The Taiwanese company, Quanta Computer, the company which assembles the wearable device for Apple, says that work has already begun on the successor of the Apple Watch. Barry Lam, the chairman of Quanta Computer has confirmed the news.
The comment about the reiteration of the Watch was recently made by Lam at an investor meeting. He affirmed that the device would perform better than its predecessor. Rumours about a launch at the end of Q2 next year are rife.
Rumours about a 2016 launch of the next-gen variant of the Apple Watch have been around for a while now. The gadget is expected to have enhanced features with the same external design and body. The square screen of the Watch is highly likely to stay. This is all from Apple on the Watch front for now. We’ll keep you updated as soon as we have more.
Apple released its Watch range in April, and 7 months later the Watch makes it to the Indian market. The Apple Watch has been launched in India starting at Rs. 30,900. The launch comes a couple of weeks after the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus launch in India and just ahead of Diwali.
The Apple Watch will be available at Apple retailers across the country. The Watch comes in a variety of colours including gold, Rose Gold, Space Gray, silver anodized aluminium, polished silver or Space Black stainless steel, and 18-Carat Rose Gold or Yellow Gold.
The Watch is among the more fashionable smartwatches in the market and one point of difference is that the Apple Watch provides a lot more apps and features than what is currently available. It comes in 40 combinations and in two display sizes of 38mm and 42mm across three: Apple Watch Sport, Apple Watch Edition and Apple Watch.
The Silver Aluminium Case and White Sport Band are the basic models that are priced at Rs. 30,900 and Rs. 34, 900 for the 38mm and 42mm, respectively. The price goes up with successive models and bands, the most expensive of which is the Apple Watch Edition (made of 18-carat Rose Gold casing) that starts at Rs. 8.2 lakh for the 38mm variant when paired with the cheapest White Sports Band, Rs. 9.9 lakh for the 42mm one, and the most expensive one in the series is priced at Rs. 14.2 lakh.
The Hermes design that was showcased at the Apple event last month has not been launched yet. The Watch comes equipped with the Watch OS 2. The Watch needs to be paired with an iPhone (iPhone 5 or higher) that has the latest iOS. The iPhone will then pair itself to the Watch and you can make calls if your iPhone is within 18-feet of the Watch.
The pricing was always expected to be this high. India is still coming to terms with wearable technology and we’re not sure how well the Watch will do here. The doubts are high since one of the major drawbacks of the Apple Watch is that one will not be able to use features that require internet unless one has an iPhone. This limits potential Watch buyers to mainly those who own an iPhone.
The Watch comes preloaded with 1,300 native apps and a total of 13, 000 apps are available in the Watch App Store. No word yet on when online retailers will begin selling the Apple Watch.
Apple is all set to launch the Apple Watch in India. The company’s India website now features a Watch option on the top along with other Apple products. The smartwatch will hit the stores on November 6th, according to the website.
The Apple Watch was first unveiled in March and began rolling out in April with a few countries at a time. The Watch is available in two variants – 38 mm and 42 mm. The US price of the Apple Watch’s base Sport model is $349 (around Rs. 23,000), which can be expected to cost close to Rs. 30,000 in India. The company has launched close to 34 combinations of the Watch with prices going as high as $10,000 for the Watch edition.
Apple has been mum on how well the Apple Watch has been doing. The company has also refused to disclose how many units it has sold till date. Apple CEO Tim Cook said that the information was privileged and that he didn’t want to “help the competition.” That hasn’t stopped analysts trying to come up with an estimate. Some analysts have said that Apple has managed to ship 4.2 million units in the last three months.
Apple recently unveiled the new watchOS 2, the updated system software for the Apple Watch, which brought features like activation lock, native apps, email reply and more. You can also use Messenger on the Apple Watch.
The biggest challenge is whether the Indian market is ready for wearable technologies like a smartwatch. It may be a while before consumers are ready to have something expensive around their wrists, and initial sales may not be as big as one is used to when an Apple product launches in India. However, the news has already gotten Indian developers building apps for the Watch, and some of the first ones include the likes of Cleartrip, HDFC Bank app, and Avaamo among others.
Facebook launched its Messenger app on the Apple watch, just as it had promised to do in September. The update was rolled out yesterday on October 8th and is capable of supporting iOS 9 features, universal search and multitasking for iPads.
