The iWatch is fast becoming the most frustrating of Apple products, that’s if it even exists of course. Last weekend I was sure that the wearable would make an appearance at Cupertino’s iPhone 6 launch event next week, but according to DigiTimes, it could be a while until we see the smartwatch.
DigiTimes is a decent source for this kind of stuff and is saying that the iWatch is only at the engineer verification test stage (EVT). There are several stages of a products development and the EVT is where Apple can make last adjustments to the device, whether that is in terms of design, specs, materials, or software. Following the EVT stage is production verification test (PVT) stage where the parts are finalized and the product enters production.
The iWatch is said to be leaving EVT now, with Apple sourcing components to push it through the PVT stage. That means the wearable is at least a couple of months away from launch and is unlikely to hit stores this year. So, where does that leave the iWatch and when will Apple reveal it?
Cupertino does fall launches now, and as far as I know it is a launch schedule the company intends to adhere to. If the iWatch is delayed further, does that mean the company will wait to launch its first wearable until this time next year? That seems unthinkable as Apple would be well behind the competition by then. The next 3-6 months are crucial in the wearable market as most major companies are entering the fray in that time period.
So, will Apple break its launch cycle or find a way to get the iWatch to market before the close of this year? At the moment the latter seems likely, and you may remember that my source did promise a big surprise for the iPhone 6 launch next week. Possibly Cupertino will reveal the iWatch with some renders and basic run through, but say that it will not roll out until later in the year.
I mentioned that the EVT stage is where a company can change the product before it enters the more finalized production phase where inventory and money can be lost by drastic changes. It is possible that Apple has seen something unexpected by a rival (for example the public enthusiasm for round faced smartwatches) and has decided to change something about the iWatch, and that’s why it is delayed.
The later Apple leaves the iWatch sitting away from the consumer the more ground the company loses, and more importantly, the more pressure there is for Cupertino to deliver something special and innovative. Time will tell of course, but the longer this goes on I get the feeling that time is running out for Apple and the iWatch.
