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Apple Watch Demand Slides Significantly in June as Launch Momentum Wanes
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Not really surprised here. Apple hyped the watch but no one could walk into t a store and buy one. People who ordered online had to wait a month or more. Then when it finally arrived they found that wearing a computer with limited features wasn't as fun as they thought. And then the bill came.
I don't think it's Apple per-se, but smart watches in general and the whole idea of spending money on something that most working class people don't really need. Really, it's just another device that the industry wants to sell you so they can make money because they have run out of ideas for useless junk.
If I had an extra $500 or $600 laying around I wouldn't spend it on a smart watch no matter what company made it. It's a luxury item no matter how the company tries to sell it.
Did Apple do press releases touting the success of other Apple products? If they didn't why should they start now. The only time I recall seeing the sales information is during their WWDC and product launch events.
Who said anything about "marginally" or "slightly"? Apple Watch revenue will like be 20x Pebble or more in the first year.
Yeah, it's definitely not a "life changing" device, by any stretch. But I'm reasonably happy with my 42mm black sport watch. It has a subtle enough look so it doesn't look like I'm trying show off with it. (People usually just assume it's a generic cheaper watch of some sort, if they don't see the face actually lit up when I'm checking it.) That's what I was after, because hey - I didn't want it to see how quickly I could get robbed.
I find it handy while commuting to/from work during the week, because I used to be constantly pulling my phone out of my pocket and checking the time on it, to make sure I wasn't late for the next train. I could never justify the hassle of wearing another device JUST to check the time easier though. With the Apple Watch, I get a few extras like viewing the next appointment on my calendar at a glance, and an instant view of the current temperature outside.
I find it handy while commuting to/from work during the week, because I used to be constantly pulling my phone out of my pocket and checking the time on it, to make sure I wasn't late for the next train. I could never justify the hassle of wearing another device JUST to check the time easier though. With the Apple Watch, I get a few extras like viewing the next appointment on my calendar at a glance, and an instant view of the current temperature outside.
Can't argue with your logic. However, they've given some numbers on Apple TV. As much as they hyped the watch, if sales were strong they'd be bragging. Yes, wearables are in their infancy. Personally I think the whole category is a big fat nothing, but time will tell. However, if Apple had the chance to brag about how they just sold more wearables than any company in history, they would. Who cares what they said before launch? Didn't Steve jobs also say the iPhone wouldn't have native apps? "We're not going to break out watch sales" is just a hedge. If sales were stellar, we'd have numbers.
im sure the novelty has worn off.. but apple has to expect this... a watch isnt an impulse buy for most people
what apple needs to do is lower the pricepoint... get out of the watch band business altogether and focus on more people buying the faceplates(sport, apple watch, gold plated).... that way people could customize with 3rd party accessories... i mean who relies on apple for cases/etc?! The apple watch should have a couple colors of either sport or leather bands for $250 or $299... and that should be it... then they'll get more purchases and people can reach out to the 3rd party vendors to get any band of their choice
what apple needs to do is lower the pricepoint... get out of the watch band business altogether and focus on more people buying the faceplates(sport, apple watch, gold plated).... that way people could customize with 3rd party accessories... i mean who relies on apple for cases/etc?! The apple watch should have a couple colors of either sport or leather bands for $250 or $299... and that should be it... then they'll get more purchases and people can reach out to the 3rd party vendors to get any band of their choice
I think this is the kicker.
Sure, Apple Watch is doing stellar for their first entry into a market. But Apple is also very wrong in the opinions of many to think this wearable segment is going to be significant.
It's a first gen device and will improve. But do people really want or need it? Has Apple made even the slightest case that this watch is going to benefit our lives? The answer to those is no, without a doubt.
I'd go even further and say this Apple experiment has taught people how useless this technology is.
I agree with you, your points are valid.
My position wasn't that Apple won't be successful with the Watch, or that everything has to be an immediate success. I only meant that saying Apple has outsold competitors isn't really a compelling metric in an undeveloped category. Apple still has work to do.
And you are right, Apple has a 'solid start' in that it "owns" the category in most people's minds. The world including me will be waiting for the next generation (even the next software update will be a huge step forward).
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Game over for who? Users? The best thing about my iPhone is the size of the screen and the worst thing about my Apple Watch is the size of the screen. Unless they shift all UI to Siri or come up with something else, we will all be carrying phones/screens to accompany our wearables for the foreseeable future.
Yes, I agree Apple still has work to do. Apple can't sit back (like they've done with the Apple TV) and watch the market pass them by.
Yes, they actually make a big deal about sales numbers in TV ads and at product launches.
No but there was also never an iPhone or IOS 2.0 release that was announced less than 60 days after its release. Many people are waiting for 2.0 software while others are waiting for 2.0 hardware.
iPhone is over 70% of their revenue. They have a lot of loyal customers, iPhone customers. It's a very different Apple today. I'm also very unhappy with product quality in general. I've been buying a lot of machines for 30 years and ever since the G5 iMac, I've had a lot of in warranty replacements and DOA machines. I still love Apple but I think they're spread way too thin these days and put too much emphasis on form over function.
Cell phones just like a watch are very cheap until they become something more. The smart watch like the smart phone will over time be something entirely more useful than a watch and the Apple Watch begins that journey far ahead of it's competitors.
I'd quite like an Apple Watch but I wonder if sales have also fallen back due to availability?
I've my eye on the Space Grey Sport 42mm but reservations to collect it in store are always sold out (not long after 6AM BST) so are potential buyers waiting until stock levels improve?
Not only that it's a first generation watch... You only have to look at iPhone and iPad to see what kind of features Apple have implemented in future releases.
I've my eye on the Space Grey Sport 42mm but reservations to collect it in store are always sold out (not long after 6AM BST) so are potential buyers waiting until stock levels improve?
Not only that it's a first generation watch... You only have to look at iPhone and iPad to see what kind of features Apple have implemented in future releases.
Isn't selling millions of Apple Watches really good? There are only so many people who have an iPhone that can be used with an Apple Watch. Of those people only a small percentage will be interested. Of those people a lot may find it too expensive etc. I think if they get 1% of iPhone 6/Plus uses to buy one, I think that's pretty good going. Do other watches generally sell in the millions, smart or otherwise?
No they're not. The average consumer doesn't follow Apple release schedules and rumors. Only people like us on these forums are that plugged in. The average consumer is oblivious to all that. I think gen 2 is going to be a bigger flop honestly - unless it includes something truly WOW. I don't think most gen 1 users are going to upgrade. If Apple hasn't sold the public on gen 1, a bump in specs isn't going to sell gen 2.
What are you looking for? Innovation for innovation's sake? The iPhone was the ONLY thing Apple revolutionized (ok maybe iPod as well). And that was because there was a need in the market.
This will most likely never happen again in our lifetime.
Btw AFTER Steve Jobs to me Apple products got much better than ever.
Jobs had a few hits but his vision was limited ("people want small phones, only full size iPad makes sense" etc).
I like Tim's Apple way better.
Well I don't own the Watch so my opinion isn't coming from someone trying to defend their purchase. I don't think Watch sales are anywhere close to iPhone or iPad levels and I don't think Apple expected they would be. Unfortunately iPhone has become so popular anything else will look like a failure even if it makes zero sense for that thing to have iPhone like sales. There is zero upside for Apple releasing sales figures. Microsoft never releases sales figures for Surface. Does that mean it's a failure? There sure seems to be plenty of posters here who think it's a great product.
Based on what, iPhone sales? It's completely ridiculous for anyone to hold the Watch to iPhone standards. Apple may never again have a product as successful as iPhone.