New Apple Watch is a dive computer

[doctormike]

Oh, I understand that. But it’s also Apple’s (and Oceanic’s) name on the product, so unintended behavior during a dive would be something they’d want to avoid. As they’d be the ones named in the lawsuit, should there be an injury.

Yeah, people always bring up lawsuits and liability, but I doubt that's really much of an issue. I mean, every dive computer company out there has the same potential exposure, and they have plenty of disclaimers. My Shearwater controller won't even start up without you clicking the "I accept risk and certify that I'm trained" button.

So since Apple probably has more lawyers than Shearwater has bungee straps, I doubt that they would disable app switching just for legal reasons...

Allowing unrestricted access to all other apps would be something they’d likely want to avoid. Plenty of other tasks during the dive, so adding more by switching apps could be problematic. Especially since the touch screen is non functional underwater.

I guess there are two arguments against allowing app switching. The first is a software argument - running multiple processes simultaneously increases the chance of a conflict and a hang. The second is a dive training argument, that you don't want to distract a diver during a dive.

I can't imagine the second concern really being incorporated into a marketed product. Divers do all sorts of complex tasks while diving (photography, spearfishing, artifact recovery, mapping, etc.._. Sure, that adds to risk from task loading, especially for inexperienced divers. But I can't think of any other area where those sort of protections are hardwired into the gear....

Hell, Apple even lets you text and drive, which is a lot more dangerous than Instagram on deco!

 

[Joneill]

I think this watch is great as it is very disruptive.
My concern is for people who do not upgrade phones and watches often, the app will not work on older phones and the watch will not be supported after 4-5 years.
So I would buy the watch as an all around amazing featured watch… if I had disposable income, but knowing that it will have to be replaced sooner than a dive computer would need to be replaced.
There are a lot of apps that are no longer supported on my iphone6 so I had to upgrade to newer faster technology even though the 6 still functions well (as a phone).

Sorry, but there really is nothing “disruptive” about this watch (or you have an odd definition of disruptive). It does not introduce any new tech and is likely a response to the Garmin products and Apple expanding the potential audience for the iWatch into a new niche area.

There is nothing wrong with that and it’s likely a good business move for them - but, again, nothing disruptive here as Apple folks always seem to want to portray.

 

[Joneill]

Some are mad at it being called a DC. A lot just have a general dislike for apple products (me included). Wife and daughter are both apple. My son and I are both android. I hope it drives improvement in the mid range DCs and hourly people will dive safer by using this and knowing how it works as previously stated.

It technically will be DC (with limited depth usage) so no issue with calling it one. However, I do see a danger with a subscription model that could be daily?? What’s the likelihood that kind of a user will ever understand how their DC app works? Time will tell, I suppose… but their life/not mine.

 

[tridacna]

It technically will be DC (with limited depth usage) so no issue with calling it one. However, I do see a danger with a subscription model that could be daily?? What’s the likelihood that kind of a user will ever understand how their DC app works? Time will tell, I suppose… but their life/not mine.

How many divers know “how their computer works”?

The majority use the NDL, depth and time functions only and amazingly survive just fine. Heck they don’t even need GF99. Who knew.

 

[brsnow]

Sorry, but there really is nothing “disruptive” about this watch (or you have an odd definition of disruptive). It does not introduce any new tech and is likely a response to the Garmin products and Apple expanding the potential audience for the iWatch into a new niche area.

There is nothing wrong with that and it’s likely a good business move for them - but, again, nothing disruptive here as Apple folks always seem to want to portray.

Seems to have many of you disrupted

 

[MaxE]

Sorry, but there really is nothing “disruptive” about this watch (or you have an odd definition of disruptive). It does not introduce any new tech and is likely a response to the Garmin products and Apple expanding the potential audience for the iWatch into a new niche area.

There is nothing wrong with that and it’s likely a good business move for them - but, again, nothing disruptive here as Apple folks always seem to want to portray.

Only time will tell but what may be “disruptive” is that the “dive computer” is really an app. That a single device could have one or many available to pick. Right now after watching the product info I see an apple watch and oceanic dive computer. the oceanic app will come loaded on the watch is my guess but over time I will be very surprised if it’s the only one. I have an EKG app on my watch but there are many other options available in the App Store if I want

 

[drrich2]

No. The closest comparison is to a stainless steel Apple Watch 8 with cellular connection. $700 to $750 depending on the size. So this thing is really a $50 premium.

The important comparison for me is between the cost of the Apple Watch one would buy if not going to dive with it, vs. the Ultra. Stainless steel isn’t something I’d choose to pay much for, and I imagine cellular costs more plus adds to the monthly phone bill, so no thanks. For me, much more than a $50 jump. So, too, for many others.

 

[brsnow]

The important comparison for me is between the cost of the Apple Watch one would buy if not going to dive with it, vs. the Ultra. Stainless steel isn’t something I’d choose to pay much for, and I imagine cellular costs more plus adds to the monthly phone bill, so no thanks. For me, much more than a $50 jump. So, too, for many others.

There are very active and in shape divers, obviously the minority of the dive community;-) but we are buying this price range fitness watches regardless. This will be a big seller outside of the dive computer part. If I wasn’t starting to do more intensive diving, this would totally cover my yearly diving. I have only been below 130’ twice. Typically 100-110 is deepest. So 25-50 dives year, would be perfect.

 

[Joneill]

Seems to have many of you disrupted

Not at all - I have an iPhone and have no issue with this iWatch, but also have zero interest in an all-in-one watch of any kind.

I was only questioning what is disruptive about it as some were claiming, but without explaining what, exactly, is disruptive about it…

 

[Joneill]

How many divers know “how their computer works”?

The majority use the NDL, depth and time functions only and amazingly survive just fine. Heck they don’t even need GF99. Who knew.

i would hope that many who own their own DC at least have a basic understanding of how to use it. For most recreational diving, depth (current and max) , NDL and remaining air are all you really need to monitor.

My concern was a daily subscription where I’d guess most would not understand much about it at all, including those basics! Time will tell.