苹果又一灵魂人物退休，Apple Watch站在了十字路口？

Core Insights - Apple Inc. is undergoing significant leadership changes with the retirement of COO Jeff Williams in 2025, marking the end of his 27-year career at the company [1][3] - Williams has been instrumental in the development and launch of key products such as the iPod, iPhone, and Apple Watch, and was often regarded as Tim Cook's potential successor [1][3] Leadership Changes - Jeff Williams is not the only key figure to retire recently; Dan Riccio and Jony Ive have also left the company, impacting their respective product lines [3][10] - The departures of these influential figures have raised concerns about the future direction of Apple's product lines, particularly the Apple Watch [3][10] Apple Watch Development - Williams played a crucial role in the Apple Watch's development, leading the project from its inception and establishing its market positioning as a health-focused device [5][9] - The Apple Watch has evolved significantly under his leadership, introducing features like ECG and fall detection, which have positioned it as a leader in the wearable health market [9][10] Market Position and Competition - Despite maintaining the top position in global smartwatch revenue, Apple Watch's market share has declined from approximately 33% in 2021 to between 22% and 28% in 2024 [10][12] - Competitors like Huawei and Xiaomi are gaining market share, with Huawei's smartwatch shipments nearing 14% and Xiaomi maintaining around 8% to 10% [10][12] Future Directions - The future of the Apple Watch post-Williams is uncertain, particularly regarding its focus on health technology and professional outdoor capabilities [13][15] - The introduction of the Apple Watch Ultra represents a shift towards professional sports and outdoor use, but sustaining this direction will require long-term investment [12][15] - The potential integration of AI and smart features into the Apple Watch could redefine its role, but this also raises expectations for hardware and software advancements [15]