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Poll: What features do you want to see in the next-generation Apple Watch 2?

Apple Watch Tweetbot 16-9

If Apple only includes one new standout feature on its second-generation Apple Watch next year, what should it be? We already asked you if you’re still wearing your Apple Watch eight months after the device’s launch, and now we want to know what features will get you to upgrade or purchase Apple’s upcoming next-gen smartwatch.

Apple Watch 2 is coming, likely at a press event that we reported a few weeks back that is currently scheduled for March. Some of the possibilities for the new device include a FaceTime camera, standalone Wi-Fi, sleep tracking, and health sensor technologies, all of which we reported Apple has in development internally.

Those seem like natural progressions for the device — independent Wi-Fi will give it freedom from an iPhone connection, while a camera for video chat and additional health sensors seem to be highly-requested by both customers and reviewers — but it’s still unknown which of those features will make the final cut. It’s also possible Apple will surprise everyone with other unique features, like a smart strap platform that allows third-party band makers to integrate additional sensors, batteries, or other tech that interfaces with the Apple Watch.

Personally, I purchased the first Apple Watch out of curiosity as a semi-enthusiastic owner of traditional watches, but mostly because as a writer for 9to5Mac I like to have hands-on experience with most new Apple products I cover. Apart from work, though, I likely won’t be upgrading to an Apple Watch 2 for personal use; I’ve already hung up my first-generation Apple Watch for good and I can’t imagine a feature that would get me to shell out another $400-$1000 for a new Watch when Apple inevitably announces a revamped model sometime next year.

What will encourage you to upgrade from the first-generation Apple Watch? Or if you were a holdout on the first release, which of these features will inspire you to purchase the second-generation as your first Apple Watch?

Head below to cast your vote in the poll (and continue the discussion in the comments).

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Comments

  1. Waterproof- so it can be used in a pool and track swimming.

    • shareef777 - 8 years ago

      I’ve taken mine into the pool, beach, shower, even a sauna and steam shower. Never had a problem with it (obviously it’s not usable due to the water/moisture on the screen). As for durability (I have the sport) I’ve never ever felt I had to take it off so that it doesn’t break. I put it on in the morning and take it off to charge.

      • Aaron Estep - 8 years ago

        I wear mine in the shower pretty much every time. I even forgot to take it off then I went snorkeling one and dove down to about 10 ft under. It still works fine!

      • I don’t have one, (decent chance of getting version 2 in the spring though)… Anyway, I’d be petrified to do that. I’m pretty sure mine would be the watch that sucked in the water and died.

    • Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 8 years ago

      From the articles about it being used in water, it was actually pretty good about that, even though Apple isn’t marketing it as waterproof because they don’t want to encourage it because they would probably have to replace a bunch of them if people took them on dives at lower water depths. But I’ve read that some people have had no problems using it in the pool for basic swimming, but it’s just that Apple won’t guarantee it working when submerged. But yeah, they probably should get it to waterproof status, but I don’t know how far down they can make it work.

    • k0jeg - 8 years ago

      Apple recommends running the watch under tap water if your digital crown gets sticky, but as for going for a full-on swim, not a great idea.

    • yojimbo007 - 8 years ago

      It is waterproof enough for those activities.
      I wear mine when i swim in a pool, take a shower, when i go windsurfing … And even Bikram totrure yoga.
      Still ticking like the first day.
      The only thing i would avoid is diving deep. 2-3 feet is max id go .

  2. Tim B (@timbisme) - 8 years ago

    The first-gen Apple Watch already has Wi-Fi…

    • codemonkey85 - 8 years ago

      Agreed, and it’s easily provable – just turn your phone off and try to send a message or make a FaceTime call.

      • amazingrugs - 8 years ago

        It is not true 100% standalone wifi. You can only do a limited number of things when your phone is not in range or turned off. For example, try launching the Remote app, or many third party apps when not connected to your phone.

    • Mauricio Carvalho - 8 years ago

      TRUE

      About Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on Apple Watch https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204562

      • bellevueboy - 8 years ago

        Have you been able to place a call with the phone off and the watch using wifi? I am having no luck.

    • rnc - 8 years ago

      This proves how much the general public in uninformed about the Apple Watch. 25% did vote for Wifi. Which it already has.

  3. Matt Byers - 8 years ago

    better battery life and the screen to be on with the time all the time.

    • twelve01 - 8 years ago

      Screen on as an option. I actually prefer that it times out, can be ‘muted’, etc.

  4. Nugget - 8 years ago

    I really just want the hardware to have improved enough that WatchOS can *truly* deliver on all the promises it made with the Apple Watch version 1. The whole package needs a boost to speed and reliability. Extra features are below that on my list of wants.

    • twelve01 - 8 years ago

      The only area I the watch falls short, in regards to what was promised, is with third party app functionality.

      • ehpsite - 8 years ago

        Agree with you. Faster app loading and possibly a better app launching model would be most helpful.

      • amazingrugs - 8 years ago

        And performance. The Bluetooth connection to the phone is incredibly slow and unreliable. I find the Watch works faster for basic tasks when my phone’s wifi and Bluetooth is turned off and the Watch is connecting to wifi on its own.

