own unique value proposition
- sufficient registration accuracy so that any AR apps know what the user is seeing in enough detail. This device needs to be a true AR catalyst
These factors convince me that this could be the most technically challenging product that Apple has ever done. The good news is that it will be hard to duplicate and copy.
3. Use cases
Have not thought about this much. Wonder what others think about must-haves
- Heads up display for Apple Maps. Driving or walking. Safer, more convenient and so-on.
- Gaming accessory? Assuming low enough latency and battery life.
- Innocuous notifications? Less intrusive than the phone or watch.
Inputs? Thoughts?