Apple Watch 2 Not Likely to See March Debut [Updated]

[Andres Cantu]

So it's been "delayed" until the Fall like the new iPhones are "delayed" from the Summer to the Fall every year and the supposed "iPhone 5e" will be "delayed" to the Fall as well

Makes sense, Apple loves to introduce new products with new OS's, so it makes sense for them to wait for Watch OS 3.0 to introduce the Apple Watch 2 (same with iPhones: no new iOS, no new iPhone, so no Summer releases).

 

[SupaDav03]

The Apple watch is a pretty lethargic piece of technology. It's bulky, doesn't have a 24x7 display, and it's got a day charge long if you're lucky. In summary it's got three fundamental problems before it becomes anything more than a toy.

Obviously you do not own an Apple Watch nor have you spent any extended period of time with one. The battery life is just fine. I can wear it all day and night and still get through the next day of work on a single charge. Bulky? WTF? Are you serious? It's barely larger them my mechanical watches. Im by no means a large guy, and the 42mm looks good on my wrist. Not bulky at all. Please stop regurgitating crap you read online and form your own opinions based on actual, personal experiences.

 

[eastamherstbias]

As an early adopter, I hope this is true

As an early adopter, bring on apple watch 2.....

 

[MacDarcy]

I think a one year or even 18 month refresh cycle is too soon for a watch. 2 years MINIMUM...and even that is kinda short in my humble opinion.

 

[nicho]

I edited my post and deleted it.

(edit, lol) but, still wondering what's up with apple releasing 9.3 and 9.4 betas...two things in the works, but what?

umm. where's this 9.4 beta you're talking about?

 

[SteveJobs2.0]

Well i guess that justify's my purchase just a bit more. I ended up getting a basically brand new AWS 42mm from BB when they were $100 off last week. They had a open box that literally looked like someone opened it and said wrong color and boxed it back up. Charger, or USB never removed from the box, or watch taken from the plastic. I ended up paying $256 for it from $399 originally.

PS: Anyone else out there that would actually want maybe say a 45mm version? I am a athletic muscular build. I am used to wearing larger Diving style watches. I think a 45mm version would be sweet. But just not sure enough that there is a LARGE market for that size.

I want 46mm

 

[joeszef1]

too early for a new apple watch perhaps improve their WatchOS

 

[Gudi]

I think Apple should shoot for something closer to a 2 year cycle for the watches. Just seems like it would make more people willing to buy throughout the year.

Nah, the Apple Watch is a gimmick for early adopters and it's second generation won't sell at all. The company is prepared for a failure and hides sales numbers under accessories. We will never know how bad follow-up sales really are, but just assume the worst. Apple had a big winning streak lately, it's about time for another failed product. Not an iphonegate or something, but an actual product which doesn't sell well. Smartwatches are the perfect product category normal people couldn't care less about.

 

[MNJohn]

A December rumor pointed towards a possible March 2016 event to unveil a next-generation Apple Watch, but information shared today by TechCrunch's Matthew Panzarino suggests a redesigned second-generation Apple Watch will not be coming so early in the year. That conflicts with some recent rumors suggesting trial production on the Apple Watch 2 is set to begin soon.

Citing several sources with knowledge of Apple's plans, Panzarino says that while new design partnerships and accessories are a possibility for March, a second-generation Apple Watch is not expected. There is, however, a potential March event in the works, but it is not clear what would be launched at that time. New Macs and the rumored 4-inch iPhone 6c are possibilities.

To further back up his claims, Panzarino says supply chain checks have not indicated that production on a second-generation Apple Watch has begun and there's been no "major action" on the software development side that would point towards the possibility of a newly redesigned Apple Watch debuting in the next few months.The Apple Watch, introduced in April of 2015, is a new product category for Apple so its upgrade cycle is difficult to determine. With the iPhone, Apple introduces updates on a yearly basis, but if no second-generation Apple Watch comes out in March, it is not clear when a new version will debut. As Panzarino says, an update alongside the iPhone 7 in September is a possibility, putting the Apple Watch on an 18-month upgrade cycle.

