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Apple Watch Chipmakers Said to Be Gearing Up Production
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Why do you think this would be such a lofty feature? We're basically talking about Apple Watch doing what an iPod Nano already does. It seems pretty ridiculous to me that the $149 iPod Nano is a better fitness accessory than the $349+ Apple Watch, especially when they label one Sport.
Don't assume a 30-40 million chip order means that many watches will be produced in 2015. It really depends where this info coming from and in what context. Often, if it the first time you manufacture a chip or product all kinds of things go wrong - defect rates can be very high. Then when you iron out all the problems, you re-issue a new order to adjust for demand and defects.
In news/rumors terms, several months after a product release, you'll often hear: "Apple projects sales to be dismal and scales back chip orders from 32 million down to 22 million!!" If it's a new form factor or new chip, it could me that they just fixed the manufacturing problems.
Finally, there is no time frame for the rumored chip order... it could mean 30-40 million over two years. We shouldn't automatically assume that, like the smartphone industry, a new chip must come out every year.
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In news/rumors terms, several months after a product release, you'll often hear: "Apple projects sales to be dismal and scales back chip orders from 32 million down to 22 million!!" If it's a new form factor or new chip, it could me that they just fixed the manufacturing problems.
Finally, there is no time frame for the rumored chip order... it could mean 30-40 million over two years. We shouldn't automatically assume that, like the smartphone industry, a new chip must come out every year.
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No, not a lofty feature at all, just not one listed as being included in v1.0 of the watch. Obviously fitness accessory is a secondary purpose envisioned for the initial device.
I know GPS sucks battery when in use on phones, may be one reason it didn't make it into v1.0.
Not to argue with you since this is all opinion and speculation, but I hope you're wrong that fitness accessory is a secondary purpose. I'd hate for "Sport" to be nothing more than the best word they could come up with for "cheapest edition."
iPod Nano doesn't even have GPS, does it? I know it can track distance ran, though not your literal path; I'm not sure how it does it. But that's a relatively cheap and tiny device with a very long lasting battery; I feel like an Apple Watch should be able to do that too. For it to ever be a Sport or fitness device, it needs to do everything that the cheaper existing devices in that space do. Track distance, maybe even actual route (when toggled on, for battery concerns). Play music (even if just a small playlist). Withstand shallow water and minor impacts.
What Apple is getting wrong:
There is a significant market for cheap trendy disposable watches (<$100US), but this watch is not in that category.
I’ve been wearing an Omega Seamaster 300M for 16 years now. I’ve had it serviced regularly, and could sell it today for more than I paid for it plus its service costs. I didn’t really expect that when I bought it, so
. It wasn’t a cheap watch, but I knew I would wear it for at least decades and maybe a lifetime so it was worth it to me. So I’m a potential customer in this watch market - I haven’t worn a cheap (<$500) watch in over 20 years. My Seamaster cost >$1000 when I bought it.
I’d be interested in the Stainless with link bracelet, which I don’t expect to be cheap, but it better be:
1. Guts (battery, display, processor) upgradeable GUARANTEE - I’m NOT going to pay that much for a watch that WILL be obsolete in a few years. I would pay a few hundred bucks to upgrade the guts every few years. But I want AT LEAST a decade out of an expensive case/strap.
2. Reasonable battery replacement. Remember, advertised battery life is for new units. If you only get a day out of a new battery, you'll be getting less than a day within the first year.
3. Waterproof - I’m NOT expecting 300M (although I’m a SCUBA diver), but what’s the point of a Stainless sport watch if you cannot shower or swim with it? The main reason I wear a wristwatch at the gym is to maximize my time working out, so every second counts.
Smartphone obsolesce is not a valid comparison to the watch market because Smartphones are an entirely new (<10 years old) product. The cell phone market is really NOT that much older, especially when compared to the age of the watch market. People expect to buy a new cell phone every few years. It’s been that way since the beginning of the market. Wrist watches (which were just smaller (smart) pocket watches) were always an expensive purchase and expected to be a near lifetime “investment”. Cheap trendy disposable watches are only a recent market trend. Smart phones have been successful because their obsolesce cycle and cost have been mitigated by the carrier subsidies that build the phone cost into the service plan. No such mitigation applies to watches.
Apple seems to be addicted to product obsolesce (I can site several cases that I’ve experienced with their “high-end” products), which has worked to their advantage. But now they have to “think different” and break that addiction for the watch product to be successful.
