4 Reasons the Apple Watch is the Biggest Innovation from Apple in Years
Apple's 9/9/14 announcement was just as exciting as we expected -- not only did Bono and U2 take the stage, we also got a look at the newest iPhones. The super-thin iPhone 6 (4.7" display) and iPhone 6 Plus (5.5" display) boast a new chip (the 64-bit Apple A8), beefed-up resolution and nice design touches like a curved glass front. The ultra-large iPhone 6 Plus can show two open panes in landscape mode -- making it akin to a mini-mini iPad. Plus, it's up to 84 times faster than the original iPhone.
But as impressive as these new iPhone advances are, the blockbuster story of the day was undoubtably Apple's first entrance into the wearable technology game via the smartwatch, Apple Watch.
It's the first brand-new product released under the leadership of Apple chief executive Tim Cook and it might be Apple's most ambitious project in its long history of product innovation.
We're going to have to wait until 2015 to get our greedy hands on this potentially game-changing device. But here's why people are so excited about what Apple's new product offers to the industry:
Made of synthetic sapphire, the Apple Watch can sense force and input signals from your wrists. The circuit board, which comprises the device's censors and chips, is about the size of a postage stamp.
Technological innovation in the area opens up a great deal of possibilities for entrepreneurs working to find new applications of smaller and smaller technologies. We're no longer in the realm of science fiction when we envision computers in an earring or shoelace.
"Wearable technology" is the term for clothing or other accessories that incorporate sophisticated computing power. Wearable technology represents a shift in which technology becomes more literally interwoven in our every day lives.
Google Glass is probably the splashiest recent debut for wearable technology, but many experts agree that smart watches will represent a tipping point for wearables that's akin to the smartphone revolution of several years ago.
Apple Watch's predecessor in many ways is the Nike Fuelband, which was launched by the athletics company in early 2012. The Fuelband utilized motion-sensing technology and allowed users to track things like steps taken daily. Tim Cook is on the Nike board (perhaps one reason why the Fuelband was designed to only work with iOS devices) and thus has plenty of experience and exposure to this important precursor to Apple's new wearable.
The Apple Watch's motion-sensing capabilities, kept under tight wrap during the product development phase, are far superior to the Fuelband's. The M8 motion coprocessor can tell the difference between cycling and running, and has a barometer to measure elevation changes. Look for the device to find plenty of application in the health and wellness sector, and to be a boon for app developers alike.
Paying for something with a wave of your hand should be the wave of the future -- but the mobile payments market has been slow to take off. That all should change with the entry of hardware-maker Apple with Apple Pay and this watch. Apple definitely has the muscle and market share to finally make this important technological innovation a reality.
Look for the opportunity to pay for that Pumpkin Spice Latte with your watch coming soon -- and plenty of new opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to take advantage of this growth sector.
But as impressive as these new iPhone advances are, the blockbuster story of the day was undoubtably Apple's first entrance into the wearable technology game via the smartwatch, Apple Watch.
It's the first brand-new product released under the leadership of Apple chief executive Tim Cook and it might be Apple's most ambitious project in its long history of product innovation.
We're going to have to wait until 2015 to get our greedy hands on this potentially game-changing device. But here's why people are so excited about what Apple's new product offers to the industry:
1. Design Breakthroughs
Made of synthetic sapphire, the Apple Watch can sense force and input signals from your wrists. The circuit board, which comprises the device's censors and chips, is about the size of a postage stamp.
Technological innovation in the area opens up a great deal of possibilities for entrepreneurs working to find new applications of smaller and smaller technologies. We're no longer in the realm of science fiction when we envision computers in an earring or shoelace.
2. Wearable Technology
"Wearable technology" is the term for clothing or other accessories that incorporate sophisticated computing power. Wearable technology represents a shift in which technology becomes more literally interwoven in our every day lives.
Google Glass is probably the splashiest recent debut for wearable technology, but many experts agree that smart watches will represent a tipping point for wearables that's akin to the smartphone revolution of several years ago.
3. Motion Sensing and Health Monitoring
Apple Watch's predecessor in many ways is the Nike Fuelband, which was launched by the athletics company in early 2012. The Fuelband utilized motion-sensing technology and allowed users to track things like steps taken daily. Tim Cook is on the Nike board (perhaps one reason why the Fuelband was designed to only work with iOS devices) and thus has plenty of experience and exposure to this important precursor to Apple's new wearable.
The Apple Watch's motion-sensing capabilities, kept under tight wrap during the product development phase, are far superior to the Fuelband's. The M8 motion coprocessor can tell the difference between cycling and running, and has a barometer to measure elevation changes. Look for the device to find plenty of application in the health and wellness sector, and to be a boon for app developers alike.
4. Mobile Payments Made Easy
Paying for something with a wave of your hand should be the wave of the future -- but the mobile payments market has been slow to take off. That all should change with the entry of hardware-maker Apple with Apple Pay and this watch. Apple definitely has the muscle and market share to finally make this important technological innovation a reality.
Look for the opportunity to pay for that Pumpkin Spice Latte with your watch coming soon -- and plenty of new opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to take advantage of this growth sector.