Categories: OpinionWorld

Apple finally chasing the lucrative Ironman crowd

IN THE seven years since Apple Inc released its first Apple Watch, the device has sold more than 100 million units, catapulting it to 30% of the global smartwatch market. Yet, it’s struggled to grab a small but important niche: Endurance sports.

Peruse the start of any Ironman triathlon race and you’ll see Garmin products dominating the wrists of the world’s most elite athletes. These are consumers who spend US$10,000 (RM44,565) on a bicycle and travel around the globe to compete at some of the world’s most majestic courses. But they’ve largely snubbed Apple in favour of multi-sport watches from the premier name in outdoor adventure and navigation.

The new Apple Watch Ultra the company debuted at an event dubbed Far Out could finally change that. At US$799, the wearable is the most expensive among the models it released on Wednesday, including Apple Watch Series 8 at up to US$499 and Watch SE for US$249.

That puts it above most Garmin alternatives favoured by triathletes, yet still cheaper than premium models designed for ultramarathon and rugged environments. The device can also act as a dive computer, putting it in competition with leading names in that category, such as Suunto, Cressi and Aqualung.

Chasing consumers who have expensive hobbies and high brand loyalty is a smart move, and it shows that the company is laser-focused on pushing its non-iPhone products, namely Watch and AirPods.

Called Wearables, Home and Accessories (WHA), this category is the only hardware division at Apple to have consistently posted growth in each of the past six years. While WHA accounts for just 11% of sales, far less than the iPhone’s 53%, revenue from that collection of devices has climbed 245% since 2016, compared to 40% for iPhones and 181% for services.

Incremental revenue is only half the story. Making the Apple ecosystem more addictive is far more lucrative than merely ensuring customers upgrade their iPhone every year (or two).

Earphones are a good example. Having an iPhone is more likely to lure a customer to buy Airpods and the same is also true in reverse — customers are less inclined to switch to a Samsung or Oppo if they already have AirPods and an Apple Watch.

It also takes the pressure off each new iPhone to have a wow factor that compels fans to line up overnight for the latest accessory. This year’s release, for example, is unlikely to set hearts racing.

A better camera, more powerful semiconductors and gimmicky always-on displays don’t seem anywhere near as exciting as past innovations like touch ID, haptic feedback or Siri. And that’s fine.

Apple instead spent its launch event focusing on features that the vast majority of consumers will never need and very few will use. These include crash detection on the watch and satellite SOS services on the iPhone.

Despite heart-rending videos of customers relaying their experience of life-saving features of the Apple Watch — one girl used it after a plane crash — safety is probably not a must-have aspect of consumer electronics devices.

Yet, in gradually broadening the categories of consumers who find a product that perfectly fits their unique needs, Apple is ensuring that its cross-gadget connectivity is one consumers rely on.

“This kind of integration is something only Apple can do,” Apple CEO Tim Cook declared in the opening to Wednesday’s launch event. And he’s right, which is why Apple will continue to be the brand customers can’t do with it. — Bloomberg

Zukri

Recent Posts

The Centurion Condominium New York has opened the first Analytic Gym in the United States

NEW YORK, Oct. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- New Yorkers are known for their focus on…

2 hours ago

STARKIST PAYS TRIBUTE TO KOREAN WAR VETERANS AT THE 2024 CHOSIN FEW GALA

Korean War Veterans Attend Reunion Event Honoring Veterans Known as 'The Chosin Few' That Participated in…

3 hours ago

NASA Welcomes Estonia as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- While in Milan for international meetings, NASA Administrator Bill…

3 hours ago

Mikko Rautiainen to Perform on Holland’s Got Talent on October 18, Followed by a Live Performance at Kleine Komedie – Filmikko announces

AMSTERDAM, Oct. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- International performer Mikko Rautiainen will return to Holland's Got…

3 hours ago

Prime Minister announces new Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 13, 2024 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the appointment…

4 hours ago