Interest in Apple watch subsided?

[Michael CM1]

Other than the optional try on appointment, what hoops have you needed to jump through?

I didn't have any. Just went to the store, tried it on and completed the order online there and then.

That wouldn't be so bad except for the reality of it right now. I tried one on April 18, figured out that I thought I would like one and placed an order from my phone outside the store. Changed my mind from Sport to Watch the next day and changed my order.

My phone just shipped yesterday and should arrive Wednesday.

A lot of people will probably be put off by this right now. I order stuff regularly from Amazon and have no issue waiting usually two days for it to come. But I think it's a much harder sell for people to think they have to wait two months -- estimated shipping was listed as "June" when I bought it -- versus a few days.

 

[ParishYoung]

I'm not saying the situation is good or right. It's not nice having to wait for things. I just don't think it's fair to say we're jumping through hoops.

It's not like we need to complete the Total Wipeout course to get a watch.

 

[zmunkz]

I'm not saying the situation is good or right. It's not nice having to wait for things. I just don't think it's fair to say we're jumping through hoops.

It's not like we need to complete the Total Wipeout course to get a watch.

That is just semantics though... To an average consumer, the idea of a month long wait time kills the excitement associated with a new purchase, which means Apple's launch approach has created barriers to entry. Phrase that how you like, but I think the point stands.

 

[Docsteel]

They will never exceed the iPhone in sales. The iPhone is the premiere device for Apple, it's bread and butter.

The watch would have done better if they had them in stock but many lost interest when they found they could not get one for months. They will be in the stores next month and there will be "some" renewed interest.

I think this is pretty spot on... Apple frankly botched the release and in the process undid nearly a year of promotional build-up. That being said, it may be a blessing in disguise given all the "1.0" issues, a slower roll-out buys time for development to help smooth the product out. In the long run, as more uses come online for the Watch, it will gain momentum, such that by the third iteration I suspect the release phenomena to be what people are used to.

Never forget however, that only a fraction of iPhone users will be buying the Watch in the first place... considering that, it's not too surprising (now) that the interest is lower. In time, it will grow but always be a fraction (even at 80%) of the iPhone, so it will always appear to command less audience and therefore be less of a phenomena until the number of Watch and iPhone users is significant.