Category: Technology News

Apple Watch sales may not be as hot as they’d seemed

Reports are showing that the sales for the smartwatch aren’t reaching break-even volume for a supplier.

Media reports are circulating wildly stating that an Apple Watch supplier has not even managed to reach the sales figure required in order to break even, which is stated to have been 2 million units per month.

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc. is indicating that the smartwatches aren’t selling.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Taiwanese supplier that is responsible for assembling all of the sensors and chips of the Apple Watch into its tiny case (called the system in package, or SiP). A subsidiary of Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) has told investors that their break even volume is 2 million monthly units, and they have not even been able to reach that level. This, according to a Bernstein research analyst named Mark Li. The subsidiary said that it did not once reach that volume during the second quarter of this year. Moreover, it is not expecting to do so in the third quarter of the year.

This is not promising for the Apple Watch as it is traditionally the third quarter that production becomes busy.

Apple Watch Sales Not as Good As ExpectedThe reason is that producers are typically gearing up for the holiday shopping season when sales will usually spike significantly. However, if this supplier doesn’t expect to hit break-even figures during the months that prepare for the holiday shopping season, then it suggests that the expectations for the sales of the smartwatches are not all that promising. The subsidiary did not say that it expected to reach break-even volumes for the last quarter of the year, but apparently no commitments have been made to suggest that it will, as of yet.

Within a note that was written by Mark Li to Bernstein clients, he found the shortfall in sales of the wearable technology device to be disappointing. He also stated that he’s already had low expectations for the smartwatch, but that even he was very surprised at the fact that it didn’t even manage to reach break-even levels.

This Apple Watch news becomes even more insightful when understanding that companies such as ASE nearly never fail to reach break-even volume, particularly during their third quarter.

Mobile technology linked to cancer and health problems in new study

This scientific research has also connected the devices to skin irritation, headache, and fatigue.

According to the findings of a new study that was published in the Electromagnetic Biology & Medicine journal, the radio frequency radiation that is emitted by wireless and mobile technology is linked to certain kinds of cancers and other health risks.

This study adds a considerable piece of evidence to claims that have long been made about cell phone risks.

Until now, there have been a few studies that have suggested that mobile technology is not linked to cancer, and there have been a few that have indeed linked the two. This has meant that stating that cell phone use can cause cancer was considered to be speculation, until now. This latest research has contributed a significant component to the argument that there are health risks associated with the radiation from mobile tech.

The scientists in the study claimed that mobile technology radiation can cause metabolic imbalances.

Mobile Technology - Cancer StudyThese imbalances to the metabolism that result from proximity and/or use of mobile devices and other wireless gadgets, are what is linked to the development of cancer as well as neurodegenerative diseases, skin rashes, headaches, and other issues.

The researchers stated that the radiofrequency radiation (RFR) exposure leads to oxidative stress that can cause more minor irritations such as skin problems, fatigue, headache, and others, or more severe medical problems such as cancers. This was determined to be a risk when the mobile device or devices are used for long periods of time.

The research was conducted by a team at the National University for Food Technologies of Ukraine. Study co-author and researcher, Igor Yakymenko, examined living cells and the impact of low-intensity RFR on cellular metabolism. He explained that “These data are a clear sign of the real risks this kind of radiation poses for human health,” adding that “ROS are often produced in cells due to aggressive environments, and can also be provoked by ordinary wireless radiation.”

The study suggested that mobile technology owners take a more precautionary approach to their device use.