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A key component of the Apple Watch from one of the firm's two suppliers was faulty, leading to Apple being forced to scrap finished devices, it has been claimed.

The Wall Street Journal says taptic engine, designed by Apple to produce the sensation of being tapped on the wrist, was affected.

It is believed the problem is the reason for Apple having limited supplies at launch, forcing them to only sell the device online.

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The taptic engine, seen here at the top of the Watch, was designed by Apple to produce the sensation of being tapped on the wrist - and supplies from one of the firm's two suppliers was faulty

'After mass production began in February, reliability testing revealed that some taptic engines supplied by AAC Technologies Holdings Inc., of Shenzhen, China, started to break down over time, the people familiar with the matter sai,' accord to the WSJ.

'One of those people said Apple scrapped some completed watches as a result.' 

However, taptic engines produced by a second supplier, Japan's Nidec Corp., didn't experience the same problem, the people said.

The Taptic Engine is a linear actuator inside the Watch that produces haptic feedback. It is what is used to send heartbeats to friends, for example.

In less technical terms this taps the wearer on the wrist whenever they receive an alert or notification, or press down on the display.

This is combined with 'subtle audio cues' from the speaker driver. 

'Our team is working to fill orders as quickly as possible based on available supply and the order in which they were received,' Apple said. 

'We know many customers are still facing long lead times and we appreciate their patience.'

The launch of the watch into stores is being handled by Apple retail chief, Angela Ahrendts, who is very familiar with the world of designer labels.

She was head of the luxury British fashion label Burberry, where she was one of the UK's highest paid women executives, before joining the US company last May.

Her recruitment was sweetened with a golden hello of shares worth around £40million.

She told Apple staff via video message earlier this week that the decision to make the watch only available through online orders is because demand has exceeded supply.

In it she said: 'We know that you have been bombarded with questions from customers.

'Luckily, the customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We know they are excited about the Watch ...but there are a lot of questions about availability and timing etc.

'Last week we announced that due to the high global interest and the initial supply that we would only be taking orders online right now.

'This was not an easy decision, and I think it's really important to remind every single customer that this is not just a new product for us, this is an entirely new category.' 

Tech experts at California-based iFixit are carrying out a so-called 'teardown' of the 38mm Sport model of Apple's watch. This teardown reveals a 205mAh battery (bottom left), Apple's S1 chip (centre) as well as the Taptic Engine, microphone, heart rate sensor and power button (far right)

As the Apple Watch starts shipping to people who pre-ordered the timepiece, tech experts at iFixit have begun taking the gadget apart to see what's inside.

It is the first time many of the features of the Apple Watch have been confirmed, including the timepiece's battery.

According to iFixit's so-called 'teardown' the battery inside is 205mAh - 14 times smaller than the battery of the iPhone 6 Plus.  

When the battery life of the Apple Watch was announced, boss Tim Cook said it would last 'all-day'. But this is actually 18 hours with 'typical use.'

Official tests found typical use equates to just 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use, and a 30-minute workout with music.

iFixit removed the battery inside the Sport model and found it is 3.8 V, 0.78 Wh lithium-ion battery running at 205mAh. 

It is likely the higher end models and the 42mm versions of the Watch feature the same technology, but this hasn't been confirmed.

By comparison, the battery in the Moto 360 - which is around $100 (£100) cheaper than Apple's version - is slightly larger at 300mAh, as is the battery in the Samsung Gear Live.

While the battery inside the iPhone 6 Plus is 2,915 mAh, more than 14 times larger than the battery in the watch.

The Moto 360 is said to last up to 24 hours, although with typical use this drops to almost half and the battery on Samsung's Gear Live manages to last longer - up to 48 hours but 16 hours with typical use. 

Software, apps and chips can directly impact the battery life of devices and this is why batteries of the same size can last for varying periods of time. 

iFixit's teardown of the Apple Watch also reveals the Taptic Engine, the mechanism behind the clock, and a waterproof speaker.

The Taptic Engine is a linear actuator inside the Watch that produces haptic feedback. It is what is used to send heartbeats to friends, for example.

In less technical terms this taps the wearer on the wrist whenever they receive an alert or notification, or press down on the display.

This is combined with 'subtle audio cues' from the speaker driver. 

