It's now early 2015. Where's the watch?

[iFanaddic]

Apple just announced their Q1 earnings call for January 27. Here's hoping for a keynote shortly before (or after) it.

I think it'll be after,

Apple loves kicking off they're keynotes with impressive numbers, therefore I think we can expect it to be after. They'll be making all kinds of references to these Quarterly earning to make prove they're point.

Therefore I predict Tuesday February 3rd for the keynote and Friday February 13th for the launch. (wishful thinking? very possibly so)

 

[Julien]

Apple just announced their Q1 earnings call for January 27. Here's hoping for a keynote shortly before (or after) it.

Keynote is an often misused word and even Apple is guilty at times. However any announcements are unrelated to an earnings call. Earnings calls are dictated by the quarter date.

Apple is not likely to hold any type of event to announce the Watch availability, price or features. That would be redundant. If Apple has an event for the iPad Pro (or whatever it is called) then Apple could offer additional Watch info at the end, if it coincides. If not the Watch info will probably just show up on the Apple site.

 

[Rogifan]

Keynote is an often misused word and even Apple is guilty at times. However any announcements are unrelated to an earnings call. Earnings calls are dictated by the quarter date.

Apple is not likely to hold any type of event to announce the Watch availability, price or features. That would be redundant. If Apple has an event for the iPad Pro (or whatever it is called) then Apple could offer additional Watch info at the end, if it coincides. If not the Watch info will probably just show up on the Apple site.

What Apple announced last September was essentially a teaser. Cook even said at the end of the Watch portion that there's "so much more" they didn't have time to go into that day. In 2012 Apple held a spring event and all they announced was the retina iPad. They could certainly hold a smaller event for the watch or if they have new Macs or an iPad "Pro" to announce include it with that stuff in one bigger event. Or maybe they have something on the TV front to announce.

Not having another event until WWDC would be a huge mistake IMO. Once again creating a huge vacuum where others are able to write the narrative not Apple. And with competitors releasing new phones in the spring it would be the perfect time for Apple to soak up some of that airspace. Yes Watch has been getting plenty of attention but not necessarily good attention. And people are still asking the question why (which one could argue Apple hasn't successfully answered). I think having an event where they spend more time talking about the technology, showing off cool apps/features (get some app developers on stage talking up Watch and developing for Watch) is a good idea. Maybe even get Angela Ahrendts on stage to talk about retail. She's a great speaker and Apple hasn't utilized her yet. Lots of possibilities.

 

[cmChimera]

Keynote is an often misused word and even Apple is guilty at times.

I know what a keynote is. However, if Apple and the media want to call Apple events keynotes (and they do), then I'm not going to argue with them.

However any announcements are unrelated to an earnings call. Earnings calls are dictated by the quarter date.

I realize that, however I've noticed that when there is a keynote expected, it usually falls nearby an earnings call (October 16, 2014 keynote, October 20 Earnings Call for recent example).

Apple is not likely to hold any type of event to announce the Watch availability, price or features. That would be redundant. If Apple has an event for the iPad Pro (or whatever it is called) then Apple could offer additional Watch info at the end, if it coincides. If not the Watch info will probably just show up on the Apple site.

As redundant as telling us all the features of iOS and OS X twice each year? In the keynote I'm expecting, the Apple Watch wouldn't be the sole mention. New Macbook Air, Photos for OS X and the Apple Watch would all star, and there would be detailed pricing and availability discussed for the watch.

 

[Dave245]

What Apple announced last September was essentially a teaser. Cook even said at the end of the Watch portion that there's "so much more" they didn't have time to go into that day. In 2012 Apple held a spring event and all they announced was the retina iPad. They could certainly hold a smaller event for the watch or if they have new Macs or an iPad "Pro" to announce include it with that stuff in one bigger event. Or maybe they have something on the TV front to announce.

Not having another event until WWDC would be a huge mistake IMO. Once again creating a huge vacuum where others are able to write the narrative not Apple. And with competitors releasing new phones in the spring it would be the perfect time for Apple to soak up some of that airspace. Yes Watch has been getting plenty of attention but not necessarily good attention. And people are still asking the question why (which one could argue Apple hasn't successfully answered). I think having an event where they spend more time talking about the technology, showing off cool apps/features (get some app developers on stage talking up Watch and developing for Watch) is a good idea. Maybe even get Angela Ahrendts on stage to talk about retail. She's a great speaker and Apple hasn't utilized her yet. Lots of possibilities.

I know what a keynote is. However, if Apple and the media want to call Apple events keynotes (and they do), then I'm not going to argue with them. I realize that, however I've noticed that when there is a keynote expected, it usually falls nearby an earnings call (October 16, 2014 keynote, October 20 Earnings Call for recent example).

As redundant as telling us all the features of iOS and OS X twice each year? In the keynote I'm expecting, the Apple Watch wouldn't be the sole mention. New Macbook Air, Photos for OS X and the Apple Watch would all star, and there would be detailed pricing and availability discussed for the watch.

I think theres a chance there could be a keynote soon, i think if Apple are going to release the Watch early this year they have to announce before WWDC. However i have noticed that the "Early 2015" has been removed from the UK page and other European Apple store pages, this could mean that the Watch will see a small release in the US first. I'm not sure if Apple would release other products at the same event tho, a new Macbook Air with retina display would be a good idea (i want one myself) but Apple typically announce these later in the year either at WWDC or at a September event. But who knows Apple could completely disregard previous years and because the Watch is a new product it could hold the event the end of next month or even sooner.

