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

[satchmo]

2017 for a redesigned apple watch? i'd be very surprised given how long it took to update the original one.

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if AW3 is already done. It's not uncommon of to have multiple version on the go at the same time.

Strategically, they also don't want to alienate early adopters by making the first gen obsolete. Apple's playbook is to slowly add new feature each model. But perhaps a radical re-design could happen in year 3.

 

[robeddie]

Wait the stupid, useless apple watch is not selling well?! Who could have possibly guessed. Wait, that's right EVERYBODY could have guessed.

 

[BakeLaotou]

I think I have seen one person waring an Apple Watch, personally I think they are an unnecessary item and I have been waring a wach close to 40 years. I guess my point is that I don't think they will ever be an item more than a novelty item. I can see a small segment wanting them for the health part but as far as a time peice I don't think so. Just my humble opinion.

I have seen a couple of iWatche wearers. Although, most the wearers don't seem to wear them because they are all that useful and more for the purpose of demonstrating that they are a "member of the fold".

iWatches are the new Apple car stickers -- only much more expensive, it would seem.

The most pathetic wearers are couple-wearers, tough. Not only do both of them wear an iWatch, but the exact some model and color! Embarrassing!

 

[npmacuser5]

Apple Marketing the Watch baffles me. Why not buy the watch, add whatever band you like to the watch. This picking a watch with a band is bazar, especially how easy the bands are exchanged. Apple could easily have one category of watch band included with the watch price or just sell the watch and let the consumer pick the band that best suits their tastes and budget. Then when upgrading, if the old band is OK with the consumer, use it. Save at least $50. More if purchased an expensive band. My point, way too much emphasis on the band is hurting watch sales.

 

[mtcowdog]

I have an AW1, and this is not surprising. The AW is an interesting device to some of us, but it isn't compelling to mainstream audiences. In my experience and opinion. there is nothing about AW Series whatever or Watch OS3 that is must have for the general public. Why buy? That's a very reasonable question.

 

[petsounds]

This is definitely not what I'm hearing from friends and colleagues. I am seeing much more buzz from people actually interested in purchasing a Series 2 than during the launch last year.

 

[BakeLaotou]

You can agree with what Apple does and not be a sheep.

Just as criticising Apple doesn't mean one is not being sheep-like in their behaviour, especially if they are simply jumping on the bandwagon and repeating the same old tired refrain as everyone else about how Apple is doomed just because.

Who says Apple is "doomed" (i.e. going out of business in the near future)?

What many independent thinkers are complaining is that Apple is now concerned only with profit-margins, that Apple has run out of new ideas, that Apple has morphed from a computer company to a fashion company, ...

 

[eebrown]

I have seen a couple of iWatche wearers. Although, most the wearers don't seem to wear them because they are all that useful and more for the purpose of demonstrating that they are a "member of the fold".

iWatches are the new Apple car stickers -- only much more expensive, it would seem.

The most pathetic wearers are couple-wearers, tough. Not only do both of them wear an iWatch, but the exact some model and color! Embarrassing!

I was at Best Buy a couple of days ago and prior to going there was actually thinking of getting one, the more I looked at it and put it around my wrist the less I wanted it. As much as I like apple products the AW is certainly one I can and will just do fine without.

 

[ErikGrim]

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.

Was this interrogation really necessary?

 

[Bruce Oksol]

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?

My thoughts exactly.

 

[OneMike]

Make a better watch and apps and it will sell.

There is nothing I see in the new watch to make me even remotely want to upgrade.

 

[Abazigal]

Who says Apple is "doomed" (i.e. going out of business in the near future)?

What many independent thinkers are complaining is that Apple is now concerned only with profit-margins, that Apple has run out of new ideas, that Apple has morphed from a computer company to a fashion company, ...

So are they independent thinkers because they dare to complain about Apple, or are they complaining simply to prove that they are independent thinkers?

I too have my own reasons and opinions as to how Apple has always been a design-first company, how Apple was never churning out new ideas before lunch every other day under Steve Job's tenure either, and that its profits are not mutually exclusive with product quality.

I support the removal of the headphone jack, think the Airpods is a rather clever design and love the way my Apple Pencil charges.

Does that make me a sheep simply because I happen to agree with the direction that Apple is headed (for most part), and rarely have anything bad to say about Apple?

 

[JosephAW]

Still waiting for the apple watch air for $99. With just notifications and apps. No fitness and health features.

 

[Jetfire]

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if AW3 is already done. It's not uncommon of to have multiple version on the go at the same time.

