WatchOS 2 without new Apple watch ?

[Night Spring]

It obviously wasn't ready, all I'm saying is OS 2 is really just version OS 1 software fully realized

And like you said, it doesn't matter if they called it 1.1 or 2.0, it's all just semantics

Yes, it is semantics, but it does matter, or else why are we discussing it?

If they called it watch OS 1.1, then OP would not have wondered if there will be a new gen hardware to go with the new gen software.

If they called it 1.1, we wouldn't scrutinize it as much to see how much new features got packed in. But because they called it 2.0, everyone will be talking about whether it's worthy of having a whole new number or not.

Apple has really put themselves on the spot with this naming.

 

[maxsix]

I would not be surprised if Apple waits until after the holiday selling season to decide if it's worth building a second generation watch until very late in 2016. They'd never admit it but there's plenty of indicators that suggest demand is not meeting Apples lofty goals.

I must say I didn't expect to see loads of them when out and about like Starbucks, Petes and other Apple enthusiasts hangouts.
But I've only seen three total. That's a pretty sad showing. Especially when in the same time frame, at the same places I routinely see new MacBooks, iPhones, and Androids galore.

The distinct absence is very revealing. Combined with zero conversation about Apples latest iDevice suggests sales may have already ran their course. The good news is Apples massive wealth will allow them to prop up the watch via spin control and the ever present marketing machine. Repeat the hype frequently enough and people believe it. A fact Apples proven without fail.

 

[Robnsn2015]

How do we know that "demand is not meeting Apple's lofty goals" if we don't know what Apple's sales goals are? I'm pretty sure Apple has done enough market research to determine what realistic goals should be. And like most sensible companies, Apple is not going to release their internal sales goals.

It's funny how people outside of Apple have set such high expectations, with no regard to history. How may iPods did Apple sell during their first 3 months? How many iPads? Brand new product categories usually take time to catch on, especially a product that hasn't even had a holiday season of sales yet.

To me, the most important questions are: 1) Are Apple Watch sales in line with Apple's expectations, 2) What are Apple Watch sales compared to competitors? 3) Are customers, however few or many, enjoying their Apple Watches?

 

[maflynn]

I don't anticipate a brand new watch with the new version of the OS, that doesn't make sense. The apple watch as it stands isn't fully rolled out to the world. Will they cancel that and update to gen 2?

Also they've been developing this for years, updating this watch a few months after the initial roll out will look like a mistake in everyone's eyes and anger most AW owners.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Is it possible for apple to introduce the new watchOS 2 without revealing a new Apple watch? Imagine introducing IOS 9 without new iPhone. It doesn't seem right to me.

What do you think?

I can easily imagine Apple not introducing a new watch next month.

 

[Rogifan]

Yes, it is semantics, but it does matter, or else why are we discussing it?

If they called it watch OS 1.1, then OP would not have wondered if there will be a new gen hardware to go with the new gen software.

If they called it 1.1, we wouldn't scrutinize it as much to see how much new features got packed in. But because they called it 2.0, everyone will be talking about whether it's worthy of having a whole new number or not.

Apple has really put themselves on the spot with this naming.

Everyone? More likely hardly anyone (outside of sims posters here). My guess is most people don't care about software numbering conventions.

 

[Rogifan]

How do we know that "demand is not meeting Apple's lofty goals" if we don't know what Apple's sales goals are? I'm pretty sure Apple has done enough market research to determine what realistic goals should be. And like most sensible companies, Apple is not going to release their internal sales goals.

It's funny how people outside of Apple have set such high expectations, with no regard to history. How may iPods did Apple sell during their first 3 months? How many iPads? Brand new product categories usually take time to catch on, especially a product that hasn't even had a holiday season of sales yet.

To me, the most important questions are: 1) Are Apple Watch sales in line with Apple's expectations, 2) What are Apple Watch sales compared to competitors? 3) Are customers, however few or many, enjoying their Apple Watches?

I think the Watch and MacBook are similar in this respect. It seems like the hate is mostly coming from those who don't own the product, and in many cases have zero interest in ever owning it. Look at many of the initial reviews of the MacBook. They read like temper tantrums from tech journalists who just wanted Apple to slap a retina screen on the MBA and call it a day. Yet browse the MacBook forum here and you see lots of happy customers.

