Last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook told employees at a Berlin Apple store, that the Apple Watch will not be exclusive to the USA in April, according to the employees who attended. In particular, Cook said the Apple Watch will launch in Germany in April. It’s possible that the watch will of course launch in the US in early April, with Germany and other countries later in the month, but it seems that the rollout is much more aggressive than the first iPhone and iPad launches.
Apple Watch rolled out in April
When the iPhone was originally launched in 2007, it was initially exclusive to the US and AT&T for the first few months. The iPad launched in the US only in April 2010, and followed in Europe and Australia more than a month later. But apart from Germany, sources have said an April launch in Australia is likely, mainly because Apple has also been training employees on the Apple Watch in secret briefings in Sydney. The UK, France and Hong Kong have also seen marketing activities around the Apple Watch, so it’s highly likely that those countries will receive the new wearable in April.
Typically, Apple launches new products in Canada, where the company will also launch the Apple Watch-compatible Apple Pay, but there has been no confirmation yet whether Canada will be included in the mix. Apple has also been promoting the Apple Watch in China, so it’s possible that an April launch is likely there, but it could face delays due to regulatory hurdles.
When asked if employees will receive free Apple Watches, Cook said “you’ve given me something to think about, I agree with your point, I think it’s great, and I think everyone should use our products. It’s a good point for me to think about, I’ve got some more plane rides to think about it on.”
Cook also discussed the launch of Apple Pay in Europe, saying:
Apple Pay will be global, it’s not a U.S. program. We want it everywhere. We are working to bring it out of the US. It is going to take a little bit of time to do so. We want to be in Germany. We want to be in Europe generally this year. I don’t know if we will make it, I think we will. It’s our intention to get here as fast as we can.
Larry Banks is a keen follower of technology and finance. He has worked for a variety of online publications, writing about a diverse range of topics including mobile networks, patents, and Internet video delivery technologies.
