The latest reports indicate that Apple may begin mass-producing its first smartwatch units in January or February of 2015. According to a rumor shared by Apple Daily, Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Quanta Computer is reportedly set to begin mass-production for the Apple Watch early next year.
Rumored Release Date
During its most recent launch event, Apple not only unveiled the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, but also said that its smartwatch will launch in early 2015—but the company refrained from specifying any dates. As The Information reports, even some of Apple’s partners and employees had been anticipating a pre-holiday-season release date. A person “briefed by the Apple department involved in shipping” told the publication’s Jessica Lessin and Amir Efrati that Apple is reportedly targeting a mid-February launch. However, the unidentified source also said that the company would be “lucky to ship it by Valentine’s Day.”
Last-Minute Preparations
Apple and Quanta reportedly agreed to a deal that does not allow the latter to manufacture any other smartwatches while producing the Apple Watch. Quanta has allegedly started hiring more workers to meet Apple’s demands and expectations, but if mass production does not start until January 2015, Apple’s “early 2015” goal may prove difficult to attain.
Created in Limited Quantities
G for Games, a popular Chinese Apple outlet, cites sources from Apple’s supply chain that say the smartwatch will be launched in February, but in limited numbers. The recent troubles encountered by GT Advanced—Apple’s supplier for the sapphire glass on their display screens—may account for both the delay and the reportedly small size of the release.
Watch Makes Public Debut
Apple Watch was first unveiled during the company’s September 9 event, and the tech giant’s first smartwatch made an early public appearance on September 30. For one day only, several Apple Watch models were displayed in the front windows of Colette, a well-known Paris boutique. Included in the one-day-only display were models from the Sport Collection and the 18-karat gold model from the Edition Collection, which is available in 38 mm and 42 mm sizes.
Will you be purchasing an Apple Watch when it is released?
Image courtesy of Flickr
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