Apple Watch Chipmakers Said to Be Gearing Up Production

[RedCroissant]

The iwatch with its endless looks & wristbands is beautifully designed no doubt...but I just don't desire one. Firstly, because I've never been a watch guy lol, and secondly, I personally don't see the need for the tech. I could do everything I want on my iphone or ipad. Why do I need a watch too? I don't.

Others may. I'm just not lusting for one like I do other apple products.

I get what you're saying but I think it's going to fill that empty space in the apple ecosystem. Sure, people have all of their iDevices, but a watch is a good one to have as well. No need to take your phone of your pocket/jacket/bag to see if the tone you heard was a message/notification/or email. Yes the sounds are distinct when the phone is out, but not so much when the phone is covered up. So this way, your watch will let you know and it's a quick glance. Done. That is my practical solution that obviates the need for pulling your phone out all of the time. Plus, I think the design is great and the smart watch features that seem to be the type that out"smart" the competition should make this a smart buy.

Yes, I used "smart" a lot.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

While I agree that it is a niche product that won't get the sales they want; what are the other cook failures you speak of?

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I doubt we see even 20-25 mil. I think ~5-10 million in the first year at the most.

Based on what hard market data? Somehow you think Cook and the rest of the Apple exec and BODs is willing blow up the company with these estimate in the tens of millions of sales. I submit they have done endless market research and they would have treated Apple Watch as the first Apple TV, not iPhone, if they didn't think they had a big seller on hand. There is simple too much hype and money at risk to think otherwise.

As far a I can tell you are nothing more than a couch surfing analyst with nothing more to go on than your gut hunch based only on your circle of friends habits.

 

[CB1234]

1998: Imac? No one's going to take this thing seriously. It's ugly, i thought steve was gonna save apple, not with this freakshow.

2001: Ipod? Why would i pay $400 for an mp3 player? That's pointless, so is that itunes thing. Steve jobs failed on this one.

2007: Iphone? No. I'm not paying $500 for some big screened toy, who no one professional would ever use. Everyone wants and uses blackberry, especially in enterprise. Apple's screwed. Plus i have my ipod, why would i need one built into my phone?

2008: Macbook air? Are you crazy! It doesn't even have a superdrive built into it, and i'm not paying $99 for an external one. What a disaster.

2010: Ipad?!? Really steve!?!? What a horrendous name for an unneeded product. $500 for a big ipod touch? No way, no one is gonna pay for that. I have my macbook air and my iphone, i don't need an ipad.

2012: Ipad mini? Steve said no mini tablets! What is wrong with apple? They have such a flawless record and now they can't stop failing... Steve really knew what he was doing. Apple's doomed, i have an ipad for a reason.

2014: Apple watch? What a terrible idea! No way am i gonna spend even $350 for the base model. I have an iphone for a reason, plus i hav worn a watch in years. How arbitrary.

spot on!!!!

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The shareholder in me hopes the watch is a huge success. The former Apple enthusiast wishes the company would get a CEO who is able outside the counting house.

You should sell your shares, unless Apple change their CEO...

it's a huge risk staying invested, when you don't believe in the company head...

 

[Sasparilla]

...As far a I can tell you are nothing more than a couch surfing analyst with nothing more to go on than your gut hunch based only on your circle of friends habits.

Isn't that pretty much everyone here and the point of the comments to elicit one's opinion?

At this point, gut hunch is all anyone really has with regards to the potential of the watch and its good to see what everyone's gut is telling them.

 

[T5BRICK]

Agreed. Apple products require a considerable amount of troubleshooting on Cook's watch.

And you're saying this because Apple had a flawless track record in the past?

 

[SusanK]

spot on!!!!

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You should sell your shares, unless Apple change their CEO...

it's a huge risk staying invested, when you don't believe in the company head...

You are an investment professional?

 

[Nightarchaon]

Amen to that!! I have about 3 chargers - one at home, one at work and one in my bag. It's really insane that it seems normal.

Apple has trained us all well , buy a device, then spend the same again on chargers..

 

[SusanK]

And you're saying this because Apple had a flawless track record in the past?

Quality is deteoriating.

 

[rsocal]

1998: iMac? No one's going to take this thing seriously. It's ugly, I thought Steve was gonna save Apple, not with this freakshow.

2001: iPod? Why would I pay $400 for an MP3 player? That's pointless, so is that iTunes thing. Steve Jobs failed on this one.

2007: iPhone? No. I'm not paying $500 for some big screened toy, who no one professional would ever use. Everyone wants and uses Blackberry, especially in Enterprise. Apple's screwed. Plus I have my iPod, why would I need one built into my phone?

2008: MacBook Air? are you crazy! It doesn't even have a SuperDrive built into it, and I'm not paying $99 for an external one. What a disaster.

2010: iPad?!? Really Steve!?!? What a horrendous name for an unneeded product. $500 for a big iPod touch? No way, no one is gonna pay for that. I have my MacBook Air and my iPhone, I don't need an iPad.

2012: iPad mini? Steve said NO MINI TABLETS! What is wrong with Apple? They have such a flawless record and now they can't stop failing... Steve really knew what he was doing. Apple's doomed, I have an iPad for a reason.

2014: Apple Watch? What a terrible idea! No way am I gonna spend even $350 for the base model. I have an iPhone for a reason, plus I hav worn a watch in years. How arbitrary.

This is really a example! Good job!

 

[BruceEBonus]

And you're saying this because Apple had a flawless track record in the past?

No. It's because it's Cook's iWatch on Cook's watch.