        I think they should come up with their own wireless connection type to the Watch, similar to how the Nintendo Wii U uses their own version of Miracast. It’s incredible how reliable and fast that connection works, and Apple should take some notes, as the idea is similar where the Wii U and the iPhone are doing all the heavy processing work.

  5. lordrootman - 8 years ago

    I want to see Apple Band just like Microsoft band
    With big screen

  6. supervolting - 8 years ago

    Other:
    • GPS
    • better battery life
    • features non-dependent of phone

  7. joefedorowicz - 8 years ago

    GPS is a big one. If I could run without my phone it’d make it so much more worth it.

    • ehpsite - 8 years ago

      I don’t mind having phone in a waist band paired with bluetooth earphones. It’s much more comfortable than an armband. I like having many music options and it’s nice to have a phone.

    • You can already do that. Just take both your phone and watch on 2-3 20-30 minute runs. After that you do not need your phone as the watch has done whatever voodoo/math/magic it does and is able to track your distance itself. I’ve went from running with a phone in an armband with wired ear buds to just my watch and Bluetooth ear buds. Much lighter and more comfortable.

      • joefedorowicz - 8 years ago

        Except it’s wrong. I have a perfect running gait (ran in college) and the watch thinks I’m going faster / longer than I am. It’s off by like 20%.

        GPS would stop this. It would make it perfect. And would allow me to track my runs. GPS chips are small and could fit in the watch, but do suck battery life.

  8. ifunography - 8 years ago

    At the moment Wi-Fi is leading the poll. I’m curious to know what everyone is expecting from this that its your number 1 choice over everything else.

    Personally I selected smart straps because:

    1. There’s only so many sensors Apple can fit into the watch itself, and allowing 3rd parties the opportunity to create straps and additional sensors will open the watch up to all kinds of crazy features functionalities, some of which Ithink may be too niche for Apple to dedicate time and resources to.

    2. Though I would like sleep tracking, I feel like 3rd party devs will have a handle on this. Of course Apple could come up with something groundbreaking and revolutionary in this area but I’m not sure it’s enough of a big deal to be my number 1 thing.

    3. Improved water-resistance/waterproofing almost made me select “other.” While I do go swimming quite a lot, and it would be convenient, I’m not sure that would provide the greatest value to me. So I’d love to have it but again not my number 1 choice.

    • kevicosuave - 8 years ago

      Improved WiFi capability is something that could be added in watchOS 3. One thing l’d like to see is the ability to join a new WiFi network independent of my iPhone. That, along with Number Sync and WiFi calling… as well as other iPhone independence could make the Apple Watch much more usable in a situation where my iPhone may be left behind, lost, stolen or non-functional.

      • friedmud1 - 8 years ago

        I’m not sure what “Number Sync” is, but wifi calling works if your carrier allows it.

      • kevicosuave - 8 years ago

        @friedmud1, WiFi calling isn’t really fully enabled without NumberSync. With NumberSync, any device can act as your phone for initiating and receiving calls regardless of whether or not your iPhone is on the same network (or even exists at all). The Apple Watch is capable of this, but the functionality is limited due to not being able to join networks other than those “known by your iPhone”.

  9. rahhbriley - 8 years ago

    Though I want better battery life, I’m not strapping one on everyday until it’s about half as thin. Sorry Apple, plain and simple. I want to wear it…but I feel like a frat bro with a clunky Fossil wearing Watch. Not a sleek 21st century wannabe-cyborg.

    • supervolting - 8 years ago

      You wouldn’t wear the Watch at the same thickness if it lasted longer?

      I have a Fitbit that lasts almost a week and is GPS capable. I chose not to purchase an Watch because it couldn’t meet (or even come close) to meeting that standard. During its debut, Apple posed their watch as a fitness tracker. They had Christy Turlington talk about it as part of her marathon training. They didn’t mention it’d be a nuisance to charge every day. The people that don’t mind charging at night forego any sleep tracking.

      Batteries in watches have tend to last a year or more. To go from that to lasting only a day is not something trivial. It’s a change of routine and of habit. The watch itself has become a “complication” – by the way what a horrible marketing decision by Apple to call their Watch widgets that; since the word has negative connotation and Apple’s whole philosophy has been to simplify design.

      • rahhbriley - 8 years ago

        I’m with you that I want it to last longer, much longer!

        However, between the choice of its current thickness with a 5 day battery life or half the thickness with the same battery life as current, I would choose the thinner watch.

        Battery life is important, but unless it’s much thinner, I’m not wearing it; flat out. I’m not wearing a rock on my wrist.

        I get it, plenty of people have no problem with the thickness, and really want/need more battery life. I also get that there are sleep tracking, health monitoring and other features that are being hobbled by the current battery life. Apple just has to juggle their product features to keep the most of us happy and buying it ;-)

  10. viciosodiego - 8 years ago

    GPs and 3g modem.

  11. RP - 8 years ago

    For me it’s health sensors, sleep tracking. It would be awesome if it could track blood pressure.

  12. rafterman11 - 8 years ago

    The ability to be an independent phone, like the Samsung Gear does.

    • tmrjij718 - 8 years ago

      Then why have a phone then? Apple is not going take jabs at their largest source of revenue.