The Apple Watch runs on the OS2 software and so the messenger app is also compatible with it. However, the messenger app is a little different from how it is on a smartphone. This means, that you won’t be able to type out full messages, but will be able to choose from a list of answers already available. You can send a “like”, post stickers and also record and send voice messages. Apart from the active sending actions of the app, you can open pictures, videos and voice messages on the receiving end.
There is one small downside though, the app will support all the Facebook stickers but won’t be able to display them in their original GIF form. They’ll appear static on the watch.
There’s some good news for Android users too, the Messenger app will also be compatible with Android Wear. Therefore, Facebook has yet again ensured that everyone is happy and feels included at its party.
If speculations are to be believed, the new Apple Watch is to be released next year. The Watch is to have a display of 46 mm or 48 mm. These rumours have instantly sparked off a discussion on the pros and cons of the Watch.
Right when Apple had been swept aside as a company that would not jump on the bandwagon of phones with large displays, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus had made an appearance. Not only did the phones go ahead to witness an unprecedented rate of success, but they also made the customers accept the advantages of bigger displays.
Similar things could be expected of the Watch. One of the disadvantages of the current version is the small display which spoils a YouTube or Google Play experience for the user. The new display, along with an updated OS and an improved version of the existing features would make it easier for potential buyers to be drawn towards the gadget, irrespective of a sky-touching price tag. The Apple Watch currently falls within the vast price bracket of Rs. 29,000 ($349, £299) – Rs. 11,00,000 ($17,000, £13,500)! The next one can be expected to be anything but inexpensive. The release of the new Apple Watch can be hoped to be one of the two big events Apple hosts every year.
The wait is almost over for Apple fanatics in India who have been itching to get their hands on the Apple Watch. The Economic Times reported that the Apple Watch will enter the Indian market next week. Just a few days ago, Apple had launched its new iPhones and iPads as well as an upgraded WatchOS 2 to the Apple Watch.
While the new iPhones are scheduled to come out in mid-October, the Apple Watch will be here before the festive Navratri period which starts in October. The Apple Watch has been introduced in limited countries and the company is also set for the software upgrade. The upgrade will introduce Facebook Messenger and an app called iTranslate.
Apple has tied up with Hermes for brand new bands. But whether the gold and rose gold bands will make it to India next week is still not known, though Apple CEO, Tim Cook, has stated that the new options will be available in all the 24 markets where the watch is currently sold.
The Apple Watch is expected to be priced somewhere in between Rs 25,000-30,000. It will be interesting to see whether the watch will make it big in the Indian market as it has not seen much popularity in wearable technology, yet.
Apple had its huge event yesterday in San Francisco and yes, we’re still talking about it. So, here is a list of everything that Apple announced yesterday – from the Apple Watch OS 2 to the iPhone 6s Plus, we have it all.
Apple Watch: The watch boasts of many fancy features among which the Air Strip is one of the most important. It is a medical app which allows doctors to review different patients’ heart rates all at the same time.
The iPad Pro: At the Apple launch, Tim Cook announced “The biggest news in iPad since the iPad”. The new iPad Pro is the company’s push for the iPad in a big way. It is the “biggest screen on an iOS device, with more power and performance than any iOS device.”
Apple TV : Tim Cook took over the stage and said,”I’d like to talk about an even bigger screen.” And you held your breath because you know what’s coming next. Yes, tech-freaks all over the world, it’s time for the Apple TV.
iPhone 6s : The moment has arrived, when Apple finally reveals its iPhone 6s smartphone. We have been covering all sorts of rumours and reports about this handset the moment we got wind of it. Price, display, specifications and software – we’ve heard it all, and now is that moment of truth where we find out what this hype is all about and most importantly, whether it’s been worth it.
Well, those were the big announcements, but there were a couple of other things that you might have missed. For example, you might have missed the fact that the Apple watch will now come with the messenger app, the iPad Pro will include the 3D4Medical app, and that it will come with an Apple Pencil etc. So, here’s our report to help you with all the smaller details of the launch.
Please comment, and let us know, if there’s anything else you’d like to find out.
As the much awaited event of the tech-world finally came to a close, it gave tech-geeks enough to gush about for a while. The launch of 6s and 6s Plus was accompanied by the Apple Watch, iPad Pro and the Apple TV. The Watch also came equipped with accessories like the Apple Pencil and the keyboard. A picture is worth a thousand words, and a video’s worth, well, a little bit more. So here goes:
Apple Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZJHbvDWzFQ
Tim Cook talks about the Apple Watch and says, “It’s amazing how much power you have on your wrist” . Apple has collaborated with Hermes for this watch which boasts of over 10,000 apps and more. It will be available for sale in 24 countries post the 16th of September.
iPad Pro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlYC8gDvutc
The iPad Pro has finally been unveiled at the official Apple event in San Francisco. The new iPad Pro is accompanied by accessories like a “unique tip pen” as well as a keyboard. The gadgets are priced as follows: the iPad Pro at 1079$ (128GB), the Apple Pencil at $99 and the keyboard for 169$. The device and its accessories will be available, this November.
