Apple to Sell Fewer Apple Watch Models in 2016 Despite Launch of Series 2

[fuchsdh]

battery is a deal breaker

fitbit all the way

Fitbits are cheaper, have longer battery life, and until recently had competitive/social features WatchOS didn't have.

But my brother and father and cousin have all burned through more than one a year. At some point if you buy a Watch Sport and keep it three years I'm pretty sure you'll come ahead of them on price.

 

[Ted13]

I think it will sell, but not as expected. Not so many killer features that makes you want a series two if you have an original.

Yeah, because the only people who ever bought newer iPhones were the same ones who bought the 2007 original.

Why would people change their watch annually? My guess is that the vast majority of the original Apple Watch owners are perfectly happy with it, and have no intention to upgrade with the very next release. OTOH a ton of new users will join the fold. The fact is I have seen more people wearing an Apple Watch in NYC over the last 7 days then I have seen ever before -- clearly lots of *new* users are appearing.

 

[bbbb4b]

Nothing but an Overpriced iPhone Accessory. Always has been, always will be. It must become Fully Autonomous to be anything more. Period.

You should just go back to your comic books.

 

[Mainsail]

I bought my 42mm AW last year for $300 during xmas at BB. I plan on keeping it about 3 years.....so, $100 per year or a little more than $8/month....roughly the cost of two large mochas. I really enjoy the thing, and the new OS has drastically improved performance. It's nice not to shlep my big phone around the house and gym, while still being connected via wifi to receive and respond to messages.

At this point, I really don't want a watch with LTE and a data plan. I imagine it would need a larger battery, so the watch would be much thicker. I would rather have a data plan on my phone, with a big screen, and connectivity to my watch via wifi at home. If I go out and about, I almost always bring my phone anyway.....camera, pictures, web surfing, texting, and apps are pretty difficult to do well on a watch screen. So, why pay for a data plan on a bulky watch? Doesn't really make sense at this point....maybe if technology and data plans change down the road.

Of course, an AW 2 is not going to be very compelling to an original AW owner. That's just how technology upgrades work. How many people really need to upgrade from an iPhone 6s to iPhone 7? Only those folks that want the latest tech. Most people barely know the difference.

 

[merkinmuffley]

While the reasons listed "lack of "killer" applications, inadequate battery life, a heavy reliance on the iPhone and a multi-touch UI that he does not feel will be the ideal solution for wearable devices" are certainly valid - for a fashion accessory it is still butt ugly. I'd rather glue a turd to my wrist than have one of these watches there.

 

[imola.zhp]

Great, lets see the discounts come on at Christmas so I can finally pick one up!

 

[tgenius]

I had purchased a 38mm Space Black with the Link Bracelet for $350, was delivered on Friday, and I returned it on Sunday. Granted it was 0 series, but the battery life was not very good, I found the UI extremely clunky and both my wife and I agreed the "benefit" isn't worth it when you can take your phone out and see your notifications much quicker. I believe we aren't alone in that sentiment as I've seen many say something similar.

 

[Wowereit]

With Apple not giving any real numbers, you can predict whatever you like...

Apple has released numbers for pretty much every successful product, go figure what it means for the Apple Watch

 

[teflonthadon]

I think it will sell, but not as expected. Not so many killer features that makes you want a series two if you have an original.

My thinking exactly I have the series 1 and I really don't see a huge benefit for upgrading to the 2 maybe they should do a biannual Iwatch and preferably iPad lineup refresh

 

[JackANSI]

Apple could ameliorate this with the iPod Shuffle.

The Shuffle makes an excellent entry level device, and if they keep it around, they'll need a better way to interface with it. So why not take a note from the Apple Watch and allow it to be synced and managed by the iPhone, and other mobile phones? That way Apple can keep the price low by not adding a Touch screen. Since most people use it for workouts, why not add an accelerometer? And maybe a few more health sensors. It could also be used with chest straps, and other outboard sensors. Since it would have a BT radio, it could basically be used as an entry level Apple Watch, or Apple's answer to FitBit, all for around the same $50 price tag. And just like the old nano/watch trend, fitness straps could be used with it to wear on the wrist, encouraging a fitness band accessory market, just like the Apple Watch.