      • Smigit - 8 years ago

        For everything else the phone does be it apps, web browsing etc. For many people the ability to make calls is already a secondary function and that aspect hasn’t changed a huge deal in 5 or 6 years but people keep updating their phone.

        If they add stand alone wifi then presumably the device will already be capable of making FaceTime calls without a phone, so standard calls isn’t a massive leap.

  13. Kevin Miller - 8 years ago

    Speed. Speed. Speed speed speed speed speed. Speed.

    • Tyler Mizvitowicz - 8 years ago

      How are you the only person that I have seen say this? I love my Apple Watch dearly. But using much of the available apps, even stock like maps, takes forever to load. Then I’m standing there with my forearm extended thinking man I should have just pulled my phone out. It need to keep with the “Glance” idea. If it doesn’t open near instantly, it’s worth it to just take your phone out and enjoy the bigger screen and speed.

      • BFSEsq - 8 years ago

        Yeah, my number 1 issue with the Watch is that it’s too slow. If that were better, I don’t badly need anything else.

        I’m really glad I’m not the only one that gets into the awkward position of keeping my arm lifted just because I’m still waiting for something to load.

        Oh, and the voice recognition needs to be better. I still have a really hard time typing replies because it just doesn’t understand me. That’s probably my #2 issue.

  14. David Paik - 8 years ago

    GPS. Significantly better battery life.

  15. Zach Gelnett (@zachg99) - 8 years ago

    You realize it already has WiFi that it uses to connect to your phone from a distance, right?

    I’d like a dedicated GPS receiver so i can track runs without having to bring my phone.

    • amazingrugs - 8 years ago

      But it isn’t 100% standalone wifi. If you were to go somewhere with a network your phone had never connected to, and you didn’t have your phone on you, your watch would not be able to connect that network.

      Also, you can only do certain things while working in the existing mode right now. You can’t for example use the Remote app.

  16. friedmud1 - 8 years ago

    Wifi works now!

    The Watch will connect (on its own) to known wifi networks without the phone! Messaging and even Wifi calling (if your carrier supports it) work just fine WITHOUT YOUR PHONE.

    How can an Apple rumor site get this wrong? Redo the poll…

    • kevicosuave - 8 years ago

      “to known wifi networks”

      That’s exactly what’s not “just fine” about it.

      • friedmud1 - 8 years ago

        How are you going to type in a password? Say it? Use the crown to scroll through all letters/uppercase/numbers/symbols? How long will it take you to type in a 10 character passcode?

        Most “free” wifi these days also has some sort of “click through” webpage… how are you going to deal with that on the Watch?

        The Watch does as much as possible in the only sane way possible: it connects to any network it can given that it already knows the password and there is no “click through”.

    • kevicosuave - 8 years ago

      Obviously there will be situations where the Apple Watch wouldn’t be able to connect, but there are many more situations where it could, but it’s currently restricted. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t be able to join an open network (just scroll through and select from a list of SSIDs). There’s no reason why it shouldn’t allow you to select from a list of known SSIDs instead of auto-picking one. Where a password is required on a new network, it should allow text input (Siri/scroll). There could even be means by which web page sign-ins could be reworked to be compatible with the Apple Watch. While none of this would be 100%, it would be far better than what it is now, which is far too limited… at least for me, and others voting for improved WiFi capability.

  17. Matthew C Olson - 8 years ago

    Other:

    GPS

  18. Scott LaBlanc - 8 years ago

    A trade in program / price break for those of us that purchased the first Apple Watch.

    • rahhbriley - 8 years ago

      I think a trade in program could actually be a really important part of the future adoption rates/success of  Watch.

  19. Joel Henson - 8 years ago

    GPS is number one, followed closely by some type of cellular data, preferably LTE if the battery can handle it.

  20. Mark Granger - 8 years ago

    GPS. My interest is mapping and tracking. The other big thing would be a much more complete iOS SDK but they could add that to the existing Apple Watch in an update.

  21. taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

    Not be a beta product like most 2015 Apple products were. I hope Apple just decides what and who the Apple Watch is for.

    • marcbigio - 8 years ago

      Dude, no. Quit quoting that stupid article.

      • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

        I was not quoting an article, but do fully agree with The Verge article saying all 2015 Apple products were beta products.

        The Apple Watch and Apple Tv are prime examples of that.You are blind if you don’t see the Watch as beta product. They spent 5 minutes showing u could draw and send doodles and your heartbeat to contacts. With HealthKit and the Health app you can see Apple abandoned the health features they had planned for the Apple Watch.The marketing clearly shows Apple does not know the main features or who to market it to.

  22. galley99 - 8 years ago

    I’d like a barometer, so I could track flights of stairs climbed without having my iPhone on me.

  23. Aaron Lozano - 8 years ago

    My list as it goes… impossible for now I guess.

    *GPS
    *smart strap with battery and extra sensors. (sensor straps for different specialities or conditions…business oportunity)
    *longer/flat body for a 3.5″ panorama/retina curved screen
    *waterproof
    *more powerful CPU/GPU so the same tasks need less battery.
    *small camera for skype/facetime calls
    *Airplay compatible
    *16GB storage (to get all your configuration to carplay?)
    *Able to update without iTunes and “Phoneless” capable.

