The Wall Street Journal reports that the limited initial roll out of the Apple Watch was slowed by supply manufacturing issues concerning the Taptic Engine. The report claims that after mass production of the device began in February, reliability testing showed that some of the Taptic Engines supplied by AAC Technologies Holdings began to break down after use.
The Taptic Engine was created by Apple to produce the sensation of being tapped on the wrist as a less intrusive way of notifying the user. The engine uses a motor to move a small rod back and forth, which creates the feeling of tapping. The Taptic Engine also plays a role in sending your heartbeat to other Apple Watch users. KGI noted issues of the production of the taptic engine earlier this month.
Apple told some suppliers of other Watch parts to slow production until June, without giving an explanation, according to the report. Suppliers were surprised because Apple had recently told them that Watch inventory was insufficient, the report claimed.
The Apple Watch launch has been plagued by supply issues, with the device not being available in the company’s own retail stores at launch and shipping quotes being pushed to June almost immediately. During Apple’s earnings call earlier this week, CEO Tim Cook confirmed that the company hopes to launch the device in a second-wave of countries by late June.
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Hopefully this reiterates that Apple doesn’t artificially reduce supply for the sake of scarcity and hype. The scale they aim to fulfill as well the tolerances they establish limits supply naturally.
This is why is not a good idea to be first in line to buy a new device, especially so when it comes to the First generation of its kind. Who knows what is the extend of these faulty components.
Except for Apple. Which I trust.
Agreed Rnc. I know that if I have any problems with my watch taptics, I’ll walk into any Apple Store and get a replacement no questions asked.
If they had it in stock of course. Or there was an Apple Store local to you – which for the vast majority of people around the world, they don’t have the luxury of.
Nah. I received an iPhone 6 day one…it started to crap out a month ago. Took it to the store and they handed me a brand new one.
If this first batch of watches have a problem and they fix it at a later date, you’ll just take it in and I’m sure they’ll replace it.
Never have I had a problem with Apple taking care of buggy products. Little to no hassle with them.
Over the course of a year, the products do change from a QA/QC standpoint even if they’re the same generation. Component bugs are worked out etc. It’s just how it is.
As long as you address it within the year, you’re fine.
According to everyone I’ve talked to with a Apple watch the “Taptic Engine” is just Apple marketing for “thing that vibrates”. Basically the same thing that’s in your iPhone when it’s on silent. I find it hard to believe they can’t make something like this in large numbers.
Correct, but the physical and power constraints are tighter so is understandable. Is better to stay away from Version 1 until all the issues have been sorted out.
It does sound rather unbelievable to those of us that know how these things actually work. It’s not rocket science and Apple’s doesn’t appear to be significantly different from the others in design, size, or … anything.
Also, not reported here is an actual apology statement from Apple where they go out of their way to say that orders are being filled “in the order they were received.” Something which has already been proven to be incorrect, at least if we believe what customers have been saying. That tells you a lot.
You are 100% incorrect. iFixIt.com as they always do, took the device apart so all the hardware is visible. You can see it’s not a linear actuator, the technical term for a “thing that vibrates”
*iPhone linear actuator
It’s not the same thing as the vibrator in your phone. Ask anyone who has a Watch and they’ll tell you the tapic engine is way different than a typical vibrator.
There is a big difference between “feels different” and “is different.” It’s an electro-mechanical vibrator.
How do you think they achieve that different feel? Through a different type of vibration component: one that is different and, according to the article, harder to produce.
@ nemisispreme: You *may* be right, but you don’t actually *know* you’re right, or in fact actually know any more than I do.
You’re just introducing unknown possibilities in an attempt to explain. In other words, the need for the explanation is more important to you than the facts themselves. You’re adjusting reality to fit your pre-existing beliefs rather than the other way around.
All of these things work on basic electromechanical principles. They are common devices and have been around for many decades in one form or another.
Also, since simple testing and user feedback allowed Apple to find the fault (apparently just *after* they shipped the first review units), then it stands to reason that better testing beforehand, would have saved the day in terms of all the currently backlogged units.
So, it’s still 100% Apple’s fault no matter how you look at it. Someone didn’t do enough, or proper Q&A testing. It’s really as simple as that.
Even though the iPhone 6 and the Apple Watch use the same basic principles to operate, that is via an electromagnetic vibe motor, the reality is, in fact, that the two ARE different. They contrast not only in the sensation, which was so quickly to be written off here, but also the construction of the component. Even if you could piece a typical vibe motor in to the Apple Watch, it would not provide the same experience as the new component that Apple has developed.
