Apple is placing a lot of its hopes for the future on the Apple Watch, but a new survey indicates Cupertino is looking at a big uphill battle.
More than 50 percent of Americans say they think smartwatches are a passing fad.
Limited awareness about Apple Watch and its functions could be the biggest culprit behind the negative sentiment. Of the 1,245 Americans surveyed between March 9 and March 13 for the latest Ipsos Poll, only half said they had heard about Apple Watch, the device Cupertino hopes will provide a major new revenue stream. Only a quarter of respondents said they plan to buy an Apple Watch.
Most people seem to have already made up their minds about Apple Watch, as only 6 percent of respondents said they were unsure whether they’d purchase one, but a whopping 69 percent said they have zero desire for the new timepiece.
It wasn’t all bad news, though: About 13 percent of people surveyed who don’t currently own an iPhone said they would consider buying an Apple phone to pair with an Apple Watch, which is pretty much useless if you don’t own an iPhone 5 or greater.
The Apple Watch goes on sale April 24 at Apple Stores and select fashion retailers, but Apple is looking to win over skeptics before the launch by offering in-store demos starting April 10.
Source: Reuters