On the back of the Watch's case, a ceramic cover with sapphire lenses sits above a sensor that uses infrared and visible-light LEDs and photodiodes to detect the wearer's heart rate. 

Apple Watch uses this sensor, along with an accelerometer and the GPS and Wi‑Fi in a connected iPhone, to measure physical movement such as steps, distance and calories. 

The chip in the Apple Watch is called S1 and it is said to be similar in power to the A5 that powered the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S. 

Apple boss Tim Cook said the Watch's 'all-day' battery life lasts 18 hours with 'typical use' - but official tests revealed this equates to just 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use, and a 30-minute workout with music. Apple defines the battery on its Watch page and said a time check lasts four seconds

It is called a System in Package (SiP) chip and Samsung reportedly supplied the RAM and flash storage. The S1 is covered in a resin shell designed to protect the chip from impact and water. 

In terms of storage, Apple has confirmed all three models of the watch will ship with 8GB of total storage.

This will be used to run the Watch's iOS software and apps and at least 2GB of this will be free for music and photos.

Although this is the equivalent to just 240 songs, it does mean the timepiece can be used independently for certain tasks. The number of tracks it can store will also vary depending on the file sizes. 

Elsewhere, the Watch uses Apple's MagSafe technology with inductive charging. This is built on the underside of the watch base. 

This means it can be charged wirelessly by placing a connector onto a charging port, where magnets cause it to snap into place automatically.

MagSafe is the name of the connector Apple uses with its MacBook range. 

The screen on the Watch has a laminated Retina display made from a 'single crystal of sapphire.' While on the Sport collection the screen has the added protection of Ion-X glass.

DailyMail.com's Mark Prigg reviews the brand new Apple Watch

By comparison, the battery in the Moto 360 (pictured left) - which is around $100 (£100) cheaper than Apple's version - is slightly larger at 300mAh (battery pictured right), as is the battery on the Samsung Gear Live

SELECTION OF APPLE WATCH APPS 

A number of apps were unveiled during Apple's launch event, including Uber, American Airlines, Citi and Babbel. 

And the official Watch app store launched yesterday, with more than 3,000 free and paid-for apps available. 

Below is a selection of these apps: 

The official Watch app store launched yesterday, with more than 3,000 free and paid-for apps available. A number of apps were unveiled during Apple's launch event, including Uber, American Airlines, Citi and Babbel. Trainline's Apple Watch app is pictured

 

Amazon 

Amazon's app for Apple Watch lets users search the Amazon catalogue, make 1-Click purchases, add items to a Wish List and save search results.

Koomoot 

Komoot provide tour suggestions for hiking trails and bicycle rides using expert knowledge from locals, based on the wearer's location.

Lifesum 

With Lifesum, users can track food and water intake and get tailored advice from nutritional experts. Reminders prompt users to drink more water and helps them follow diets that best fit their lifestyle.

Watch Workouts 

Sold as a personal trainer on the wrist, Watch Workouts uses expertise from personal trainers, including Men's Health cover models, to create workout regimes. Users can set goals and tailor workouts. 

ReSound  

This free app lets people with hearing aids control the volume, treble and bass levels of their device. It will also programme settings for different places such as restaurants and stadiums. 

Trainline 

Trainline's app for Apple Watch shows live train times, platform information, delays and access mobile ticketing options. 

Shazam 

The Shazam app lets wearers identify songs, follow along with lyrics.

Avea

Avea lets users control the light of the same name, made by Elgato.

By applying a Force Touch, users can bring up a scene's settings and can program Avea's Wake-Up light directly on Watch. 

Forza 

Forza Football app sends scores and updates to the Apple Watch and people can choose to see notifications from their favourite teams.

Emergency 

The Emergency app includes a feature known as 'Family Safe', which lets a wearer notify people if they are in an area affected by an emergency or disaster. 

The recipient can instantly see the alert details as well as specific 'what to do now' steps. 

Trivia Crack

Questions appear on the watch's screen and users can to answer them from their wrist. Once opponents answer their question, players will receive a notification on the Apple Watch to continue the game.

Ocado 

Ocado's grocery shopping app lets customers place orders and track deliveries via the Ocado Apple Watch app. They can add items to orders by speaking into the Watch and real-time order updates are shown on the watch.

Hole 19 

Hole19 lets golfers track, monitor and improve their game and shows GPS distances to the front, centre, and back of the green. It also lets them track scores and playing stats. 