Apple Pencil:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iicnVez5U7M
The Apple Pencil will not be part of the same box as the iPad Pro and will have to be bought separately at a price of 99$. It will be made available for sale this November onwards.
Apple TV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGe66lSeSXg
The TV is built on a powerful hardware that runs a modern operating system. It is further equipped with a completely revamped user experience, even better developer tools, and an App Store, of course.The original TV is priced at 69$ followed by 149$ and 199$ for the 32 GB and 64 GB
versions respectively.
iPhone 6s and 6s Plus:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSTEB8cdQwo
The moment has arrived, when Apple finally revealed its iPhone 6s and 6s Plus smartphones. We have been covering all sorts of rumours and reports about these phones so far and it’s time to put all those speculations, hopes and expectations to a much-needed rest.
Watch this space for more updates on Apple and its latest gadgets.
Tim Cook , the CEO for Apple appeared on stage wearing the new Apple Watch. Several new updates were announced. The watch boasts of many fancy features among which the Air Strip is one of the most important. It is a medical app which allows doctors to review different patients’ heart rates all at the same time.
Sense4u allows you to put the watch on the mothers belly and feel the babies heart beat and send it to the doctor. Apple has collaborated with Hermes for this watch which boasts of over 10000 apps and more.
Cook says about the watch, “It’s amazing how much power you have on your wrist” .
Facebook Messenger will be coming to the Watch, as well as iTranslate. Users can also display video, and access hardware like the mic and speakers.
Gold aluminium and rose gold aluminium are two colour variants, with Sport Bands in lavender, antique white, stone and midnight blue, it will be available in. The Watch also has a stainless steel case with a red band.
watchOS 2, which further allows third-party native apps to run smoother and faster, arrives as a free software update on September 16. September 16th is also the date when the Watch would be made available for sale in 24 countries. A portion of the sales from the Watch goes to the Global Fund against AIDS.
While Smart Replies or emoji, and Digital Touch are some of its other features, the Apple Watch requires iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus with iOS 8.2 or later to run.
Finishing the day off with some good news for iPhone users – Android Wear will finally support Apple’s smartphones. In an official blog post, Google announced that they will be rolling out Android Wear for iOS.
Starting today, the LG Watch Urbane will work with iPhones and all upcoming Android smartwatches, by Motorola, Asus and Huawei, will be also iOS compatible. By this, we’re assuming Google was hinting at the upcoming Moto 360 (Gen 2), Asus ZenWatch 2 and Huawei Watch.
With a smartwatch one doesn’t have to constantly be on their phones in order to check the time, reply to emails, take calls, respond to text messages etc, instead all these activities can be completed by a few glances and voice notes.
Android Wear for iOS is rolling out today. Just pair your iPhone (iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, 6, or 6 Plus running iOS 8.2+) with an Android Wear watch to bring simple and helpful information right to your wrist.
We’re a fan of cross-compatibility – if we would like to pair an Apple product with a Google product, their interactivity should be easy and seamless. For iPhone users, up until now, the only choice of a smartwatch was the Apple Watch, which has received mixed reviews. On the other hand, Android watches are cheaper and in some cases, more readily available. With this move, Google gives (nearly) everyone the option to buy and use Android watches.
Apple’s very first wearable was unveiled last year along with the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Today, a year later, there is no sign of it in India. However we have some good news for those waiting to get their hands on the device – it arrives in the country next month.
The wearable went on sale in March, worldwide, after the Apple Spring Forward event. Although the Cupertino-based tech giant claims India to be an important market, it did not launch the Watch here at the time. The Apple Watch comes in three variants – Sport, Regular and Gold Edition. Apple Watch Edition (pure solid gold edition), available in a block of 18 carat yellow, or rose gold went on sale starting at a whopping price of US$ 10,000 for the 38mm version, however, this watch will not be released in India just yet. And if we are to believe sources, then the Apple Watch Sport will be priced starting Rs. 24,999.
