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

[maxsix]

Excellent point. The Apple Watch really applies to those who are either into fitness and or tech.

I concur, AW strength is it's appeal to tech oriented buyers.

Conversely for fitness it struggles.
I grew up in a hard core sports and fitness family. Constantly Training, we focus on Running, Cycling, Swimming, Kayaking, Climbing, Triathlons and more.

My first hand Apple Watch experience was dreadful. Grossly inaccurate and fragile, AW certainly needs a lot of help before it can be considered a relevant option.

Conversely, SUUNTO makes exemplary, proven and highly regarded sports watches. Years of experience working with top athletes has made SUUNTO the smart choice.

 

[44267547]

I concur, AW strength is it's appeal to tech oriented buyers.

Conversely for fitness it struggles.
I grew up in a hard core sports and fitness family. Constantly Training, we focus on Running, Cycling, Swimming, Kayaking, Climbing, Triathlons and more.

My first hand Apple Watch experience was dreadful. Grossly inaccurate and fragile, AW certainly needs a lot of help before it can be considered a relevant option.

Conversely, SUUNTO makes exemplary, proven and highly regarded sports watches. Years of experience working with top athletes has made SUUNTO the smart choice.

I looked into a Suunto Core at one point. Seems like a great watch. The Apple Watch fitness does not really apply to me, mainly I weight lift versus cardio. But I do appreciate its notifications, stopwatch/timer and other applications.

 

[Michael Scrip]

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.

OK... maybe it's not hundreds of new computers a year... but there are A LOT of new computers from many, many manufacturers.

Look at all the new computer announcements that are made at the various tech conferences: CES, IDF, IFA, Computex, etc. Those models are released throughout the year.

Plus all of the announcements that OEMs make at their own events... or from simply issuing a press release. And those models are released throughout the year too.

There are TONS of new computers that come out each year from the likes of HP, Dell, Lenovo, Asus, Acer, MSI, Samsung, etc. And they clearly aren't being hampered by Intel. That was my point.

I see your point about meaningless updates. Sure... Apple shouldn't release an slightly updated laptop just for the hell of it.

If suitable Skylake processors for the MBP have only recently been released... then that also means everyone else has been waiting for those processors too, right?

But there have been other Skylake processors available... since OEMs have been releasing Skylake laptops for about 10 months now. Have they been using the wrong processors this whole time?

And what about the Mac Pro? Has there really not been a suitable Xeon processor released in the last 3 years? And I believe that the latest 2013 Mac Pro was using a year old Xeon at the time. So it's even older now.

 

[maxsix]

I looked into a Suunto Core at one point. Seems like a great watch. The Apple Watch fitness does not really apply to me, mainly I weight lift versus cardio. But I do appreciate its notifications, stopwatch/timer and other applications.

I'm of the mind that by the next generation Apple Watch will become much more capable than it currently is. That's not a knock on the current product, just a projection based on a comprehensive understanding of how Apple operates. A bit old and conservative, Apple has become a bit slow and less nimble. They seem quite comfortable taking years to do what they once would accomplished in far less time. It's the luxury of not having to worry about profit.

 

[turtlebud]

I was planning to buy a series 2 until I found out that the new features weren't compelling enough for me to justify the price. I already have a MS Band 2, and I was hoping the newest Apple watch would blow it out of the water. But it is missing barometer (crucial for hikes), no sleep monitoring (due to weak battery), measurements like VO Max and lack luster battery life. I decided to keep my Band 2 until either series 3 or 4. I really think Apple should release a separate "fit" line of watches at a cheaper price and keep the current line for more luxury feel.

