Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) Watch hasn’t arrived in the market yet but anticipation surrounding it has already glorified the device. Analysts and experts are showing mixed feelings about the watch – some think it will set new standards and start new trends in smartwatches; whereas others think there isn’t a strong market for smartwatches, yet. All speculations will be put to rest when the watch gets launched early next year.
However everyone agrees on one thing, the watch is one of the most beautiful looking gadgets out there.
Apple’s Chief Designer Jony Ive believes that Apple Watch will reach new heights in terms of sales and popularity. He said that that the main reason for his optimism for the watch’s success is the fact that Apple put a lot of effort – even more than it did for its iPhone – in making this wearable device. Extra work had to be done because wearable devices aren’t a popular category in the market. Ive said that the entire operation was a huge task, starting with the idea for an innovative design to the finished product.
Apple Watch will be introduced to the market early next year in three models. The buyer will have the choice to customize the band and straps of the watch; color options will also be available. These models will have different price tags ranging from expensive to almost-affordable – we say almost because it is an Apple product.
Jony Ive, one of the most influential product designers in the industry, admitted that designing the watch was more of a fashion challenge than a technical one because the device will be worn so it had to look good enough. This was an unfamiliar ground for Ive who for the first time had to do a lot of research in terms of fashion wearable and get approval from the fashion world to make the design presentable.
The design had to be made for both male and female segments of the target market, which posed another challenge for the product designer. The watch could not be made to look too feminine or too masculine. It seems the efforts did pay off because at the unveiling ceremony the watch got a nod of approval from both tech and fashion experts.
This watch is Apple’s first new product after Steve Jobs, which puts even more pressure on the lead designer. The watch has already made its appearance wrapped around the wrist of vogue’s cover model, which means that the fashion world has accepted the design. Now it remains to be seen how the market responds to its technical aspects because for success it will come down to the features the watch will offer.
The Apple watch already has its competition in the market; Microsoft beat Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and launched its wristband very recently. The watch has many similar features to Apple’s watch; therefore it will be interesting to see what impact the Microsoft band will have on Apple’s sales.
With great features and an expensive price tag the watch has already created its own unique niche. Ive believes that “revenue follows the product” and that is the main mantra behind all his designs.