The Apple Watch is created in order to make interaction simpler and intimate. One doesn’t have to constantly be on their phones in order to check the time, reply to emails, take calls, respond to text messages etc, instead all these activities can be completed by a few glances and voice notes. It also has some unique gesture supports that will make it easy to use and to interact with others. Here is the catch, you have to have an iPhone (or any product by Apple) too so that all the information from your device can get synced to this new iWatch.
‘Tech Wear’ is a relatively new concept that perhaps began with the introduction and launch of the Google Glass on April 4, 2012. There was a huge frenzy about the Google Glass and the things it promised its wearer – such as direct visual access to friends, schedules and Internet. But Google Glass did not work. Why? What makes products like Google Glass, the Neptune Pine, the Pebble, fitness trackers and other technological wearables not popular enough to cater to the taste of the general public?
Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz
Firstly, these are luxury products. They cater to the needs of the general public but make themselves available to only a certain strata of society. For example, the Apple Watch is created in order to make interaction simpler and intimate. One doesn’t have to constantly be on their phones in order to check the time, reply to emails, take calls, respond to text messages etc, instead all these activities can be completed by a few glances and voice notes. Here is the catch, you have to have an iPhone (or any product by Apple) too so that all the information from your device can get synced to this new iWatch.
To get an idea of the approximate amount of money we might have to spend to buy an iWatch and support it, let us look at its INR value. The Apple Watch Sport Edition: Expected price tag in India for 38mm case model is Rs. 25000 and for the 42mm case model is Rs. 30000, plus the other Apple product to support it, for example an iPhone 6 (Silver 16GB) which is Rs.42,920 (on Ebay). The total amount would be Rs. 67,920. The prices differ in different countries and the accessibility of the product also differs, but to the average Indian, an iPhone update makes no serious change to his lifestyle.
Secondly, even with a large portion of the world being able to afford tech wear, they are still looked at sceptically or cautiously by investors. Why? What makes a product stable in the market? The necessity of a product. Although, further research shows a changing trend in the demands of the consumers. Fashion experts say that most of these products look ugly, in fact, the New York Times even tagged them as ‘ugly tech’ instead of ‘wearable tech’.
The consumer’s taste is now much more sophisticated than it used to be, he/she is not going to wear anything on his wrist that looks like a mini Kindle. And this is where Apple comes in with its slick and fashionably created Apple Watch. The ‘iWatch’ comes in various belts, both leather and metal, and is styled in a way that is appealing to all. Perhaps following suit are smaller fashion-focused tech companies, with a handful of partnerships between tech companies and big-name fashion brands.
So far, the investors and critics were skeptic of these wearable products, but now with the coming of the fashionable and efficient iWatch, their predictions have changed. Gene Munster, managing director and senior research analyst at Piper Jaffray, predicted a 3 million dollars’ worth Apple Watch sale on 9to5mac.com, and thinks that 2017 will be the device’s ‘breakout’ year. What changed?
The reviews for the Apple Watch have been somewhat stable; most of the critics encourage the use of this wearable technology that is more compact, fashionable, efficient, modern, and advanced in its settings and features. For example, the product description states that the custom-designed chip at the heart of the Apple Watch is encapsulated in the resin to protect the electronics from the elements, impact and wear. Configuring an entire computer system on a single chip is an industry first; settings like these and many others make the Apple Watch user friendly. Although despite this commendable attempt by Apple, critics still suggest that there is room for improvement as far as speed, efficiency and battery life are concerned but that these are problems that can be rectified by perhaps an iWatch 2.
Similarly, The New York Times states that earlier this year Fitbit announced a partnership with the designer Tory Burch to make fitness trackers stuffed inside a hinged bracelet and pendant necklace. Google Glass has partnered with DVF and Luxoticca to make the geeky specs, stylish. Rebecca Minkoff and Case-Mate announced a new line of techie jewellery, including a gold bracelet that pairs with a smartphone. Intel has also partnered with Barney’s New York and Open Ceremony to create a bracelet with a curved sapphire screen and built-in wireless radios called the MICA (My Intelligent Communication Accessory.)
Image source: New York Times
As far as reviews are to be trusted, they give us a realistic take on the new influx of wearable technology and its appeal. What has changed therefore, is the taste of the consumer and now that modern technology is being able to steadily cater to it, wearable technology might actually carve a stable niche for itself in the years to come.
