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

[Mac 128]

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.

Nah, Swatch churns out dozens of new models every year.

Apple needs to either commit to this, or accept what it is -- a niche market wearable with limited fashion appeal (at least they backed off that angle this time). At least offer a round model.

 

[robeddie]

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?

Yea, pretty much.

 

[Scottgfx]

Yea, pretty much.

Wow, so clever.

 

[truthertech]

[
Michael Scrip said: ↑
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?

QUOTE="pentrix2, post: 23659393, member: 983132"]My exact same thought. Can't argue with an apple fan boy though. Hahaha[/QUOTE]


Well, aside from the fact that there aren't dozens of major computer manufacturers releasing hundreds of new computers each year, it has to do with the fact that Apple isn't playing that game of rolling out relatively meaningless updates. The fact is, as notoriously pissed off former fan of Apple Leo Laporte admits, the reality is that there isn't anything that anyone can really point to that the current laptops, etc., can't do for 99% of the population. Apple is waiting to put out a meaningful update, so stand by for some exciting news.

Yes, heavy tech folks and casual aficionados all want the very latest processor, as I do, but most people have no idea whether their Mac has Kably lake or Pentium or PowerPC. This fact, not an opinion, is born out by sales over the last two years, where Apple enjoyed steady increases in Mac sales for most of 2014 and 2015, while the rest of the PC market was in a slump. Yes, those other computer manufacturers who are desperately rolling out some new processor that most of the world couldn't care less about. I'm sure Apple is frustrated by Intel's slowness, but it gets overblown by the tech press.

 

[maxsix]

Apple Watch is an excellent product. But it's a niche market of early adopters that love Apple and their gadgets. The Cupertino Company doesn't need AW to be popular or to be profitable, it's simply a conversation piece that draws a little extra attention to Apple.

 

[brownpaw]

I know that Apple makes premium products with premium prices, but I just still feel that the price on these is just too high. People "need" a laptop, so even an average person might be able to swing a Macbook when they're buying a computer anyway. People "need" a phone, so same thing going with an iPhone over the cheapest possible Android when it's time to upgrade. But people don't "need" a watch. And a fair number of people who do have watches are perfectly happy with those watches as they last for years and don't get slower after annual software updates.

I was curious about wearables and I found a Pebble Time watch on clearance for $55. It's been absolutely fantastic, but especially so for $55. However, I would not pay retail for it and its features, and I would not pay retail for an Apple Watch and its more advanced features.

People need to be convinced of the utility of wearables. That means getting some into the market so people can show their friends (I still don't think I've seen/noticed an Apple Watch in the wild). The absolute simplest, base model Series 1 needs to start between $150 and $180 new. So then at least some more people will have it, and eventually more people will begin to turn their heads and look at these things, and then it's only $x more for the next one up. I think that's the bingo they need.

 

[AFDoc]

Can't innovate my a$$!

This is getting about as annoying as "Steve wouldn't do that"..... Come up with something new ffs.
[doublepost=1475546517][/doublepost]

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.

LoL a few hundred cheaper? You want them to give it away?

 

[Victor Mortimer]

Nah, Swatch churns out dozens of new models every year.

Apple needs to either commit to this, or accept what it is -- a niche market wearable with limited fashion appeal (at least they backed off that angle this time). At least offer a round model.

Of all the things Apple should be doing, offering a stupid round watch is NOT one of them.

Round made sense for a watch when they were mechanical.

Watches are not mechanical any more, at least the ones made for people who aren't fools aren't mechanical.

 

[AFDoc]

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

Good luck wearing that on your wrist. IF you are comparing the two, even at price point you are OBVIOUSLY not the demographic apple is shooting for with the watches.
[doublepost=1475546733][/doublepost]

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

Ok..... I like my watch... even when my phone isn't with me..... is that ok?
[doublepost=1475546916][/doublepost]

Apple's a victim of its own success; people expect them to radically change the world with every new product release. There's a thing called equilibrium and I think saturating a niche-space with a measly several million unit sales is massive success by many definitions.

