Per title. We knew it was coming some day, tho perhaps not this soon. Will you be upset if you need ugly adapter to make your extensive + expensive watchband collection work?

  • NomusaMagic@alien.topOPB
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    9 months ago

    Interesting! So you don’t think they’ll capitalize on “anniversary edition”? Something that makes those before it … from across a room … look “vintage”? Like seeing someone w/iP Home Button, Touch Bar Mac or inch wide bezel on iPad? For some, I think The Look outweighs features.

    • mredofcourse@alien.topB
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      9 months ago

      Wow, you really don’t deserve the downvotes here. I mean, I totally disagree with you, but the questions are worth addressing…

      Apple has really only branded one anniversary product, the Macintosh, which was a flop (for a variety of reasons). I tried to find my previous comment on this, but I doubted there would be an iPhone X and about a year later went back to admit I was wrong, so I could be wrong again, but I was wrong about the branding, not the concept.

      With the iPhone X, I believe, the development of the device came before the branding. The branding was an afterthought and not really accurate. The iPhone X was the 14th released iPhone and was announced 10.5 years after the original iPhone was released and even longer after the original announcement.

      It seems like Apple wanted to transition the iPhone to FaceID and provide a mostly display front side, but knowing this could face resistance decided to release two iPhone lines (the 8, 8 Plus and the X) , with one continuing the old form and one representing where Apple wanted to go. Think X in terms of eXperimental as opposed to 10.

      I really don’t think development followed branding, as the goal of Apple is to develop against the competition year after year. Every incremental improvement translates into billions of dollars as consumers choose iPhone over Android, so they don’t hold things back, nor are they motivated by “it’s the 10-ish anniversary”.

      The Apple Watch already had its eXperimental transition with the Ultra. It looks like people are going to split between the two and both will be maintained moving forward.

      More importantly, the Ultra didn’t obsolete bands.

      Band specs have slightly changed over the years, and I believe they will continue to do so. Apple may at some point find some technical reason to make a major change but it will be due to something like sensors or other functionality and not just to accommodate a different aesthetic design and certainly not to do so because of a 10-ish anniversary.

      To be clear, Apple may call it the Series X and it may coincide with an upgrade that is more significant than what we’ve seen in the past couple of years (that isn’t hard to do), but it won’t be as significant as the Ultra and if they do an “anniversary edition” it’s going to be something like a ceramic version of the S10 or some other jewelry-like premium edition.

      • NomusaMagic@alien.topOPB
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        9 months ago

        Thank you for the support re: my questions and for thoroughly laying out your case. Very legit reasons presented why next year may NOT be the up/ending change some predict. I guess we’ll all see soon enough. Appreciate you!!

      • NomusaMagic@alien.topOPB
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        9 months ago

        Lol!! Hear you. Great purchase. It’s just it’s much too big for some of our wrists! Or let’s say … bigger than we prefer. Plz enjoy yours

        • doctorkb@alien.topB
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          9 months ago

          Maybe they’ll release and Ultra Mini with the same functionality but smaller screen (in line with the 42mm, as opposed to the 45mm)?

    • katmndoo@alien.topB
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      9 months ago

      Those “some” are a very small portion of apple’s customers. Quite probably outweighed by those for whom the “look” is most important, where “”the look” isn’t the latest Apple product in general , but something that looks elegant, thin, or whatever other adjectives they use to currently not have an Apple Watch.

    • The_Woman_of_Gont@alien.topB
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      9 months ago

      I think Apple is very keen to ensure that you’re able to tell when someone’s wearing an Apple Watch, and they’re happy with the general silhouette of the watch as a result.

      Personally my guess is there will be a redesign of some kind next year, but I think the folks who are holding out for it or excited about it will be disappointed by how Apple Watch-y it remains. Think less iPhone 8->iPhone X, more iPhone 14->iPhone 15. And that will include the Watch remaining square and, subsequently, probably the bands staying cross-compatible(barring some other reason to change the design I’d be unaware of, like saving on internal space or something).

      • NomusaMagic@alien.topOPB
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        9 months ago

        I’m certain you’re right about one thing for sure … our wrists are Apple’s best advertisement!! They do not want anyone to have to ask what you’re wearing!!

      • doctorkb@alien.topB
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        9 months ago

        Agreed.

        I could see them doing something like squaring up the sides (rather than having the rounded “bulging” out look, a straight edge from screen to back), but too much change also causes issues for watch faces and apps. You certainly won’t see them change away from the rectangle shape!

      • NomusaMagic@alien.topOPB
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        9 months ago

        Haha! You know what I mean. I see you across the room and notice your Touch Bar. I immediately know you didn’t fall for the update hype!! For some ppl, this “across the room view” is reason enough to upgrade.

        Me: I hope my M1 MBP has a longgggg life!!