Apple Watch Launch Delay; An Opportunity For Android Wear In The Smart Watch Battle

Apple Watch will not be available for walk in purchases from April 24, says Apple’s Retail Chief, Angela Ahrendts. Owing to high demand of the smartwatch, Apple has announced to accept only online orders for the Apple Watch, as per reports.

A CNET report quoted Ahrendts saying in a memo, “we expect this to continue through the month of May." Until June, Apple Watch buyers can either buy the watch online or make a reservation to buy one, reports CNET.

Delayed launch: Is this Apple’s new Strategy?

The CNET report quoted Ahrendts saying, Apple will revert to its traditional approach to offer in-store sales as soon as any other product is launched in future. Until now, Apple was making its products available across the world through its distribution network.

But for the Apple Watch, the company is practicing a different strategy, says various reports. According to a report on The New York Times, Apple has adopted the scarcity-creates-desire approach that has worked well with Hermes Birkin and Kelly bags and the Italian sportscar Ferrari.

This strategy is being viewed as an intentional move by Apple’s Chief Executive Tim Cook and Angela Ahrendts, a former chief executive of Burberry, as it brings the company in to the fashion market and to the luxury market as well, reports the New York Times.

Will the delayed launch be an opportunity for Android Wear products?

In order to take on the Google Android Wear, Apple had announced the launch of its Apple Watch in April 24 this year. Currently, Apple Watch and Android wear are the most popular smartwatches. While the Android Wear offers a lot of options in terms of design and assures better battery life, Apple Watch provides better controls and offers 20 standard apps by default, reports Nigerian Bulletin.

While both the smartwatches are equally competent and till such time Apple does not allow Google to include the Android Wear App (which is still being experimented by Google) in the Apple App Store, iPhone users have no option but to buy the Apple Watch and Android based smart phone users have to opt for an Android Wear.

While Android Wear wins over Apple Watch in terms of some features, would Apple, in the current scenario, lose out on those customers who are not brand specific yet look for a good smart watch that would offer them more features and options?

(For feedback/comments, mail the writer at pragyan.ibtimes@gmail.com)