Why simple startups of new tech should matter to developers

How important is a smart watch?  Last year the Apple Watch turned 10.  By then it was in use by 23% of the smartwatch market worldwide.  And (likely many) more than 17% of US Internet households own an Apple Watch. Imagine – it is the only watch that has outsold the Swiss watch industry! It is increasingly used by many (particularly younger people) for health-related encouragement… ‘STAND! You exceeded your last week’s steps!’  And who previously had such an easy way to check your resting heart rate, know the outside temperature and UV, all at a glance?

For the increasingly health-andself-obsessed baby boomer, the watch can be encouraging. Baby boomers are enjoying the watch health features, according to a Harris poll.  Positive feedback is a bit of a motivator -- “You’re walking more this year than last year!” And the 10,000 step thing was made up (by the Japanese in the 1960’s).  It turns out that 4000 is actually enough to reduce mortality risk.

But all of this utility comes at a cost – and it’s not just the price.  The Series 11 watch (the SE was sold out) is expensive -- $400 plus a support plan. And if you want to use it outside and when away from the iPhone it otherwise relies on, that means a cellular plan. That way you can, if you insist, be reached when just out for a walk and can respond to messages and texts.  So that’s the good news. The bad news when getting a new watch – its startup is not (even slightly) intuitive. The unpairing of the previous device and pairing process is not intuitive. Go ahead, you can do it. Count the steps. It doesn’t always hop onto your previously used wireless network – it may need help. How far is that wirelsss store, anyway?  Or how long is the phone call to make it happen?    

Give Apple credit for making a useful device for older adults – that’s step 1.  Next, work on the process for users to benefit from it (never mind the training required!).  There is no reason that a network-connected device couldn’t do more of the steps itself.  Or explain and avoid getting to a step only to say Oops! Couldn’t do this step – call Apple. Maybe next year!