    I could not come up with more senseless things ;)

  24. J.latham - 8 years ago

    Waterproof and smaller “shuffle” size. Something like a Fitbit or jawbone up size would be great personally.

  25. Avieshek - 8 years ago

    Be manufactured with the latest 10nm Fin-Fett fabrication process like the iPhone and not some eons old 28nm fabrication.

    *Than only cellular chips are possible or Sim-cards
    *Efficient battery
    *Longer Standby time

  26. lagax - 8 years ago

    I don’t really See any need of the Apple Watch to get better on any timescale but to:
    1. become faster
    2. have thinner bezels (resp. a bigger display on the same form factor)
    3. become completely waterproof

  27. chrisl84 - 8 years ago

    Yes bring that facetime camera on! Now you can video chat with your friends in family in FULL VGA quality. No need to pull that Hi Def iPhone camera out of your pocket anymore

    • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

      Yes! And you only have to hold your arm up (contracting the deltoid) and turning your wrist perfectly and holding in that position while you try to make sure your face is lined up correctly in the tiny box in the bottom right of the tiny screen. HORRIBLE IDEA. :)

    • friedmud1 - 8 years ago

      Yes, sounds good to me. I would love to be able to answer a FaceTime call (I get several a day) on my Watch and then transfer it to my phone if it’s going to be a longer call.

      Why is that so hard to understand? I guess some of you don’t get many FaceTime calls. Literally every person in my extended family (on both my side and my wife’s side has an iPhone… We text most of the time, but ANY calls are pretty much done with FaceTime. Not being able to handle even the shortest FaceTime call on the Watch is a pain.

      Hell, I would take an option right now to just answer with audio only (they would just see a black screen)… and then be able to switch to my iPhone if I really do need to continue the call with video.

      • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

        FaceTime audio on the watch is fine, FaceTime video should literally NEVER be done. As long as their are intelligent people working at Apple, a FaceTime camera should not come to the watch.

      • friedmud1 - 8 years ago

        I’m saying that I want VIDEO. Short video calls… or answering video calls on the Watch and the. Transferring to the Phone if I need to would be useful!

      • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

        Well very few iPhone users regularly use FaceTime to begin with, and next to none would use it on the watch, you being one of the handful. In conclusion, it’s worthless.

  28. I didn’t buy the first gen because it’s too small for the ambitious functions. My daily watch is a 53 mm and I find the 42 way too small. And yes, I have skinny wrists but I like the large watch look and feel. Given that all other Apple products are coming in numerous screen sizes to appeal to everyone, I think the watch needs a larger version as well.

  29. William Chu - 8 years ago

    Always on mode

  30. Jake Becker - 8 years ago

    Invocate the Great Old Ones via Bluetooth 4.3.

  31. Jake Becker - 8 years ago

    4K wafflemaker with USB-C port.

  32. amazingrugs - 8 years ago

    I think I would like a better UI, especially for tasks like sending messages. You have to tap too many times to send a simple reply to someone. When I tap “Reply” to a notification, you have to tap again to select microphone, say your message, then tap “Send.” I wish there was an option to skip the emoji/pre written texts screen, as they often make no sense. What should happen is you tap “Reply,” you dictate your message, and it is sent without tapping again.
    I know this happens when you invoke Siri on your own to send a message, but not sure why it doesn’t use the same method when tapping “Reply.”

    Also, would like the Mail app to cut out all the http:->>>>>//////______ garbage that is shown right now in emails. It is awful. Remember what SMS looked like before the iPhone? That is what Mail on the Watch looks like now. How they let this happen, I have no idea. Trim all the fat from the emails and focus on the actual text of the email, and make it appear more conversation like.

    The other thing I’d like is faster responsiveness. When the Watch switches to a new screen, you cannot tap or scroll until after a noticeable delay. It makes using the Watch a chore.

    I’m hopeful for gen 2 or 3 if they focus on speed and improvements to the core functionality.

  33. Inaba-kun (@Inaba_kun) - 8 years ago

    As someone who doesn’t own an Apple Watch, nor can see the point of them, the thing that stands out to me is just how bulky the thing is. It’s fat, a real v.1 chunky, chubby, bloated thing which stands absurdly proud on people’s wrists. Given Apple’s obsession with thinness, it must have galled them to release a product which is so clearly obese.

    I’d say it also needs something which evidently nobody has thought of yet, a true killer app. I just don’t think getting notifications on your wrist is worth much.

    • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

      I am not sure how thin they can go and keep the straps from the current model comparable with the 2nd gen model. Think might have to wait for 3rd generation for a much thinner model.

    • friedmud1 - 8 years ago

      You only think this because you don’t own one. When you where it is is not chunky in any way. I don’t even notice the physical size of…

  34. Chris Skinner - 8 years ago

    1. Waterproof (IP68 rating)
    2. Backwards compatibility with existing bands (the only way I will even remotely consider upgrading is if I can get just a new watch or maybe a new watch plus a cheapie flourolastomer band and not all new ones, especially since I have a Stainless)
    3. As much as it nauseates me to say it, Android compatibility to increase the potential customer base
    4. Faster communication with the host phone, some apps are still brutally slow
    5. More customization of faces (can be accommodated with software, of course)
    6. Thinner (but not a LOT, I still want decent battery life and some weight to it)

    But this is the one thing that would make me definitely buy one: A holographic pop-up display so my conversations with Darth Sidious can look like they do in the movies :-D

  35. warmestregards - 8 years ago

    GPS

  36. calisurfboy - 8 years ago

    I tried the Apple Watch but ended up going back to my fitbit. The things I did not enjoy was size of the facing, battery life, and being tethered to my phone. I think the issue with the Apple Watch is it tries to be everything at once but doesn’t succeed at one specific thing.

