I’m trying really hard to understand the need for a wearable mobile device, or in other words, an Apple Watch. Apple launched their watch a few months ago and I’ve sat on the sidelines. I have hoped to hear of a compelling story about how the Apple Watch created a technology that helped a business. Or, how the watch allowed more free time in a day. Crickets! All I’ve heard are stories about added convenience of not reaching into a pocket to pull out an iPhone. That’s it? So we’ve now placed a value of reaching into our packet at $350. I have a friend that told me he finds it easier with his Apple Watch to reply to texts, pay for
items and not have an intrusive phone in sight during a meeting. Yet, his phone was sitting on the table during our conversation. He used his watch to pay for Starbucks while holding his phone in the other hand. Where is the convenience? Are we that lazy a society that we can’t possibly be bothered to pull out a phone from our pants pocket to reply to a text or decline a call during a meeting? Hey bud, whether you’re looking at your watch or your phone during a meeting to decline a call, you’re still being rude.
Listen, I really want this device and technology to be a success. I’m all for the advancement of technology, but do you know why you’re busy and need a device for “added convenience?” It is because you have TWO devices! That would make you busy! Here’s my issue, this watch needs an iPhone to truly become a device. Otherwise, it is a glorified iPod. Yes, there are a number of actions one can complete without an iPhone nearby, such as, tracking steps, using it during a run, to pay for stuff, get on a plane, emulate the functions of an iPod. How about Digital Touch that allows you to sketch a picture on your watch and send to another wearer’s screen. Seriously, did we become Picasso overnight to be able to sketch on a watch screen? Here’s a stick figure. Can you believe this only cost $350? Yes, it can be a functional device, but are any of these things worth adding a “small iPhone” to your wrist? Can’t you accomplish your fitness needs with a Fitbit or other wearable device?
There are a number of business applications that can make the watch functional, assuming they can accomplish this functionality without a data plan. There are time tracking apps, which will be great for folks that bill by the hour or are in the service business. The flexibility to deliver an Apple Watch to an employee to track time can be advantageous. Another way to look at tracking time can be with Geofency. With little interaction, the watch tracks where you are and for how long, which makes billing easier. For presentations, advancing slides with the watch can be functional. I believe there is a fit for this technology in a business that cannot have a phone in hand, such as those in medical, over the road drivers and skilled laborers. I think there is another fit for monitoring your medical history and delivering this information to your doctors. Unfortunately, I do not believe these experiences are available or are not ready for prime time.
The watch can be stylish. The band looks sharp and feels solid. It can be a conversation starter. The watch face has many options from fancy to silly. Yet, the major miss is the inability to have its own data plan or SIM card. With this technology, the watch would be a serious technology tool, in my opinion. Without it, it’s another device that needs to be charged every night. Oh, here’s a funny one for you. The battery life is 18 hours. I’m not the smartest guy in the room, but I swear that is less than a full day. My Fitbit lasts days. There are too many wearables on the market today are offer similar features as the Apple Watch, and often at a lower cost.
Maybe I’m just getting older. Maybe I’m just saturated with devices. My heart tells me that I really want this technology to work. Is it time though? Unfortunately, the only time that this device should tell you is that it isn’t time to buy one.
Do you have a favorite app you’d like to share? Contact Brian at brian@brianzabro ski.com, on Twitter @BrianZab or LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/brianzab.
Brian, a Corporate Account Executive with NetSuite, has spent nearly 20 years in the telecommunications and software industry. Businesses often have the same concerns: How do I increase my revenue and profit? How do I attract great talent? Am I easy to do business with? Is it simple to access my business information? If you’re a business that would like to learn how Box, GoPro, Groupon and Fitbit have used NetSuite to answer these questions, then please contact Brian.