The announcement for the launch of the Apple Watch was met with great optimism and reviews encouraging the users to adapt to the product despite certain glitches. Fashion experts were also looking forward to its launch as it was hoped that Apple would finally launch a fashionable smartwatch that would be wearable.
Despite these reviews, the critical opinions seemed to overpower them, even post release. For instance, Brad Hargreaves initially predicted an 11 million sale in the third and fourth quarter which he later slashed down to 10.5 million. Most reviews seemed to tag the product as ‘destined for failure’ and no one would ever know since Apple rarely reveals sales numbers or internal statistics.
However a new report is said to show the Apple sales as “exceeding internal expectations” despite the pessimistic aura. Numbers never seem to fail Apple Inc. and as reported they have sold four million watches in the second quarter, giving them 75.5% of the global smartwatch market shares.
Global Smartwatch Vendor Shipments (Millions of Units)
Q2 ’14
Q2 ’15
Apple
0.0
4.0
Samsung
0.7
0.4
Others
0.3
0.9
Total
1.0
5.3
Global Smartwatch Vendor Marketshare (%)
Q2 ’14
Q2 ’15
Apple
0.0%
75.5%
Samsung
73.6%
7.5%
Others
26.4%
17.0%
Total
100.0%
100.0%
Total Growth: Year-over-Year (%)
~
457.3%
Source: Strategy Analytics
In direct comparison we have the Samsung smartwatch that sold only four hundred thousand watches giving them a 7.5% share in the market. Other brands like Motorola, LG etc. have sold around nine hundred thousand watches giving them a total of 17% of smartwatch sales. In total, Samsung plus the other smartphones own 24.5% of the market, with Apple far ahead of it with 75.5%. Hence, proving that Samsung and the rest have a long way to go before catching up to a Cupertino product.
HDFC has introduced WatchBanking, an app that allows you to carry out transactions from your Apple Watch. It’s another matter that the watch hasn’t been very popular in India, unlike its cousins iPhone and iPad. Still, it’s refreshing to see HDFC take the “better-now-than-later” approach, considering that Indian banks are known for being slow when it comes to adapting new technology.
HDFC claims that the app has been designed by keeping the functionality of Apple Watch in mind. For now, the app allows you to carry out ten types of transactions such as Bill Payments and Recharges. It allows you to see your account information and locate nearest ATMs, just like the regular HDFC app for iOS.
The bank scores extra points as customers won’t have to download a separate app for Apple Watch. They can activate WatchBanking from an upgraded version of HDFC Bank’s MobileBanking App itself. The bank assures no security flaws since the watch will act as a projection device. The data will flow from the mobile phone to the bank’s servers. Additionally, there is a watch banking PIN that the user himself will set during the one-time setup process, using his unique id and password.
HDFC says that it aims to provide banking services through all wearable devices across all platforms, including iOS and Android.
With WatchBanking, HDFC follows CitiBank, which recently launched its own banking app for Apple Watch. The trend will continue to follow if the market for smart wearable grows.
It’s been just two months since the arrival of Apple’s luxury wearable and the tech firm is already developing its successor. Yes, following the massive success of Apple Watch, the Cupertino-based organization is reportedly building its next-gen model, the Apple Watch 2. Sources close to Apple disclosed its plans of launching an improved iWatch version, which is said to reduce the dependence of the wearable on iPhone.
If we go by the revelations made by 9to5mac, the next Apple Watch will sport a camera on top of the watch bezel, to provide users with the facility of video calling. Watch owners can make or receive FaceTime calls while on the go, and there is no need to slip an extra gadget in your pocket. The inclusion seems rational as the company laid the ground for audio assimilation with watchOS 2.0, launched at their annual developer’s conference. A camera on the smartwatch is not a first, as Samsung has already incorporated on the Galaxy Gear.
As we said earlier, the second-gen Apple Watch will have minimal dependency on the iPhone, and will be able to perform maximum functions solely. Replacing the currently embedded Wi-Fi, a chip with the potential to locate a user’s location will be installed. Things like ordinary conversation can take place with the integration of a dynamic wireless chipset, but substantial actions such as software updates, media files synchronization, and few more will indeed require an iPhone.
The battery is what’s likely to remain unchanged in the next Apple Watch. The battery of first-gen watch has received positive reviews, and since customers are happy with its fuelling power, Apple aims to devote attention to other features.
It is also learnt from the same source that Apple might add new more options within the price range of $1,000 and $10,000. More options means more colour variants. Apple is speculated to consider the following colour options for the Watch – titanium, platinum tungsten, and palladium.
