The tablet revolution has arrived and stabilised and now everybody’s scrambling for the next big thing. Google’s quite publicly doing its whole glasses thing, but Apple’s been characteristically quite about any fancy new digs. Now, the New York Times is reporting that Apple’s got an iOS watch in development, but deep, deep, deeeeep under cover.
The Times is getting its info from a few unnamed sources that are alledgedly in on all the development juiciness. The rumour goes a little like this:
Apple is experimenting with wristwatch-like devices made of curved glass, according to people familiar with the company’s explorations, who spoke on the condition that they not be named because they are not allowed to publicly discuss unreleased products. Such a watch would operate Apple’s iOS platform, two people said, and stand apart from competitors based on the company’s understanding of how such glass can curve around the human body.
This isn’t the first time such a conjecture has popped up. In fact, ever since Apple redesigned the Nano away from its squarish you-can-make-a-DIY-watch-out-of-this form factor, rumours have flown that Apple was prepping to make their own, official version of such a device. Apple, of course, has declined to comment.
Rumors, however, are where it begins and ends. Apple has been known to dabble in all sorts of things for kicks, and even goes so far as to have new employees and would-be unnamed sources work on totally fake products for months. And there’s no hard evidence — or even soft evidence — to suggest such a product would ultimately be destined for sale even if it was under development of some sort.
We’ve got plenty of choices when it comes to Apple’s next big things rumours. The iPhone “Math,” the iPhone Budget, and now the iWatch. Take your pick and place your bets. [The New York Times]
So this is how Apple will try to reclaim a post-Jobs crown as an innovator, ha.
Hey, will they be able to patent something that Dick Tracey was using last century?
shut up fandroid... it just a rumor... it might not be true.
fandroid haha love it! I will be using that one again
Sorry, I'll try not to level any more criticism at Apple today.
Well if you think I'm an Apple fan you are wrong.
Sent from Nexus 4
Well; considering how many people are using the new iPod Nano as a watch this really seems like a no-brainer
Shut up and take my money!!
Do people wear watches anymore?! I know it's likely to link with whatever iDevice is in your pocket, but really is anyone going to want a watch that shows a miniature calendar appointment when they can pull out a phone and see the full appointment anyway?
I think you just answered your own question. Why pull something out of your pocket when it's right there on your wrist.
So Apple are going to wade into the waters innovation has already been across ?
A close friend already has a "Smartwatch", it web surfs, social media, emails, plays video, expandable storage, binds to car and home points ........ it's a good working device, So Apple heading down this road seems like following the trend .
You miss the point. Apple have a knack of selling already available technology to the masses. They're very good at it. Touch screen smartphones existed before the iPhone, but they really made it HAPPEN as a product and phenomenon. This is the same thing. That said, I don' t know if I'd really want a tiny lil wrist phone, seems kinda just... too small. Eh.
the only good thing to come out of this is that we will start to see a crapload of clones once they realise this is the next money machine
good for us as consumers because i want a smartwatch but dont like the pebble
There are already a few smart watches. Motorola MotoActv, The Pebble, the Sony SmartWatch, WIMM...
I've had a Motorola MotoActv since the beginning of last year. It's an Android based smart watch - predominantly for tracking fitness.
I have flashed a custom ROM that has another launcher included and switch between the default launcher (fitness functions that also auto-uploads to web) and the customised launcher depending on what I want it for. You can download most apps from the Google Play store and you're only limited by usability of the screen size. Built in bluetooth, WiFi, GPS - build in music player, 8GB storage, syncs to any Android phone for calls (can answer/reject if you're also wearing a bluetooth headset - or just silence without), SMS notifications as well as Facebook & weather) - etc. I'd happily recommend this and it's not large on the wrist either.
Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-MOTOACTV-Sports-Watch-Player/dp/B007C1KKW8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360582150&sr=8-1&keywords=motorola+motoactv
On topic - if Apple is looking at something like this, I wonder if they'll be able to do what they have traditionally done relatively well - build off the success of others and package an innovative product for the masses to 'create' a demand in an practically non-existent market.
Last edited February 11, 2013 10:37 pm
wow
thanks for the insight. I figured there would be other watches already out there.
However, im not after it for fitness purposes, more like as a remote for my phone. also its useful when im riding.
But that motorolla one is sure ugly as hell. I am waiting for those thinner flexible screen displays, because the purpose of these is both fashion and function
i am curious how good or bad the chinese knockoffs will be.
Fair enough, I don't think it looks ugly at all but at the end of the day it is just a square unit on the wrist I suppose - to each their own. Decent enough for a first release and something that came out well over a year ago now.
From a feature set point of view I don't think there's (currently) anything else out there that even comes close to doing everything this thing can do. If something better comes along that can do the same, then I'm sold. Until then, my preference is function over pretty design.