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

[Abazigal]

I think Apple Watch 2 having the same design is a mistake. We can wait two years for a new Watch, but it should at least be a refinement in the design. It's practically the same watch to the untrained eye.

The MacBook Air has had the same design since 2010. Apple doesn't make changes to the design for the sake of change, but only when they are confident that the new design will be better.

If anything, I take it as indication that Apple is currently satisfied with the design of the Apple Watch and has no intentions of revising it any time soon.

I can live with that.

 

[Born Again]

I'm a triathlete, got the series 2 and love it. I don't like wearing my garmin all day and if I forget it when I go to do a workout, it's not an issue anymore.

so would you explain to the forum how you expect to use your watch in a triathlon?

That's going from swim to transition to bike to run in all one fellow swoop. I'm seriously curious.

How do you connect your power meter from your bike to this said triathlon application?

Can you connect your footpod as well?

BTW - what races have you done? I ask that because the battery life with GPS will last less than 4 hours. So maybe that just means sprints and olympics. Forget 1/2 ironman or ironman unless you plan on running with a battery pack.

Anyways if anyone has questions on racing tris i'd gladly be of assistance.

BTW what's your USAT #? So we can verify the legitimacy of your post.

 

[Soni Sanjay]

The MacBook Air has had the same design since 2010. Apple doesn't make changes to the design for the sake of change, but only when they are confident that the new design will be better.

If anything, I take it as indication that Apple is currently satisfied with the design of the Apple Watch and has no intentions of revising it any time soon.

I can live with that.

I notice how you defend Apple on every single comment. You may live with that, the majority needs something new or at least different. The fact that Apple doesn't realize figure sales tells you everything you need to know.

 

[macs4nw]

.....Someone really needs to keep tracker on Ming-Chi Kuo to see what % of predictions come true

He changes his mind a lot, so all angles are covered

 

[ghostface147]

People just don't have to have a watch. People have to have a phone these days, Apple or not. For me, it's just out of budget for me.

 

[dtich]

They already do.

These analysts are annoying, always portraying "growth = success". Why can't success just be a healthy dose of sales and profitability rather than selling more than everybody else?

yeah. agree with you.

unfortunately, the growth = success equation is endemic to the capitalistic system we have developed here. shareholders of public co's need to see year over year growth, and not modest but intense, to fuel trust and support; it's fundamentally flawed. no longer is it acceptable just to be doing things well consistently, you have to reinvent your whole product line, 'disrupt' existing markets, breakthrough with new tech, year after year. it fosters a false sense of valuation and deemphasizes honing of skills and detailed betterment of product in favor of new, new, new. i think it's ultimately a big mistake. but, it is how things are done and measured these days. i really respect companies that stick to what they do and learn to do it better and better without disrupting or reinventing all the time. we have lost the appreciation, respect for, old fashioned skills and work ethic and have supplanted it with get rich quick, fast returns on modest outlay, big idea over intelligent iteration and development. it's a shame really. everything is fast food and reality tv. all filler, no substance. and really, really bad for you.

 

[mdlooker]

Well the watch does have the two features that I wanted to even consider... Waterproof and untethered in terms of GPS Location.

 

[brianvictor7]

They already do.

These analysts are annoying, always portraying "growth = success". Why can't success just be a healthy dose of sales and profitability rather than selling more than everybody else?

Exactly. And lest the punditry forget (too late, I know), Apple knows perfectly well how well its sales are and, most importantly, how much MONEY it is making! As of last report by Tim, profits were 2nd only to Rolex!

And about 4 hours ago, I ordered my Series 2 Space Gray 42mm Sport.

 

[Abazigal]

I notice how you defend Apple on every single comment. You may live with that, the majority needs something new or at least different. The fact that Apple doesn't realize figure sales tells you everything you need to know.

Or maybe I just have no issues with the way in which Apple chooses to conduct its business. I too would say the same thing-that many people here seem all too ready to make snap judgments and criticise Apple over every move they make, rather than attempt to analyse and understand just why Apple might be doing things the way they do.

I am simply not seeing that level of critical thinking and deep analysis here in the comments.

And besides, how does knowing the sales figures of a product affect whether it is useful to you or not?

 

[panther quest]

I love my original Apple Watch. But unless you're a serious swimmer, why would you upgrade? Especially at the ridiculous prices they want for a smart watch

The battery life with GPS off (no interest in fitness tracking) and moderate app use is two days in my experience. That and the overall speed boost make it a worthwhile purchase to me.

I think it'll take cellular connectivity to make it truly mainstream though. So two more iterations with a price drop for previous gen.

