Apple Watch Gets Mixed Reviews: Not As Innovative As iPhone

Judging by the reviews of the Apple Watch, Apple may have a difficult time marketing their new product. The reviews are generally mixed, but not awful. The general consensus is that the watch is well-made, but not as innovative as something like the iPhone. The New York Times claims there is a steep learning curve for the Apple Watch.

“First there was a day to learn the device’s initially complex user interface. Then another to determine how it could best fit it into my life. And still one more to figure out exactly what Apple’s first major new product in five years is trying to do — and, crucially, what it isn’t.”

CNET, who usually gives anything by Apple at least four-and-a-half stars, only gave the Apple Watch three-and-a-half stars.

“The watch is beautiful and promising — the most ambitious wearable that exists. But in an attempt to do everything in the first generation, the Apple Watch still leaves plenty to be desired. Short battery life compared with other watches and higher prices are the biggest flags for now. But Apple is just setting sail, and it has a long journey ahead.”

Re/Code says that the Apple Watch just isn’t for everyone.

“Not everyone has an iPhone 5 or later, which is required for the watch to work. Not everyone wants her wrist pulsing with notifications, finds animated emojis thrilling or needs to control an Apple TV with her wrist. Smartwatches can sometimes feel like a solution in search of a problem.”

The Apple Watch will be available for pre-order April 10 and will go on sale April 26. In an email, Los Angeles industry analyst Paul Mueller says the excitement is there, but not at “Apple” levels.

“When the iPhone and iPad came out, people were suspicious whether they were revolutionary. This is not the case with the Apple Watch. You have some excitement, but it feels canned. There is no way this thing will last in the marketplace,” Mueller claims.

Even if the Apple Watch doesn’t catch on, Apple doesn’t have much to lose. Sales of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have been astronomical and have put Apple back at the top of the tech industry at a time when people thought the Cupertino company was losing ground. Besides the Apple Watch, Apple has other new products coming out: the Macbook, iPad Pro, iPad Mini 4, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. Will you buy the Apple Watch? Tell us in the comments section.

[Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]