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Tim Cook Talks Apple Watch Water Resistance and European Apple Pay Expansion

Wednesday February 25, 2015 8:51 am PST by Mitchel Broussard
B-q4g2tUIAAwZkJWhile on a trip in Germany to visit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and meet with a few German-based Apple staff members, Apple CEO Tim Cook told Apple Store employees in Berlin that he wears his Apple Watch constantly, "even in the shower", according to iGen.fr [Google Translate].

The new piece of information from the Apple CEO could mean the company's been working on adding more water resistant features to the upcoming wearable, since at its early-September reveal event the company warned off wearing the device in the shower.

Cook went on to say that he charges his Apple Watch every night, which seems to fall in line with what he's said previously on the topic. But, as Apple Insider points out, some of his comments regarding the new information on the Apple Watch could have been lost in translation.

He also told a few of the Apple Store workers, specifically in fielding a question asked by a visually impaired employee, that apps and accessibility features focused on aiding the disabled would be coming to the watch over time. Cook even commented on a few recent bits of bad press the company has faced in regards to the working conditions at its Chinese facilities.
He said that Chinese workers want to work hard and their employers want them to always work more. Apple is trying to ensure that there is no abuse, and the number hours worked per week decreases with time. He said that wages in China are increasing much faster than anywhere in the world. While recalling that the cost of living is much lower there, compared for example to Germany or the United States.
Concerning the overseas launch of Apple Pay, which has been gaining steam in rumors lately, Cook stated that a European launch for the contactless payment service will come "before the end of the year." Cook's trip continues this week (via The Marker) [Google Translate], with the CEO moving on to Israel to visit the newly-built Apple offices in Herzliya and a planned meeting with former President Shimon Peres.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 5, Apple Pay
Tag: Tim Cook
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
[ 104 comments ]


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LordVic
52 months ago

I didn't realize this was such a big feature for so many people.

What are you aiming to do on your watch that can't wait the five or ten minutes it takes to actually shower?


its not necessarily the shower. thats just an example (I know i don't wear mine during showering)

but you know, I do wash my hands regularly during the day, Especially coming out of the toilet. When I wash my hands, I use lots of soap and water. and do wash up to my wrists (proper handwashing technique, it's a habit). Wearing a watch, it WILL get wet. it will on occasion get under the flow of water.

What about rain? can you guarantee during a torrential downpour, no water will get on your wrist watch?

what about regions of the world with extreme humidity? Water resistance helps here too.

Simply put, the more water resistant a watch can be, the better.
Rating: 18 Votes
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joshuaclinton
52 months ago
"even in the shower.."

I'd like to know how many Apple Watches Tim has gone through.
Rating: 12 Votes
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0815
52 months ago
good - but won't stop the haters from hating it.
Rating: 11 Votes
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dlewis23
52 months ago


What are you aiming to do on your watch that can't wait the five or ten minutes it takes to actually shower?


You don't like to read your messages in the shower like everyone else? :eek:
Rating: 9 Votes
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Sharkey311
52 months ago

Wrong thread .... or are you one of those who try to hijack every thread to promote the personal wish list of what others should do for you?


How is this the wrong thread? And how is he hijacking the thread?
Rating: 9 Votes
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neuropsychguy
52 months ago

good - but won't stop the haters from hating it.


Of course not because they can't go deep sea fishing or scuba diving with it on (not that they really would). Some people will always complain about anything.
Rating: 8 Votes
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marvz
52 months ago

I didn't realize this was such a big feature for so many people.

What are you aiming to do on your watch that can't wait the five or ten minutes it takes to actually shower?


I think, it's all about convenience. I want to wear my Apple Watch all day and don't want to remember specific situations where I have to take it off.
Rating: 8 Votes
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thekeyring
52 months ago

I didn't realize this was such a big feature for so many people.

What are you aiming to do on your watch that can't wait the five or ten minutes it takes to actually shower?


I think people want to put it on in the morning and take it off at night without thinking much about it.

That's why people want a 20 hour battery life, no questions asked. They don't want to worry "I'd better not use the Watch too much, I'm working late tonight and the battery might die".
Rating: 8 Votes
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bobob
52 months ago
I'm not sure why anyone is surprised...



... oh wait, that was one of the major criticisms in The League of Apple Watch Naysayers handbook.
Rating: 7 Votes
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Roessnakhan
52 months ago

I didn't realize this was such a big feature for so many people.

What are you aiming to do on your watch that can't wait the five or ten minutes it takes to actually shower?


Control music while in the shower?
Rating: 7 Votes

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