Apple Watch
I’m horrible at updating my iPhone software. In fact, it took me almost an entire year to get around to updating my phone to iOS 8, and if you were to check my phone right now, you would find that I still haven’t bothered to download iOS 8.3. So, when I do get around to updating my iPhone, I usually become aware of a multitude of changes all at once, most of which have been standard fare for iPhone users for some time.
The last time I managed to update my phone, I noticed a new app, one that I couldn’t get rid of, even though it was of no use to me. It was the Apple Watch App.
After realizing that it was pointless to try to delete the application, I decided that I might as well see what it had to offer.
“Good evening,” read the screen as pictures of the watch faded in and out. “If you have an Apple Watch, you can pair it with your iPhone here.”
I could not follow these instructions because 1) the Apple Watch wasn’t yet for sale and 2) even if it was on the market, my fund for buying expensive watches is currently $0.
Although I knew I wouldn’t be able to purchase an Apple Watch in the near future, I still wanted to know more about the watch itself. Luckily, the Apple Watch App has a handy “Explore” button for people who want to learn about the watch and, like me, probably have way too much time to kill.
The first video under the “Explore” button is a 10-minute clip in which Jony Ive, Apple senior vice president of design, speaks about the watch itself. Ive has a deep English accent that was fun to listen to for the first three minutes and then lost its appeal around minute six of the fairly mundane voiceover.
Ive describes the watch as having “a design that connects with the wearer at an intimate level to both embrace individuality and inspire desire.”
I began to question whether I would ever want a watch to connect with me on an “intimate level.” Plus, would a watch that Apple believes everyone should own really help people embrace their individuality?
I pondered these questions and moved on to another video under the “Explore” tab titled “Stainless Steel.” Unsurprisingly, it was about steel. Clips of steel in various forms, played as a voiceover, explained why stainless steel was the best material to use to make watches. This video did not persuade me to buy the watch, but it did sort of entertain me for two-and-a-half minutes. I saw another two videos titled “Aluminum” and “Gold” that I promptly ignored in an effort not to relive “Stainless Steel.”
The Apple Watch App did a fine job of giving me insight into the product, but almost swayed me in the wrong direction. Although it is undoubtedly a very cool gizmo, the Apple Watch seems like a push to make people buy more Apple products that they don’t need.
In fact, the whole concept of the Apple Watch is, on some level, a little unnerving. Apple is making it so that its technology is with you at all times. You cannot delete the Apple Watch App. You cannot lose the Apple Watch because it is attached to you. You cannot forget about the Apple Watch, because it vibrates on your wrist to remind you it’s there.
You cannot run from your Apple Watch. It is always watch-ing.
