Apple Watch mass-production might not start until January

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Screen Shot 2014-09-23 at 7.31.42 AM

Apple is still trying to work out the last few details of its first wearable, but with an early 2015 launch just months away, plans to manufacture and assemble the Apple Watch are being finalized. But AppleDaily reports production isn’t scheduled to ramp into high gear until January 2015.

To manufacture its first wearable, Apple has turned to its old partner Quanta Computer to churn out the first units, and they’re already hiring an army of assemblers for the hyped release.

Rather than going with multiple assemblers, the report claims Apple has inked an exclusive contract with Taiwan-based Quanta to be the sole assembler of the Apple Watch, despite previous rumors that Invented was also being considered to handle production.

Apple has allegedly notified Quanta to start making preparations to manufacture the smartwatch by increasing its worker head count to 40,000 employees at its Changsha plant. The deal also prohibits Quanta from manufacturing smartwatches for Apple competitors likes Samsung and Motorola.

Going with a single supplier/assembler is a rare move for Apple, a company that usually spreads the workload between multiple companies for manufacturing of the iPhone and MacBook (although the iPhone 6 Plus is solely supplied by Foxconn). A second or third partner might be added in the future as Apple Watch demand picks up, but for now Cupertino is keeping tight control on its most ambitious project yet.

Via: GforGames

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