I decided to get the Watch after listening to an iMore podcast where they talked their experiences with it (and they were mostly positive). I was still a little skeptical but knew I could always return it if I didn't like it (and I used a company gift card to buy it). Now the only time it leaves my wrist is when it's charging. It's just little things that I love about it, like using it as a silent alarm and heart rate tracking while I sleep, using the timer feature, getting notifications and using it as a remote control for my music playlists so my phone can stay in my handbag at work. Going for a walk without needing to lug my iPhone 6 with me. The activity rings and motivation to be more active. Again little things that aren't big deals in and of themselves but overall add up to something I wouldn't want to be without. And I'm really looking forward to this fall when developers have more access to the hardware. Will make the watch a great sleep tracking device.

 

[Aluminum213]

I would not be surprised if Apple waits until after the holiday selling season to decide if it's worth building a second generation watch until very late in 2016. They'd never admit it but there's plenty of indicators that suggest demand is not meeting Apples lofty goals.

I must say I didn't expect to see loads of them when out and about like Starbucks, Petes and other Apple enthusiasts hangouts.
But I've only seen three total. That's a pretty sad showing. Especially when in the same time frame, at the same places I routinely see new MacBooks, iPhones, and Androids galore.

The distinct absence is very revealing. Combined with zero conversation about Apples latest iDevice suggests sales may have already ran their course. The good news is Apples massive wealth will allow them to prop up the watch via spin control and the ever present marketing machine. Repeat the hype frequently enough and people believe it. A fact Apples proven without fail.

So the apple watch is outselling the iPhone and iPad when they first launched but you think it's a red flag because you don't see it as much as iPhones (on its 8th version) and iPad (on its 6th version)?

That's some serious flaw in logic

 

[Night Spring]

Everyone? More likely hardly anyone (outside of sims posters here). My guess is most people don't care about software numbering conventions.

I meant everyone on this forum. And the tech press. Sorry about not being precise. You are right most people don't care about software numbering.

 

[djibso]

No chance for AW 2 this year. I'm sure they will wait until they find a solution for the battery and new features to attract everyone else and to push the early adopters to upgrade. Xmas time, I expect them to sell iphones and AW together with a discount. Anyhow, I'm hoping they drop the ipad prices as they are not selling as much as before.

 

[gsmornot]

I must say I didn't expect to see loads of them when out and about like Starbucks, Petes and other Apple enthusiasts hangouts.
But I've only seen three total. That's a pretty sad showing. Especially when in the same time frame, at the same places I routinely see new MacBooks, iPhones, and Androids galore.

The distinct absence is very revealing. Combined with zero conversation about Apples latest iDevice suggests sales may have already ran their course. The good news is Apples massive wealth will allow them to prop up the watch via spin control and the ever present marketing machine. Repeat the hype frequently enough and people believe it. A fact Apples proven without fail.

I wonder if the issue is more about people generally having the minimum of $349 for the 38mm Sport to even have one at all. $399 for the 42mm size. While that is not over the top expensive its a price point many people are not willing to pay or can even afford to pay for a watch; an item they feel is an accessory. Apple markets the watch as an accessory by calling it jewelry.

People are curious, people want one but they are hesitant until it can become something that changes how they go through their day the way the iPhone has changed things. I don't think the watch will make it to that level but as more people find more uses and share with others more people will get on board. The Watch has not failed.

 

[Gregintosh]

I don't know why people think for a product to be successful it has to be universally adopted. No one says Ferrari's are failure because only a few people have them.

At the end of the day, the Apple watch is a WATCH. I don't expect people who don't wear watches to adopt it. But people who DO wear watches will slowly start to. I am not talking about people who have a $50 or $80 watch on their wrist, but the people who already spend a few hundred bucks on a time piece.

It's going to be a while before people who can only afford a sub-$100 watch pick up an Apple Watch, the same way it took years for people on the lower end of the economic spectrum to pick up a smart phone.

I remember with the iPhone 3GS it was still widely viewed as an upper middle class to wealthy people device. Everyone else had to settle for Android or a traditional phone. It wasn't until a few years later that iPhones became something poorer people could afford and own.