PhilSynowiec
Super Moderator
Apple has yet to say anything regarding the rumored iWatch, although the rumor mill believes that the tech giant will get into the wearables market this year. UBS analyst Steven Milunovich believes that voice messaging will be one of the device's key features.
Via Fortune:
“When we visited with Tim Cook, he said that walking down streets in China one sees people speaking into their phones sending voice rather than text messages. Porting this capability to the watch makes sense as it is easier to send a voice message from a device already on the wrist than pulling out a phone. It also could aid penetration of China, which Cook said has a ways to go.”
During WWDC 2014, when Apple previews iOS 8 and all of its new features, voice messaging was one of them. When iOS 8 finally get installed on users devices, folks can record a short voice message and send it through the Messages app by swiping up on the new microphone button. Since the rumored iWatch 2.5-inch screen would be too small for a keyboard, using the device to voice message while your iPhone is in your pocket would save time and less hassle.
Milunovich also believes the iWatch could sell about 40 to 50 million units the first year:
“We model a unit ramp similar to the iPad at 21 million units in fiscal 2015 and 36 million units in fiscal 2016 at a $300 average selling price. Some analysts look for 40-50 million units the first year assuming 10-15% of iPhone users buy the iWatch. That’s certainly possible if Apple gets the product right but recognize that it’s a different kind of decision [than choosing to buy a phone]. The good news is that consumers interested in the iWatch may be less price sensitive.”
Apple is rumored to release the iWatch in the Fall with the rumored iPhone 6 and refreshed iPad. We still don't know too much about it, since Apple has kept it under wraps, but we do know that Apple is trying to give people a reason to wear a wrist-watch again.
