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Post by phoebear611 on Apr 10, 2015 17:15:42 GMT -8
I'm opening the bar early ... I needed a drink after my experience at the Apple Store today but it didn't deter me from ordering my watch. I just ordered the 42mm stainless with a white sports band. Not getting it till JUNE! Oh well...June is my birthday so I guess it works out fine. With basketball behind us and the Masters not on tonight I'm watching some great rivals: Yanks vs. BoSox. What's everyone having? I'll be having an ice cold BEER while watching my Yanks!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2015 18:48:21 GMT -8
A reliable Gin & Tonic.
I too dropped by for Apple's Open House. You can see the Watch 3 ways:
1. Under glass (no touchy) 2. Dressing Room for fitting the band (it's a non operating Watch at this station) 3. At the perimeter of the store when you can actually play with it.
Observations:
The learning curve to the OS is easier than reviewers would have you believe. Inside of 20 minutes, I fiddled each standard app, customizing it where I could, and generally navigated from Point A to Point Z without any frustration. I do hope Apple can provide more options for customizing settings on certain apps.
It needs more Watch styles -- I was hoping Apple could have licensed the designs of some of the better timepieces.
Somewhat disappointingly, the stainless model did not replace the lust for a Bremont mechanical. That's an easier fix for Apple than it is for Bremont to add smartwatch features. In fact, I'm more inclined to drop back to the sport model, as I find the aluminum a bit more pleasing. That was a surprise to me. Nonetheless, I'm convinced more than ever that Apple is on the right path and in time will add the character that partly defines the appeal of a high-end mechanical. For me, the fitness app and notifications will be the most appreciated features. Third party apps will add even more appeal.
To add to Phoebes list of concerns, the employees COULD show more enthusiasm. My God, I don't expect them to have the glazed look of a Scientologist, but this is Angela's sphere of responsibility and she's not met that challenge. Customer respond to enthusiasm; it's contagious.
The sleeper hit is the MacBook! This is the closest a laptop comes to jewelry. Really, it's a masterpiece. I was on the run and will have more time to play with the MacBook but to me, it's a bigger aesthetic achievement.
Cheers to the longs.
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Post by jmolloy on Apr 10, 2015 19:36:44 GMT -8
Amen brother! I suspect that most of the "third party apps launching are slow" arguments may be predicated on the fact that no third party (OK Very few 3rd party) devs had actually run their apps on the hardware. Development cycles should fix most to those issue pretty damn quickly, Don't give them to phrasal, give them directly to someone who will actually make a difference, honing their apps before release. Also I am hoping that they could make this easy to develop for with the SDK!
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Post by Red Shirted Ensign on Apr 10, 2015 20:45:52 GMT -8
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Post by chasmac on Apr 10, 2015 20:49:08 GMT -8
To add to Phoebes list of concerns, the employees COULD show more enthusiasm. My God, I don't expect them to have the glazed look of a Scientologist, but this is Angela's sphere of responsibility and she's not met that challenge. Customer respond to enthusiasm; it's contagious. I wonder how much of the "poor salesperson" reports have to do with Apple's over the top secrecy? How many employees had the chance to use a watch before today? My guess is zip. Granted, you would think they would do their homework but I've noticed more floor staff these past few years that less knowledgable than you would expect. Lots of good ones but a lot of ones that seem more like traffic cops than sales people. My big question is why isn't there more supply? This has happened after EVERY new launch. Still makes me wonder if they do it on purpose to minimize problems if they do arise in the wild right after launch. Frustrating.
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Mav
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Post by Mav on Apr 10, 2015 21:34:38 GMT -8
Apple isn't one to overbuild or build in excessive haste. There hasn't been a single actual-gate of consequence in the history of iPhone OR iPad.
They could always do better and probably build more than they do, but we don't run the company. And they do well enough.
Don't forget, there's still about 2 weeks to ramp production.
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Post by archibaldtuttle on Apr 10, 2015 22:45:10 GMT -8
I agree with Mav. Yes, there were some non-optimal moments in today's pre-launch, but most of those can be attributed to greater than expected demand. Watching Tim Cook's demeanor and analyzing his emotional state in this video clip, I read relief, true happiness and excitement... www.loopinsight.com/2015/04/10/tim-cook-talks-to-well-bearded-man-says-apple-watch-feedback-extraordinary/I believe the pre-sales numbers Apple is seeing exceeded their expectations, and he knows today that the Watch will be a success. His first post-SJ-originated product: he must be thrilled and relieved. And yes, now that he knows it will be a hit, they can ramp up to meet the demand, but as you can see from his demeanor here, that's a good problem to have.