  37. taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

    Embedded SIM would be a good addition.It would be make it very easy to be a standalone device.

    • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

      Apple Watch 3 might have ESIM. I doubt the Apple Watch 2 will show ESIM before they show it in the iPhone 7, but we’ll see.

  38. Steve Segaric - 8 years ago

    GPS, GPS, GPS.

    • GK - 8 years ago

      I wrote an another comment about “speed”. The main reason why the Watch is slow, because it does not have GPS, and has to ask the phone where it is located. If it would have GPS, then speed would increase a zillion times. I want it too.

  39. GK - 8 years ago

    Speed. The only acceptable app launching time on a watch is exactly 0 seconds. Even 1 second is too slow. Currently it is 15-20 seconds for some apps. The Watch is unusable this way.

  40. Anh Pham (@ocpham) - 8 years ago

    customised watch face!

  41. johnathan248 - 8 years ago

    Personally, I would like to have my watch be independent and be able to send text and make and receive calls without the need of having a iPhone. I favor the “watch replacing phones” movement. I know it’s a long shot for the next few generations, but I think it’s a desire of a simplistic Apple customer.

    • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

      The watch will NEVER replace the phone. A phone has a large screen, a watch has a tiny screen, and that’s all I need to type.

  42. Brendon Craig - 8 years ago

    As an avid runner, I REALLY want to see a dedicated GPS chip in the next watch. If the Moto 360 Sport can do it, why can’t Apple Watch? Apple is touting the device as an activity/fitness device just as much as anything else. It’s time they take it a little more seriously.

  43. Bryan Hough - 8 years ago

    A lot of hardware redesign is needed. Currently I have switched back to Android and have a Moto 360 2nd gen, but I owned an Apple Watch for a few months this year. The design is horrid. It’s square and “bubbly”, it’s not attractive at all. I don’t know how anybody could think it looks better than the Moto 360 or a couple of the other round Android Wear watches. I’m sure that Apple will invent a revolutionary circular display by 2017 sometime. Also, I was appalled at how laggy and janky the software is. Sometimes when using Google / Android’s more cutting edge software, I reasonably expect some issues. Apple isn’t known for releasing this kind of crap. Replying to text messages with your voice, for instance was an absolute chore. I eventually stopped doing it. By comparison, I reply by voice with Android Wear several times per day because it’s intuitive and smooth. In closing, I think the device itself needs a big design overhaul but I don’t expect one until the 3rd generation. Also, the SoC needs a major upgrade.

    • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

      The Moro 360 is one of the worst looking designed devices ever. You enjoy that haha. Anyone that doesn’t want to look like a tech nerd will go with the Apple Watch.

    • tmrjij718 - 8 years ago

      Circular displays like the Moto 360 are the most ugliest designs I ever seen.

  44. greenbelt2csp - 8 years ago

    More health sensors like blood pressure. Faster update times with Phone apps, more motivated developers to actually write WatchOS 2 apps (only about 30% of the apps on my phone are v2 apps.) More watch faces with more complication slots. Customize an entire face of complications. Make the chronometer face able to remove the stopwatch complication in lieu of others. Complications on some of the watch faces that have none now but are really cool. More independent configuration without the help of the iPhone Watch app. Faster switching between BT and Wifi and back. Improve glances interface (seems like seeing 4 then tapping to see one would make more sense). More distinct haptic for left and right turns on Navi. API to allow map/navi apps to use the turn haptic directions) Louder, clearer speaker.

    I love my Watch and would happily pass mine down the line for a new one if it could improve.

    • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

      I think a health tracking features will be featured in a seperste device, a health band or bracelet and not the Apple Watch.

      • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

        Smart bands which attach to the watch. Smart bands that can sit in FDA approval process for years while the watch doesn’t have to.

  45. Joseph M Anthony - 8 years ago

    lightsaber

    • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

      This is just to explain the stupidity of Star Wars*. The Light saber is the most nonsensical weapon ever. It’s 100% purely for theatrics in a movie. Do people still fight with swords in 2015? No. They shoot guns. Do people fight with swords and laser firing guns in Star Wars? Yes, because it’s one of the stupidest movies ever made. No one in their right mind would use a sword when there are laser firing guns. Sorry Star Wars fans, your movie is garbage.

  46. PMZanetti - 8 years ago

    Speed as a feature.
    WatchOS is just too slow for me to really use things like Siri and Apps.

  47. Richard Graham Poster - 8 years ago

    I wish they would abandon the traditional “Apps” approach and go with glances alone. Apps take far too long to load to be useful. I can do the same task on my phone and still be watching the spinning loading wheel on the watch when I’m finished.

