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Uh, Not exactly, the first watch with any kind of programable memory came out in 1983, certainly post Personal Computer era...

So, does a smartwatch have to be "programmable memory"? The smart part pertains to being able to do more than regular watches. I had a "smart" watch some 30 years ago, when I could do calculations on my "watch" (and yeah, for calculations, memory would be required).

Popularity was already a given with the Apple II and Commodore computers coming in 1976, the IBM-PC in 1982.

Well, dude, I'm not into the fanaticism displayed by those that feel offended by somebody even hinting at something that might take some glory from your preferred company or platform. There are other more important things in life to worry about.

Let's not revise history for your agenda.

So, what would my agenda be? If you know of one that I wasn't aware that I had, please let me know.

Watches capable of holding names, addresses, and phone numbers, and a couple of reminders, are certainly NOT the smart watches that are under discussion here, which is what was being discussed in circa 1980s.

Yet, even smartphones of today are mostly used to do the things that you describe in your list of functions of those "not so smart" watches. Smartwatches and smartphones can do a lot of things, but for the most part, most people don't use the majority of the features or functions or apps designed for them and into them.

Apple, has been following the leaders for a while, and while they may come up with some very nice products, they’re always trailing the competition.

That is a fact, and that is also being talked about around the industry, and even Apple is feeling the heat.

iPads? iPhone? Both the number 1 selling products in the world in their product categories?

Actually, you would be wrong on all counts!

iPads are no longer the best selling tablets. And iPhones are trailing Samsung smartphones by a bid margin. That the iPad and iPhones are very profitable, doesn't mean that they're the best selling. And, iPhones are getting close to being overtaken in Europe, by Windows phones. The luster is wearing off, quickly.

Always trailing?

Yep!!! Trailing! Trailing in "innovations", and Apple is getting worried about how the industry is looking at them. The fact remains that, Apple hasn't really had any real innovations for a very long time, and when they put out the iPhone, it was just the equivalent of a "better mouse trap" in the smartphone arena.

Not by a long shot.

I know it must be hard to take, but YES!, your favorite company has been trailing for a long time in innovative ideas, and now, they're also trailing in market-share.

Where are the better selling products? Not the Platform... product. Give an example. Feature lists are not enough. They have to work.

Samsung has been the leading smartphone maker for a while now, and the Android tablets are beginning to take off, and soon, the iThings will be trailing the competition in everything, including features and variety and applications and just about everything else. Try to keep up with the industry.

Notice the log list of smart watches in development? Apple is not on the list. Apple is now following even the “unknown” or unheard-of companies

The list I provided a link to, doesn't show Apple on it. And that is what I said. Go back and read my previous post. That Apple is not on the list, is indicative of a company that is not leading, and it really hasn't led for ages.

Have you noticed that Apple has never announced they are developing a watch??? Nope. They have not. How can they be on the list of watches in development if they have not made such a development? Apple NEVER makes such announcements until they are ready to ship.

You must be new to the way the technology industry works, especially regarding how Apple works or doesn't work to get products "introduced or even mentioned".

Apple relies on rumors, which, according to many people in the know in the industry, are "purposeful" rumors. Start people talking, and wondering what Apple is up to, and then, whammy!!!, Apple releases a the product rumored about or something close to it. That's the way the iPhone rumors started, and it was the same with the iPads, and the same kind of rumors are being floated right now about a 5 inch iPhone. BTW, a 5 inch iPhone would be the same Apple following the leaders, after those leaders started putting out large screen smartphones a couple years ago.

Sorry you don't like hearing or reading about the reality, but, Apple is not a leader in innovation. I will give them credit for putting out good quality stuff, and neat looking stuff, but technology-wise, Apple trails a whole bunch of others in the industry.

So, does a smartwatch have to be "programmable memory"? The smart part pertains to being able to do more than regular watches. I had a "smart" watch some 30 years ago, when I could do calculations on my "watch" (and yeah, for calculations, memory would be required).

Yeah, Adorno, it does. There are certain technical definitions that apply and to be a smart watch, not a feature watch which have been around for years, there are differences. You can't just define it the way YOU want, and then argue your strawman. That's the way Liberals frame discussions. I didn't think you were one of them. . .

Yet, even smartphones of today are mostly used to do the things that you describe in your list of functions of those "not so smart" watches. Smartwatches and smartphones can do a lot of things, but for the most part, most people don't use the majority of the features or functions or apps designed for them and into them.

Speak for yourself. What you describe are "feature phones," the kind that most Android users wind up using their far more capable smartphones to do and the reason they don't show up much on network statistics. That's why iOS is by far the most used mobile OS on the net, because Apple users do in fact USE their smartphones and iPads as they were intended, as small, portable computers, not just convenient Rolodexes.

