Apple Watch shipping April, pre orders early March?

[betabeta]

All this talk of a Late February event, and apps need to be ready mid February as well as training for store employees. I really think we will be able to order in store starting early March.

So it would really make sense to have in store fitting and trying before you buy, plus this would drive some new traffic to stores.

I know I will want to try on the two sizes, plus try different bands as well. It would be return nightmare without this, and also a good way to judge demand. Seriously you are not going to stock all stores with 10 gold versions and with all the bands and 2 sizes so a somewhat made to order would be a good idea.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Many of us (if not most here) will pre-order it sight unseen, just as we've been doing with all the iDevices.

 

[Technodynamic]

I want to see them too, but I know for damn sure I can't wait for that and will be up at 3AM putting in my pre-order the moment the site goes live.

 

[cleirac]

I know what I want / need and can afford. I will pre-order unseen.

 

[Exile714]

I've done the pre-order thing, then had to wait a few weeks for my phone. But I've never been one of those idiots waiting in line the night before.

So, this time I'm going to be one of those idiots waiting in line. No pre-order for me, I'll just take my chances at the store.

 

[cmChimera]

The second it goes up for pre-order I'll be on my phone and my iPad and my Macbook trying to pre-order.

 

[UltimateSyn]

I would imagine an event in mid March, say the 24th, with pre-orders the Friday of the following week, April 3, with a launch two weeks later, April 17. Just my guesses!

 

[Vundu]

I will just pre-order online. Sold on getting one already.

 

[tschangrx7]

What if

What if we are told that the battery lasts for 8 hours and requires mid day charging, essentially must be charged twice a day. Would anyone still purchase one?

 

[Exile714]

What if we are told that the battery lasts for 8 hours and requires mid day charging, essentially must be charged twice a day. Would anyone still purchase one?

No, I wouldn't. I can accept 4 hours of exercise tracking because I take bike rides about that length and if/when I go longer I could envision taking a break at 4 hours and recharging both the watch and my phone. And I can accept 19 hours of "normal" usage because that will get me through a normal day. On the odd day when I'm going to be out longer than that, I'd probably have a battery pack along (see: 36 hour flight to Thailand).

But 8 hours of "normal" use doesn't get me through a day. I don't want to be tethered to a charger in the middle of every single day.

I love Apple and their products, but that won't stop me from passing on a product that doesn't fit into my day to day lifestyle.

 

[dacreativeguy]

I wonder if Apple will actually break tradition on the Watch and put demo units in stores ahead of the shipping date. That could explain the gap between rumored event and shipping date.

They've made a big deal about it being the "most personal" product ever, so buying sight unseen wouldn't provide the best experience for customers. Also, they would be setting themselves up for a LOT of returns by people who pre-order and then don't like their choice. There are a lot more choices involved here than just 3 colors of iPhones, and I doubt they sell many $5000 gold watches sight unseen.

 

[Natzoo]

I will stay up all night for the pre-order just because i want it. Not that its good and all that. 2nd gen will be amazing

 

[Chupa Chupa]

So it would really make sense to have in store fitting and trying before you buy, plus this would drive some new traffic to stores.

I know I will want to try on the two sizes, plus try different bands as well. It would be return nightmare without this, and also a good way to judge demand. Seriously you are not going to stock all stores with 10 gold versions and with all the bands and 2 sizes so a somewhat made to order would be a good idea.

1. IMHO it would be more of a nightmare to wait outside a store for everyone in front of me to fit their watch. I'll take my changes and buy the size and style I think I want and best fits my wrist.

2. Most of the bands are one size fits all. The only ones that might need store adjustment are link bands.

3. Bands are easy to stock b/c the don't take up much space and all bands are compatible will all cases. Drug stores in the 70s and 80s use to have a compact turning display near the cash register of 20 styles x 5 each, all in self contained plastic boxes much thicker than I'm sure Apple will use. That's how little space they take up.

The cases also don't take up much space either obviously and there are only 4 "colors" of 2 sizes of cases -- fewer than larger iPhones and iPads each w/ 2 colors, 2 physical sizes, 3 storage options and 2 Internect connectivity options.