The two contrast greatly in this area.
As such, being that this is a newly developed piece of architecture to create this type of experience in the Apple Watch, the claim that one does not “know” they are right with regards to how different and difficult it is to manufacture and develop this type of component, or any type of Apple Watch component for that matter, is relatively moot. It’s pretty clear just from an observation stand point that the two are different, even if not completely.
The device is entirely new and uses entirely new and different components after all.
In addition, I would be willing to argue on Apple’s behalf that the failure of one company’s ability (namely, NOT Apple) to properly manufacture parts for its devices does not result in all of the blame to be placed on Apple. This is especially true considering that the fault was caught before official launch shipments of the watch began.
Apple’s quality control practices are in place for a reason. This type of situation in particular is a good representation of quality control at work. They are there to stop faulty devices getting in to the hands of millions of people. To this end, I believe that Apple easily came out on top here. The blame for the parts that Apple had to scrap and withhold are completely due to the lack of care and competence of the company that manufactured them.
Everyone has a job to do, and the responsible parties should be held accountable. It’s quite simple, really.
You are partially correct. The iPhone used to use the standard rotational offset vibrating motor, like most other phones. Apple switched to a linear actuator with the iPhone 6. The watch also uses a linear actuator. It does not rotate to create vibration. Instead, it moves side to side in a straight line (that’s what linear means). It’s very similar to the linear actuator Samsung has been using in their Galaxy S phones since the S3. But yes, it is way different than the typical vibrator, both in form and function.
@dylobs: that’s a lot of words. mostly wrong. Both the iPhone 6 and the watch use linear actuators for vibration instead of standard rotating vibrators. The Taptic Engine is not new tech developed by Apple. L It’s simply a name Apple gave to linear actuators. It’s the same naming convention Apple used for HiDPI screens (Retina), Gorilla Glass (Ion-X), strain gauges+linear actuator (Force Touch).
Assessing blame for faulty components to the manufacturer is an exercise in futility. Ultimately, Apple is responsible. If something is wrong with your MBP screen you go to Apple, not the manufacturer. Same thing if its a hard drive, GPU, or any other component. Great power, great responsibility. Part of enjoying massive profit from selling products is accepting blame when your product is defective. Apple caught this in QC before it became more of a customer facing issue. That hasn’t always been the case. When they didn’t, they took care of it (truth be told, it sometimes took years for them to do it, but they eventually did it).
After reading what people had to say about the sport, vs the Apple Watch, I canceled my pre order of the sport FOR the Apple Watch. Then, since I am a backer of Click, I did not get the leather band, I got the black sport band with it. I am happy with my decision. The first one said May 13 – 27. Now, it says June. So, after reading this, I am even happier with my choice.
Is this why early reviewers were complaining about Taptic engines not being powerful enough? looks like the issue is no longer limited to initial builds
It’s possible some faulty taptic engines slipped out but from this story it appears like Apple caught it and that’s why shipments have been delayed.
Gruber has posted evidence of faulty units being shipped out. It seems that these faulty review units might have been what alerted Apple to the problem (at the last minute).
This report may be true of course, BUT I feel Apple may purposely rolling out Apple Watch very slowly and limited to online (making it less convenient to waltz in the store to purchase) in order to prevent a relative high % of costly returns. If I were Apple I would want the initial run in the hands of her “most fervent” customers who will watch all the videos and take copious time to live with and learn about (and fall in love and spread the word) about this fantastically well engineered and sophisticated product. I’m amazed by mine and learning more and more each day.
It’s interesting to note the various problems this roll-out is having.
From Cook’s (2) milquetoast keynote(s) Ives stammering at events, no products in-store on launch day, buyers receiving their orders seemingly totally randomly, pulled advertising for release dates while well-heeled celebrities receive theirs as gifts long before anyone else, and now this, it makes all their previous launches seem near-flawless.
That would be because they were.
Whether it’s too many cooks in the kitchen, or god knows what else, this is a historical Apple launch for it’s numerous blunders. I’m a huge Apple fan and have always said this roll-out would be good times because of all the effort Apple put into it. As an observer–and a fan–it’s truly something to behold when things in Cupertino, no matter how hard they try, just don’t go as planned.
I’m sure they’re all standing around talking about the various things to be learned from this bizarre experience. Meanwhile, it’s STILL interesting times for Apple fans watching the roll-out sort itself, and the developer’s conference just around the corner! :)
Sure, the Phone 4 release (AntennaGate), white iPhone 4 release (4 months late), iOS 6 (Maps), iPhone 6 Plus (no availability of the 64GB and 128GB for weeks), were all flawless.