Actually, you would be wrong on all counts!

iPads are no longer the best selling tablets. And iPhones are trailing Samsung smartphones by a bid margin. That the iPad and iPhones are very profitable, doesn't mean that they're the best selling. And, iPhones are getting close to being overtaken in Europe, by Windows phones. The luster is wearing off, quickly.

No, I wouldn't. Keep dreaming. In every category the Apple model is the number one selling model, not any other. If you want to count EVERY Samsung phone, you'd be right, but then you'd be counting feature phones and dumb phones as well. This is not up for debate. The iPhone, and iPad, are out selling all other models. The Windows phone has hit a little over 10% in Europe but not broken 2% share in the world market. . . Counting ALL makes of Windows phones. iPhones have greater than 60% of the Japanese market, approaching 60% of the US market. . .

New report says about a third of all tablets sold in 2013 were iPads<
by David Needle February 4 2014
A new report says iPad continues to be the most popular tablet with a healthy 33.9% share of the market, a slight dip from 35.7% for 2012.
The biggest mover in Strategy Analytics report is Samsung which is in second place with a 17.7% share representing over an 80% jump from a year ago.
Despite heavy marketing, Amazon's tablet share in Q4 stayed about the same as a year ago at 6%. Both Lenovo and Acer had triple-digit growth but sales still account for a relatively small piece of the market, shipping just 4 million tablets combined.
More data in TabTimes' continuously updated free online report The State of the Tablet Market

The vast majority of tablets that compete against the iPad are no-name Android white box tablets that sell for less than $50. . . and wind up sitting in drawers, unused. That is why net statistics show that usage on the Internet tops 80%, leaving a paltry 20% for all the rest!

Yep!!! Trailing! Trailing in "innovations", and Apple is getting worried about how the industry is looking at them. The fact remains that, Apple hasn't really had any real innovations for a very long time, and when they put out the iPhone, it was just the equivalent of a "better mouse trap" in the smartphone arena.

Oh? Show me anything in the Windows PC world the equivalent of the new MacPro. How about a cell phone or a tablet from any maker with a 64 bit processor or operating system. Intel has just finished making an Android 64 bit Kernel three weeks ago, but there are no Android 64 bit apps or devices that can take advantage of it yet. . . So, Adorno, who is trailing who on innovation???

The Android tablet apps are pathetic. . . mostly stretched phone apps. . . compared to over half a million optimized and designed for iPad apps on Apple tablets.

You must be new to the way the technology industry works, especially regarding how Apple works or doesn't work to get products "introduced or even mentioned".

Far from being new, Adorno. I've been in this industry for over 40 years, including in the journalistic end of it many years ago. I know far more about it than do you. And one hell of a lot more than you about Apple's DNA and how they announce, and don't announce, products. You haven't a clue. I also know what journalists can list and what they can't list. You obviously don't. Apple never makes any announcements on future products until they are good and ready. They do not leak rumors if they can at all help it. Many rumors are so far away from final released products they are laughable. . . and many rumored products never see the light of day.

I will be really interested in seeing a Windows PC that matches the MacPro in footprint, power consumption, capabilities, cooling ability, operation noise, cost, features, and abilities. . . and yes, innovation.

I am always amazed at how folks, even on a supposedly "Conservative" message board use the exact same tactics as the Marxist/Progressive/Socialists on the other side of the political isle (techniques that we loathe and blast at every opportunity). Straw arguments, logical fallacies, and just plain exaggerations and lies.

I use to be very much an Apple fan. Still am, though Apple has lost a great deal of its "shine" for me over the last several years. I recently purchased my first android device, a tablet. I like it an use it somewhat regularly - but am already seeing what others have said for quite some time - iOS is still clearly superior in many ways - compatibility and stability being some of the most obvious. Android is awful at memory utilization. Apps have far fewer "restrictions" in Android, which means they can often conflict or hog resources. - But for me - ⅓ the price for the device - I can tolerate it.

Nothing I have found even comes close to the seamlessness of the "Apple Eco-system". My iPhone syncs data/info with my MacBook Pro without so much as a cable or any interaction on my part. My calendars and contacts stay in sync without having to juggle devices or web sites. I have found a way to keep my Android tablet in sync with my contacts, but requires a bit of a kludge.

Apple has had some issues, some of which have quite literally angered me... but I don't harbor the illogical and irrational hate for any particular product line or company that you are clearly showing. Did Steve Jobs take a leak in your Cheerio's at some point in the past? Did he get your daughter pregnant? Good grief! If you want to argue facts - then feel free. But don't resort to the same dishonest tactics of the very political Jihadis we love to hate here on FR to make your flawed arguments. Indeed - I will read and listen to any sane, well thought-out, and fact-based argument on FR (and many other sites, even those that don't match my own views).