 

[brianvictor7]

I hate to say it but I have found myself totally underwhelmed by the Apple product lineup here lately. Macs are neglected, iPhones are simply minute upgrades, Apple Watch is well blah (can we get better design and battery life?), and the Apple TV is still way behind the Roku lineup. I own all of the above Apple products, just in case you wanted to know. Overall, I love the Apple ecosystem and how, most of the time, it works really well together. But, I see Apple falling behind the curve if something doesn't change. I'm afraid they are going to end up making the mistake Microsoft did years ago with wanting to stay the same in phones and no longer innovate or see the changing market and become irrelevant. Just like Microsoft and mobile. Venting over with, I'm just frustrated with the current Apple product lineup that is so underwhelming.

And yes this is my first post long time reader and comment reader.

We all share that frustration from time to time. Someone in this form once said, the natural state of an Apple fan is waiting. Changes to the Mac lineup are coming soon. Next year the phone form will change as well. As for the watch, I'm getting mine finally. Series 2.

 

[IbisDoc]

the new Series 1 and Series 2 Apple Watch models suffer from a 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.

Other than that, Mrs Lincoln, how was the play?

 

[ziggie216]

inadequate battery life? My S2 has over 50% battery by the time I'm going to bed.

 

[JackieInCo]

It can if you have WiFi and AT&T Numbersync. I have WiFi in the car and use my watch for calls when I forget my phone at the house. Not often but it works. On that note, calls on a watch are not that great.

I have a Gear S watch that works well with taking calls and replying to texts. As far as texts, I used S-Voice to reply and send and it worked very well. The entire time, my phone was at home and the text still came from my phones number.

I have T-Mobile because I could never get AT&T or Verizon LTE at my house, only edge.

 

[Born Again]

inadequate battery life? My S2 has over 50% battery by the time I'm going to bed.

have you tried running 13 miles with it and seeing the said battery life?

 

[nj-mac-user]

It doesn't take a genius to figure out why the new models won't sell as much as the original, and it's not for the reasons this "analyst" states. Unlike carrier subsidized phones or phone payment plans, most people don't want to pay $400+ for a wearable. And the ones that do have already purchased the original. I never thought that this would be a product you're going to see people upgrading every year. And duh... clearly the reason it's not biting into Fitbit sales is cost. Different demographic. If Apple made a $130 Apple Watch I'd guarantee it'd bite into their sales!

 

[truthertech]

There are cheaper alternatives even if you were a serious swimmer, with better battery life etc.

If Apple priced the watch a few hundred dollars cheaper, it would sell in far greater numbers - Better value for money than most other health straps / watches. At the current pricing, I don't see the Value for Money in the Apple Watch.

Good point. I think it is irrefutable that your strategy would lead to incredible demand, but to be fair, if they priced it "a few hundred dollars cheaper" they would be paying folks to take it.

 

[myrtlebee]

Release a Series One in stainless steel or lower the price of the Series Two in stainless steel and I'll buy.

 

[Rychiar]

none of these things should cost as much as they do. $400 for the base model 42 is silly for what it can actually do. When they go under 200 they might be worth it

 

[ThaRuler]

This is proof the AW is a flop. I hope Apple comes to their senses and just kills this failed experiment already!!

 

[B.A.T]

I started running 4 years ago with my iPhone 5 and the MapMyRun app. For the most part running with the phone on a belt was ok but once in a while the app would crash and I'd lose my run for the day. Today with a 6 + it's the same story but the phone is bulkier. In the meantime Under Armour bought the app and now I get a lot of ads that I don't want.

Looking forward to losing the bulky phone and the unwanted ads when I get my Apple Watch later this month.

 

[Infinitewisdom]

In the meantime, all Series 2 are sold out for the next month

Series 1 will be promoted during Christmas by desperate retailers @ $199. It will generate huge volumes

Someone really needs to keep tracker on Ming-Chi Kuo to see what % of predictions come true

He didn't say it's not going to sell, just that it's going to sell less. And I'd agree with him. It's not a very compelling product in its current form.

 

[Applefanben]

this seems like all backhanded compliments
Like you EXPECTED the 7 iPhone to be great when its common knowledge that the 10th anniversary one is right around the corner. And the upgraded to the Mac and Laptops are all being held back by chop manufacturers...

come on, show some support...

I just want Apple to continue to set the bar high so all other tech companies try to keep up. Seems like the biggest innovation we have had is a bigger screen lately . Although, I will probably be one of the first to buy the airpods love the idea of easy pairing and storage to take them on the go, just wish there was better continuous playback.

 

[Mac 128]

The MacBook Air has had the same design since 2010. Apple doesn't make changes to the design for the sake of change, but only when they are confident that the new design will be better.

If anything, I take it as indication that Apple is currently satisfied with the design of the Apple Watch and has no intentions of revising it any time soon.

I can live with that.

People don't wear an MBA. Add to that, Apple released other MacBook styles to chose from. Jony Ive said it himself -- "as soon as something is worn, we have the expectations of choice".

 

[BakeLaotou]

The rage of the faithful is hilarious.

What cannot be true, must not be true! Right, sheep?