Apple released the Apple Watch early this year, but tech enthusiasts are already expecting the arrival of the device’s next generation. According to Alphr, the tech company remains mum over the sale figures of the current Apple Watch.
Apple CEO Tim Cook stated during the Wall Street Conference on October 19 that no numbers will be announced as sales figures are deemed competitive information. But a report by analysts at Mizuho Securities says otherwise. Based on their report, the tech giant did not do well with the sales of the Apple Watch.
Recently, the watch OS 2.0.1 update has been released for the smartwatch and it should be able to fix several issues with the device as well as improve battery performance.
According to Tech Radar, the update should have killed bugs related to Apple Pay security, stalled software updates, local information updating, digital touch improvement, fix instability with Love Photos on watch faces, as well as other security measures that Apple seems to have locked down.
Analysts state that while the first Apple Watch is impressive, there’s still room for more improvement when it comes to its functionality. More importantly, it still needs to establish its necessity factor.
The company needs to market the product in a way that customers would feel that the wearable device should be a part of their lifestyle.
The report suggests that Apple won’t really start to see revenue from its wearables until the next Apple Watch comes along. Analysts believe that customers are now smarter and opt to play the waiting game when it comes to wearable devices.
Add those factors with the threat from other smartwatches from Samsung and Huawei and it’s pretty much evident that the next Apple Watch should offer something that no one can top.
Reports that the Apple Watch 2 will be sold as a bundle with the upcoming iPhone 7 have also made the rounds earlier this month.
While people are still trying to get their hands on the latest flagship devices, iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, just in time for the iOS 9.1 update, Apple has already got their hands full coming up with better innovation for the next handset.
Geek Snack notes that iPhone 7’s release date coincides with Apple Watch 2’s release date hence the two devices being sold in a bundle will actually serve as a major treat to Apple fans.
Also, this could be the best strategic move the company could come up with to generate increased sales for the wearable device.
Most people eyes the second generation of the smartwatch to be released a year after the first version, but reports are claiming that Apple Watch 2 was moved to a September 2016 release date so that manufacturers could truly perfect that hardware and software of the wearable device.
However, Timothy Arcuri, an analyst from Cowen and Company suggests that the Apple Watch 2 may be released in mid-2016 particularly around May. Arcuri believes that iPhone 7 should stand alone when it comes to sales as it is the company’s flagship smartphone.
Speculations on what the latest Apple Watch will look like have been rife on the internet. Among the major changes that Apple enthusiasts will be expecting for the smartwatch include better battery life, thinner enclosure, and more independence from an iPhone.
Currently, the Apple Watch relies heavily on a tethered iPhone for almost everything. From weather updates, location tracking, messaging and Apple Pay, Apple Watch users have to depend on their iPhones.
It’s a feature that Samsung Gear S2 was able to offer its users. The Android smartwatch was introduced as a standalone device. Hopefully, users can use the smartwatch’s features independently using Wi-Fi with the next Apple Watch.
According to Alphr, Apple Watch 2 will likely retain the design of the wearable device but it could become slightly thinner. It’s possible that the company will increase its IPX7 waterproof standard to an IP67 rating.