The Apple Watch - Not a rant.. I promise!

The video opens with Linus explaining why he chose not to do a traditional review of the Apple Watch, highlighting that the device was still very much in an early access phase and that watchOS 2 would arrive later in the year. He notes the paradox of releasing a wearable that users will rely on for months before meaningful software updates, and he teases a future follow-up focused on functionality once the update lands. The presenter then shifts to a more general discussion of the Apple Watch’s positions in the market, including model variety, price bands, and build materials. He compares the hardware to other smartwatches, acknowledging the Apple Watch’s premium feel while also poking at its plastic screen on lower-end versions and its overall design language as a potential fashion statement as much as a technical device. Throughout, he frames the Apple Watch as a product that is more of a development platform than a finished consumer product, intended to solicit feedback from early adopters and drive improvements that will arrive with software updates and a broader ecosystem. The video delves into practical observations about using the device, such as its crown and side button interactions, the precision of its OLED display, and the quality of the built-in speaker and microphone for on-wrist calls. Linus candidly assesses battery life as a major downside, describing how even moderate use drains the battery quickly unless power reserve or similar concessions are enabled, and he notes that this constraint colors every other feature and design choice. He concludes that if the Apple Watch is viewed as a watch first, it falls short due to time-telling limitations in discreet moments, yet if judged as a “computer on the wrist,” it represents a bold step forward that will mature as developers and Apple refine both hardware and software. The overarching message is that the Apple Watch signals a strategic move toward an era of wearable computing, even as it forces trade-offs that early adopters must tolerate until the ecosystem catches up. The video ends by framing the watch as a value proposition that depends on the buyer’s priorities, whether as a fashion-forward gadget, a fitness companion, or a functional smartwatch, and it teases future coverage once watchOS 2 and related enhancements are in place.

Topics · technology · wearables · consumer electronics · smartwatch · product-review