The Apple Watch was originally conceived as a device that would free us from the tyranny of our smartphones—and that includes iPhones. According to an excellent in-depth look at Apple Vice President Kevin Lynch and the Apple Watch at Wired, Apple wanted to find a way for us to be connected in a less intrusive, more human way.
"We're so connected, kind of ever-presently, with technology now,” Kevin Lynch said. "People are carrying their phones with them and looking at the screen so much. People want that level of engagement, but how do we provide it in a way that's a little more human, a little more in the moment when you're with somebody?"
It's a great question, and according to Wired, Apple's plans are no less ambitious than to push back against the culture of immersive technology that Apple itself has created and ruled. Apple Watch is so much more than a watch, or jewelry, or even a wearable computer—it's an effort to disrupt the way we interact with information and technology.
One example of this is Short Look—Apple Watch can prioritize information based on how much interest you show in it. Get a Taptic Engine tap letting you know you have a text message. If you lift your arm, you get a brief alert saying "Message from [Contact]." If you put your arm back down, the notification goes away. But if you hold you arm a moment longer, the message is displayed.
There is a ton of great information in the full article. I recommend it. In its entirety.