I don't know If I'm an idiot, but I'm not seeing the huge deal here. Is the space from the pocket to the wrist such a chasm that it merits making a device like this?
I think a watch would be extremely handy to have while running, cycling, kayaking, etc. Something to track activity, change songs, or show a map when you are unable to use your phone.
Unfortunately, the $350 price point is way too high for something like that.
It wasn't mentioned, but I fully assume the watch will be waterproof (at least water resistant). They incidentally come in contact with water too often (rain, hand washing, etc) to not be.
The Moto360 is water resistant and the Pebble is water proof, so if the Apple Watch isn't, it's seriously in trouble.
No doubt the reason they didn't say yet, is because it hasn't been finished yet. But yes, it will be at least water resistant, since if it's not, it would be useless. Apple wants to sell these things, so it won't make them useless.
Are you saying that the phone in the water tight bag is not much use a a watch? Because yeah that makes sense. Or are you saying that the watch on your wrist with a Bluetooth connection to the phone is not much use as a watch? I don't understand that point.
I'd estimate at least 50% of all the times I look at my smartphone throughout the day are non-interactive uses--I'm checking on a notification, the time, or just the weather. I've been seriously looking into smartwatches lately as a way to eliminate this friction. It's not just an inconvenience -- it's awkward to pull out your phone repeatedly during dinner, for instance, just to see if it vibrated due to a critical work email or a BS Snapchat message that you don't care about.
It's the same reason the wristwatch itself was invented. It was preceded by detached timepieces that were stored in coat pockets. The pocket-to-wrist chasm was enough to merit creating wristwatches, and I think it's enough to merit smartwatches.
Lots of quick-release iPhone mounts for bikes out there. At the same time, constantly squinting at a watch is distracting. I wouldn't be inclined to use it for cycling, it's definitely not useful for water sports, and many runners will also object to the need to carry a large(r) iPhone somewhere on their person.
So if it's a sports/fitness accessory, it's primarily for use in the gym.
Really, this feels more like the Newton of smart watches, rather than the iPhone 1 of smart watches. A good start that will become indispensable to a very small number of people.
Unfortunately, the $350 price point is way too high for something like that.