How did Apple show its first Apple Watch in the Apple Store? This is an exclusive look at the Apple Watch demo kiosks
The tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch is about to arrive and the curiosity that comes out today from MacRumors It’s very special. How did Apple create its Apple Watch demo units in its Apple Stores? Let’s remember a little history, the Apple Watch was announced in 2014 and it was not until 2015 that it reached physical stores (in Spain until June 2016). A little less than a year ago it was declared obsolete. Custom demo kiosks were created that included an iPad and an Apple Watch in one. It is strange to think how the tablet and the watch were merged into a single product but the following images make it very clearin addition to several curiosities from its manufacture to its implementation.
An iPad with custom software paired with an Apple Watch so any user can try it out
This idea was carried out by iconic former Apple employee Jony Ive and his design team.. The iPad used for this kiosk was an iPad mini 2 with iOS 8.2 and an Apple Watch with watchOS 1.0. mounted in a custom housing. Interestingly, the iPad mini 2 was drastically modified. It was not a complete iPad since components such as the camera, microphone and speakers were removed.
The Apple Watch was modified in the same way but cables were added through holes to be able to mount it on the base of the case. The strap was cut, so it could not be removed from the kiosk. How did you connect it to the iPad? If you thought it was through Bluetooth, we are wrong. Apple made something easier to pair the two, A Lightning cable was used connected to the diagnostic port of the Apple Watch and in turn connected to a converter board inside the iPad.
After, A special app called Apple Watch Demo was created to allow interaction between the watch and the tablet. Finally, the app connected to Apple’s servers in order to function fully.
The server and Apple Watch Demo no longer exist today
This ceased to exist a long time ago, specifically in 2016 due to operating problems.. Currently it is possible to try the Apple Watch directly on the display tables of the Apple Store. A YouTube user, AppleDemoYT, was fortunate enough to be able to purchase one of these fully preserved kiosks and see how it worked in those years.
Another important curiosity is that the iPad mini 2 could be charged with MagSafe 2, that’s right, the port that now exists on the latest generation MacBooks. This connector could charge the iPad, the Apple Watch, and the batteries inside the iPad. An additional Lightning port was also included at the top of the kiosk but was only used for data transfer.
It was a sign that Apple could do things almost perfectly. It was not since updating both devices would unpair them and delete their demo contents. There were heating problems and constant interaction failures. Like everything at Apple, These kiosks had to be destroyed but it is curious that this unit has been rescued without any scratches.