Currently, Apple can't competent with FitBit which currently has significant market share. So either they drop the price of the Apple Watch which does a lot more than just fitness monitoring, or they add some of the same functionality to a product that's already being used in that capacity like the Shuffle. Or, they just don't worry about competing with FitBit, and continue offering the Shuffle as a single function music player, or discontinue it with the rest of the iPod line in a year or two. Seems like a missed opportunity if the latter is the path they chose.

Apple doesn't really have an entry level Watch product, the way they have an entry level iPhone, iPad, Mac, TV, and currently an iPod. Once Apple eliminates the iPod line (Touch replaced by SE, nano replaced by Watch), the Shuffle will be the sole representative. In a world of multifunction devices, it's hard to imagine a $50 mp3 player being in much demand. And make no mistake the Shuffle has been $50 for years without necessarily adding any new features the way Apple's other products do. The Bluetooth radio is a must, and adding relatively minor features like an accelerometer will not affect their bottom line at all, and make the Shuffle more relevant to a broader market that isn't interested in the upsell to the Watch.

Interesting idea. I hadn't thought about the shuffle for years (and neither has Apple ).

I just don't think Apple would add that much functionality and keep the price $50. If Apple did your idea they'd probably attach a $129 minimum and only make it work with BT headsets so they could hopefully lock people into a set of airpods to go with it.

Apple could've beat fitbit and everyone else if they would have embraced the iPod-Nano-6-as-a-watch "fad". Too bad Steve Jobs wasn't in charg... oh wait...

 

[jeyf]

whatever;
watches in general are great for genX and beyond let me tell you i wear mine every day.

 

[lordofthereef]

Fitbits are cheaper, have longer battery life, and until recently had competitive/social features WatchOS didn't have.

But my brother and father and cousin have all burned through more than one a year. At some point if you buy a Watch Sport and keep it three years I'm pretty sure you'll come ahead of them on price.

They should look into contacting Fitbit. I sent them pics of mine that was getting moisture under the screen. They sent me a brand new one and didn't even want the bad one back. I had an issue with the band wearing in yhenrepapcement and reached out for a new band. They just sent me a whole other one again lol.

 

[Mac 128]

Why would I need my watch to show the time when I am not looking at it?

Let's put it another way -- why would I want my watch to stop showing the time when I am looking at it?

Interesting idea. I hadn't thought about the shuffle for years (and neither has Apple ).

I just don't think Apple would add that much functionality and keep the price $50. If Apple did your idea they'd probably attach a $129 minimum and only make it work with BT headsets so they could hopefully lock people into a set of airpods to go with it.

Apple could've beat fitbit and everyone else if they would have embraced the iPod-Nano-6-as-a-watch "fad". Too bad Steve Jobs wasn't in charg... oh wait...

Steve Jobs died the day after they announced the 2nd year updated nano with the 16 new watch faces. So no, he wasn't in charge for what happened following that release. In fact it was most likely Jobs who was so delighted that customers were using the nano as a watch that he demanded the new watch faces. Who knows what would have happened to that product had he lived.

 

[daveak]

My thinking exactly I have the series 1 and I really don't see a huge benefit for upgrading to the 2 maybe they should do a biannual Iwatch and preferably iPad lineup refresh

It is 2 years since the first watch was announced (admittedly delayed until the following April) so that could very well be the plan.

If you have an original then that isn't a series 1. Series 1 is original with the dual core cpu.

 

[hotstreaks]

games, apps, and features that could help sell apple watch:

games
- just dance (remote controller for ubisoft just dance game)
- motion games for apple tv
- flappy bird
- tilt games
- super mario run (game boy micro)

apps
- watch app store (native on the apple watch)
- news
- macrumors (if news app is impossible, so one could have the daily macrumors fix)
- notes (using the scribble function)
- find iDevice (iphone, ipad, etc.)
- podcasts
- calculator

features
- assistive touch (so pressing buttons is not needed.)
- icloud integration (so one could see messages or email and all other apps work without the iphone)
- shazam over wifi (so i could determine what song is playing in the background without the iphone)
- display iphone battery status in control center
- background on modular view
- battery saver time display (when main display times out)

 

[maflynn]

games, apps, and features that could help sell apple watch:

No way, I find apps to be difficult on such a tiny display with an extremely limited ability to input information. Games would be horrible on such a tiny thing, especially with such a slow and low powered processor.