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Post by tuffett on Apr 10, 2015 23:24:51 GMT -8
Highlight of my week was the CNBC guy asking Nilay Patel if he polished the knob of his Apple Watch. Nice to see them rip him apart in that segment. CNBC wins a lot of points in my book today.
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Post by phoebear611 on Apr 11, 2015 4:09:33 GMT -8
Like anything else - the first iteration will not be the perfect piece but I don't just want it any longer - I now NEED it. Why? For the same reason I needed the first iPhone. I wanted to play with the first iPhone and learn it and master it so that when the next several came it was practically an appendage to me. It became part of my being. I used it to its full potential eliminating so many other things...that I really didn't need or didn't want. So this time around I didn't buy my usual 6+ items ... I bought 2. We will learn on these 2 and as Watch matures we will learn more and more and develop our knowledge of its function...and incorporate it into our lives. We won't be fumbling with it over time. We will have mastered it in some way...and enjoy the ease it will bring into our lives. And when the time is right we will sell these 2 and buy 6 of the next version. Thanks Steve for creating this company....and thanks TC for continuing to carry that torch. You all NEED at least 1. PS Again, my huge disappointment is with the salesforce. This sincerely needs to be corrected asap. It is not a hard fix and I really am stunned that AA allowed this happen. Such bad form. THIS was our introduction to her expertise - and NONE of it was technical in nature which is the scary part. It was part of her bailiwick! There is a disconnect somewhere particularly when my experience was not a unique one not only from what I read on this Board but other threads and blogs as well. You should see some of those comments...and again, the focus was on the sales people - their lack of knowledge, their attitude, their lack of enthusiasm, how they doubt they will buy a watch, how half are like deer in headlights when asked a question....well I think you get the idea.... SJ would have had an aneurysm, truly. On another note - I'm so glad they decided to speed up the game of baseball - Yankee / Red Sox game went for 19 innings last night and required 17 pitchers - Mark Teixeira our first baseman was 34 when the game started and was 35 when it ended (true story) ..now that's insane! I turned it off at 1:00 am ... and I have to give a shout out to Jordan Spieth over at Augusta. Holy crap - nuf' said! And he's only 21 years old! I'm on my 4th cup of coffee - in case you didn't notice
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Since84
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Post by Since84 on Apr 11, 2015 4:10:26 GMT -8
This video was interesting. One comment he made concerns me... the lag with Bluetooth and WiFi in the Apple store... always slow here... In the past connectivity in the Apple Store has always been outstanding. Steve insisted. Has something changed? Has anyone else noticed this?
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Post by Red Shirted Ensign on Apr 11, 2015 5:05:08 GMT -8
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Post by Red Shirted Ensign on Apr 11, 2015 6:07:36 GMT -8
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Post by redinaustin on Apr 11, 2015 6:12:01 GMT -8
Hey Red:: ? Never mind - supposed to be the live long and prosper emoji but it won't show on the board
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Post by Red Shirted Ensign on Apr 11, 2015 6:29:19 GMT -8
Hey Red:: ? Never mind - supposed to be the live long and prosper emoji but it won't show on the board Thanks fellow Red. It's the thought that counts.
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Post by archibaldtuttle on Apr 11, 2015 10:02:42 GMT -8
Great video. Watchmakers must be pooping their pants seeing this. They might have only had 1-2 million watches available for the first wave of sales, but my WAG for first two weeks of preorders is more like 4-5 million. Now, some of those might not count until they get shipped next quarter but still... TC seemed to be glowing, and you know he woke up at 5:30am to get the full sales numbers and projections...
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JDSoCal
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Post by JDSoCal on Apr 11, 2015 10:05:34 GMT -8
I have to give a shout out to Jordan Spieth over at Augusta. Holy crap - nuf' said! And he's only 21 years old! I was more impressed with Jack getting a hole-in-one at 75 this week. And did you write that e-mail to Tim with all that caffeine on board?