But are they really? OR is it the silly expectations of some who like apple? I've never been disappointed with any apple product I've owned.... I have realistic expectations and don't expect the world to change sadly many don't.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Juli, the title of your article is misleading, not to mention wrong. There is a big different between your use of "to" and "may," which your article actually denotes.

Why not be accurate and honest and use "may" in the title, instead of click bait tactics?

 

[farewelwilliams]

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

i don't care for GPS, but the brightness of the screen is probably the only draw for me. i can barely see my watch outside at 1pm in southern California. not enough features for me to shell out another $300 though.

 

[AFDoc]

My wife loves her new Series 2. All the best of the original with lots of great new features including the waterproofing! Is it perfect? Nope. But we thought it was a good iteration that offered value.

Same here... bought my wife a rose gold that she missed out on in the first run. She loves the new watch and her old one went to our 11 year old daughter.

 

[cult hero]

I have a first gen and the only reason I'd upgrade is for better casing (I'd like stainless with the sapphire display) but honestly? Since watchOS 3 came out this has been like a new device.

I think one of the biggest issues with selling the watch is that it's hard to appreciate without using for a little while. There are very few functions where you can say, "The watch does X" and someone will go, "OMG I NEED THAT!" And you don't. When you wear it for a little while though it is just a really nice, solid accessory. If you lost it or it got broken it probably wouldn't be in the, "Crap! Must get a replacement today!"

I really do like the device a lot. My phone stays in my pocket a lot more. Siri is actually more useful than I thought it would be. I even really, really like the way the nightstand mode works. It's the best bedside alarm clock I have ever owned. The unlock feature for a Mac with Sierra is implemented very, very. I was using MacID which, while more feature rich, is not even close to as convenient for the ONE THING I really care about. But there's not one killer experience and if you are only focused on health and sports, there are decidedly cheaper (and probably better) options.

The watch is a very nice jack-of-all trades device that's really an accessory type device. You don't need it at all. I don't think it does enough that I would use if not for the fitness angle in addition to the other features. I also picked mine up cheaper on Craig's List because there was no way I was paying nearly $400 after tax for the base model.

Also, unlike a phone, this is not a device people are going to generally update every year or every generation. The market there is a niche of a niche. So yeah, no real surprise here. Wearables is going to be an evolving market for some time.

 

[d5aqoëp]

The main problem is misplaced priorities. They are concentrating on useless products like watch. They should have updated iMac and MBP lines in the meantime.

 

[44267547]

This thread is very interesting. I paid $232.00 on eBay for a first-gen stainless with leather which I think would have been over $600 plus 10% sales tax. So, people are right that they are not holding value too well. I don't think the original iPhone did either. But I am really impressed with the functionality and frankly, the looks too. One thing that made it easy to go with the original was the increased thickness of Series 2. I think I am lucky that I got in cheap and with low expectations. Now I can get excited about the pluses. If this thing had LTE (and with AirPods) I might learn how to not need an iPhone, which can't take my heart rate or notify me with absolutely no one else knowing. I'm starting to realize how distracted I typically become with the phone.

Out of curiousity, was this a new or used Apple Watch you paid for this price?

 

[Edward Lyons]

Now that the phone and watch Pinata is starting to empty can we please stop hitting it and get back to making computers. PLEASE!!!!!

 

[44267547]

Oh how I wish MR would turn off the font options...

This seems like a reasonable expectation to me. Not much has changed from Gen 1. I don't feel compelled to upgrade, and I don't think many others do. Given that sales were starting to plateau anyway and the new releases aren't really mind blowing, I'd expect sales to slack off a bit.

I'm not terribly bothered by that-- I love my watch. I hope they keep producing them. If mine broke, I'd replace it. Maybe Gen 3 will get me to upgrade.

I was somewhat disappointed they did not offer a Series 1 in stainless, like they did with the aluminum. I personally have no use for the GPS or added water resistance. I also have a strong appreciation for the Apple Watch. And the fact the Gen 1 and Gen 2 physically are the same. Version 3 should be interesting when they release a whole new variant and maybe a round version. I think Apple did a nice job with the stainless version and swappable bands.

