Rumor claims Apple seeking second supplier for next-gen Apple Watch
Apple is looking to pick up a second manufacturer for the next-generation Apple Watch apart from Quanta Computer, a Chinese report said on Thursday.
The company is currently in talks with Inventec, Wistron, and its primary partner Foxconn, according to the Chinese-language Apple Daily, quoted by DigiTimes. The Daily suggested that the new Watch won't be available until after the second quarter of 2016, which conflicts with some recent rumors calling for a launch within that quarter.
The candidates are said to be concerned about Quanta having made weaker profits on the Watch than expected, despite heavily investing in equipment for the device.
Apple planned to order 6 million Watches for the December quarter, but scaled back to 4 million because of softer sales, the report claimed. It predicted that sales should top 10 million by the end of 2015, despite Apple not having issued any official figures.
As for the specifications of a next-generation device, very few rumors have surfaced so far. Some have hinted at a better battery life, an improved display, and even support for Pebble-style "smart" bands. Built-in GPS is a common request, but may be unlikely given the power drain involved.
The company is currently in talks with Inventec, Wistron, and its primary partner Foxconn, according to the Chinese-language Apple Daily, quoted by DigiTimes. The Daily suggested that the new Watch won't be available until after the second quarter of 2016, which conflicts with some recent rumors calling for a launch within that quarter.
The candidates are said to be concerned about Quanta having made weaker profits on the Watch than expected, despite heavily investing in equipment for the device.
Apple planned to order 6 million Watches for the December quarter, but scaled back to 4 million because of softer sales, the report claimed. It predicted that sales should top 10 million by the end of 2015, despite Apple not having issued any official figures.
As for the specifications of a next-generation device, very few rumors have surfaced so far. Some have hinted at a better battery life, an improved display, and even support for Pebble-style "smart" bands. Built-in GPS is a common request, but may be unlikely given the power drain involved.
Comments
Is the 2nd gen. going to be thinner?
that's what Apple try to avoid because some idiots may sue for battery running out in 4 hrs due to GPS which they forgot to turn off.
Don't give an option to turn it on and off. If the iPhone is connected, use that. If it's not, and the app needs GPS, use the internal.
that's what Apple try to avoid because some idiots may sue for battery running out in 4 hrs due to GPS which they forgot to turn off.
GPS only needs to be on when watch is out of range of iPhone. Likely small amount for most users.
I wonder which is Apple's motivation for a 2nd supplier?
1. Volume (manufacture more)
2. Diversification (reduce risk)
I wonder which is Apple's motivation for a 2nd supplier?
1. Volume (manufacture more)
2. Diversification (reduce risk)
No they need another manufacturer to supply the round watch parts. ;-)
that's what Apple try to avoid because some idiots may sue for battery running out in 4 hrs due to GPS which they forgot to turn off.
That can already happen if a customer is dumb enough to listen to music all day through their watch (6 hours max), or use their watch to make a lot of phone calls (4 hours max). Yet Apple allows that to happen.
Moreover, Rip Curl makes a GPS Surf watch that has a 10 hour continuous GPS battery life. That's better than both the ?Watch music playback, or the phone talk-time.
So can we let this baseless meme drop now?
Pebble have smart-bands? That's news to me...I'll have to check out their website.