I love seeing how people interact with new technology – and what impact it will have on our digital experiences. My shiny new Apple watch arrived today. After a few hours with it I’ve gathered a few of my initial thoughts…
At Reading Room, we try not focus on the technology - but rather look at how a new device (or in this case new category of device) will fit into delivering a better digital experience.
Another screen in our lives
In looking at the Apple Watch, the first obvious thing is that the screen is small - 390 pixels high, by 312 pixels wide on the larger watch.
Apple has had to think about how we view information on such a small screen. There are “glances” which are quick updates on things that may be important to you at your time and place, then there are applications that provide greater functionality - and the ability to use “hand-off” to move the content you are viewing from your watch to your phone for more detail and interaction.
New ways to interact
Apple has had to think about how you interact with a device so small. There is a big learning curve as you have multiple ways to interact including touching the screen, force touch (pushing harder on the screen), the digital crown (that scrolls content and can also be pushed), and a stand alone button. In my first hour with the device I found myself getting a little confused with all the different ways of interacting with it. I imagine it will take me a few weeks before I commit it to muscle memory and it becomes second nature.
Silent notification
The Apple watch uses its “taptic engine” in the watch to gently tap you on the wrist whenever you review an alert or notification. This is unlike the noisy vibration of a mobile phone – and creates an interesting new way to interact with your body silently.
My initial experience is positive with the taps – the challenge will be narrowing down the alerts to just those that are really important to me.
Behavioral-awareness
This is what interests me most. As our team at Reading Room work with our clients to look at how a watch fits in with the broader digital experience – there are going to be new ways to match content on the watch to the watch owner’s location, their time of day/month/year, previous behaviours and future planned events.
We have been tapping into this behavioural-awareness for the last few years as smartphones have become smarter about their location. The watch provides some exciting new opportunities to do this in an even more intimate, personal way – that genuinely helps the owner through their day and adds value.
I can see the watch is already getting to know me - and providing me with relevant information at a glance - including my next meeting and when I need to leave to get there. I’m excited to see how far we can push this.
Early days
Like any generation one device, it is early days in working out what value and potential it brings to the digital experience. Regularly looking at your watch in a meeting for example sends the message that you want to get out of there. It has been four years since I’ve had a watch – so I’m also learning again to simply check the time on my wrist.
If you are also exploring new ways to use the many devices in our lives for your organisation’s digital experience, register for our next webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/684231949538996994