Weekly Comment
Half an hour ago, Apple’s 2024 annual hardware product launch event just concluded.
Due to numerous product leaks prior to the event, I’ve gradually lost interest in Apple’s September keynotes, especially considering the need to stay up late (the event starts at 1 AM local time due to time zone differences). In fact, I’ve rarely watched Apple’s live events in recent years.
However, tonight I decided to tune in. What drew me wasn’t the new iPhone boasting AI and superior performance, but the milestone 10th generation product—the Apple Watch S10.
I recall when the Apple Watch first debuted, the entire wearable device market was relatively small, with traditional watches still commanding a large consumer base. Few could have foreseen that in just a few years, the Apple Watch and the wearable devices it represents would grow to such an enormous scale, significantly impacting the traditional watch industry.
Since its first appearance in 2014, the Apple Watch has seen continuous performance improvements, larger screens, and increasingly rich features. The only disappointment is that the battery life of mainstream models hasn’t significantly increased.
Although Apple continues to strive to make the Apple Watch a smarter hardware product, equipping it with an independent app store, personally, I mostly use it for basic functions like recording fitness data, setting timers, and checking messages. Nevertheless, this product still holds great appeal, prompting me to upgrade at least every two years—making it the most frequently and consistently updated Apple device I own.
As another hardware product line with a decade-long history, the Apple Watch has played a positive role in consolidating Apple’s ecosystem, strengthening hardware connections, and retaining users.
Despite its high price point, somewhat ordinary design, and unremarkable battery life, the Apple Watch maintains its market-leading position through a clear and streamlined product line, deep integration with other family hardware, and a continuously optimized development experience.
While high cost-effectiveness, exquisite appearance, excellent battery life, and compatibility with more third-party hardware are important, without the ability to provide a complete and distinctive experience alongside its own products, it’s difficult to truly stand out, establish a unique brand image, and win user loyalty. This is a challenge that other wearable device manufacturers need to deeply consider and address.
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