New Report Says Display Challenges Have Cut Apple Watch Shipments in Half

[inscrewtable]

How can you have a snafu (i.e. normal) in a product that's never been produced before?

Because the situation is the 'launch', not the product itself.

 

[Locoboof]

Another reason to wait for Generation 2.

Such a silly thing to say. Lol

 

[lincolntran]

I'd be worry if one day they claim no production issue on an Apple product!

 

[AppleWarMachine]

looks like this is going to work well for Apple's supply and demand theme

 

[pnoyblazed]

I'll wait for the refurb units

 

[doelcm82]

Supply constraints. Surprise surprise. Also known as, intentionally driving up demand by creating the illusion of "I have to have it now!". Apple are experts at this. They will have the supply/demand curve figured out just in time for the holiday sales rush.

And why do you think this tactic works on you? I mean you, specifically, not other people that you are speaking for.

 

[2457282]

How many Pebbles have been sold total? How many Fitbits. Even at this "reduced" production rate, it seems like that would quickly eclipse the other two big player within the first year. I would have expected a slower ramp up since so many people have gotten used to not wearing something on the wrist.

 

[CrAkD]

Lol surprise surprise. Apples got us all figured out

 

[colem1]

Bottom line if you want one of these Apple Watches in the first few months of launch, get your pre-orders in on DAY ONE.

Try hour one. You can't wake up at normal hours and pre order anymore. Must wake at 3 EST.

 

[Gooberton]

Try hour one. You can't wake up at normal hours and pre order anymore. Must wake at 3 EST.

Minute 1 if it's anything like my 128gig black iPhone 6 PLUS

 

[colem1]

Minute 1 if it's anything like my 128gig black iPhone 6 PLUS

Yeah that was a big sell out. But really short supply for that one.

 

[TMRJIJ]

Another reason to wait for Generation 2.

How is this a reason? You'd think generation 2 will have more supply problems.

 

[mj1108]

I seriously doubt there are snafu's with as long as Apple has been working on this.

The only purpose of this story is to drive demand/preorders -- that's it.

 

[freediverx]

Bottom line if you want one of these Apple Watches in the first few months of launch, get your pre-orders in on DAY ONE.

Alternately, "if you want to avoid receiving a defective, first generation specimen before they work out the manufacturing kinks, WAIT several months."

 

[b0nd18t]

Apple watch 2 keeps getting more appealing.

 

[Recognition]

Another reason to wait for Generation 2.

Razeus's purchasing plan:

Wait a year for Gen 2...

...(1 year later)
Gen 2 productions issues reported prior to preorder.

Wait a year for Gen 3...

...(1 year later)
Gen 3 productions issues reported prior to preorder.

Wait a year for Gen 4...

Etcetera...

 

[Reason077]

Bottom line if you want one of these Apple Watches in the first few months of launch, get your pre-orders in on DAY ONE.

This is the standard Apple pre-release hype generation strategy/playbook.

1. Create a temporary product shortage (or the impression of one)

2. Media reports on product shortages and long lines at Apple stores

3. Scarcity and media hype generates even more demand

4. After 6-8 weeks, solve production issues. Supply catches up with demand.

5. Profit!

 

[doelcm82]

This is the standard Apple pre-release hype generation strategy/playbook.

1. Create a temporary product shortage (or the impression of one)

2. Media reports on product shortages and long lines at Apple stores

3. Scarcity and media hype generates even more demand

4. After 6-8 weeks, solve production issues. Supply catches up with demand.

5. Profit!

If you worked for Apple's competitors, you could help them to take advantage of this "scarcity" to increase their own marketshare. Apparently it always works for Apple, and no one else manages to make Apple's fake misfortune work for them.

 

[69Mustang]

If you worked for Apple's competitors, you could help them to take advantage of this "scarcity" to increase their own marketshare. Apparently it always works for Apple, and no one else manages to make Apple's fake misfortune work for them.

What do Apple's competitors have to do with Reason077's comment?

 

[jonnysods]

Same report every time a new model is coming out.

 

[Iconoclysm]

Just like there were plenty of iPhone 6s and 6 Pluses to go around ?

It still managed to sell more phones than any other phone ever made. Think about that for a bit when you consider how "few" there were to go around.

 

[doelcm82]

What do Apple's competitors have to do with Reason077's comment?

Apple's supposed strategy leads to many potential customers having to wait months for Apple's hot new product to become available for them to purchase.

Meanwhile, an on-the-ball competitor (assuming any exist) could take advantage of these customers who are waiting, money in hand, ready to buy, and snatch them from Apple's clutches.

The same goes for Apple's other supposed strategy of withholding basic functionality from its devices for the purpose of adding that functionality a year later in the next version. The competing products presumably have this basic functionality, and they can steal even more of Apple's customers away.

 

[uwdude]

On the one hand, I don't think there's going to be as high a demand as during the iPhone launches, but on the other hand, naturally Apple hasn't produced as many watches either. I guess the plus for us would be that the website/app will work better and not just ddos for an hour, but the minus will be that these might sell out rather quickly. In other words, you'll be able to get through on the site, but it will say sold out, lol.

 

[69Mustang]

Apple's supposed strategy leads to many potential customers having to wait months for Apple's hot new product to become available for them to purchase.

For giggles, lets say this premise is true. Hold the bolded part in your head.

Meanwhile, an on-the-ball competitor (assuming any exist) could take advantage of these customers who are waiting, money in hand, ready to buy, and snatch them from Apple's clutches.

Okay now release the thought. Which competitor is going to sell the hot new Apple product the customer is waiting on? You know the one that goes with their other Apple products. Specifically with the watch. It only works with iOS.

The same goes for Apple's other supposed strategy of withholding basic functionality from its devices for the purpose of adding that functionality a year later in the next version. The competing products presumably have this basic functionality, and they can steal even more of Apple's customers away.

Apple is in an enviable position. They have no competition for Apple products. People who want them can only get them from Apple.

Apple's shortages are a perennial rumor. They seem suspect because Cook is really good at the supply chain. They could be faked or they could be real. That doesn't mean someone wanting that hot new Apple products is going to get something else just because they can't get the Apple product immediately.

 

[unplugme71]

I don't recall Samsung having many production issues with apple. Then again. Samsung hasn't made much for Apple like they used too.