Strategically, they also don't want to alienate early adopters by making the first gen obsolete. Apple's playbook is to slowly add new feature each model. But perhaps a radical re-design could happen in year 3.

The may have a general concepts and even some early prototypes but it's now down yet. The final version won't be done for a few months yet.

1st Gen were really made almost obsolete with the release of series 1 watches. SS really has no added resale value over the sports version. I figured the series one cost $100 in resale value of 1st gen watches.

If you don't need then Gen 2 or 1 right now. I would wait until they go on sale at BB, Target & ect. Don't know if that will happen by Christmas since supply is still tight for the next month at least.

Unless Gen 3 is some big improvement, I'll most likely skip it and wait for Gen 4 or 5.

 

[Retired Cat]

Apple Watch doesn't give me any functionality that makes my life easier.

It's just another thing to spend $$$ on, and another device that needs charging AND administration. I prefer to keep things simple and just have 1 iPhone and 1 PC.

 

[theanimala]

I chose not to upgrade as I spent $17,000 just last year on my first gen Gold Apple Watch and I figured I should wait another year before upgrading...

 

[Mac 128]

It may look identical, but it's not. My perfectly sized band on my Watch 1, now is too tight on Watch 2. It's definitely thicker (from the band to the back, not to the crown), than Watch 1 - enough so, that I have to go add another link into the band to keep it comfortable.

it's almost as big and clunky as the old G-Shock Casios.

I will be interested to see the new technical drawings of the case specs. Apple has a set of marketing measurements which do not include the case back. I wonder if Apple increased the thickness there.

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.

I'm well aware of what the watch bands are for, and the availability of color options. But there's a reason why jewelry cases aren't full of identical watch designs, merely in different colors and band options.

 

[Johnny907]

Not surprising. I'm enjoying my Series 2 but honestly I probably would have been just as happy with my original Apple Watch. It's faster, but not 100 bucks faster and so far battery life has been about the same. I'm giving it a week to decide if the waterproofing is worth it or not. If not, then I'll probably switch to the Series 1, which I think will sell well over the holidays especially if there are some juicy deals on Black Friday.

 

[robeddie]

This is definitely not what I'm hearing from friends and colleagues. I am seeing much more buzz from people actually interested in purchasing a Series 2 than during the launch last year.

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.

 

[ZCT]

Regardless, Apple's been making toys for a long time. Real people who are not pretentious use Linux or Windows.

I don't think that 'real people' define themselves by the operating system they use on their devices. And 'real people' do not judge others by this metric either.

 

[Abazigal]

I'm well aware of what the watch bands are for, and the availability of color options. But there's a reason why jewelry cases aren't full of identical watch designs, merely in different colors and band options.

In all fairness, I don't think it is feasible for Apple to churn out a variety of watch form factors, which would further tax their manufacturing line, and require the engineering team to relook how to redesign the circuitry inside the watch. We are not looking at just pouring gold into a different mound and calling it a day. If the form factor of the watch changes, everything inside and outside potentially has to change as well.

The Swiss can do it because the watch industry is so decentralised. You essentially have a bunch of small time watch makers each putting out a small quantity of watches with their own signature design on it, and each watch is profitable enough on its own right to justify the amount of manpower and resources to customise the design of each one.

Not so easy for a mass market company like Apple.

 

[legacyb4]

Good point; but for those of us who skipped 1st gen hardware, Series 2 is an attractive buy. Definitely fall into the category of "want" more than "need" but hey, what's the point of working if you can't indulge from time to time?

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

 

[44267547]

True, but I question how big that first product avoidance crowd is. One thing I will say is that I'm surprised how many notn-tech people have been enticed to purchase and can use the Apple Watch. This seems to be the first smartwatch that has managed to get wide consumer appeal.

I don't really count the Fitbit as a smartwatch.

Part of the reason for that is because there is only two real phone competitors on the market. Samsung and Apple. So for those who are finally considering purchasing an Apple Watch, it only makes sense to purchase the Watch made by the phone manufacturer you use. And obviously Apple is predominant and the Apple Watch is the obvious choice.

And for those who only want a fitness tracker without the extras, Fit Bit typically suits those needs. But agreed, I don't consider the Fit Bit a smart watch.

 

[pentrix2]

How can dozens of companies release hundreds of new computers with Intel processors every year...

...yet it's always Apple who's stuck waiting for Intel?

My exact same thought. Can't argue with an apple fan boy though. Hahaha

 

[Fozziebear71]

I would have already purchased 2 of the Series 2 watches. The problem is, you can't buy one.