I’m pretty sure charismatron was talking about the actual product roll out and supply, all of which were virtually flawless for Apple’s other products.
Things like the “gates,” and the persistent crapulence of Apple Maps are irrelevant in this analysis.
Kpom,
Your observations are fair. However I don’t think those compare to the unique confusion surrounding this launch. I hadn’t commented previous were flawless, but near-flawless. Apple has hit all sorts of snags in the past, but this launch has produced an endless stream of them.
Personally, I’m not invested in the watch. But even Apple’s best buyers, the early-adopters, are now late-adopters, relative to those that had the opportunity to buy at boutiques on launch day. That’s just another goofy problem which we’ve never seen before from Apple. Then there’s the honestly confused people that lined up at Apple stores on launch day because marketing failure. Then there’s the fact that when you call Apple the recording says “Apple Watch is here!” as though I could go there and buy it when, of course, there’s a month (two month?) long waiting list.
There’s a fairly long list of ongoing problems we’ve seen (and are continuing to see) with this launch that makes it unique to Apple’s history, especially for a brand new product. Other launches have been near-flawless (my actual words), but by comparison to this one they’re heavenly.
Cheers!
Who is Ives and what events (plural) has he been stammering at?
Fair question, Rogifan.
During the interview conducted by Suzy Menkes held at the Condé Nast International Luxury Conference in Florence, Italy, Ives could barely make a case for how the Watch could benefit users, nor could he answer whether the Edition was a luxury product or not (while being featured, you know, at a luxury conference).
He’s not accustomed to the speaking limelight, so he shouldn’t be forced into it. It’s quite apparent he wasn’t prepared for Menkes’ line of questioning, which was basically for Ives to make a solid case for the Edition as a luxury product. I’m an Ives–and Apple–fan, but was surprised how ill-prepared he appeared for the job at hand, which was to sell his creation to a room full of people that would have been very comfortable buying it from him.
My apologies, I keep typing “Ives” and not Ive. Can I get an edit function up in here, please? :P
Apple struggled with production of the skinny iMac and Mac Pro as well. The Apple Watch involves numerous sku combinations so it’s understandable that it’s taking a while to ramp initially.
Thanks Angela!
FYI… At 6:26pm eastern..I just received notification from apple that my stainless steel apple watch with black sports band has been shipped to be received tomorrow. I was one of the 12:01am ordered that was stuck in limbo since 4/24th :) !!! Don’t give up y’all!!! There are on the way!
Stop posting positive comments. This area is only for posting scathing criticism of Apple’s HORRIBLE terrible launch!!! THE ENTIRE COMPANY SHOULD BE FIRED! Something Something Angela rabble rabble!
If you called up a bunch of friends to come over to your place for a party, unless they are unbelievably coordinated, by definition *somebody* is going to be the last person to show up. So, when the Wall Street Journal breathlessly reports that the Taptic Engine was a limiting factor … it doesn’t matter: if it wasn’t the Taptic Engine, it would’ve been the glass; or the band; or the battery; or something else. The point is that the parts are, eventually, going to show up, and some amazingly good watches are going to start showing up, in massive numbers, on peoples’ wrists.
@charismatron
I was mad too.. Until I got my ship date! Which is to arrive today! Whats funny is that when I stopped refreshing my watch order stair and reading ever blog, Google-in: “apple watch” and “Apple watch Shipping”… Etc… I hen back to normal live and boom-the-it-is… I see and email “your watch has shipped”… First thought “I should of cancelled it”- buyers remorse! Well kinda! Now real JOY OR HAPPINESS… Then the other thought that crossed my mind in those first moments was, ” this wait wasnt that bad… Why was I so upset?”… Then it hits me… Not knowing was what was killing me, uncertainty was the culprit!
Case in point: I(some of us here) was like a baby in its mothers arm crying for milk… So frustrated and the breast is right there, it seems so far away and here we are crying for it… It right there(relatively) the boob is coming stop crying, you’ll be latching on to apples boob soon.. 😂 this is meant as humor only! Enjoy you watch when you get it!
I;m from Germany, and I ordered my Apple Watch sport silver with green Wrist on 10th of April imidiately after 9h AM european time, after the Online Store was reopened. My delivery is for June. I hope that I get my watch in May yet. I wait with very big unpatient. I expect my watch really in June, but if it is possible in May would be better. The delivery must go on with more power.
This is a 42 mm watch.
Wait, they are going to launch another wave of countries when they can’t even fill the orders they have already? I ordered on 4/10 and haven’t even seen any status change!!!