Apple Watch – Invest or Wait? - By Li Huang
The Apple Watch. It will look elegant on your wrist without necessarily breaking the bank. So does consumer wisdom beckon you to buy or bench?
In the modern realm of technology that updates itself at a relentless pace, from smartwatches to Apple TVs, we consumers need a tool to guide us to the right price and best version of a product for our individual needs. This tool is an invisible magnifying glass that provides us with instant in-depth information on an item, and not having that tool at our disposal is a big reason why we think twice before purchasing a tech product.
There was a point in time when consumers would pounce on a new tech product without question. Some decades preceding, people would flock to stores with mob mentality at the release of new technology. I remember a time when people never doubted the Walkman and large groups would practically empty store shelves of PS2s. The unspoken prestige of first-generation technology would become shaken as the millennium dragged on. Whether we like to admit it or not, tech product skepticism now lingers in the minds of alert shoppers more than ever, and the Apple Watch is no exception.
Invest
Most people who leap on first-generation Apple products are early adopters, as evident in iPhone and iPad sales. However, the latest Apple product has shifted tides. It has garnered mainstream attention and craving in a manner that has the general population ready to pay out of the pocket for this technology, albeit its first-generation stigma.
When pondering whether or not to go through with the purchase of a tech product, form and function are integral in reaching the final decision. That being said, the Apple Watch features a rich vault of functions on a rounded square reminiscent of its elder iPhone sibling. It is easily the most capable and swag smartwatch to this day. Intriguing hardware and software both boast its visual appeal. A pearl to lay eyes on coupled with unique fonts, memorable graphics, and customizable watch faces make the Apple Watch seemingly irresistible to some. Aside from being able to get iPhone notifications on your watch, Apple raises the ceiling of communication for its new product by allowing users to receive calls and texts directly on their arm. Sloths rejoice! Just raise your wrist and start chatting. Moreover, the Apple Watch’s capacity to send drawings serves to raise the level of informality, fun, and hence welcoming familiarity.
Apple Watch also tracks daily movement patterns. Though far from substituting as a full-scale fitness device, it will give you a buzz if you’re rooted in a seat for extended periods of time and create a graph based on your activity levels. Instead of favoring bursts of heavy activity, this watch promotes the motto “slow and steady wins the race.” For the reasons above and many more, Apple Watch resolves many concerns, provides entertainment, and makes for a loyal companion.
Suppose you want to get super technical with your potential Apple Watch investment. Analyzing prices and anticipating how long you’re going to use the product before the next version release will give you some wind regarding the decision of buying now or waiting a bit longer. This wind happens to blow in the direction of investing. Apple Watch’s entry level model is $349. Considering that there are 365 days in a year and operating on the notion that a newer version of the watch will be released annually, the rate of return rounds out to about $1 per day for usage. If money is an obstacle, a combination of high quality and the owner’s preservation enables you to sell Apple products of previous versions and retain much of its value, making that $1 a day stand out even more.
Wait
The future is bright. This is not only a philosophy but the underpinning of the tech market. The fact that technology is advancing at an astounding rate only benefits consumers as the law of supply and demand unfolds.
There will always be something better. On point with Apple, the first-generation of iPhones didn’t have 3G, GPS, or the famed “App Store.” The first generation of iPods didn’t have a camera. When Mac computers first became available to the public, they lacked many features and ports that the current generations display. Don’t expect the first generation of Apple Watches to be perfect. Consider the history of initial product releases of Apple (and many other marketing giants) to be an experiment, with consumers suggestions and complaints the subject.
The cutting edge is bound to bleed some, weary or not. Glitches, hiccups, and miscellaneous flaws are bound to be frustrating, and as a sheep in the consumer flock, it will be some time before the herd is pacified. If you elect to wait it out, the standby time (a few weeks, a few months, a year) is dependent on market fluctuations and life circumstances. Just remember. You ultimately decide how long you are willing to ride it out without this watch.
The Final Tick
If you’re the type that firmly takes the future into account and stays true to optimism, you should wait until the release of its second version or beyond. However, if you’re sporadic when it comes to technology and/or the latest trend, Apple Watch’s formidable arsenal can erase all regret from making the investment. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your flair for the product. Spend or save, this watch makes you want to take a bite out of your wrist.
This post complements of fueled.com, Award Winning Mobile Design and Development.