 

[The Game 161]

Maybe because many who have an apple watch may not find a need for GPS/waterproof watch. Those who do like me have bought series 2 but only the lower cost model. Can’t buy 600 for a SS .

 

[Sevendaymelee]

My issue is needing the charge a watch. My current watch uses a battery that stays powered for years. I already have to charge my game controller, iPhone and Macbook as well as other various things. I don't need yet another headache that would be charging a watch.

If Apple decides to allow their watch the ability of being totally independent from their phone, that'll mean we'll all be wearing little radiation omitters everywhere we go... wrapped directly onto our skin. That can't be good for our health.

 

[usarioclave]

My extended family has blown through like 8-12 fitbit zips, ones, and ultras. They're all gone, dead, whatever. Half of us have moved the the AW, the other have have just stopped tracking.

 

[BlandUsername]

$600 CAD for a basic Series 2 watch is ridiculous pricing. I can buy a iPad for less than that $ amount.

I would have to agree, and As much as I would love a new mini, I simply cannot justify the cost of either product. Macbook air $899 (very useful device to me), Ipad mini $500-600 (great throne device to me), Watch (even smaller, less useful device to me) near same cost. nope , not happening. What really gets me is Apple figured it out on the phone product line, the SE is probably the most brilliant move of the last 5 years. If they want it to be an extension of the Phone, they need it priced like an extension of the phone (this will get snickers from the fanboi's who love to overpay), and right now that is not the case.
[doublepost=1475599474][/doublepost]

That's what the watch bands are for, and why the watch comes in a variety of materials and colours. To customise and personalise the look of the Apple Watch.

Watch Bands Everywhere! See as they fall from the sky.

 

[Neodym]

My issue is needing the charge a watch. My current watch uses a battery that stays powered for years.

This is getting old. If we are comparing apples and oranges here, why not compare e.g. the standby times of dumbphones and smartphones (not to mention landline phones)?

MI already have to charge my game controller, iPhone and Macbook as well as other various things. I don't need yet another headache that would be charging a watch.

You could also reduce the amount of items that have to be charged by switching your MacBook for an iMac, your iPhone for a dumbphone and the game controller for a cable-attached one (same for headphones, if you're using Bluetooth ones by chance).

 

[69650]

Their focus on fashion didn't last long, now it's all about fitness. No more outings to the catwalk for Jony.

There is no killer app and no real reason to buy one if you have to tether it to an iPhone.

 

[petsounds]

Welll I suppose in groups of upscale, skinny jeans wearing, overly concerned with style over substance groups (perhaps like the one you're referring to) the sissy watch, errr Apple watch, is a popular item. But that is a tiny fraction of the world. They rest of us dont give a crap about the stupid watch.

LOL oh yeah? You took a global survey? Or are you just projecting whatever personal dislike you have with the "sissy watch" onto everyone else.

No, these people I'm talking about are more like people that do laps in the pool at the gym, or like that they can check messages and make Siri requests without pulling out their phone. Just average people with average needs.

 

[x-evil-x]

I've always said that Apple need to release a fitness wearable with longer battery life to compete with Fitbit. I agree with the article - the AW is too reliant on the iPhone and has a poor battery life to boot. It's going to take years for the AW to catch up in Battery life to other trackers, at which point will be able to go a month without a recharge

depends on your use. If you want a full smartwatch don't expect 2 days out of it but the battery life on the watch as of now is nice actually. If i don't workout for 1-2 hours a day the watch will last a day and a half. If i workout the watch will be around 20% at the end of the day.
Id rather have a screen and information then a fitbit type band. Having music being able to be stored onto the watch is huge for the gym too.
You say that the aw relies on the phone too much but you don't need the phone for fitness tracking...
You basically are just asking for a step counter device with hr capabilities and a small screen for basic information?

 

[walterhpdx]

And here I am, waiting on Best Buy to get some in stock so I can buy one. Yes, I know I could go directly to Apple, but with Best Buy I get points - totally worth it in the long run for me.