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Post by pauls on Apr 11, 2015 10:59:05 GMT -8
Nice video! Funny about the ads that precede it, on my viewing there was a FB add set in India that a good friend of mine did the voice over for. Tiny world, getting smaller all the time.
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Post by tuffett on Apr 11, 2015 11:23:41 GMT -8
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Post by Lstream on Apr 11, 2015 11:46:23 GMT -8
Just spent some time at a try-on session with the wife. Here are some impressions.
1. Sales guy was confident and informed. Good experience. 2. The pictures make the Watch look bigger and clunkier on the wrist, than it really is. I took pictures, and this happened even with my own pictures. 3. Digital crown feels great. 4. Really like the magnetic leather bands. Light and really comfortable. Having a hard time deciding between black and blue, and still have not made up my mind which I prefer. 5. If I buy, it will be stainless, not aluminum. 6. Had no interest in the Milanese until I saw it. It would not be my first choice, but I would be really tempted to add it as a second strap. 7. Overall, Apple has done a great job on those straps. I bet many people end up owning more than one. 8. Store was typical for a Saturday. Busy, but not crazy.
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Mav
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Post by Mav on Apr 11, 2015 12:13:44 GMT -8
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Mav
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Post by Mav on Apr 11, 2015 12:15:18 GMT -8
Highlight of my week was the CNBC guy asking Nilay Patel if he polished the knob of his Apple Watch. Nice to see them rip him apart in that segment. CNBC wins a lot of points in my book today. CNBC defending Apple even indirectly is kind of Bizarro World. The panel LIKES the Watch.
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Mav
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Post by Mav on Apr 11, 2015 12:17:24 GMT -8
Just spent some time at a try-on session with the wife. Here are some impressions. 1. Sales guy was confident and informed. Good experience. 2. The pictures make the Watch look bigger and clunkier on the wrist, than it really is. I took pictures, and this happened even with my own pictures. 3. Digital crown feels great. 4. Really like the magnetic leather bands. Light and really comfortable. Having a hard time deciding between black and blue, and still have not made up my mind which I prefer. 5. If I buy, it will be stainless, not aluminum. 6. Had no interest in the Milanese until I saw it. It would not be my first choice, but I would be really tempted to add it as a second strap. 7. Overall, Apple has done a great job on those straps. I bet many people end up owning more than one. 8. Store was typical for a Saturday. Busy, but not crazy. Love the data points. That last part is interesting. When I stopped by the store didn't seem overly busy. Ahrendts was onto something here. A LOT of sight-unseen buying going on, since appointments aren't hard to come by in the US. It's not all iPhone 6 launch, and that's a good thing.
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Post by osx10 on Apr 11, 2015 12:34:48 GMT -8
In Knoxville this weekend and was able to get on the list to try on watches as a walk-in.
Awesome store. Staff was both enthusiastic and knowledgable.
Was also able to get wife and twin daughters on list, so we dealt with 3 different staffers... Was concerned after reading the earlier reports of clueless and unenthusiastic Apple Store staff, but maybe that was an isolated case.
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Mav
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Post by Mav on Apr 11, 2015 12:44:57 GMT -8
No, I think that IS a factor. But much less relevant at time goes on. Obviously, Tim Cook should be made aware of Apple Stores that AREN'T up on Apple Watch on Day 1.
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Post by Red Shirted Ensign on Apr 11, 2015 13:13:29 GMT -8
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Mav
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Post by Mav on Apr 11, 2015 14:41:27 GMT -8
How long until Apple shuts it down?
eBaying a preorder? Really?
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Post by artman1033 on Apr 11, 2015 17:37:28 GMT -8
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bud777
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Post by bud777 on Apr 11, 2015 17:38:58 GMT -8
I've been camping since Thursday and just got caught up on the forum. Note to self..Do not piss off Phobes
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Post by Red Shirted Ensign on Apr 11, 2015 19:03:45 GMT -8
I've been camping since Thursday and just got caught up on the forum. Note to self..Do not piss off Phobes I was thinking of trying to sell her some Star Trek memorabilia...but I realized I'm not completely up to speed on all the action figure options, so I'm not going there.....
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Post by firestorm on Apr 12, 2015 4:39:16 GMT -8
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