GADGET
GIZMO SPECIAL What Top Designers Think Of Apple's New Smartwatch
GADI
AMIT, BRETT LOVELADY, AND DANA KRIEGER WEIGH IN ON THE WATCH AND THE
NEW IPHONE 6 AND IPHONE 6 PLUS.
How
do you think the design of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus compares
with previous models?
Lovelady:
Compared to the iPhone 5s, the regular and super-sized version of the
iPhone 6 seem solid and reflective of their next-gen
smartphone
status.
I think for content-hungry consumers, Apple has fed us a range of
improved utilities
and
features in the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus. The curved glass edge
and material flow of the top surface seem to invite you to touch it;
it has a slimming effect overall. The controls migration also seems
like an improvement, which will likely need some time to prove
itself, but seems smart. And the back side also attracts attention,
with those exaggerated gaps on the top and bottom giving the product
a sliming, athletic effect: it seems custom-designed for fashionable,
color-blocked combos in the future.
Krieger:
The new iPhones are a natural evolution of the previous models. At
this point Apple's design language doesn't offer any surprises. The
design is always super neutral and the execution is exceptional. The
standout elements all lie in how Apple has responded to features
established by other devices--primarily larger screens and NFC (near
field communication).
iOS's
user interface has been enhanced to deal with larger iPhone screens.
What do you think of this implementation?
THIS IS A MAJOR EVOLUTION IN TONE FOR APPLE DESIGN.
Lovelady:
It seems necessary. It's a nod to the way content has continued to
migrate from laptops and tablets to the hand, and also brings the
iPhone 6 up to date with the competition. It's also a nod to the need
to continuously improve all user interactions, as well as the
delivery of iOS's visual content, for a diverse and aging demographic
of users. We'll see how things play out over time, though; the proof
will ultimately be through rigorous use.
Krieger:
It is really hard to comment on this without using one, but having
experience with Samsung devices at this screen size, it makes sense
to treat a larger screen as its own interaction model, and custom
tailor a UI to suit.
What
do you think of the design of the Apple Watch?
Amit:
Very well-executed. It's a very Apple-esque design. Beautiful,
harmonious and amazingly crafted--yet, unfortunately, quite expected
and even plain? Given the
Marc
Newson news
[industrial
designer Marc Newson has joined Apple's design team], it looks very
familiar, even too similar to the Ikepod
watches he designed years ago.
THE WATCH TOO SIMILAR TO THE IKEPOD WATCHES
MARC NEWSON DESIGNED YEARS AGO.
The
big question is will a well-designed Apple Watch be enough to make it
a fashion icon? And I think the answer is probably not. The Apple
Watch lacks a certain overt, distinct character that would allow it
to rise above the constraints of the already saturated smartwatch
category. Compared with both the Motorola and Asus watches just
introduced, the Apple Watch is not a clear winner. Without actually
using it, though, Apple's UI seems like it might be superior. Time
will tell.
Bottom
line? For me, the Apple Watch is, quite surprisingly, just not
exciting enough.
Lovelady:
The details and controls are very clever. There's an amazing
commitment here to blending both fashion and tech elements into one
device.
Sure,
it's an iPhone for your wrist, but Apple still has ways to find our
individual identities through a range of colors, materials, and
finishes in the band and housing. If you want people to wear
something, then they need options to express their social personas,
especially over time.
I
know there was a small army of creatives and developers involved in
this design, but the Apple Watch has a sense of familiarity to its
design to me. Or maybe it just feels like Jony Ive let his best
friend Marc Newson whisper into his ear about the Apple Watch's
overall aesthetics.
Krieger:
Though they were obviously developed separately, I think the appeal
of the Apple Watch will be similar to the appeal of the now
Apple-owned Beats brand of headphones. Both will be purchased because
of the larger brand appeal, as the product design doesn't get in the
way of that.
THE IPHONE 6 SEEMS CUSTOM-DESIGNED FOR FASHIONABLE, COLOR-BLOCKED
COMBOS IN THE FUTURE
I
think it is very significant to hear Apple talking about how their
smartwatch will offer millions of options through strap changes, and
the way they have even engineered a custom solution to allow for more
quickly changing straps. This is a major evolution in tone for Apple
design. Not long ago the announcement of even a second color option
for an Apple device was a major event. I hope this evolution
continues.
How
does the Apple Watch compare with the competition? Is this a game
changer for wearables?
Lovelady:
The Apple Watch pushes the smartwatch category forward on a few
fronts. First, it is broadly integrated with Apple's family of
products. It's got a halo of options, flexible software, quality
hardware, design-centered vision, addictive utility, and hipster
must-have status.
That
makes it harder for others to compete with, but good for the game
overall! So yes, I think it's a game changer. It's the new odds-on
favorite.
Krieger:
Apple entering any market is a game changer, but major questions
still remain. For example, how long does the battery last? Today's
presentation mentioned the elegance of the charger, which is good
because this smartwatch will likely be visiting its charger often.
But I think this device raises serious questions about what level of
interaction is desirable on a wearable.
THIS DEVICE RAISES SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT LEVEL OF
INTERACTION IS DESIRABLE ON A WEARABLE.
Watches
have thrived in the modern technological world because they do one
thing and do it reliably. They don't need charging, they don't zoom
or pan, and the only time you need to update the software is for
Daylight Savings Time. So while the Apple Watch offers customized
emoticons and exploring the solar system on your watch face, that's
not going to appeal to everyone. It's a radically different approach.
And personally, I have to say that managing the "push
notification" settings for my watch is of pretty low appeal.
Amit:
Whether or not the Apple Watch is a game changer will ultimately be
decided through its interaction with the software ecosystem. But as
far as just the physical design is concerned, I'm not convinced it's
a clear winner. It's possibly not even the leader.
I
think many companies breathed a sigh of relief when the Apple Watch
was unveiled. All those stories about rounded displays, exotic
glasses, liquid metal housings, and superior sensors were overblown.
The Apple Watch is a very good, extremely well-crafted object, and
it's one of the leaders of the smartwatch category. But for Apple to
be merely amongthe
leaders is not what I had expected.
JOHN
BROWNLEE
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