And I doubt a $350 workout watch will be successful.
There is a significant market for cheap trendy disposable watches (<$100US), but this watch is not in that category.
I’ve been wearing an Omega Seamaster 300M for 16 years now. I’ve had it serviced regularly, and could sell it today for more than I paid for it plus its service costs. I didn’t really expect that when I bought it, so
. It wasn’t a cheap watch, but I knew I would wear it for at least decades and maybe a lifetime so it was worth it to me. So I’m a potential customer in this watch market - I haven’t worn a cheap (<$500) watch in over 20 years. My Seamaster cost >$1000 when I bought it.I’d be interested in the Stainless with link bracelet, which I don’t expect to be cheap, but it better be:
1. Guts (battery, display, processor) upgradeable GUARANTEE - I’m NOT going to pay that much for a watch that WILL be obsolete in a few years. I would pay a few hundred bucks to upgrade the guts every few years. But I want AT LEAST a decade out of an expensive case/strap.
2. Reasonable battery replacement. Remember, advertised battery life is for new units. If you only get a day out of a new battery, you'll be getting less than a day within the first year.
3. Waterproof - I’m NOT expecting 300M (although I’m a SCUBA diver), but what’s the point of a Stainless sport watch if you cannot shower or swim with it? The main reason I wear a wristwatch at the gym is to maximize my time working out, so every second counts.
Smartphone obsolesce is not a valid comparison to the watch market because Smartphones are an entirely new (<10 years old) product. The cell phone market is really NOT that much older, especially when compared to the age of the watch market. People expect to buy a new cell phone every few years. It’s been that way since the beginning of the market. Wrist watches (which were just smaller (smart) pocket watches) were always an expensive purchase and expected to be a near lifetime “investment”. Cheap trendy disposable watches are only a recent market trend. Smart phones have been successful because their obsolesce cycle and cost have been mitigated by the carrier subsidies that build the phone cost into the service plan. No such mitigation applies to watches.
Apple seems to be addicted to product obsolesce (I can site several cases that I’ve experienced with their “high-end” products), which has worked to their advantage. But now they have to “think different” and break that addiction for the watch product to be successful.
And I doubt a $350 workout watch will be successful.
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So then what was the meaning of your remark about Cook? He's not a cost accounting guy. Can you elaborate?
I wish they made an Apple Watch without all the sensors in it (unless it will do something like early prediction of heart attacks).
I suspect many of the people who want one want it for the non-sensory aspects (ie. Notifications). It could be thinner, cheaper, and get better battery life without them.
People who are most interested in the sensors would be just as well off with the MS Band for a lot less money.
I suspect many of the people who want one want it for the non-sensory aspects (ie. Notifications). It could be thinner, cheaper, and get better battery life without them.
People who are most interested in the sensors would be just as well off with the MS Band for a lot less money.
Very true, I said that about fitness accessory being a secondary design goal precisely because they left GPS out (and you can't shower with it on) and assumed it wouldn't be able to track where you went (without the companion phone) accurately...if it can track location by itself then more power to Apple, but I'd be surprised if it can (accurately).
If history is any guide (iPhone & iPad) Apple will add additional sensors and capabilities they realized they wanted with the 2nd and 3rd generation of this device (I'd bet GPS comes in these updates if they can't do location accurately).
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He sort of has that background at Compaq and Apple (that is what the COO does alot of) here's some stuff from his work at Apple as COO:
"Cook closed factories and warehouses, replacing them with contract manufacturers, causing a reduction in the company's inventory, from months to days. "..."Cook's actions were credited with keeping costs under control and, combined with the company's design and marketing savvy, generated huge profits."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Cook
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Good grief can people who say the watch is useless without the phone actually inform themselves by going to the apple website. It can count steps, record heart rate, play music with blue tooth and run apps without the phone!
It will undoubtably also be able to connect to other idevices around
Seems some people are really vested in their own narrative
It will undoubtably also be able to connect to other idevices around
Seems some people are really vested in their own narrative
Questions:
1. What is the the battery life when playing music over blue tooth?
2. What is the exact thickness (no guesses)?
3. What is the water proof or resistance specification?
From Apple's website:
"Features are subject to change and may not be available in all regions or all languages. Requires iPhone 5 or later.
This device has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained."
