Look closely at a typical Apple user and there's a good chance they are rocking a triumvirate of devices – an iPhone, AirPods and an Apple Watch.
The last one sparked another pivotal moment in technology and watch history. This innovation is characteristic of Apple's disruptive nature, reminiscent of how its iPod, iPhone and iPad disrupted MP3 players, smartphones and tablets, respectively.
Two things may be overlooked or missed when it comes to the Apple Watch. One is that Apple's digital timepiece is the first hardware it developed without the stewardship of Steve Jobs, the legendary Apple co-founder and former chief executive who died in 2011.
So, the next time you glance at your Apple Watch, remember you're not just checking the time – you're also carrying a piece of tech history on your wrist.
The device is also a "tremendous" yet "often forgotten success", a vital cog in Apple's key services unit, said Thomas Husson, vice president and principal analyst at US research company Forrester.
"For many years, pundits have been criticising Apple because it was not able to launch a new product category and a new business model that would replace the iPhone’s cash cow," he told The National. "Putting the fast-growing success of its service business aside, the reality is that Apple has been successful at creating a new product category with the Apple Watch."
Apple, known for refining available tech before releasing it amid much hype, unveiled the very first Apple Watch on September 9, 2014. It was arguably one of the most anticipated editions of the company's signature "one more thing" segments.
You can't blame it for stealing the spotlight from the iPhone 6. Chief executive Tim Cook proudly wore it on stage, fist raised, seemingly saying it's time – pun intended – to upend another product category.
The original Apple Watch was released on April 24, 2015. But its announcement 10 years ago set off another classic Apple disruption, revolutionising communication while also allowing users to track health metrics at any time in more innovative, engaging ways.
Great timing
The Apple Watch is far from the first of its kind. But things were much different before.
The first timepiece to be considered "smart" was the Pulsar, launched by Hamilton Watch Company in 1972. The gold-wrapped prototype donned an LED display and retailed for a whopping $2,100 – nearly $16,000 in today's money.
Japan's Seiko entered the fray in 1983, launching a handful of watches deemed smart. Most notable were the T001, a TV watch that was featured in the James Bond film Octopussy, and the Data 2000, which uses an external keyboard. The RC-1000 arrived in 1984 and was the first watch to connect to a computer, including the Apple II.
The 1990s brought further innovation, starting with the Timex Datalink, co-developed with Microsoft and used in Nasa space missions. It was the first watch that could download data from a computer wirelessly.
In 1999, Samsung Electronics released the SPH-WP10, the first watch capable of making calls. The South Korean company soon ceased production of smartwatches, only to jump back into the sector in the 2010s to become not just the world's biggest mobile phone manufacturer, but also Apple's greatest rival.
The new millennium provided the base for the smartwatches we know today, with the likes of IBM, Microsoft, Fossil and Fitbit in the 2000s, followed by Pebble, Garmin, Sony, everything Android and the return of Samsung.
Sprinkled in between were fitness trackers and screenless bands such as Jawbone, which provided lighter and more affordable options. The trouble is you had to check your smartphone to see your stats.
The 2014 launch of the original Apple Watch seemed to merged all these aspects. Again, Apple brought its "cool" factor, towing the entire industry farther into the mainstream despite joining the game late on.
Apple's rock-solid ecosystem was also cemented by the integration of key Apple technology, such as the Digital Crown and access to Siri, in addition to being able to perform tasks including reading and replying to emails and messages.
"If you take a step back, it took [Apple] only a couple of years to become the leader of a market they did not even compete in," Mr Husson said. "Indeed, as always, Apple did not pioneer the smartwatch market but, like for the iPhone, they boosted the entire category."
When the Apple Watch was launched, it was viewed as something of a luxury accessory – think the really expensive Hermes editions – before becoming more of a fitness and sport accessory. It has now transformed into a health device.
"The core strategy over the past few years has been to work with an ecosystem of brands to install regular usage of the Watch in daily consumer lifestyle. By adding more and more sensors over the years, the Watch is Apple’s Trojan horse in the health industry," Mr Husson said.