I was using a pebble time to track steps, swims, and sleep prior to getting an AW2 so the impact of a 1 day battery was concerning to me. But I wanted to give it a try and see how well it tracked swims and then would decide if I was okay with it not tracking sleep. After doing some research, it seemed that it is possible to track sleep with the AW and it is actually less trouble than it would seem. I charge it around 10pm each night (to 100% - takes about 60-90 minutes depending on how much battery is left) before I got to bed and put it on before I sleep. I use the sleep++ app which involves telling it when you are going to sleep and then telling it when you wake up in the morning. By the time I get up in the morning, the battery has dropped to 95%. Initially I charged it back to 100% when I was getting ready for work, but I found that at the end of the day, I was still at 60%, so I stopped charging in the morning. From a 10-11:30pm charge, it will definitely last though the day with change to spare until I charge it again at 10pm the next night.

I can only speak to the functions that I use, but I have been very happy with the purchase and will be keeping it. Obviously everyone's use case is different so if it doesn't fit your needs then it doesn't make sense to buy it. Thankfully, there seem to be a plethora of options available to choose from.

 

[44267547]

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.

Agreed to an extent. It depends on the user and how they choose to use the Watch. If you have someone who is into swimming, Then the Apple Watch would be useful with the added water resistance and lap counting.

If someone was a runner, the GPS would be useful.

So in some cases, it would be worth the upgrade to an extent. Where I agree with you is I have not found a compatible reason to upgrade and I also still love my Gen 1 Watch. And over time, I will make the decision if I want Version 2 or hold off until Apple Watch 3.

 

[Dreamer2go]

Don't care what Ming said.
I have an Apple Watch, and I chose that over a Fitbit. I used both before, and I think the Apple Watch is MILES better.

 

[44267547]

I'm of the mind that by the next generation Apple Watch will become much more capable than it currently is. That's not a knock on the current product, just a projection based on a comprehensive understanding of how Apple operates. A bit old and conservative, Apple has become a bit slow and less nimble. They seem quite comfortable taking years to do what they once would accomplished in far less time. It's the luxury of not having to worry about profit.

And if Apple wanted to make a home run Apple Watch and incorporate every new futuristic innovation possible, they probably could with the appropriate measures. But when it comes down to spreading the advancements over time to draw a mass
Appeal, Apple wants to take their time and make money. In which I understand. I'm highly interested to see where this leads. In think if they continue to develope the Watch, it really could have potential to be a game Changer, which it's not at this moment.

 

[Dreamer2go]

I'm of the mind that by the next generation Apple Watch will become much more capable than it currently is. That's not a knock on the current product, just a projection based on a comprehensive understanding of how Apple operates. A bit old and conservative, Apple has become a bit slow and less nimble. They seem quite comfortable taking years to do what they once would accomplished in far less time. It's the luxury of not having to worry about profit.

Please remember. Innovations like iPhone or iPad doesn't come every single year. There are many other factors including advancement in components too. I appreciate Apple's time to bake good products.

Of course, "next year is going to be better" is a psychological and realistic statement. But from what I can tell, Apple Watch Series 2 is very near complete as an all day fitness tracker and "smart watch".
I just got one, and I'm very surprised at how solid it is in just 1.5 years.

 

[rtr1985]

I find the AW, and now the AW2, to be great. It definitely requires a little more proactive learning curve and setup, though.

 

[Larry The L]

Ha. Apple stopped being a computer company with the stupid iPod. My brother think it was the iMac since that didn't have a floppy drive. Regardless, Apple's been making toys for a long time. Real people who are not pretentious use Linux or Windows.

Then why are you on a Mac forum?

 

[44267547]

At the end of the day, 1 - 8 million units would still be a good year for nearly any other company. Personally, wouldn't care to see the exact same form factor on the wrists of all watch wearing people.

Which is one of the reasons I did not jump on board on the Apple Watch 2. I own the Gen 1 Stainless and purchasing the Apple Watch 2 in stainless would be like purchasing the same Watch over again. And the GPS, screen brightness and added water resistance is not enough for me. I am thinking of waiting for a complete revamp and maybe a round version. Perhaps a larger Millimeter variant as well. But I am enjoying my Gen 1 stainless just as much from day one.