1. What is the the battery life when playing music over blue tooth?
2. What is the exact thickness (no guesses)?
3. What is the water proof or resistance specification?
From Apple's website:
"Features are subject to change and may not be available in all regions or all languages. Requires iPhone 5 or later.
This device has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained."
Lack of creativity, vision at the CEO position. Too much heavy duty bean counting.
The watch like anything else is worth what people are willing to pay for it. I really have no interest in how they price the watch. It's not a product that interest me. If it was a product that I would buy I already know for years of buying Apple that the tab will be a premium one.
Really don't understand this line of questioning. Hope that cleared it up a little. If not, I have nothing else.
Again, no interest in the watch whatsoever. I am confident that Apple does not sell at a loss.
and who the bleep are you? lol
you are a person who buys all apple products.
you arent the target audience
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i was saying the ipad would sell for consumption but now that we've had our fill the sales are dwindling.
i'm curious what makes you think an apple watch will be a mega hit? i'll quote you for the future btw.
don't give me hobby status - i want a hit
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i have a "smart" watch
it hooks up to my bike, my running, and for my swimming.
I am not apple's target market.
you need an iphone to use the gps. that is a fail right there.
i dont doubt that the apple watch will be great in the future but it's not going to be a hit.
it will be for hardcore apple fans
I predict everyone will go for the aluminum or stainless steel.
No one will go for Gold, only the rich and famous.. (or those that just wanna off-load some $$$).
Personally, i'd rather a watch you can actually make something useful without any tired to phone, not just some temporary storage either.
No one will go for Gold, only the rich and famous.. (or those that just wanna off-load some $$$).
Personally, i'd rather a watch you can actually make something useful without any tired to phone, not just some temporary storage either.
1) Cook said the phone would last 1 day under intense use. BTW, a phone under intense use as I define it doesn't last a day
. So, all depends on what intense use means. He said 1 day without precising the watch size, so I'm guessing he meant the smallest one. That would mean the bigger one probably could last 1/2 day more since most of the extra space could be used for the battery.The Ipod Nano 7th gen has almost the same volume as this watch and uses blue tooth LE. The review for this has it at 9h. Its probable that the watch would have a more efficient modern SOC (using 20nm instead of 28nm), so 50% more efficiency is possible. So, I'd estimate around 14h without more info (with the screen off).
2) I evaluated the thickness using various photos at 10mm for the body and 2mm for the smaller round thing underneath (that's about the same as the moto 360 (except the Moto has 11.5mm from top to bottom). You can get an idea of how it looks by looking at the chinese model wearing the smaller version. She has a tiny wrist and it doesn't look large at all.
The volume of the smaller watch size by my own estimation is about 40% smaller than the MOTO 360 volume. The bigger watch is probably about 10% smaller in volume than the MOTO 360.
3) From what we have heard, the sport watch is splash proof, but you can't shower or swim with it.
You have no clue what I own or my income. NOBODY CARES that you don't plan to buy a watch.
Apple watch will be a huge success, I can see the appeal just an item to own. The function is totally secondary but still I don't think I'll buy one, I can't see the advantage and I hate the feel of watches in the wrist. The options of bands etc will really skyrocket sales unlike the samsung and other watches as they only offer one look.
Apple has trained us all well , buy a device, then spend the same again on chargers..
Hmmm, I must have missed the memo where only Apple products have issues with battery life.
Right, but opinion of potential sales has to have some factual basis, not pulled from thin air. Imagine going into a board meeting and saying I think Widget X is going to be a flop because I say so. Sure, you shared your opinion, but its of no intellectual value. Sorry, you can't have a meaningful conversation based on "I think that thing sucks."
I don't care what Cook "said", you evaluated, or what we've heard...
Apple usually brags about how their products are only Xmm "thin", but no such published spec exists. Kind of a change in posture.
It's starting to go into production, the fact that these basic specifications were/are not published is evidence that they may not be so attractive.
The SDK is expected to come out this month so it's decision time for us to start spending resources to develop apps for it.
so basically you're saying that people will rather splash 500$+ on a watch just because they're too lazy to grab their credit card/cash in the pocket?
that will be one reason, perhaps even the most compelling... yes.
Apple's market is enormously bigger than it was even in 2010. They have greater mindshare, much larger presence in foreign countries, and more loyal customers who may be getting their second Apple product. Not to mention many more Apple Stores, where people will see these things in person.
Although I'm sure the first year will have its share of early adopters - Apple fans, geeks, fashionistas, uber-connected business people, etc.