4. The question becomes -- how will Apple sell the watch -- a la carte, or each edition with a signature stock band like a traditional watch. My guess is that there will be 4 stock sport models (2 colors x 2 sizes), 2 styles each of stainless steel and Apple edition. Anything else is extra.

 

[dacreativeguy]

2. Most of the bands are one size fits all. The only ones that might need store adjustment are link bands.

They noted at the announcement that they specifically designed the link bands to be easily adjustable by customers. So that shouldn't be an issue.

 

[AJsAWiz]

No, I wouldn't. I can accept 4 hours of exercise tracking because I take bike rides about that length and if/when I go longer I could envision taking a break at 4 hours and recharging both the watch and my phone. And I can accept 19 hours of "normal" usage because that will get me through a normal day. On the odd day when I'm going to be out longer than that, I'd probably have a battery pack along (see: 36 hour flight to Thailand).

But 8 hours of "normal" use doesn't get me through a day. I don't want to be tethered to a charger in the middle of every single day.

I love Apple and their products, but that won't stop me from passing on a product that doesn't fit into my day to day lifestyle.

Same here (long distance cycling). Would like to have my watch last all day without recharging, even on my cycling days.

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The second it goes up for pre-order I'll be on my phone and my iPad and my Macbook trying to pre-order.

Yep! Me too

 

[powerbook911]

I can see apple not doing preorders to create buzz in lines. If that's the case, I will Jane to wait on an online order once it's available there

 

[lirn8]

I remember a forum/post about people sharing info about How crowded the line at Apple stores on the night the iPhone 6 lunched
I hope it will be the case this time also

 

[BvizioN]

I remember a forum/post about people sharing info about How crowded the line at Apple stores on the night the iPhone 6 lunched
I hope it will be the case this time also

Why? That may be good for Apple but not for us because it would make it harder to get one on the first day, if that was the plan.

 

[lirn8]

Why? That may be good for Apple but not for us because it would make it harder to get one on the first day, if that was the plan.

Well the fact stand still
There was a discussion about it

 

[betabeta]

Now that we know the event date, and knowing it has at least 4 weeks after that for shipping, I really think they will have models in store following this event for people to try on and order weeks before launch.

Sure we all will just order without trying on, but most will want to try on different styles and sizes. I wouldn't mind seeing some in person a few weeks ahead of launch.

I just can't imagine them having people wait in lines to try out on release day, it's not like phones, it would be a nightmare in the stores.

 

[saving107]

I just can't imagine them having people wait in lines to try out on release day, it's not like phones, it would be a nightmare in the stores.

Not going to happen.

Day 1 is for people who have set their mind and have done their research to purchase whatever it is Apple is releasing, not for people who want to test out a product before purchase.

Apple didn't display the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus beforehand and essentially 10 million people purchased a product sight unseen. Many of those people placed their orders for size, color and capacity before any reviews had even been out yet. So I don't see Apple displaying the Apple Watch beforehand either.

I've seen enough photos and videos to know what model, size, band I want. All I need to know now is pricing and a release date.

 

[Dave245]

I would like to pre-order, i've printed out the PDF and tried the 2 different sizes and decided on the 42mm, but i'm not sure which straps/bands will fit my wrist so i will probably end up going to the Apple store here in the UK to try one one i just hope they don't sell out fast like the iPhone 6 Plus did and i had to then go back home and order online

 

[nebo1ss]

These threads really surprise me. Most say their generation does not wear a watch. But they are prepared to order sight unseen, a product they previously had no need for. The power of Apple marketing.

 

[Night Spring]

These threads really surprise me. Most say their generation does not wear a watch. But they are prepared to order sight unseen, a product they previously had no need for. The power of Apple marketing.

I stopped wearing watches because all they did was show the time, and once I had my iPhone, I could look at that to see what time it was. But the Apple watch will do a lot more than show the time. I assume younger people who have never worn watches can also appreciate that a device that is basically a portable computer on your wrist could be useful, and that is why they are interested in the Apple watch.

 

[OllyW]

These threads really surprise me. Most say their generation does not wear a watch. But they are prepared to order sight unseen, a product they previously had no need for. The power of Apple marketing.

I've been wearing watches for the last 45 years but I wouldn't order one without seeing it first.