Apple Watch shipping April, pre orders early March?

[Julien]

As a fitness fanatic and obsessive data junky (I have spreadsheets on every workout since 2002) I will order as soon as/if preorders are allowed. Will just order the Sport so with resale value included it will be a minimal cost of ownership (probably less than $200 for a year).

Also with reports of about a 5,000,000 initial run, if demand is high supplies could be severely constrained for some time to come. So don't want to take a chance on a possible multi-month wait.

 

[extricated]

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.

I tend to agree with you about them not putting out "demo units" in the stores weeks prior to availability, but I don't think we can compare this to the iPhone in regards to ordering sight unseen. This is a watch, after all. Much more personal than a phone.

I have done my research and printed out mockups and I am all but certain which watch I'm purchasing, but I still want to try it on first.

I would love the option to size an actual watch on my wrist before they go on sale, so the idea of having early "display models" in the store is appealing - But like you, I just don't see Apple doing that.

 

[Night Spring]

I tend to agree with you about them not putting out "demo units" in the stores weeks prior to availability, but I don't think we can compare this to the iPhone in regards to ordering sight unseen. This is a watch, after all. Much more personal than a phone.

I have done my research and printed out mockups and I am all but certain which watch I'm purchasing, but I still want to try it on first.

I would love the option to size an actual watch on my wrist before they go on sale, so the idea of having early "display models" in the store is appealing - But like you, I just don't see Apple doing that.

You have to remember that for those of us hanging around in online forums avidly following any speculation on the watch, a trial period before it actually goes on sale makes sense, but for the average public, it would make absolutely no sense to walk into a store one day, see watches on display, and be told they are not for sale yet, it's just there so people can try it on. They'd be like, if you are not selling it, why do you have it on display?

 

[extricated]

You have to remember that for those of us hanging around in online forums avidly following any speculation on the watch, a trial period before it actually goes on sale makes sense, but for the average public, it would make absolutely no sense to walk into a store one day, see watches on display, and be told they are not for sale yet, it's just there so people can try it on. They'd be like, if you are not selling it, why do you have it on display?

I agree. But wouldn't it be nice?

In keeping with what you're saying (and as previously stated) long lines will also be good for first day hype. That is, I'm assuming there will be fairly high demand for this.

 

[DravenGSX]

I think there's zero chance of them ending up in stores before they are available for purchase.

And... unfortunately, based on Tim Cook's comments today, it looks unlikely that they will be available for pre-order.

""We've never sold anything as a company that people could try on before", said Cook. He added that "tweaking the experience in the store" will likely be a requirement when the wrist-worn device launches in April. "

The lines on launch day are going to be absolutely ridiculous as each customer will take >30 minutes to pick out their options and then get their rundown on how it works. Ugh.

 

[Totalkharnage]

I think there's zero chance of them ending up in stores before they are available for purchase.

And... unfortunately, based on Tim Cook's comments today, it looks unlikely that they will be available for pre-order.

""We've never sold anything as a company that people could try on before", said Cook. He added that "tweaking the experience in the store" will likely be a requirement when the wrist-worn device launches in April. "

The lines on launch day are going to be absolutely ridiculous as each customer will take >30 minutes to pick out their options and then get their rundown on how it works. Ugh.

As long as we don't get the usual scalpers that you tend to get with any iPhone launch these days, I'd be happy to soak in the atmosphere.

 

[KauaiBruce]

I cannot imagine how they would need as many ready on day one if they are only available IN store. It would be a nightmare of epic proportions. I can see requiring that of the edition model, 'possibly' with the stainless version, but no way for the sport. They could never hit the numbers if they only make them available to people within easy reach of an apple store.

 

[gcooldude86]

I think all models will be available for pre-order becuase there are people who know by now what they want.

 

[DravenGSX]

I think all models will be available for pre-order becuase there are people who know by now what they want.

People knew they wanted an iPhone 5s too....

 

[Technodynamic]

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

Been wearing watches for the last 30 years, I'd but the apple watch today, unseen, if I could.

 

[gcooldude86]

Been wearing watches for the last 30 years, I'd but the apple watch today, unseen, if I could.

Its been about 10 years since I have worn a watch and I would still buy an Watch unseen.

 

[betabeta]

You have to remember that for those of us hanging around in online forums avidly following any speculation on the watch, a trial period before it actually goes on sale makes sense, but for the average public, it would make absolutely no sense to walk into a store one day, see watches on display, and be told they are not for sale yet, it's just there so people can try it on. They'd be like, if you are not selling it, why do you have it on display?

Very good point, I never gave that a thought in my assumption of a trial period, but you have to take into account that this is not your usual consumer product.

So I still think they will have a trial period seeing how this event is weeks ahead of launch. Knowing demand of size/style is going to be VERY tricky without that, and stores will be NUTS on launch day with too many upset buyers.

One thing is certain, this should be one of the most interesting launches in Apple history

 

[Night Spring]

Very good point, I never gave that a thought in my assumption of a trial period, but you have to take into account that this is not your usual consumer product.

So I still think they will have a trial period seeing how this event is weeks ahead of launch. Knowing demand of size/style is going to be VERY tricky without that, and stores will be NUTS on launch day with too many upset buyers.

One thing is certain, this should be one of the most interesting launches in Apple history

The final announcements of the original iPhone and the original iPad was also weeks ahead of the actual launch. So the extra time alone doesn't indicate that there will be a trial period at retail stores. However, there could very well be online preorders -- although I can't recall if there were preorders for the original iPad and iPhone.

I'm not sure how much effect gauging demand from preorders a month before can have on launch day supply, though. Like, let's say they start preorders a month before launch, and get 10x the amount of orders they were expecting for a particular model. It's not like they can build that many watches in a month.

It is sure going to be interesting times ahead! (ooops, did I make a pun? ;p)

 

[saving107]

although I can't recall if there were preorders for the original iPad and iPhone.

History repeating itself.

iPhone announced January 7th, 2007,
iPhone given release date at WWDC June 11, 2007
iPhone available June 30th, 2007

iPad announced January 27, 2010
iPad given release date March 5th, 2010
iPad available April 3, 2010

Apple Watch announced Sept 12, 2014
Apple Watch given release date March 9, 2015
Apple Watch released (rumored early April).

The iPhone and Apple Watch share the same 6 1/2 month gap from announcement to available for purchase.

 

[kmj2318]

I'm still not sure if I want the space grey or aluminum with white. Also, I'm not sure if I want to get in on the initial batch. Maybe I'll wait a month.