Apple’s ‘iWatch’ Could Be Delayed Until 2015 Says KGI Securities Analyst

‘iRolex’ concept by Curved Labs

Apple’s iWatch is rumoured to launch possibly sometime this October, according to previous media reports.

But KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a somewhat reliable track record, believes the Apple wearable may be delayed until 2015 (via MacRumors) according to his latest research note:

We reiterate our view that iWatch, as compared to existing products, and as Apple’s (US) first attempt at a wearable device, represents a much higher level of difficulty for the company as regards component and system design, manufacturing and integration between hardware and software. While we are positive on iWatch and believe that the advantages of the design and business model behind it are difficult to copy, we think, given the aforementioned challenges, that the launch could be postponed to 2015.

How can a product that doesn’t exist yet—be delayed? This probably is the best time to bring up this recent piece by former Apple user experience evangelist, Mark Kawano (via Daring Fireball), sharing his thoughts on Apple and deadlines:

But the theory that Apple doesn’t have deadlines isn’t just slightly inaccurate, it couldn’t be further from the truth.

Not only does the company set internal deadlines, it also creates deadlines for deadlines that have their own deadlines. Every aspect of the company’s production cycle, from conception to ship date, is calculated. But — and this is a big “but” — what makes Apple different is that it is a company that is willing to move those deadlines. If a product in development isn’t ready to be released, the deadline is pushed back. If an idea isn’t perfect, or isn’t considered truly magical and delightful internally, it’s held back, revised, and the product given an entirely new launch date.

The iWatch will come when it is ready. Apple continues to hire a vast team of experts for its rumoured wearable device, so you know when it does arrive, it could be yet another gamechanger.