The upcoming Apple Watch may be the most personal, most revolutionary tech device yet (don’t get me started on Google Glass). So naturally, Apple brings out the big guns.
By that I mean the big guns in luxury fashion. There are documents revealing that Apple is hiring interior designers with ‘a fashion or luxury background’ to help upgrade retail stores by the time of Apple’s iWatch release in early 2015. Apple is also coaching it’s own staff on luxury vocabulary for this potentially historic event. There’s a reason Apple is taking this route. There is the personalization and diverse styles of the iWatch. Apple Design VP Jony Ive even joked, “Only in prison do all people wear the same thing.” And what options do they have? You can choose between the sizes of 38 or 42mm, between stainless steel, aluminum, and here’s where the luxury comes in, 18 karat gold. Bands come in different styles and colors. Rumors have it the iWatch prices will start at $350. But the ones in 18 karat gold could easily go into the thousands. As far as we know, the exact date of Apple’s iWatch releases is unknown.
They must be expecting big things from the Apple Watch to go all out like this. And it could help. Appearance is a part of the sale, and if you can hire the best, why not go for it? But they shouldn’t forget the most important thing here: the quality of the iWatch. By quality, I mean does it function correctly? Does the fitness tracker rate your heart properly? If I send a message through iWatch, will the recipient receive it? If I go to the store and pay through Apple Pay, will it take or will I be publicly embarrassed? ?These should be their top concerns. My great uncle once said, “I’d rather drive a Pinto that runs good than a Cadillac that just takes up space.” Well, you can have all the luxury and fashion design you want, but if the iWatch doesn’t function, you’re better off with a Timex. Are they focusing too much on look and too little on quality?