Apple Watch
Before discussing the origin of the Apple Watch, we must first consider Apple's entire product line-up and analyze them closely. Their main products are the Mac, iPad, iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch.
Let's discuss the Mac. Apple reinvented the concept of the personal computer at a time when nobody imagined computers venturing outside of offices. They saw a potential market in homes and schools. They capitalized on the user interface at a time when console terminal efficiency was prized more than the convenience of a mouse. Did Apple invent computing? No, they reinvented it.
Now, the iPhone. In 2008, mobile phones and PDAs existed, and people were clamoring for a BlackBerry or a Nokia, with its QWERTY keyboard and small screen. Apple took the mobile phone concept and reshaped it in their vision, setting a trend and almost a standard in the smartphone market. Who needs a stylus? Did Apple invent mobile phones? No, they reinvented them.
In 2016, the AirPods were introduced in a modest and lukewarm manner, almost as an afterthought, as if fearing public ridicule. Admittedly, the presentation fell short, but their success is undeniable with over 100 million units sold. Did Apple invent earbuds? Well, you see the pattern.
The same goes for the Apple Watch. A traditional watch is typically round, but Apple wasn't just trying to make another watch; they were reimagining and reinventing it. The square screen makes sense since it displays text. If anyone has doubts, they can look at other brands with round designs and see how challenging it is to display information on them. However, this device isn't just a watch or an activity tracker; it's a health device.
Let me explain. This watch not only monitors sleep but also suggests when the user should go to bed. It prompts the user to get up and walk every hour, checks if handwashing lasted long enough, and its sensors (positioned on the underside against the wrist) measure blood oxygen, heart rate during exercise, and can even alert users about health anomalies if measurements fall outside of the standard range.
The real standout feature is the activity rings. This feature hits the mark more than any other. Representing exercise and health through gamification (turning it into a game) was one of the best ideas. These rings are three circles that need to be filled daily: movement, exercise, and standing, all customizable by the user. Once you start completing them daily, there's no turning back. It becomes addicting. Now, I walk my dog more often and don't mind taking the stairs, all for that dopamine hit at the end of the day when I see an animation of all the completed rings. Among many other features, this is what makes it an excellent product.
Although I have to charge it daily, it doesn't bother me. After all, don't I already charge my phone on my bedside table every night?
Did Apple invent smartwatches? No, they reinvented them.