 

[maxsix]

Please remember. Innovations like iPhone or iPad doesn't come every single year. There are many other factors including advancement in components.

I grew up in tech and am formally educated in the field, it's not pie in the sky expectations. I've followed Apple very closely since their inception, I know their capabilities and as such it's the relatively poor quality control, the buggy software, the decline in true innovation and refusal to implement other industry standard technology (like capacitive buttons) in recent years that causes me to look at them with a jaundiced eye.

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

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

Apple may sell fewer Apple Watch models in 2016

And people wonder why trust in the media is at an all time low. Especially in this election. LOL.

 

[ThaRuler]

And if Apple wanted to make a home run Apple Watch and incorporate every new futuristic innovation possible, they probably could with the appropriate measures. But when it comes down to spreading the advancements over time to draw a mass
Appeal, Apple wants to take their time and make money. In which I understand. I'm highly interested to see where this leads. In think if they continue to develope the Watch, it really could have potential to be a game Changer, which it's not at this moment.

Even you realize AW is not that great. You also said you would be the first people to buy the AW2 and you didn't. Thank you for your honesty

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Real people who are not pretentious use Linux or Windows.

So, in other words ... Elitist jerks, that use inane blanket statements, while using Linux or Windows?

Does that about sum it up?

- a pretentious synthetic Mac user

 

[Abazigal]

Ha. Apple stopped being a computer company with the stupid iPod. My brother think it was the iMac since that didn't have a floppy drive. Regardless, Apple's been making toys for a long time. Real people who are not pretentious use Linux or Windows.

Then call me a pretentious Mac user. It shall be a title I bear with pride.

 

[44267547]

Even you realize AW is not that great. You also said you would be the first people to buy the AW2 and you didn't. Thank you for your honesty

Your correct. It's a great a device, but It Has a long way to go. There is a possibility I may still purchase the Series 2 or I will likely hold off until Version 3. But I don't believe it's a flop.

 

[AleksanderTheGreat]

Well, if Apple would sell their watch in the other half of the world, I'd see now downgrade in sales. People are building businesses on imported 2015 versions so there is a significant market in unsupported countries.

 

[BvizioN]

Good. Get back to computers and phones and making them better than anybody.

That's right. Apple should not make products that guys at Macrumors don't like. They should only focus on products that guys around this forum like.

 

[skellener]

And the GPS, screen brightness and added water resistance is not enough for me.

For some, those items were exactly what was missing from the first version. My problem is that I don't really care for the design or look at all. Since there's basically only one, it's a non-starter for me. That's the problem with designing a piece of fashion. It doesn't really matter what it does, if you don't like the way it looks, you aren't gonna wear it. Kinda opposite of a computer. You buy it first because of what it does. It could be hideous, but if it'll render like a mother'effer then throw it in a closet. Apple changed that and showed that a computer can look amazing and have horsepower (of course they haven't updated the MacPro in over 1,000 days so the horsepower is lagging now). But when it comes to a fashion piece, looks are going to be the selling point. I just don't care for it at all. I love giant bulky round sports watches. If Apple ever does one, I might look into it. I'll pass on the dainty square piece of jewelry they currently sell.

 

[5105973]

I want a Series 2 to use in the pool, but pool season is over where I live. So I may as well just continue to wear my original Apple Watch and wait for next Mother's Day for the Series 2. Who knows, I may catch a sale at Best Buy by then.

 

[Mike MA]

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

Those who always want to be the first adopters and those who skipped G1 (or watchOS prior to 3) for good reasons. Most of the latter will go for Series 2 I think.

 

[Kameha]

Really, since when Apple does sell Watch?

 

[8692574]

The problem for me it is the price, I mean paying another 400 bucks for the same thing (yes i know it is faster...but really???).

I use few apps and those are fine, mostly notification and small apps on the watch so the faster cpu really doesn't benefit my use case, the waterproof (as per swimming) is the only thing i'd like to have on my origianl AWatch, but not paying 400 again just to swim.