More than just bling on your wrist
As always, what happens behind Apple's high-tech doors is tightly guarded. But Wired reported in 2022 that former Adobe executive Kevin Lynch had been hired in 2013 to steer the development of the delayed gadget, under orders from Apple design guru Jony Ive.
The move appeared to have the result Apple wanted. Mr Ive wrote in 2014 that the Apple Watch "blurs the boundary between physical object and user interface".
Apple added more upgrades to its Watch in the following decade, from a heart rate sensor, to an ECG, as well as atrial fibrillation and blood oxygen sensors. The company also added fall detection and exercise coaching. The rugged, meant-for-the-outdoors Ultra versions were also launched later.
But Apple has a disclaimer that states the Watch is not a medical device and that any health metrics it measures should only be used for reference.
"As the market is moving towards premiumisation, Apple Watches are gaining more popularity among consumers due to their focus on safety and health," Anshika Jain, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, told The National.
One intriguing aspect of the Apple Watch is its exclusive compatibility with iPhones. You can't get the Watch up and running without one. On the other hand, AirPods can be connected to non-Apple gadgets, but you'll miss out on cool features such as spatial audio.
By keeping the Watch tethered to Apple's ecosystem, the company aims to protect your health data and keep it in-house. And yet it's too simplistic to say the Apple Watch was made just for the iPhone.
The Apple Watch is a sleek gadget that might catch the eye of even non-iPhone users, but that's just Apple's marketing at work – if you want one, you'll end up buying more of their products.
"Over the years, Apple has been able to envision and create a tightly knit ecosystem of products and services like no other brand has been able to. Owning the entire stack from chips to retail, Apple has been able to strongly control the consumer experience," Ms Jain said.
That is one strategy that has pushed Apple ahead in the smartwatch sector. It does not provide sales figures for its Watch, but industry estimates show it's comfortably ahead of its rivals.
As of the first quarter of 2024, the Apple Watch commands a 21.3 per cent market share globally, more than double that of second-placed Indian brand Fire-Boltt's 10.1 per cent, data from ABI Research shows. China's Huawei, India's Noise and Samsung round out the top five.
The Apple Watch's market share is believed to have peaked in 2020, as it accounted for more than half – 51.4 per cent – of the sector, according to industry estimates. And while it has since declined, the device maintains a sizeable lead over the rest of the field.
A resurgence is expected, with a growing iPhone user base, better data-driven health insights, the expected integration of Apple Intelligence and more flexible financing options, Ms Jain said. These factors make it "appropriate for every age group", she added.
And if that's not enough, consider that in the early 2020s, Apple started to sell more watches in volume than the entire Swiss industry. That made the tech giant a "clear leader" in the premium smartwatch market, generating massive revenue, Mr Husson said.
"It is fair to estimate that the Apple Watch probably generated about $15 billion in 2023 alone," he added. "Fast-forward 10 years later, this is not bad for a new business, isn’t it?"
One more thing. Today, Apple will unveil its new iPhones – is it a coincidence that the company picked September 9 for its special event this year, after all the speculation? If Apple releases what we hope will be called the Apple Watch X, then it is – again – perfect timing.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Newcastle United 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2
Tottenham (Alli 61'), Davies (70')
Red card Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle)
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
MATCH INFO
World Cup qualifier
Thailand 2 (Dangda 26', Panya 51')
UAE 1 (Mabkhout 45 2')
The years Ramadan fell in May
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Funk Wav Bounces Vol.1
Calvin Harris
Columbia
Tottenham's 10 biggest transfers (according to transfermarkt.com):
1). Moussa Sissokho - Newcastle United - £30 million (Dh143m): Flop
2). Roberto Soldado - Valencia - £25m: Flop
3). Erik Lamela - Roma - £25m: Jury still out
4). Son Heung-min - Bayer Leverkusen - £25m: Success
5). Darren Bent - Charlton Athletic - £21m: Flop
6). Vincent Janssen - AZ Alkmaar - £18m: Flop
7). David Bentley - Blackburn Rovers - £18m: Flop
8). Luka Modric - Dynamo Zagreb - £17m: Success
9). Paulinho - Corinthians - £16m: Flop
10). Mousa Dembele - Fulham - £16m: Success
Stage 2 results
1 Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal 04:18:18
2 Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep 00:00:02
3 Arnaud Demare (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 00:00:04
