Mass Production of Apple Watch Reportedly Slated for January 2015

[MacRumors]

Apple is reportedly finalizing the details on its upcoming Apple Watch as it prepares to begin mass production of the device ahead of its launch early next year. Mass production of the smartwatch device may begin January 2015, reports Taiwanese news source AppleDaily (via G For Games).

According to the news report, Apple is working only with long-time manufacturing partner Quanta to produce the device. This contradicts an earlier report suggesting Quanta would be handling the bulk of the production with Inventec supplementing the supply.

Quanta has allegedly received Apple's heads-up and has begun making preparations (which involve increasing its worker head count to 4 million). Even more, it is said that Apple and Quanta have entered a deal which prohibits the Taiwanese company from manufacturing/assembling smartwatches for Apple's rival OEMs.

Inventec was among several assembly companies said to be vying for Apple Watch orders months ago, but Quanta may have won an exclusive arrangement due to the complexity associated with manufacturing the device.

Apple says its Watch is unlike any device it has ever made, with cutting edge sensor and haptic feedback technologies. Given the advanced features of the device, it's not surprising Apple has selected to work with only one manufacturer as it streamlines the production process, as others may have been unable to meet Apple's standards.

Relatively reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had previously reported that Apple was planning a November production ramp for the Apple Watch, so a shift to January could indicate Apple believes it needs a bit more time to finalize the product's design.

Apple is expected to begin selling the Watch starting in early 2015, with one insider saying Apple would be "lucky" to launch it in time for Valentine's Day on February 14. A production ramp beginning in January would indeed make it difficult for Apple to have significant quantities available in time for Valentine's Day purchases. The smartwatch will retail at a starting price of $349 for the base model, with several collections including 18-karat gold luxury options available at higher prices.

Article Link: Mass Production of Apple Watch Reportedly Slated for January 2015

 

[sputnikv]

that makes sense, they have to work out the OS before beginning any of that

 

[TimeSquareDesi]

My ready is body.

 

[JonneyGee]

So Ming-Chi Kuo is now "relatively reliable?" That's what less than 50% accuracy means now?

http://www.tuaw.com/2014/09/11/rumor-roundup-iphone-6-and-iwatch-retrospective/

 

[penajmz]

Ehh... As it stands right now, the Apple Watch is really not that appealing to me. I hope that from here to when it is released there's something else to it that makes me want to have it.

 

[Gix1k]

So wait....4 million people are hired to produce Apple devices!!?

 

[sundog925]

meh.

 

[AndyUnderscoreR]

feddback?

 

[koigirl]

Think I will be waiting for 2nd or 3rd generation to jump into this pool. But it does look interesting.

 

[misterpip]

i look forward to Late Winter/Early Spring keynotes. wwdc in june/Sep/Oct keynotes make the rest of the year seem so barren.

 

[agsystems]

So wait....4 million people are hired to produce Apple devices!!?

You beat me to it - that's sound ridiculous - even for mass producing iPhones the most we have heard is 500,000

 

[Jessica Lares]

Awesome! Really excited.

 

[milo]

So wait....4 million people are hired to produce Apple devices!!?

Quanta manufactures for many other companies besides Apple.

 

[odds]

How are people on MacRumors so "meh" about the Watch? I'm betting on *much* more hype and marketing before the actual release/pre-order, so I'll also wager that all the "meh"s we're seeing now will flip soon enough.

 

[linkgx1]

Hmm....either a February 14th release or a March 20th release. Don't know where I got those, but I think those are good dates.

 

[Dulcimer]

Relatively reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo

Relative to what, a rock? Throwing a rock and seeing where it lands would at least result in a 50% success rate.

 

[agsystems]

So Ming-Chi Kuo is now "relatively reliable?" That's what <50% accuracy means now?

http://www.tuaw.com/2014/09/11/rumor-roundup-iphone-6-and-iwatch-retrospective/

This year he/she (dont know the gender) has been the most accurately (I know - not saying much) of all the ANALysts

https://www.macrumors.com/2014/04/09/kgi-iphone6-predictions/

iphone screen size - checked
Pixel densities - checked
iphone 6+ in short supply - checked
IOS Only on Iphone 6+ - checked
Apple Watch ship in 2015 - checked
iPhone 4/4s killed - checked
Iphone 6+ 64MB saphire - wrong

 

[AppleScruff1]

How are people on MacRumors so "meh" about the Watch? I'm betting on *much* more hype and marketing before the actual release/pre-order, so I'll also wager that all the "meh"s we're seeing now will flip soon enough.

What do find to be exciting and a must have outlook about it?

 

[LordQ]

I want one but I should wait for the second generation... Oh, boy...

 

[pbateman]

Meh... all that talk about Switzerland being 'in deep ****', they got nothing to worry about...

 

[Bazooka-joe]

I am wondering what the battery life will be like. It's got to be at least a day under moderate usage. Quite embarrassing having to take a timepiece off your wrist to charge it up halfway through the day

 

[bbeagle]

Meh... all that talk about Switzerland being 'in deep ****', they got nothing to worry about...

If millions buy an Apple Watch, those people are less likely to buy a Swiss watch. I'm sure that their sales WILL go down. How much remains to be seen.

 

[The Economist]

Ehh... As it stands right now, the Apple Watch is really not that appealing to me. I hope that from here to when it is released there's something else to it that makes me want to have it.

You could just wait for the second version. Remember the difference between the original iPad and the iPad 2?

 

[a.gomez]

what I keep saying - put as much lip stick on this pig, it is just a piece of electronics made in china. That is not a dress watch.

 

[Jungo]

take my money - take my money