Apple Reportedly Targeting Q3 2014 Launch for iWatch

[Plutonius]

I'll buy it the moment it releases.

I'm getting one but I refuse to be a beta tester .

 

[RightMACatU]

Can't wait to have another device that will require constant charging and several 100 MBs of updates every other months

 

[Vtwo]

I really think this is going to be a make-or-break moment for Apple. If it's just an iPhone on a strap (essentially what the competition currently have), it won't sell and will be panned by the critics.

If it's an accompaniment to an existing product, like the Galaxy Gear is, I don't think that's a particularly great idea either. It's just another product to charge and worry about, without significantly improving on anything.

Apple's current competitors have released wristwatch products which are fairly evolutionary for a post-PC era -- that being, touchscreen on a strap. What I'm hoping for is an 'iPhone' moment -- something so bats**t futuristic and beyond anything we expected. I hope they manage to do it.

To be fair, when the iPhone was first introduced, there was mixed reactions. Sure, the UI with the scrolling an pinch to zoom was great. But there was no local apps. A lot of people felt it was overpriced, and not worth it. It wasn't like people were blown away and wanted to buy one right away. Apple only sold 6.1M phones in 5 quarters.

Same with iPad, most people thought it was just a bigger iPhone and wasn't productive because of lack of keyboard.

So yeah, being 'wow-ed' after the announcement isn't a big deal. I think what is important is what it brings to the table in terms of offering functions which do not exist now or is done in a much more effective manner.

 

[Yvan256]

I'd prefer: "It's about time."

Already used by the Starcraft II trailer.

 

[Reason077]

who's iwatching who

In socialist California, iWatch watches you!

 

[samcraig]

Already used by the Starcraft II trailer.

Well if they start off the keynote with Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like an Eagle" we'll have our answer...

 

[Boatboy24]

65 million!!!??? Holy...

I'm very anxious to see what they have come up with. If it can stand on it's own without being tethered to a phone, that's a plus. If it has fitness/biometrics built in, I need to be able to use it without dragging the phone along. Otherwise, I'll just hope the Moov I've ordered will fill the void.

 

[nixiemaiden]

I'd prefer: "It's about time."

The Moto 360 says "It's Time" ... so that would probably not be a good thing.

 

[iamPro]

Also, what if the iWatch isn't supposed to be revolutionary like the iPhone was? What if it's supposed to be more like the Magic Trackpad (which is my favorite input device for Macs, by the way).

Totally agree. Although wearables may be the future. A smartwatch as it is currently feasible may not be "the" product everyone is expecting it to be.

Even Apple might promote/market it as a "hobby" or a secondary device to improve phone/tablet usage, not a revolutionary product like the iPhone in 2007 (they'll still call it revolutionary during the keynote).

I also agree about the trackpad. I love using it, but its not the "revolutionary" production everyone expecting. The 1st gen iWatch may just be that, a magic trackpad like product.

 

[Traverse]

Along with almost ALL their other products. I still think it was poor thinking to move the iPhone, iPad, OSX, iOS, and most Mac releases to the same quarter. It's too much for people at one time. Plus, consumers will get bored during the other 9 months. But what do I know? Apple has people a lot smarter than me.

 

[ds2000]

I'm still very much unsure on this and think it'd take something pretty special for me to buy it. Personally I quite like getting off the grid so having my wrist wired up is not something I'm sure about.....

That said I'm unsure on being an F1 driver so until I try both it all remains subjective.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Can't wait to have another device that will require constant charging and several 100 MBs of updates every other months

It's a shame you were born too late. You'd have loved the 1800's.

 

[Tanegashima]

My wrist is ready.

 

[agsystems]

65 million watches at the end of 2014? Either they are really expecting this product to take off like nothing else they have produced, or more likely, it is bundled with all iPhones.

My thoughts too - but 65M its only about 5.5M per month - it might be doable.

I haven't had a watch in 30 years - I am prepared to be surprised...will see.

 

[ThatsMeRight]

65 million? That means they they expect to sell 6 million units/month if sales start in July. If it launches alongside the iPhone in September/October, they expect to sell 16.25-21.66 million units a month.

It may be just me, but that '65 million' figure sounds incredibly fake. Even the iPad doesn't sell that well.

The only logical explanation for this figure, if real, would either be:

- Apple has extreme confidence in the iWatch
- iWatch's price is extremely low, letting Apple to believe they'll easily sell 16-22 million/month.
- Every iPhone ships with an iWatch

Really, only that last option makes the most sense if the 16.25-21.66/month number is correct. And I doubt Apple will ship every iPhone with an iWatch.

----------

My thoughts too - but 65M its only about 5.5M per month - it might be doable.

I haven't had a watch in 30 years - I am prepared to be surprised...will see.

It's not 5.5M a month. It says a Q3 launch (so either: July, August or September).

July - December = 10.83 million/month
August - December = 13 million/month
September - December = 16.25 million/month

That's units per month - not per quarter. In comparison, iPad - a well established product - sold 8.67 million units/month holiday season 2013.

 

[bbeagle]

THIS will be revolutionary!

 

[charlitos]

Im still trying to figure out how to open strap of that watch on the picture without cracking the screen.

 

[patseguin]

If that's what it looks like, count me in!

 

[pally]

Now they can know your innermost innards

They will be able to see the physiological effects of apps and software, visual cues, and the content that you absorb in real time. "Biometric" is just another term for putting a nielsen rating machine on your wrist. Am I the only person who finds this off-putting?

 

[DeathChill]

"In total, Apple is said to be targeting production of 65 million iWatch units by the end of 2014."

Typo, surely.

More like a number pulled out of thin air.

 

[lamerica80]

I have grown very accustomed to having my Pebble tell me when I have a text message, email or meeting coming up. It is very convenient when I'm in a meeting or in a conversation to just look at my watch rather than pull out my iPhone.

On my belt is a Fitbit One but I never really check it any longer. It just does its thing with my iPhone.

And i have grown accustomed to not checking my phone for messages when im in a meeting or having a conversation. Imagine all those horrendous blackberry people now fidgeting with their iWatches during meetings, dinners, etc.

 

[ThunderRobot]

From the original article;

"Apple is said to be targeting production of 65 million iWatch units by the end of 2014. " (my emphasis).

Nothing about selling that many by the end of the year.

That is, assuming any of this is true.

 

[Daalseth]

I can't wait for the Bluetooth-enabled iSuppository.

You're not that far off
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsule_endoscopy

 

[Bare]

I finally break down and buy a Pebble, which I like and now this rumor leaks. I'll be standing in line on release day.

Enjoying your Pebble? The new ones look fantastic.

 

[ndolebay]

Long time to wait.