Woz regarding $17k Apple Watch, “It didn’t seem like the company we started,”

[Filliam H. Muffman]

MacJeepster wrote:
That's right, he basically invented the personal computer when he invented and produced the Apple I.
Remind me, how much did the last one of those sell for?

The original Apple II at $1298 was a huge chunk of money in 1977, but how much was a comparable microcomputer in the same era?

[deckeda]

And don't forget 1992's IIfx, available from $9000 to $12000.

Computers got cheaper over the years, but they were comparatively a LOT more expensive in the '70s and early '80s timeframe Woz helped create. The fact that Apple and others helped "move the world forward" was due to the overwhelming things computers could do, not because they were cheap to buy ... merely cheap compared to mainframes.

Apple's putting modern materials and manufacturing into a luxury watch run by a computer. I don't see that as much different today, especially at the $350 starting point. The much greater expense of the "top" model is different in that you're buying materials, not performance advantages, but that's the luxury aspect that was always the goal.

[silvarios]

deckeda wrote:
Apple's putting modern materials and manufacturing into a luxury watch run by a computer. I don't see that as much different today, especially at the $350 starting point. The much greater expense of the "top" model is different in that you're buying materials, not performance advantages, but that's the luxury aspect that was always the goal.

Have you used a lot of smart watches to compare it to the theoretical advantages of the Apple watch? Even the base model is more expensive than most other devices in its class. And I like the though that luxury is the goal, but that's still somehow similar to the original Apple computers. That's so opposite of the original Apple devices it's actually comical reading the comparison. Apple is never going to be the cheapest device in any given market, but stupidly expensive for little advantage was supposed to be FUD, not a positive company talking point.

Another thought, the Apple 1 and 2 were pretty early in on the whole PC market, Apple's smart watch is at least a decade late. Apple is swooping in with a luxury product that seems to largely compete on strength of logo. I'll pass, but reserve the right to change my tune once the device that everyone keeps talking about actually freaking ships. Two announcements in six months and still not shipping? Yeah, that isn't a cynical attempt to keep the product not actually shipping in the news.

I don't get it. How can Woz be wrong here?

[RAMd®d]

But, would you BUY one?

I did.

It's worth far more than when I bought it, new.

I had the chance to buy two others at the time and passed.

BIG mistake.

[$tevie]

RAMd®d wrote:
saying that he had gotten “real negative on smartwatches” — only to later turn around and describe it as a “ little piece of art.”

Because he's negative on smart watches means he'd not allowed to appreciate one as art?

Let's note that the "negative on smartwatches" remark was made in November of 2014, while the "little piece of art" comment was made on February of this year. In other words, he had three months to change his mind, possibly after learning more about the watch. So it wasn't what I think of as "only to turn around and say", personally.

Woz seems to be the kind of person who blurts out whatever he is thinking at the time -- and I guess this time he was thinking that a $17,000 watch was the last thing he would have imagined when he and Jobs started Apple Computer. I'm sure that's true. But he doesn't run the company now, and I'm sure he's well aware of that.

[RAMd®d]

So it wasn't what I think of as "only to turn around and say", personally.

Agreed.

I felt the same way, though I didn't read the article. Seeing that phrase just struck as such a typical web-log manufactured spin rather than objective journalism. I could have been wrong, but apparently was not.


Woz seems to be the kind of person who blurts out whatever he is thinking at the time

Agreed.

He doesn't seem to have any filter in that respect.

He would not be my first choice for diplomat or hostage negotiator.

But I'm sure he's ok with that.

Still, I wouldn't mind if Woz found the author in some public place, say- in line at a movie theater, and walk over to him and say "You know nothing of my opinions. I can have a negative view of smart watches and still appreciate one as a little bit of art. I'm a fsckin' genius, you hack!"

Or something like that.