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Apple finds defect in Apple Watch "Key Component"

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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

I assume this means those still waiting for their orders are SOL and will encounter some delays no matter how small. :(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(
 
appleboyy said:
Strange, wonder what it is?

Im guessing BANDS
Click to expand...

The WSJ is saying it's the taptic engine.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-watch-faulty-taptic-engine-slows-roll-out-1430339460?mod=yahoo_hs

Supplies crimped after testing found problems with Chinese-made component that creates gentle tapping sensation.

The part involved is the so-called taptic engine, designed by Apple to produce the sensation of being tapped on the wrist. After mass production began in February, reliability testing revealed that some taptic engines supplied by AAC Technologies Holdings Inc., of Shenzhen, China, started to break down over time, the people familiar with the matter said. One of those people said Apple scrapped some completed watches as a result.
More on Apple

Taptic engines produced by a second supplier, Japan’s Nidec Corp. , didn’t experience the same problem, the people said. Apple has moved nearly all of its production of the component to Nidec, these people said, but it may take time for Nidec to increase its production.
Click to expand...

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I'm sure this is somehow Angela Ahrendts' fault. :rolleyes:
 
KPOM said:
The WSJ is saying it's the taptic engine.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-watch-faulty-taptic-engine-slows-roll-out-1430339460?mod=yahoo_hs

Supplies crimped after testing found problems with Chinese-made component that creates gentle tapping sensation.
Click to expand...

Well that's nothing new, is it? I thought that was brought up weeks ago as a cause for the slow(er) roll out. At least those who have not yet recieved their orders will be more likely to get a better unit since this is/has been a focus.
 
What about the people who already received theirs?? I am assuming it's the non-defective versions.
 
In reviewing the WSJ article, the taptic engine was made by two suppliers, but ones produced by one of them were failing. Apple has switched 100% production to the other supplier and scrapped the faulty watches caught in the production process. It will take time for the other supplier to reach the necessary capacity. This could explain initial supplies and the wait times for some. I expect we will still see our watched early. I would also speculate that early adopters should pay close attention to the taptic engine for signs of failure, just in case a few made it through the process.

Edit: iPhone spellcheck prefers tactic over taptic
 
DynaFXD said:
Well that's nothing new, is it? I thought that was brought up weeks ago as a cause for the slow(er) roll out. At least those who have not yet recieved their orders will be more likely to get a better unit since this is/has been a focus.
Click to expand...

Agreed.... this is nothing new. Reports of this came out in March. At least they haven't been shipping out faulty ones and having a recall. That would be much worse than having a limited supply..... just sayin'.
 
imaginex20 said:
What about the people who already received theirs?? I am assuming it's the non-defective versions.
Click to expand...

Likely, although John Gruber in his review stated that the taptic engine in his review unit was defective and Apple sent him a new one. That may have been when they discovered the problem, which explains why they offered windows instead of hard shipment dates. The review units went out a few weeks before the pre-orders began.
 
The WSJ also added:

Apple last week told some watch suppliers to slow production until June, without explaining why, according to people familiar with Apple’s supply chain.

Suppliers were surprised because Apple recently said that Watch inventory was insufficient, these people said.
Click to expand...

If Apple started slowing down production last week, they should've just told us why. People are okay with delays, as long as they're kept informed.
 
This would explain the delivery timescales, if they're running at half steam for a critical component.

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kdarling said:
The WSJ also added:
Click to expand...

If there's no taptic engines, there's no point making more of the rest of the components.
 
frankeliason said:
In reviewing the WSJ article, the taptic engine was made by two suppliers, but ones produced by one of them were failing. Apple has switched 100% production to the other supplier and scrapped the faulty watches caught in the production process. It will take time for the other supplier to reach the necessary capacity. This could explain initial supplies and the wait times for some. I expect we will still see our watched early. I would also speculate that early adopters should pay close attention to the taptic engine for signs of failure, just in case a few made it through the process.

Edit: iPhone spellcheck prefers tactic over taptic
Click to expand...

I think you are right. News sources are writing click baity articles without truly understanding the issue.

The issue is existing NOW and thus could explain 1) why there was no in store stock, 2) delivery slowness. They're making it sound like it's a NEW issue and that availability NOW will be even more affected.
 
kdarling said:
The WSJ also added:



If Apple started slowing down production last week, they should've just told us why. People are okay with delays, as long as they're kept informed.
Click to expand...

It's a perception issue. If Apple still thinks that they'll get the watches within the windows provided, there's really no reason to say why the delay is there. "Sorry, your watch is delayed because one of our suppliers @#$%%! up" doesn't go over very well.
 
KPOM said:
It's a perception issue. If Apple still thinks that they'll get the watches within the windows provided, there's really no reason to say why the delay is there. "Sorry, your watch is delayed because one of our suppliers @#$%%! up" doesn't go over very well.
Click to expand...
It could also scare off potential buyers, affect the stock price, and make everyone who already has one wonder if theirs is defective.
 
KPOM said:
It's a perception issue. If Apple still thinks that they'll get the watches within the windows provided, there's really no reason to say why the delay is there. "Sorry, your watch is delayed because one of our suppliers @#$%%! up" doesn't go over very well.
Click to expand...

Actually there is.

1) People will be more understanding of WHY there are delays.
2) It eases the pain of the "not as" successful as previous launches.
3) Indirectly addresses why there was and is no Apple Store stock... yet.
 
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