 

[msheredy]

Hard to believe that Apple is trying to produce a product that they've announced they are trying to produce. MR brings great insight.

I guess you haven't heard of the device known as the iPhone then.

 

[gugy]

Make the Watch waterproof and free of having to use an iPhone and them I will be into it. Maybe it will happen on future versions. Until them I will wait.

I hope Apple and Nike are working on a band product. Ala FuelBand. That's a winner IMO. I like my Omega and I don't want to leave it behind.

 

[usarioclave]

My iPhone is so big I need a watch for it.

 

[currentinterest]

I will be purchasing four of them for the family. Everyone of my friends plan to by multiple devices as well. This thing will be huge.

 

[CB1234]

You are an investment professional?

Common sense doesn't need professional advise...but I guess it would be wasted on some people.

 

[TRICKorDEVICE]

Wow...history certainly repeats itself. Thanks for digging those up.

A blast from the past:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apples-new-thing-ipod.500/













https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/854974/

 

[Glenny2lappies]

1) You need an iPhone to use them.
2) Battery life.
3) Cost.

They will sell but not in the quantities Apple is hoping for.

4) Ugly

There, fixed it for ya.

 

[TallManNY]

I highly doubt upgrades (except for maybe the S1 chip in the high-end versions for one or two chip generations, say S2 and S3) will work because the external design will also change over time.

I also doubt the $349 will cover anything other than the Sports edition without Sapphire given Apple's gross margins near 40%.

Maybe even the bands are sold separately (which would make sense from a logistics point of view) and the $349 only covers the watch itself.

I'm guessing you get the plastic band with $349 watch and some other cheap band (maybe also the plastic ones) with the stainless steel watch. Depends on the price point of the stainless steel. That watch is part jewelry so I think estimates of it being $400 are too low. Apple is doing something new here, they are creating a luxury product in a way that the iPhone is NOT in the U.S. The higher end model Apple Watches do not have to be for everyone. They will be the largest selling smartwatch by a wide wide margin. So they will get all the Watch App development. But I don't think they are going to price this so that 40 million U.S. folks are wearing it after the first year.

 

[Lakepapa]

I do like a couple of the stainless steel configurations and will most likely buy one. Battery life and it not being waterproof are a disappointment though. As others have said..another different charging cable to carry around

 

[blue22]

truth...

1998: iMac? No one's going to take this thing seriously. It's ugly, I thought Steve was gonna save Apple, not with this freakshow.

2001: iPod? Why would I pay $400 for an MP3 player? That's pointless, so is that iTunes thing. Steve Jobs failed on this one.

2007: iPhone? No. I'm not paying $500 for some big screened toy, who no one professional would ever use. Everyone wants and uses Blackberry, especially in Enterprise. Apple's screwed. Plus I have my iPod, why would I need one built into my phone?

2008: MacBook Air? are you crazy! It doesn't even have a SuperDrive built into it, and I'm not paying $99 for an external one. What a disaster.

2010: iPad?!? Really Steve!?!? What a horrendous name for an unneeded product. $500 for a big iPod touch? No way, no one is gonna pay for that. I have my MacBook Air and my iPhone, I don't need an iPad.

2012: iPad mini? Steve said NO MINI TABLETS! What is wrong with Apple? They have such a flawless record and now they can't stop failing... Steve really knew what he was doing. Apple's doomed, I have an iPad for a reason.

2014: Apple Watch? What a terrible idea! No way am I gonna spend even $350 for the base model. I have an iPhone for a reason, plus I hav worn a watch in years. How arbitrary.

I logged in just to up-vote your comment, brilliant.

 

[Shabbis]

What are the chances Apple adds GPS to the watch so I could leave my 6 plus at home when I run? At least on the "sport" model? That, and say enough space for a couple hours of music hooked up to some BT headphones. And then it could sync with the Health app once in range of my phone. It would be the perfect "sport" watch. Most of the apple watch competitors have added GPS for activity tracking.

 

[SusanK]

Common sense doesn't need professional advise...but I guess it would be wasted on some people.

I take it you are not an investment or tax pro from your response. Please correct me if you are credentialed in these areas.

I use professional advice. The Beverly Hillbillies is a cute old sitcom if you want a simple laugh. I would not get medical advice from Granny Clampett. Personal preference.

If you are a credentialed investment pro do you require your fund clients to know and love the CEO's of each company invested in each fund?

Just curious.

 

[goobot]

I'm getting déjà vu from this comment. Reminds me of June 2007 and October 2001.

I can't comment on the iPod since I can't remember tho I bought an original iPhone and last time I checked Apple had to drop the price on them 200$ and bump the storage due to lack of sales.

 

[ZCT]

I see zero value in owning one, except for 'owning one'. If you do end up finding a decent reason, please let me know.

I travel a lot for a living, and wear a mechanical watch. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have a super accurate watch that auto-updates to the time zone I am in.

 

[Avatar74]

The shareholder in me hopes the watch is a huge success. The former Apple enthusiast wishes the company would get a CEO who is able outside the counting house.

At $350 the watch is not inappropriately priced against the current market for smartwatches.

Cook's specialty was operating cost management (supply chain, specifically), not pricing strategy.... as cheap and efficient as apple can be, the gross margin on those watches is estimated to be less than it is on their mobile products.

But again that's irrelevant... products are not priced according to cost except by third rate volume retailers like Wal-Mart. Apple is not Wal-Mart. The watch is a hell of a lot nicer than the Moto 360 and priced accordingly.

If the market doesn't bite, they'll adjust it. 10GB iPods didn't stay $500 forever....