Yelp

The Yelp app for Apple Watch shows nearby restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and new businesses along with their star rating, review count, business category, price range, distance from your exact position, and opening hours.

Petcube Camera 

The smartphone version of this app lets wearers watch, talk to and play laser games with their pet remotely. 

The Watch is an extension of this and lets pet owners to check in and see what their pets are up to, right from their wrist.   

The 38 mm model has a resolution of 272 x 340 pixels (290 PPI), while the 42 mm model is 312 x 390 pixels (302 PPI).

By comparison, the iPhone 6 has a resolution of 1920x1080-pixel (401 PPI).

All models will be sold in either 1.4-inch (38mm) or 1.7-inch (42mm) versions depending on which colour the owner chooses. 

Prices for the Sport model start at $349 in the US and £299 in the UK, while the stainless steel Watch starts at $549 (£479). 

This means US employees will only pay $174.50 and $274 respectively, while in the UK the price drops to £149.50 and £239.50. 

How It Works magazine recently published an animated tear-down (pictured) of the Watch's components including its S1 chip, battery and sapphire display. The Watch is made predominantly of eight parts - the base, heart-rate sensor, induction charger, battery, haptic engine, loudspeaker, touchscreen and band

Andreas Pouros, co-founder at digital agency Greenlight told MailOnline: 'The Apple Watch may be shiny and new, but it's also completely unproven. There's no telling how consumers will use it or if it will even take off. 

'Building apps for it may pay off, but it's a massive gamble; and one that most marketers aren't willing to take.

'By comparison, Google estimates that around 50 per cent of searches are conducted from mobile devices, through mobile browsers and its own search apps. 

'With so much at risk, even marketers who have already developed a mobile website would be better off putting their money into improving the user experience and targeting mobile users than building a smart watch app that could be dead in the water within months.'

In addition, the Watch has a digital crown and a Friends button. The former lets users scroll through menus and emoticons (left) while the latter opens up contacts menu (right). The chip in the Apple Watch is called S1 and it is said to be similar in power to the A5 that powered the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S

The screen on the Watch has a laminated Retina display made from a 'single crystal of sapphire.' While on the Sport collection (left) the screen has the added protection of Ion-X glass. All models (standard pictured centre and Edition pictured right) will be sold in either 1.4-inch (38mm) or 1.7-inch (42mm) versions

The Taptic Engine is a linear actuator inside the Watch that produces haptic feedback. It is what is used to send heartbeats to friends, for example. In less technical terms, this taps the wearer on the wrist whenever they receive an alert or notification (shown left), or press down on the display or icons (right)

Apple's smartwatch officially went on sale today, but anyone turning up to buy one in the high street will be disappointed as none of its stores have them in stock.

Instead, consumers have to pre-order the watches online or go to select partner shops and boutiques to buy the Watch today.

Usually, Apple launches generate long queues outside stores. 

But analysts believe the company feared the queues might be 'embarrassingly small' and so opted to launch the watch with more of a whisper than a bang.

In fact, despite the high price and some skepticism that consumers are keen to adopt a new generation of wearable technology, pre-orders have far exceeded expectations.

As a result, the company's initial production run is simply not large enough to ensure that watches will be available in stores from today.

Analysts believe Apple is sitting on some two million pre-orders and that sales could top 20 million this year.

Stephen Ebbett, global director of gadget insurer Protect Your Bubble, told MailOnline: 'It was rather sad not to see all those technophiles camping outside Apple Stores this week.

'I doubt this new sales strategy will do much harm to sales of the Watch, as Apple has incredible brand loyalty, but neither should it underestimate the impact those queues had. They are the most photographed and talked about queues in the world and I can think of no other brand gets that kind of exposure for a product launch. 

'That queue is more than just brand hype, it's a phenomenon, and it's also free global PR for Apple.'  

Apple Watch: Watch the official guided tour of brand new device

EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT THE APPLE WATCH

The Apple Watch is available in three models: the Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport (pictured) and Apple Watch Edition

Models: The Apple Watch will be available in three models: the Apple Watch, Watch Sport and Watch Edition.

All models will be sold in either 1.4-inch (38mm) or 1.7-inch (42mm) versions depending on which colour the owner chooses.