 

[pika2000]

I'm one of those on the fence for the Apple watch. Waiting for Apple to make a round face Apple watch.

 

[Soccertess]

I have a first gen and the only reason I'd upgrade is for better casing (I'd like stainless with the sapphire display) but honestly? Since watchOS 3 came out this has been like a new device.

I think one of the biggest issues with selling the watch is that it's hard to appreciate without using for a little while. There are very few functions where you can say, "The watch does X" and someone will go, "OMG I NEED THAT!" And you don't. When you wear it for a little while though it is just a really nice, solid accessory. If you lost it or it got broken it probably wouldn't be in the, "Crap! Must get a replacement today!"

I really do like the device a lot. My phone stays in my pocket a lot more. Siri is actually more useful than I thought it would be. I even really, really like the way the nightstand mode works. It's the best bedside alarm clock I have ever owned. The unlock feature for a Mac with Sierra is implemented very, very. I was using MacID which, while more feature rich, is not even close to as convenient for the ONE THING I really care about. But there's not one killer experience and if you are only focused on health and sports, there are decidedly cheaper (and probably better) options.

The watch is a very nice jack-of-all trades device that's really an accessory type device. You don't need it at all. I don't think it does enough that I would use if not for the fitness angle in addition to the other features. I also picked mine up cheaper on Craig's List because there was no way I was paying nearly $400 after tax for the base model.

Also, unlike a phone, this is not a device people are going to generally update every year or every generation. The market there is a niche of a niche. So yeah, no real surprise here. Wearables is going to be an evolving market for some time.

really enjoyed your perspective. While I have criticized it lots, this is a good balanced view. So thank you!

 

[44267547]

Apple Watch is an excellent product. But it's a niche market of early adopters that love Apple and their gadgets. The Cupertino Company doesn't need AW to be popular or to be profitable, it's simply a conversation piece that draws a little extra attention to Apple.

Excellent point. The Apple Watch really applies to those who are either into fitness and or tech. I'm a tech fanatic. And that's what originally drew me into this when it released in April 2015. And the stainless model I have has drawn attention, with others asking about it. But besides from that, I personally like it, because it suits who I am. The customizing and notifications were executed nicely. Yes, the Apple Watch tries to do to much at times, but it's a fairly decent first Gen Product.

 

[nofear1az]

I wear my black rectangle and absolutely love it. Maybe that is because I care more about my health than making a personal jewelry statement.

Oh and 75 percent of the people I work with wear their Apple Watch.

so why not a Fitbit then? I don't know anyone at work or personally that has an iWatch except my fiance and she stopped wearing it after a month. Now she uses the Samsung GearFit instead for the bigger display and 4 day battery life so she can have it monitor her sleep.

 

[maxsix]

I know that Apple makes premium products with premium prices, but I just still feel that the price on these is just too high.

The high end MacBook Pro and ThinkPad laptops I use are fully optioned identically configured machines. Year after year. In fact it's my much loved CTO 15" MacBook Pro that's missing a few things only available on the ThinkPad, like built in LTE connectivity.

Price?

Apple charges TWICE as much... yes, double the price!

Welcome to AppleLand.

 

[Sylvan]

I wear my black rectangle and absolutely love it. Maybe that is because I care more about my health than making a personal jewelry statement.

Oh and 75 percent of the people I work with wear their Apple Watch.

Well, zero percent of the people I work with wear an Apple Watch. So, I hope we can agree, the anecdotes are pretty useless.

 

[nia820]

I think a lot of people just don't see the need to update their Apple Watch. There is nothing I find upgradable about series 2. Maybe in the next few months I'll upgrade. But at this moment I'm content with my series 1 Apple Watch.

 

[ipedro]

Not surprising. Many of those early adopters who wanted an Apple Watch, already got one. The Series 2 isn't compelling enough to warrant buying another one yet. It does however have the right improvements to start appealing to the general public who are buying them in large numbers.
By Series 3, we're going to have a critical mass that'll propel Apple Watch into the kind of ubiquity that we saw after the iPhone 3GS was released.