Apple has officially launched the
Apple Watch in stores, with Australian and New Zealand customers among the lucky first around the globe to finally get their hands on the smartwatch.
MacNN and
Electronista were on hand at the Penrith Store launch, about a hour west of Sydney, Australia. There were a small number of eager Apple fans keen to try on the device from a wide cross-section of age groups, but the throng of Apple Store employees on hand to mark the occasion easily outnumbered them. It certainly helped to create a buzz around the event. Pre-orders are now being accepted in the US and other countries, starting at 12:01AM Friday local time.
On arrival to the Apple Store, we were greeted by an Apple concierge who booked waiting customers manually for a 15-minute session with a specially-trained Apple product specialist to take us through a personalized one-on-one fitting session. Most of the models were available to try on from the standard ranges, which includes the entry-level aluminum Apple Watch Sport and the stainless-steel Apple Watch. Special tables with blue mats had been set up for the fitting session, with customers offered the opportunity to try on their preferred combination of styles.
The Apple Store specialist was happy to take us through as many different combinations as we could try on in our allotted slot, with the staff member offering to put the watch on our wrist. An array of Apple Watch styles are kept at each station in a sliding drawer, that opens by what appears to be an NFC locking system that only Apple Store employees can access. We didn't enquire about the Apple Watch Edition, not least of which is because it retails for anywhere north of $10,000 up to a whopping $17,000.
Although we went in thinking the stainless-steel model with black sport band might be the best combination, our preference was for the Apple Watch Sport in space gray, which has a less shiny matte finish. The silver stainless-steel model looked best when paired with the stainless-steel link bracelet, but that pushes the price out to a relatively-hefty $999. Opting for the stainless-steel Apple Watch with black sport band instead, the $599 asking price was more palatable. You do, however, have the option of choosing to get the more expensive (and brilliantly-designed) link bracelet at a later time.
If you go for our favorite option, which also happens to be the cheapest, and you are looking at $399 for the space gray aluminum model with black sport band (42mm/1.65 inch size). The trade-off with this model, though, is that it will be somewhat less robust than that stainless-steel model, which also boasts a sapphire display instead of the Gorilla Glass 3 Ion-X enhanced glass protecting the aluminum model. If you still can't make up your mind in your allotted time with a staff member, Apple has also set up an area with all models, including the gold Edition range, placed under in a recessed table protected by glass, so it is easy to see what every combination looks like in the flesh.
Interestingly, the models available for trying on were running only demonstration software on a loop. Although the Apple specialist on hand was happy to answer questions about the way Watch works, the appointments are much more about trying it out for style and taste, rather than being run through its features. Thankfully, Apple has also set up a separate area of the store with fully-functioning models to interact with, although these are secured in a custom stand with accompanying display that cycles through the many functions of the Apple Watch. The OS is fluid and responsive, just you would expect it to be from Apple, while Force Touch is fantastic for getting things input quickly.
In terms of its overall comfort, the advantage of the aluminium model is that it is about 20 grams lighter than the stainless-steel model, although both feel good on the wrist. The demo loop that was running during our fitting session also allows you to experience the haptic feedback provided by Apple's Taptic Engine. The demo heartbeat was cool, and felt quite subtle. If you want to increase the feedback, this can be adjusted in the settings, as some reviewers have already pointed out.
Our first experience with the Apple Watch, although limited, was definitely an enjoyable one. Ever since Apple introduced a watch-like iPod nano around four years ago that was quickly
joined by watch-band accessories, we having been waiting for the day that Apple would launch a full-blown smartwatch. That day is about to dawn, and it will undoubtedly usher in an age where wearable technology increasingly becomes the norm. Even if you are not interested in getting an Apple Watch, it is worth getting down to an Apple Store to see first-hand what the fuss is all about.
-- Sanjiv Sathiah (
@sathinator)
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