Is the Apple Watch worth your time?


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SALT LAKE CITY — In 2001, Steve Jobs and Apple set out to change the music industry forever by making it possible to fit 1,000 songs in your pocket on a device the size of a deck of playing cards.

Last year Apple announced a new product; it would be the first new iOS device since the death of its founder in 2011. Apple unveiled updated phones the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Then, Tim Cook announced “there is one more thing" and with typical Apple flair unveiled Apple Watch.

The watch is designed to give users quicker access to notifications such as text messages, tweets, apps, calendars and workout information. Yes, it tells time too. Apple said the benefit of the watch is the ability to access information without the hassle of having to dig your phone out of your pocket to view the same information on a larger screen.

There are some features unique to Apple Watch. For instance, you can send drawings sketched out on the device’s 1-inch screen to a friend. Apple Watch even allows you to share your heartbeat with friend or loved one. Who hasn’t been wanting to do that for years?

The watch's tiny display is even large enough for you to play games on. Apple has included different watch face designs allowing you to find the one that fits your style, but you can’t buy more watch faces from the app store at this time.

Regardless of whether you pay $350 for the base model or $10,000 for the gold edition of Apple Watch, there is no difference in terms of performance and what’s under the hood.

Photo credit: AP Photo/Eric Risberg

If you are considering taking the plunge by investing in Apple Watch, make sure you have an iPhone to pair it with too. That’s right, the watch won’t work unless its paired with an iPhone via bluetooth.

In the past, Apple’s products have been crafted with simplicity and ease of use in mind. The iPod, iPhone and iPad don’t come with instruction manuals. School kids are simply picking up the iPad and it’s changing the way they learn and access information.

The Apple Watch comes with an instruction manual and Apple has posted how-to videos on its website, so it may not be as simple to work as an iPad and there may be a learning curve.

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Reviews form IGN and Solider Knows Best cited a slow response time of the watch when loading apps. Snazzy Labs’ review said, “If I’m scrolling and tapping on a tiny little screen, I’ll always reach for my phone first.”

The Verge’s review sees the watch as a social distraction since looking down at your wrist when you get a notification in the middle of a conversation is quite as rude as taking your phone out of your pocket to send and receive text messages.

The reviewer commented, “I’m more aware of how many people I’m ignoring then ever before, and I’m not sure I like it.”

These reviewers all agreed the first generation of the Apple watch shows potential, but there’s room for improvement.

Before rushing out to your local Apple Store to replace the traditional watch you’ve worn for years ask yourself: is it worth paying hundreds of dollars to not take your phone out of your pocket? The choice is yours.


Steven Hummer is on twitter as @sdhummer. He is majoring in communications at BYU-Idaho and will be graduating this July. He spent this past fall interning with KSL News Radio.

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