Apple Watch is made of stainless steel with a sapphire crystal Retina display and ceramic back.

Apple Watch Sport is made of 7000 Series Silver Aluminum with Ion-X Glass on a Retina display and composite back. 

Apple Watch Edition has a similar build to the Apple Watch but comes in 18-Karat Rose Gold and Yellow Gold.

Interchangeable straps include fluoroelastomer (rubber), leather, and stainless steel.

Prices: Apple Watch is made of stainless steel and prices range between $549 and $1048 for the 1.4-inch model and $599 and $1099 for the larger 1.7-inch version. 

Watch Sport is made of 7000 Series Silver Aluminum and ranges from $349 to $399. 

The premium Edition has a similar build to the Apple Watch but comes in 18-Karat Rose Gold and Yellow Gold.

Prices start at $10,000.

All of the watches can be pre-ordered from 10 April and goes on sale on 24 April. 

In the UK, Sport starts at £299, the standard Watch starts at £479 and the Edition model will cost £8,000. 

Gestures: Following last year's unveiling, Apple admitted the Watch is unlike any device it has ever made.

It said it has 'reinvented all-new ways to select navigate and input that are suited to a smaller device worn on the wrist'. The Watch is also said to be able to sense force adding 'a new dimension to the user interface'. 

Force Touch uses electrodes around the flexible display to distinguish between a light tap and a deep press, and trigger instant access to a range of contextually specific controls - such as an action menu in Messages, or a mode that lets you select different watch faces. 

The Sport model is pictured left, the Watch is pictured centre and the Edition is pictured right. All of the watches can be pre-ordered from 10 April and will be available in stores from this date

Digital Crown: On mechanical watches, the crown has historically been used to set the time and date and to wind the mainspring. 

Apple has adapted this and its 'digital' crown can be used to magnify content on the small display.

Rotating the digital crown replaces the typical pinching motion used on iPhones and iPads and allows wearers to zoom and scroll without obstructing the screen. 

Pressing the crown will also return wearers to the home screen.

Watch OS: Apple has taken the iOS software on its phones and tablets and tweaked it to better suit the watch's power, display size and functions. It has also invented a new typeface to make the screen easier to read.

Sapphire display: Apple Watches have a laminated Retina display made from a 'single crystal of sapphire.' While on the Sport collection the screen has the added protection of Ion-X glass.

Glances: The Glances feature shows info users would like to see, similar to Google Now, and is accessed by swiping the screen up from the bottom.

For instance, wearers can glimpse the weather forecast, check out what's next on their calendar, or find their location on a map. 

They can then swipe through different Glances, or tap on one to go directly to its corresponding app for more details.

Music can also be controlled on an iPhone through the Apple Watch.

On the back of the Watch's case is a sensor (pictured) that uses infrared and visible-light LEDs and photodiodes to detect the wearer's heart rate

Vibration and notifications: The Watch has a built-in is a 'taptic engine' that responds to a subtle vibrations users feel on their wrist for notifications.

Any notification that appears on the connected phone will appear on the Watch. 

This is made from a linear actuator, or motor, inside the Apple Watch that produces haptic feedback.  

The wearer can then respond to these messages directly or swipe down to see the Notification Centre.

This haptic feedback could also be used with Apple Maps, for example, to help people navigate. It will produced gentle vibrations to signal when to turn left or right.  

The Watch additionally understands questions in messages and offers pre-selected answers, and messages can be dictated to the iPhone.

And this taptic engine means people can get someone's attention with a gentle tap or send their heartbeat remotely.

There is no keyboard on the Watch, and messages can only be sent through dictation, or emoji.

Siri is also built into the Apple Watch.  

Heart rate sensor:  On the back of the Watch's case, a ceramic cover with sapphire lenses sits above a sensor that uses infrared and visible-light LEDs and photodiodes to detect the wearer's heart rate. 

Apple Watch uses this sensor, along with an accelerometer and the GPS and Wi‑Fi in a connected iPhone, to measure physical movement such as steps, distance and calories. 

Inductive charging: The Watch uses Apple's MagSafe technology with inductive charging. 

This means it can be charged wirelessly by placing a connector near the back of the watch where magnets cause it to snap into place automatically. MagSafe is the name of the connector Apple uses with its MacBook range. 

Battery life: The watch has an average battery life of 18 hours