Apple is stepping into new territory with the iWatch – it looks like as Apple try to figure out some of the manufacturing and production issues, the date of mass production has slipped from September to November.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has been correct on Apple launch dates previously, claims Apple has slowed down mass production in China, citing issues with the iWatch that still need sorting out.
Apple’s iWatch is apparently going to offer a lot of “new” features for Apple, including a flexible AMOLED display, circular watch-face and waterproof design, all could be holding the iWatch back from mass production.
It is interesting that Apple would push mass production so late in the year, if they want to hit the holiday season window. Apple might still announce the iWatch in October, but instead of releasing the smartphone a week after, they will wait a month.
There has still been a lack of images showing the iWatch, compared to the iPhone 6, which has been leaked countless times. This does show Apple’s willingness to make a project small, just to assure no employee will leak photos.
Details of the iWatch have slipped through the cracks, reports say the smartwatch will have a 2.5-inch sapphire glass circular display, internally Apple has stuffed 10 fitness and health sensors, which will work with the new Health app on iOS8.
Apple wants to sell 33 million units in 2015, around 10 percent of all iPhone users. This is a big ask for Apple, considering Samsung Galaxy Gear, the best selling smartwatch currently, has only sold slightly over one million units.
The Apple team has grown with health and watch talent in the past few months, adding Nike Fuelband engineers, Atlas Wearables software lead and a sales executive for TAG Heuer, all pointing to the iWatch coming this fall.
