“Microsoft is ramping up production and distribution of its Band smartwatch — capitalizing on the popularity of the device before Apple has shipped a single watch, the company announced Tuesday,” Matt Krantz “reports” for USA Today.
MacDailyNews Take: Proof of “popularity,” please?
Krantz continues, “Production of the Microsoft Band, a $200 fitness wearable that also functions as a streamlined smartwatch, will be boosted as the device will now be sold at retailers Best Buy, Amazon.com and Target. Previously, the Band was available only at Microsoft’s stores and at Microsoft.com in limited quantities. The Band will also be sold in the United Kingdom.”
MacDailyNews Take: Proof of “popularity,” pretty please?
So far, we’ve got bupkis. “Limited quantities” could mean 100K units. Availability in just two countries simply does not support the “popularity” characterization.
Krantz continues, “The aggressive expansion of the Band comes a month before the Apple Watch is expected to be shipped. And while consumers don’t appear to be excited about the Apple Watch, the Band has been an unexpected hit for Microsoft.”
MacDailyNews Take: “Aggressive expansion?” As opposed to launching in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the UK and the US, all at once, like Apple Watch.
The link Krantz has applied to “don’t appear to be excited about the Apple Watch” shows that, even before launch, some 31% of U.S. consumers polled are interested in buying the Apple Watch (that’s 60 million people) and that 13% of respondents said they would consider purchasing an iPhone in order to use Apple Watch to its full capabilities.
Again, this is even before launch, before anyone has seen an Apple Watch in person, tried one on, or used one. These are astronomical numbers that show the massive potential of Apple Watch. That is what Krantz ludicrously describes as consumers not appearing to be excited. That he hides the actual information behind a link is rather telling.
Krantz continues, “Microsoft hasn’t disclosed sales numbers, but the product has been constantly out of stock in Microsoft Stores and available only for consumers who put their names on wait lists.”
MacDailyNews Take: “Microsoft hasn’t disclosed sales numbers,” but, according to this little yellow journalist Matt Krantz, Microsoft Band is “popular” and “an unexpected hit.” Puleeze.
Krantz continues, “Apple’s stock faltered after showing its watch last week.”
MacDailyNews Take: Meaningless and beyond desperate, but let’s check out a bit of history for grins:
On January 27, 2010, Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad. The next day, January 28th, AAPL closed down $1.16 (-4.14%) at a split-adjusted $26.85. On April 5th, after iPad’s launch weekend, AAPL closed at $32.14 (+19.70%). AAPL currently stands at $127.00 (+295.15%).
Krantz continues, “This time, it’s Microsoft that has announced a product, made it immediately available and then boosted production and availability. The ramp-up in distribution of the Band comes five months after Microsoft launched the wearable last October — beating the Apple Watch to market. The Apple Watch, shown months ago, won’t ship until April. How time flies.”
Full article – safely behind donotlink in order to not improve its search engine positioning – here.
MacDailyNews Take: Krantz offers nothing, no proof, to back up his characterizations. What little he does offer actually proves quite the opposite. You’re an inept propagandist, Matty. It’s no wonder you’re stuck pecking out crap to stain USA Birdcage Liner.
So, how much did Microsoft pay USA Today for this disinformation ad masquerading as “news?”
[Thanks to MacDailyNews readers too numerous to mention individually for the heads up.]