By Sam Crocker
Managing Editor
Wearable tech is a trend that is bound to take 2015 by storm, and Apple’s latest product is following that craze. Last week, they released the first details about their newest product, the Apple Watch.
Due for release in April, the Apple Watch comes in various versions, ranging in price from $349 for the Apple Watch Sport, all the way up to the 18-karat gold version at $17,000.
The pack of Apple disciples is already hailing the watch to be the newest, greatest tech addition to our lives. However, critics have already begun to ask what Apple is really bringing to the market. It appears that Apple has produced a smart watch that has little more than its competitors in terms of features, for a bigger price tag.
This isn’t the first time that Apple has done this. From the iPod to the MacBook, Apple has used the features of existing products from competitors and made them more aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. Then, they market to users who value the simplicity or the stylish interfaces and charge them more for it. So far, it has proved to be one of the most successful business strategies ever used.
So, is the Apple Watch worth the money? First, you should consider whether you need a smart watch at all. The features that the watch is providing can already be accessed via your smart phone.
OK, so it might be a little more stylish to use a watch rather than a phone to do your timekeeping, but for the amount of money you would be spending on your Apple Watch, you could buy a very stylish real watch instead.
The only real benefits of a smart watch are looking trendy with the latest piece of wearable tech, and the health tracking features. However, wrist-worn health trackers are available in many different styles for half the price of a smart watch.
You’ve made the decision to buy a smart watch anyway. OK, well, there are plenty of options other than the Apple Watch that are cheaper and already available. Take the Moto 360, for instance. Android’s watch with a leather band costs $249, while the leather-banded Apple Watch will set you back at least $650. The Pebble Time Steel is $299 and has a battery life of 7 to 10 days, compared to the Apple Watch’s measly 18 hours. Although experts claim heavy usage is more likely to give you around 12 hours. There are at least another three watches that compete with the Apple Watch in features, but defeat it in price.
It remains to be seen whether the Apple Watch will be a success. Analysts say they believe 10 million Apple Watches will be sold by the end of 2015. This is staggering when you consider that in 2014, only 6.4 million smart watches were sold in total.
It seems the Apple Watch may be the make or break for the trend of smart watches; if Apple fails, then it is unlikely other companies will be able to fill the gap in the market.