    • Richard Graham Poster - 8 years ago

      what’s also frustrating is having to touch selections two or three times to get a response. It looks so bad when I’m demonstrating and the touchscreen doesn’t respond

  48. cdm283813 - 8 years ago

    1. Cheaper entry price. It’s a smart watch not a phone replacement.
    2. Only one size. Even my wife thinks the 38mm is too small.
    3. Multi day battery life. I have a pebble and currently I’m at 20%. That will get me another 2 to 3 days. Having the watch on while in bed results in me not looking at the phone every time I receive a notification.

    I have others but that means scrapping everything about the watch. Apple over engineered it and the first gen should have focused on mastering notifications. Add the other crap later. The idea of using a app on a small display is stupid when you have a phone right on you. While I do like the Apple Watch design with quick change bands the watch tries to do too much too soon.

    • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

      38mm is the right size of you don’t want a giant tech nerd looking device attached to you. That’s respective of wrist size too, it just looks ridiculous no matter what.

  49. BAROMETRIC ALTIMETER & GPS SENSORS independently of a connection to a phone

  50. The best use case for Apple Watch is as a fitness device. Forget the fashion nonsense. Apple should go all in on at the Apple Watch as a Fitness device and market it accordingly. There is already an established market presence. Athletes are the rare group that have worn and continue to wear watches or now fitness trackers. Getting the general public to start wearing watches so they can see text messages is a waste of time and appealing to the fashionistas is an even bigger waste.

    Bottom Line: Improve the heart rate sensor, add GPS, waterproofing and other fitness sensors and it will be a better and more successful product.

    There is a reason the fitbit app was No. 1 in the app store on and after Christmas day……

    • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

      Umm Fitbit being number one around New Years is due to the massive increase in people starting the new year exercising due to their soon to be failed New Years resolutions. Gym memberships rise steeply too…

  51. emulajavi - 8 years ago

    Round and waterproof

  52. Aaron Estep - 8 years ago

    Other: GPS!!

  53. Richard Lynch - 8 years ago

    In priority order
    1. GPS
    2. Faster
    3. Slimmer case
    4. Redesigned ui – specifically eliminate app screen. Complications for all apps and use glances to switch apps. Make Apple Pay easier to access, I never use it because when I do try I can’t remember how to activate it.
    5. Fix mail, it’s unusable as is. Colors for text are horrible, lots of unnecessary headers displayed, just show me the text and let me dictate a reply
    6. Add notes app. Would love to be able to simply speak the weight used, number of reps and exercise to notes so I can see what I did last workout and what I need to do this workout
    7. More memory for music

  54. Jim Phong - 8 years ago

    1) Fully usable without any other iOS device
    2) Battery to last 5 to 10 days.
    3) Usable with iPod and iPad too
    4) Waterproof
    5) Many more sensors

    • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

      Battery to last 5 to 10 days HAHAH you must have lost your mind. The battery will last roughly what Apple has decided upon already, which is 18 hours. You will be able to get more battery life from bands they will make though.

  55. o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

    You put a FaceTime camera in the poll. That’s hilarious. It’s more hilarious that you put that in the poll than people actually voting on it.

    A FaceTime camera in the watch is absolutely the worst idea ever. It’s sincerely not an intelligent design. There’s no way in hell Apple will be stupid enough to add that.

    • friedmud1 - 8 years ago

      Why is it so dumb? I have a Watch and I would like a FaceTime camera.

      My family uses FaceTime a LOT (about 50% of my calls from my family are FaceTime). Not being able to even answer the call on my Watch is annoying. I would love to at least be able to answer it and see what’s up. If it’s something that will take a while then I’ll pull out my phone and switch over. If it’s quick then I’ll only be talking for a moment, and I can definitely hold my arm up that long.

      It would definitely be useful for some of us.

      • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

        It would be a detriment for every person that ever purchases the watch, ever. For numerous reasons, several of which are as follows: no one would FaceTime on the watch because it would be a horrible experience akin to a touchscreen on a laptop or monitor. You’d have to hold your arm up, which is the contraction of the deltoid, which becomes uncomfortable after only a short period (it is 100% irrelevant how much muscle you have, I have plenty and am competent enough to know that is a horrible idea, and I workout, as well). Secondly, you’d be trying to line up your head in a TINY window on the already TINY display, and moreover you’d literally have to be standing completely still to keep your face in the window, and any movement would be an enormous headache for the viewer. It would be an absolutely abysmal VGA camera sensor as was said above. It would take up both incredibly incredibly important internal space, which could be replaced by more battery, etc., and it also completely eliminates the most important aspect currently, which is that it would permenabtly take up the top and bottom bezels of the watch, which could be removed for more display if they never added a worthless FaceTime camera to the watch.

        FaceTime audio, absolutely fine. If you want to FaceTime video, pull out your phone, end of story. I pray Apple isn’t stupid enough to add a camera to it, and I’ve sworn off future versions of the watch if they do, as well as recognizing the fact that Apple is clueless if they add one. That’s all.

      • friedmud1 - 8 years ago

        We’re arguing in two separate threads here… but I’ll just reiterate that I would use it (and I’m sure many others would as well) for SHORT duration calls. Much like how I use my Warch to answer audio calls now. I’ll often answer on the Watch if I think it’s going to be short… and if it turns out to be a long call then I grab my phone and switch over.