As further evidence that an Apple Watch 2 might not come until later in 2016, we have not seen any concrete rumors about features that might included in a second-generation device and there have been no schematics or part leaks that we might expect to see just a few months ahead of the launch of an updated device.

Article Link: Apple Watch 2 Not Likely to See March Debut

In my opinion, this watch is garbage. Quality watches do not carry a designation of v2.0 and owners of quality watches expect the design and function to be enduring and not to be revised annually.

 

[Quu]

Remember people the hardware for the original Apple Watch was finished in September 2014. The only reason it released on April 24th 2015 was because the software wasn't finished yet in Sep 2014.

And still today the software is what hampers the watch more than anything. It's sometimes slow, it's inconsistent in response to Siri and 3rd party apps still take a very long time to load due to most of them still not being native. Apple needs to incentivise developers to make proper native watch apps.

I honestly don't think we'll see new hardware until September 2016, I think they'll release Watch 2 alongside the iPhone 7. That would be exactly two years since they showed the watch off originally and would get the watch where they always wanted it, just ahead of Christmas alongside new iPhones so they can be purchased together.

Of course the above is just my opinion. I'm looking forward to the second watch whenever it releases but I'm much more eager to get Watch OS 3 which I hope will improve the consistency of the watches performance which is really all over the place right now.

 

[Mainsail]

Firstly, I must confess that I have been very negative about the AW on this forum. So, I was a bit reluctant when I received one as a xmas present. Anyway, I have been wearing it for a couple of weeks, and it is a real pleasure to use. Now, it is not a necessity by any stretch, but it is a nice accessory, which makes some things more convenient and fun to do.

I don't really see this as a device that someone needs to update yearly to enjoy. I anticipate replacing it after 4 years or so, which is not an unusual for a nice watch. In fact some folks keep their watches for decades. The Watch App ensures that regardless of iOS updates Apple can support legacy watches for a long long time (although over-time, there my be various versions of the App to make ensure compatibility with older Watches). Apple knows this is essential if they are going to make the Apple Watch a viable purchase.

So, down the road, I figure if I pay $400 for the Watch and update after 4 years....$100 per year. Which seems reasonable for an accessory.....but definitely not for everyone.

BTW - My iPhone 6s plus cost $850, so with $200 trade-in after 2 years = $325 per year. Of course, a smartphone is much more of a "necessity" than an "accessory". Nevertheless, the Apple Watch kind of enhances and compliments the iPhone experience....it is especially nice combo with larger phones.

Bottom-line - I really don't need an Apple Watch, so I really don't need to update it annually. I choose to own an AW for convenience and fun....nothing wrong with that.....but, I have a hard time seeing myself chasing annual upgrades. Of course, I didn't see myself owning an AW in the first place....so, what the heck do I know.

 

[DanielSw]

As an early adopter I'm happy with the watch, and could care less if another version arrives this Spring. I will continue wearing my first gen as it suites me fine.

I agree completely. I love my Sport 42.

 

[Marshall73]

Do Apple NEED to have annual upgrade cycles for the watch? Just because they do this for iPads and iPhones doesn't mean this will happen for the watch, maybe it will be a 'when we are ready' cycle. They have done things differently with the watch so far so its possible the refresh cycle will be different too?

 

[blut haus]

Well, I say let them take however long they want! I'm waiting on second gen to buy one.

 

[dampfnudel]

Not really sure what else they would show. iPad Air 3 with Pencil support? You don't really need an event for that. Updated MacPro with all USB-C connectors with HDMI 2.0 , Thunderbolt 3 , 10-gigabit ethernet and faster chips? Again, not sure they would need an event for something like that. Scraping iTunes altogether and unveiling and brand new, from the ground up system for organizing your media that makes sense and a SEPARATE IMPROVED store broken out so that you'll have separate purchasing and streaming so as not to confuse the **** out of people like it is now? OK, maybe that would be a nice thing to unveil at a event.

You know something?

 

[developer13245]

Darn my $20,000 watch is getting so old.... When can I buy a new one?

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

Im thinking the watches will have a 2 year cycle.

 

[flaw600]

I really saddens me that Apple thinks someone would buy a new watch every year. They've updated the Thunderbolt display with variants without calling it Thunderbolt display 2, 3, 4, etc. Why can't they do the same for the Apple Watch.