Another point is who's to say they will hold a keynote, could they not just release the Watch? after all we know it's coming they have already mentioned it in previous keynotes and around 45 minutes was given to talking about it.

 

[Cashmonee]

Another point is who's to say they will hold a keynote, could they not just release the Watch? after all we know it's coming they have already mentioned it in previous keynotes and around 45 minutes was given to talking about it.

No. They will definitely have another event that includes the launch of the watch. In fact, I think the event will be key in deciding the initial perception and success of the watch. If all they have is what was shown at the last event, the watch is nothing more than a me too product. The first event did not reveal why I need to spend money on the watch. The launch event needs to do that. They need to show why this will change my life, and why I must have it.

 

[Tanegashima]

Doesn't matter when. Bc We can't check up time without an apple watch

 

[Dave245]

No. They will definitely have another event that includes the launch of the watch. In fact, I think the event will be key in deciding the initial perception and success of the watch. If all they have is what was shown at the last event, the watch is nothing more than a me too product. The first event did not reveal why I need to spend money on the watch. The launch event needs to do that. They need to show why this will change my life, and why I must have it.

Didn't they kind of do that with the exercise short film/demo? a few people would buy it just for that purpose. I'm not saying your wrong, I'm just not sure if Apple will hold another Watch event. Maybe it will have a lot more features in which case there might be a need for another event, i personally don't know

 

[Cayden]

I am thinking a week after the 1Q earnings there will be a press conference for the Apple Watch. I'm still thinking either Valentine's Day or Chinese New Years because of Apple's want to get into the Chinese market
Oops, I meant Q1!!

 

[Julien]

I am thinking a week after the 4Q earnings there will be a press conference for the Apple Watch. I'm still thinking either Valentine's Day or Chinese New Years because of Apple's want to get into the Chinese market

Hope not since 4th qt earnings are in October.

 

[Cashmonee]

Didn't they kind of do that with the exercise short film/demo? a few people would buy it just for that purpose. I'm not saying your wrong, I'm just not sure if Apple will hold another Watch event. Maybe it will have a lot more features in which case there might be a need for another event, i personally don't know

Not really. In fact, if my primary purpose is activity monitoring/fitness/excercise, the Watch probably doesn't even make the list of devices I would consider. Especially after what Fitbit released a month or so ago and what Garmin announced yesterday.

This is what I am trying to get at. This market isn't the 2007 cell phone market. It's not the tablet market of 2010. This is already shaping up to be a competitive market with legitimate devices already available. Apple has shown nothing that would motivate me to choose the Watch over the Garmin fenix 3 or the cheaper Garmin Vivoactive if I am interested in fitness. Or the cheaper Pebble if I am interested in notifications. Why am I paying more for the Watch? What is it giving me that others aren't? Apple has not answered that yet. A launch event could go a long ways towards showing the market why they should go with the Watch.

 

[Tanegashima]

Remember, I never said low quality did I ?

And I never implied low cost = bad.

Apple HAS to be low cost in order to sell hundreds of millions of products every year.

The two simply don't go together if you think about it.

If Apple was a HIGH cost brand then most people would not be able to afford to buy their products.

Apple does make nice quality items. Sure I often do not agree with the designs, and what aspects they view as most important, and I will be happy to question many of their choices on design and materials.

But what they do make, they give it a lovely finish, and, to be fair so do many other brands of a similar price point.

I am simply pointing out that, whilst the finish may be nice, and they may be at the upper end price wise of a certain category of product.

The products they make, are made for and priced for the general consumer end of the mass market. Not the lowest price of course, but their aim is mass market.

High end products do not sell in high numbers.
In fact selling in high numbers is a negative point at the upper end.

Our whole concept of have's and have not's is based upon I have something you can't afford, so I feel special.
It's been that way for years.

The moment everyone has one (iPhone) that's destroyed.
No one can logically feel special and exclusive owning an iPhone.

It's true Apple may attempt to artificially inflate the price of a Gold Watch, vastly beyond it's cost to them.

Myself, I see problems in Apple slapping say $3500 of sheer profit on a $1500 watch. Simple because they are not that type of company, and, even if it is expensive ($1500) they are still going to want it buyable, at a push, by enough normal people.

"High cost" is not the opposite of "low-cost".

For me, "low-cost" means crap but cheap products and services that people keep buying that will be expensive in the long run.

But again, IMO

 

[Just1n12]

I'm going to make my estimate based on this

- In order to justify announcing it as being available in early 2015, Apple really has to have it released by March. An April or later release date just doesn't seem to justify Early 2015 to me.

- Apple has changed to the UK Site to 'Early 2015' as opposed to just '2015' as it was before. Now, for the launch of every new Apple product category in the past, Apple has released it to the USA in advance of the UK and other countries.

- Apple SVP of Retail reportedly said 'Spring'.


- Therefore, I'm going to place my bets on an early March release. I think there will be a press conference on Late February or Early March to finalise details and probably launch some other products. Then it'll hit the shelves just over a week later in the USA, and possibly the same date in the UK, but maybe around two weeks later.

Here on the Apple Canada site it used to say "coming in early 2015" but now it just says " coming in 2015", I honestly don't want to wait until later in the year if they decide to release it in Canada in late 2015 instead of early 2015

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Apple hasn't yet announced the specific date for their earnings release. My guess is that if the Watch is coming out in February, they will issue a press invitation for an event during the first week in February (after the earnings release). If they don't, then I think it won't be until mid-March.

Earnings report scheduled for January 27th 2pmPT/5pmET