4 Diego Ulissi (ITA) UAE Team Emirates
5 Rick Zabel (GER) Israel Start-Up Nation
General Classification
1 Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal 07:47:19
2 Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep 00:00:12
3 Arnaud Demare (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 00:00:16
4 Nikolai Cherkasov (RUS) Gazprom-Rusvelo 00:00:17
5 Alexey Lutsensko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team 00:00:19
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
OPTA'S PREDICTED TABLE
1. Liverpool 101 points
2. Manchester City 80
3. Leicester 67
4. Chelsea 63
5. Manchester United 61
6. Tottenham 58
7. Wolves 56
8. Arsenal 56
9. Sheffield United 55
10. Everton 50
11. Burnley 49
12. Crystal Palace 49
13. Newcastle 46
14. Southampton 44
15. West Ham 39
16. Brighton 37
17. Watford 36
18. Bournemouth 36
19. Aston Villa 32
20. Norwich City 29
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US' most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was first created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out projectiles, namely ballistic missiles, as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles both inside and outside of the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 93 miles above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then deployed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
BRIEF SCORES
England 353 and 313-8 dec
(B Stokes 112, A Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85)
(J Bairstow 63, T Westley 59, J Root 50; K Maharaj 3-50)
South Africa 175 and 252
(T Bavuma 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson 3-25)
(D Elgar 136; M Ali 4-45, T Roland-Jones 3-72)
Result: England won by 239 runs
England lead four-match series 2-1
The view from The National
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg:
Juventus 1 Ajax 2
Ajax advance 3-2 on aggregate
UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGold%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMagomedomar%20Magomedomarov%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20%2B100kg%0D%3Cbr%3EKhaled%20Al%20Shehi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-62kg%0D%3Cbr%3EFaisal%20Al%20Ketbi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-85kg%0D%3Cbr%3EAsma%20Al%20Hosani%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-52kg%0D%3Cbr%3EShamma%20Al%20Kalbani%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-63kg%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESilver%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EOmar%20Al%20Marzooqi%20%E2%80%93%20Equestrian%20%E2%80%93%20Individual%20showjumping%0D%3Cbr%3EBishrelt%20Khorloodoi%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-52kg%0D%3Cbr%3EKhalid%20Al%20Blooshi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-62kg%0D%3Cbr%3EMohamed%20Al%20Suwaidi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-69kg%0D%3Cbr%3EBalqees%20Abdulla%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-48kg%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBronze%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EHawraa%20Alajmi%20%E2%80%93%20Karate%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20kumite%20-50kg%0D%3Cbr%3EAhmed%20Al%20Mansoori%20%E2%80%93%20Cycling%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20omnium%0D%3Cbr%3EAbdullah%20Al%20Marri%20%E2%80%93%20Equestrian%20%E2%80%93%20Individual%20showjumping%0D%3Cbr%3ETeam%20UAE%20%E2%80%93%20Equestrian%20%E2%80%93%20Team%20showjumping%0D%3Cbr%3EDzhafar%20Kostoev%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-100kg%0D%3Cbr%3ENarmandakh%20Bayanmunkh%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-66kg%0D%3Cbr%3EGrigorian%20Aram%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-90kg%0D%3Cbr%3EMahdi%20Al%20Awlaqi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-77kg%0D%3Cbr%3ESaeed%20Al%20Kubaisi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-85kg%0D%3Cbr%3EShamsa%20Al%20Ameri%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-57kg%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Read more about the coronavirus
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
UAE’s revised Cricket World Cup League Two schedule
August, 2021: Host - United States; Teams - UAE, United States and Scotland
Between September and November, 2021 (dates TBC): Host - Namibia; Teams - Namibia, Oman, UAE
December, 2021: Host - UAE; Teams - UAE, Namibia, Oman
February, 2022: Hosts - Nepal; Teams - UAE, Nepal, PNG
June, 2022: Hosts - Scotland; Teams - UAE, United States, Scotland
September, 2022: Hosts - PNG; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
February, 2023: Hosts - UAE; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
The five pillars of Islam
Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani
Rating: 3.5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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