The display or the adapter? Because the display hasn't changed. The adapter, however, has, and is now called Thunderbolt 2.
[doublepost=1452925886][/doublepost]

Actually, the rumors say A9.

Actually rumors say A8.

 

[Chundles]

Air 3, new Skylake laptops, 4-inch iPhone and new season of Apple Watch accessories.

Sounds like a good event to me.

 

[luigi408]

I want something nicer than my Fitbit Surge. Waiting for the second gen version. This news sucks for me.

 

[vinnyerrero]

MacBook Pro Retina's design is already reaching 4 years old. New MBPr will be thinner, lighter and with some changes in the ports: All Thunderbolt 2 and one or none USB-A being replaced with USB-C/Thunderbolt 3, HDMI 2.0(maybe no HDMI). New colors should come too. i7 6567U and Iris 540 on MBPr 13" and i7 69X0HQ and Iris Pro 580 on MBPr 15"

 

[Silver78]

The apple watch came to Denmark about 3 months ago!
Release of a new watch in march after only 6 months would that not be to completely screw people?
(I recall they did the same with ipad 4?)

Sure the wrist straps would fit a watch 2 since they cost so much?

 

[Someyoungguy]

I think a one year or even 18 month refresh cycle is too soon for a watch. 2 years MINIMUM...and even that is kinda short in my humble opinion.

too early for a new apple watch perhaps improve their WatchOS

Do Apple NEED to have annual upgrade cycles for the watch? Just because they do this for iPads and iPhones doesn't mean this will happen for the watch, maybe it will be a 'when we are ready' cycle. They have done things differently with the watch so far so its possible the refresh cycle will be different too?

Hoping that Apple not release a new and improved version of anything seems irrational to me, so I have to question your motives. Here's what I think: you know in your heart of hearts that the Gen-1 watch you bought doesn't justify its cost, and seeing a better version come out further erodes the rationalizations you made when you bought yours.

I think you should take comfort in knowing that Version 2 is not going to cause Version 1 to suddenly become pointless (it already was), and that you got to enjoy playing with Version 1 while the rest of us waited for the one we could justify buying. We all need to get comfortable with the fact that these things are not heirlooms, despite the marketing hype, and that they will see regular, frequent updates. Buy the one that works for you, and move on.

 

[Silver78]

I could accept same watch different designs maybe (not just color). Maybe even a bigger one with more battery for the needy. And a round one? Like same package different wrapping.
Maybe a colorfull applewatch C in hard plastic

 

[smulji]

I edited my post and deleted it.

(edit, lol) but, still wondering what's up with apple releasing 9.3 and 9.4 betas...two things in the works, but what?

Apple just dropped iOS 9.3 Beta 1 this week. There has been no mention & no release of iOS 9.4, so I'm curious where you got that information from
[doublepost=1452928627][/doublepost]

Actually, the rumors say A9.

Actually rumors are all over the map & include the 4" iPhone having an updated A8 SoC and another rumor saying it'll have 6s internals. So really no one knows.
[doublepost=1452928689][/doublepost]

Just as predicted. No earlier than Fall. Both iPad Air 3 and Apple Watch 2 will be released in the Fall after WWDC which shows off iOS 10 and Watch OS 3.

Agreed
[doublepost=1452929041][/doublepost]

Remember people the hardware for the original Apple Watch was finished in September 2014. The only reason it released on April 24th 2015 was because the software wasn't finished yet in Sep 2014.

And still today the software is what hampers the watch more than anything. It's sometimes slow, it's inconsistent in response to Siri and 3rd party apps still take a very long time to load due to most of them still not being native. Apple needs to incentivise developers to make proper native watch apps.

I honestly don't think we'll see new hardware until September 2016, I think they'll release Watch 2 alongside the iPhone 7. That would be exactly two years since they showed the watch off originally and would get the watch where they always wanted it, just ahead of Christmas alongside new iPhones so they can be purchased together.

Of course the above is just my opinion. I'm looking forward to the second watch whenever it releases but I'm much more eager to get Watch OS 3 which I hope will improve the consistency of the watches performance which is really all over the place right now.

Agreed.