AppleInsider Staff
Apple on Thursday sent out a mass email notifying Apple Watch preorder customers slated to get the first batch of launch units that their orders are being processed.
As seen in the screenshot above, the messages appear to be going out to customers with preorders scheduled to ship between April 24 and May 8, some of the first to jump online when Apple Watch when preorders went live on April 10.
Along with a link to Apple's online order status webpage, the letter notes that customers will receive a separate email with tracking information when an order ships. As the same information was presented in initial preorder confirmations, today's letter is likely meant to soothe anxious customers who may have heard launch day Watch orders are close to shipping.
Also included in the email is a link to Apple's Guided Tours webpage for Apple Watch, which was just updated yesterday with three more videos covering Apple Pay, Activity and Workout functions. To get ready for arrival, Apple recommends users update their iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, or iPhone 6 Plus to the latest version of iOS.
It is not clear if the correspondence was also sent to people with quoted ship-by dates later than those mentioned above, but AppleInsider has received multiple reports from readers around the world expecting their Watch orders to ship on or near April 24.
On Wednesday, Apple confirmed that certain Apple Watch orders are being fulfilled at rate better than anticipated, but fell short of detailing why the units were shipping out early. Any number of reasons can explain early shipments, from unexpected boosts in production to a glut of canceled orders.
For now, supply is such that Apple has restricted orders to those made through the Online Apple Store and the Apple Store app. The company does not plan to have units available at brick-and-mortar Apple Stores until June. Boutique shops like Dover Street Market and Maxfield, however, will reportedly have Apple Watch in stock for retail sale on launch day.
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112 Comments
I got that email today - and all it means to me is "oh, well, they're saying I aint' getting it on the 24th." It'll probably be the 8th. And I ordered at 12:02am, with the confirmation email @ 12:03. I guess the 42mm Space Grey Sport with black band is pretty popular.
No email for me :( Order did not get in until 12:18, estimate shipping is still 4/24~5/8..
I ordered the alum watch with white band and ordered it after I ordered the space black with link bracelet 12-15 mins after orders opened and my eta was may 13-27 but I checked ups for tracking number after getting a push from my amex saying I had been charged. Looks like I will be getting the alum watch Friday. someone posted this earlier and it worked for me
For those who's status says "preparing for shipment"
From Cult of Mac,
Go to UPS.com’s tracking page
Select Track by Reference on the left side
Enter your 10 digit phone number in the Shipment Reference field
Manually change Shipment Date Range to 4/23/15 by typing it in
Hit Track
If the tracking info doesn’t show up, try changing the shipment date range to 4/24/15, 4/25/15 or some other dates. Other reddit users have pointed out that you need to use the phone number associated with the credit card it was charged to.
It's hit or miss, but it would be interesting to see where other's are at with this! The shipping label has been created for mine.
I got the email from apple. I got my order through 12:05????????????????????
This launch is pretty bad.