        MANY people said the exact same things you are now about even doing voice calls using the Watch… but many people use it anyway.

        As for the camera taking up screen space… firstly, there is already quite a bit of blank “bezel” around the Apple Watch screen. We don’t notice it because most of the screens are designed to be black on the edges so that you can’t tell where the screen ends. There could certainly be enough space on the edge to put a small camera.

        Secondly, Apple has several patents for embedding the camera into the screen itself so it won’t take up any room on the edge. The Watch may be a good place to try out that technology, just like it was a good place to try out OLED screens.

        Basically: just because you wouldn’t use it, doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be useful to others!

      • bellevueboy - 8 years ago

        I want this too. My hand does hurt trying to do anything more than a couple of minutes so i am aware for that and battery reasons it would have to be short but i want it.

      • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

        Oh well, I explained why it’s a horrible idea. Luckily Apple won’t do it so it’s all good.

    • bellevueboy - 8 years ago

      Unless u r Johnny Ive u don’t get to decide what goes in the watch. Sometimes when u have a thought its ok to let it go.

  56. Chao (@Chuckocalypse) - 8 years ago

    New design. The squished gen-1-iPhone look is hideous to my eyes.

  57. Jean-Guy Demontigny - 8 years ago

    A vibration warning when you loose Bluetooth connection with iPhone

    • bellevueboy - 8 years ago

      Absolutely. I thought this was going to come by default. Also walkie talkie app to talk to other iPhone/Watch users.

      • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

        Absolutely. The walkie talkie feature would have been awesome. For people on your friends list, you should definitely be able to just send voice without calling. That would be awesome. They really need to put that back. I wouldn’t mind it on the phones either. Voice messages require playing, and calling requires answering and hanging up. Being able to simply speak to anyone on your closest friends list that allows you to walkie talkie them instantly, is convenient. It would also be imbedded in do not disturb so when a user turns on do not disturb and someone tries to walkie talkie them, they’d get feedback that they aren’t currently available.

  58. The ability to have a sort of virtual SIM card in your watch. Let it work independently from your phone.

  59. Independence from the phone.

  60. Jason Clishe (@JClishe) - 8 years ago

    Larger face diameter.

    I’m 6’4″ and personally I don’t like the looks of anything smaller than 45mm on my wrist. I flat out will not buy an Apple watch until / unless there are bigger options available. I never bought an iPhone until the 6 plus came out, either.

  61. acjeffers - 8 years ago

    As with the iPhone- better battery life.

  62. jerjuan (@jerjuan) - 8 years ago

    GPS and wifi that supports standalone text, email and VOIP calling. Better battery, etc would be a bonus!

  63. rtdunham - 8 years ago

    Nightstand mode that stays illuminated when charging.

    Surely the phone can display and–over a 6 to 8 hour period–charge fully.

    • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

      It’s not about that at all. It’s about preserving the LEDs. OLED displays do not have a long lifetime. If you had the display on constantly it would likely be problematic before long.

  64. Smigit - 8 years ago

    My Wishlist would probably consist of, in order that I want it:
    – fast charging tech
    – longer battery life
    – improved performance speed wise
    – wifi
    – gps
    – waterproofing

    Not that I expect that all to necessarily be covered off, and things like GPS run counter to improving the battery life, but it’s ultimately my wish list.

  65. Jimmy (@jimmy1975) - 8 years ago

    Wishes the Apple Watch Shape is Round. Not everyone like Square or rectangle shape ( Like Coffin ). Longer Battery Life ( Half Year – Just Clock ). Auto Charge the Apple Watch battery if possible ( when our hand move ). Automatic Clock ( Without Battery ).
    Sure much waterproof ( for Swimming ). Built-in GPS ( without use much battery for tracking kids location ). Talking Watch ( tell the current time in Alarm ). Most Important make the Apple Watch everyone affordable to buy ( Reasonable Price ). Thanks.

  66. cubsnlinux - 8 years ago

    My biggest gripes –

    + Effort to turn on the display to quickly check time/workout stats etc. This is a major pain while working out.
    + Effort to check heart rate especially while working out. While on a treadmill the heart rate glance is a hit and miss. It’s frustrating to use and is faulty at times.
    + Performance or the lack of it.

    • bellevueboy - 8 years ago

      I provided apple with feedback on how the scenario of playing music needs to be be simplified.

  67. SKR Imaging - 8 years ago

    slimmer casing (battery tech must have evolved in a year).. right now it feels as fat as the first gen iPhone…and try and make it round like the Tag Hewer Smart Watch…

    while you’re at it, partner with great watch face makers to allow users to purchase premium watch faces.. Bulova, Citizen, Rolex, get them all in the game.. make a Watch Store directly on the Apple Watch.

  68. FutureMedia - 8 years ago

    Longer battery life. I keep mine in Airplane mode mist of the time to prolong battery life cycles.

  69. varera (@real_varera) - 8 years ago

    Just one feature from the list? I will pass

  70. mytawalbeh - 8 years ago

    The thing that will encourage most to upgrade is New Design, because generation 1 has almost all features that matters except face time camera what I see it is essential.
    Battery / sensors straps also would be killing feature, even batteries are available for gen1 but they’re not 100% compatible.

    • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

      FaceTime camera is horrible. The number one useful thing they can do with the watch is more health sensors. In the end the only reason for the watch to exist is biometric sensors. Not a single other feature makes it worthy of existing.

      Biometric sensors
      Glancable information
      Notifications
      Aura of security
      Apple Pay
      Smart device automation

      These are the reasons for the watch to exist, and only the biometric sensors truly make it a product worth pouring money into making.

      App’s are 99% worthless and shouldn’t exist. There should only be glances really.

  71. Mark Kokos - 8 years ago

    GPS! Would love to take it with me when running without my iPhone ;)

  72. Gary Conrad - 8 years ago

    Round face make it look like a watch.

    • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

      Yes make it look like a watch that has an analog face that is meant to only display a clock which is typically round. Or make it what it is, which is a smartwatch designed to display information other than just time. Yeah I’ll go with the latter.

  73. Round face, waterproof, and better battery life

  74. grahambower - 8 years ago

    GPS

  75. minieggseater - 8 years ago

    Podcasts

  76. smylins (@smylins) - 8 years ago

    Longer battery life would be nice too.

  77. Jeffrey Brian Ward - 8 years ago

    Waterproof

    • yojimbo007 - 8 years ago

      Its is pretty waterproff as is.. Just dint take it deeper than 3 feet..
      I use mine in pool , windsurfing , shower..etc..

      • Jon G. - 8 years ago

        Correction, it’s “water resistant” not water proof – meaning that at some point the current gen. will eventually succumb to water ingress…

  78. blockbusterbuzz - 8 years ago

    Bigger Model

  79. Ted Lee (@twlatl) - 8 years ago

    3G. When it can serve as a replacement for my phone for voice communication and simple text communication, I’m in.

  80. louie tran - 8 years ago

    Faster CPU / Better OS. it’s slow and the OS is clunky as sh!t

  81. Bill Plantz - 8 years ago

    Internal GPS for use as a real runners watch!!!!!!!

  82. Ernie Stephens - 8 years ago

    Water proof for swimmers.

  83. David Kaplan - 8 years ago

    there already is wifi in it though

  84. billcain2014billcain2014 - 8 years ago

    all of the above … but if you plan to choose the one that gets the most votes, change that to the smart straps. I’m not sure what smart straps are, but they do sound cool.

  85. davvyd08 - 8 years ago

    GPS!!! I have a father that has Alzheimers and to track him without subscription based services and gimmicks would be a God send. Its something even older folks would like to wear and with a little training perhaps even one he would like to make use of. Apart from that it would give peace of mind to families of such individuals which that alone would attract a large number of buyers that would make it turn a good profit. Which Im sure would have to be the bottom line for apple to add it this early in the game!

    • supervolting - 8 years ago

      That would be a good practical use, but realistically, a fulltime GPS would demand too much battery. There are limitations with current technology.

      Perhaps a passive GPS (signal sent on 5 minute intervals) may last longer than being always-on, but I think Apple would focus on having GPS for fitness tracking and navigation, than for other (albeit useful) purposes. Because an always-active (persistent) GPS would consume lots of energy, it would have to be triggered by the user. The chip/antenna would be taking space away from an already challenged battery.

      With all the challenges stated and unstated, the GPS should still be a priority focus for Apple behind extending current battery life cycle.

      • rtdunham - 8 years ago

        How does the GPS in the phone work? If you’re not using an app requiring GPS or location services find my phone will still work, right? So is the phone constantly generating GPS locations? Or does the find my phone signal activate the phone to generate a location?

    • Paul - 8 years ago

      Why not use Find My Friends on iPhone?

  86. yojimbo007 - 8 years ago

    Apple tv akready works through wifi without the phone around !
    At least mine does.. I can send and recieve text messages ..

  87. yojimbo007 - 8 years ago

    SORRY FOR THE TYPO RIDDLED POST ABOVE !!!

    Custom text responses for each contact on favorits..
    I dont use the same lingo with everyone.
    Let me assign a few ( lets say 10) custom responses to each person on my watch contact list .

    Make the CUSTOM text response screen a bit more real estate efficient… Use adaptable grids rather than single line per response.
    Example “ok” does mot need a full dedicated line on the screen . Ok-Yes-No can all fit on one GRID line . Making access easier and quiker rather than scrolling through so many lines with the Crown.

    Better chart representation of calories, heart rate etc vs time on watch face.

    Get rid of the stupid stand up alert screen .. Who reads that text everytime… Make it a nice cool animation of sorts.

    EVERY GLANCE AT THE WATCH HAS TO LEAVE A PLEASENT IMPRESSION ……

  88. David Becker - 8 years ago

    watch alarm when moving out of iphone bluetooth range

  89. matthewpurcell08 - 8 years ago

    All I want are swim workouts on my watch, I swim 3 hours a day 6 days a week. If the next gen watch has swim workouts I will be more than happy to upgrade my first gen.

  90. knarfje - 8 years ago

    Waterproof and GPS

  91. Guytano Law - 8 years ago

    Ability to use programs like facer,to make custom faces. LTE version and better battery.

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.