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Apple CEO Tim Cook: We're 'Working Hard' to Remedy Apple Watch Supply/Demand Imbalance
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Problem identified
Cook said that it was difficult to gauge demand without a product in stores
and therein lies the problem....how does one explain opening sales of a product no one has experienced? A smarter and more Spock-like logical approach would have been to have had a week's worth of "try ons". If supplies were limited which they could have sort of gauged from the interest in try ons, they should have released the product in stores delaying the online launch until supply was more in line with demand. Those historically good natured people who chose to wait in line for a watch could get one. That would have made more sense that this ridiculous and elitist approach. Finally who ever trained the associates did a piss poor job as much of the information was inaccurate....the try ons were different in quality from store to store even associate to associate. Confusion reigned in many places. Angela must go.
Cook said that it was difficult to gauge demand without a product in stores
and therein lies the problem....how does one explain opening sales of a product no one has experienced? A smarter and more Spock-like logical approach would have been to have had a week's worth of "try ons". If supplies were limited which they could have sort of gauged from the interest in try ons, they should have released the product in stores delaying the online launch until supply was more in line with demand. Those historically good natured people who chose to wait in line for a watch could get one. That would have made more sense that this ridiculous and elitist approach. Finally who ever trained the associates did a piss poor job as much of the information was inaccurate....the try ons were different in quality from store to store even associate to associate. Confusion reigned in many places. Angela must go.
Actually I bet this was planned. A soft release like this basically provides another beta stage where kinks can be ironed out before a wide release.
In addition, it combats the whole "who needs this thing" by making it a coveted and (for a period of time) unattainable item. Exclusivity and fashion go hand in hand; they are increasing demand by limiting supply.
I listened to the call and Tim seemed kinda testy when he kept being asked about the Watch and why there are such delays and stuff. I don't blame him, I'm sure his email has been blowing up. I do wonder if there was a production issue. I know the software was probably still being finalized and they couldn't build a bunch without the newer OS build.
The iPhone had zero third-party apps available at launch.
The SDK needed to create them was not released until iOS 2.0 came out. Perhaps Tim's thinking of the iPhone 3G launch.
What new OS build there has only been one build for the watch since it came out.
-Mike
I assumed he was talking about the launch of the App Store (which was at the same time as the 3G launch).
1.0 is the first public build, but internally they have multiple builds and work on the OS constantly, such as any other software program. The official 1.0 could have gone golden master 6 weeks ago for all we know.
Awesome, congrats!Meanwhile, in April 24-May 8th land... -_-
first few minutes pre-order on the SS linked band, still May 13 to 26...
Not nearly as many as you would think. They were quick to announce selling over 300k iPads the first day it went on sale in 2010, the last time they released a new product. If the Watch sold anything significant, you could bet there would have been an official release already. They aren't saying because 1) sales are probably terrible and they don't want anyone to know so they can still create an illusion of far more demand then supply. 2) if they came out saying they only sold 100k but the wait is 4-6 weeks, it would make them look very incompetent. Its rumored the new MacBook only sold 50k the first weekend and they can't even get enough of the 1.2GHz to those who ordered one at launch. Things have really gone off the rails since Steve died.
https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2010/04/05Apple-Sells-Over-300-000-iPads-First-Day.html
" Cook noted that Apple is 'learning quickly about customer preferences between the different configurations' and that the company will be making adjustments to get in line with demand."
I thought about the 42mm Steel Watch with Black Sport Band while reading this section. Check out the corresponding thread to get a better idea of how things rolled out during launch day
I thought about the 42mm Steel Watch with Black Sport Band while reading this section. Check out the corresponding thread to get a better idea of how things rolled out during launch day
Was June last night for 42mm Silver Sport White Band and this morning I got a text for delivery tomorrow.
Still showing June for my 42mm Stainless Black Band.
These were both ordered on the 16th April.
Why does my wife have to get hers first?! (Grumpy Cat face)
Still showing June for my 42mm Stainless Black Band.
These were both ordered on the 16th April.
Why does my wife have to get hers first?! (Grumpy Cat face)
Ordered mine at 12:12 am and ship date still showing May 13 - 27... no update at this moment.
By the way, what do you guys think of adding a bumper case and screen protector for the watch or will you use the watch as is (naked).
By the way, what do you guys think of adding a bumper case and screen protector for the watch or will you use the watch as is (naked).
Apples to Oranges. You still have native apps and you could go online with iPhone. Without apps, the
watch is just a watch.Apple said on the last earnings call they will not be reporting the Apple Watch as an individual line item. It will be under "Other."
That's why Apple isn't announcing anything. If you want guess how it did, next earnings call see the jump in the Other category over the averages from the previous year.
I'm a bit upset. I stayed up all night waiting for pre-orders to open. Once it did I was lucky to get the SS 42mm black Sport Band with an estimate delivery of 4/24-5/8 and it felt glorious! Still today, I don't have any information on when it will be shipped. It almost feels like it has been forgotten. From what I understand is that people are getting updates on their orders today but, I still do not have anything. I am afraid it won't be shipped till after the estimated delivery window. If it is then I will be a very disappointed loyal Apple customer.
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Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get the notification soon and your watch before the estimate date.