Apple has been reportedly working on a smart watch named as iWatch since late 2012. But we hear that the company has begun to accelerate the working pace of the project. This will give them the advantage of expanding their devices from smartphones to smartwatches. Apple has already started trademarking the name in a number of countries for a late 2014 launch. The device has already entered mass production from this month i.e. July.
As there is no official picture release, we do not know what the iWatch looks like. The pictures we have included are either mockups or concept images from around the internet.
Recent reports from reputable sources like The Wall Street Journal have pointed towards multiple screen sizes for the iWatch. For example, a 2.5 inches display diagonally, which is also the size of the current generation iPod nano. Along with multiple sizes, the iWatch may be available at several different price points. This suggests that there could be more than one design of the iWatch.
Though we may not know how the iWatch looks like, but it is expected to include a durable sapphire crystal display. This is produced in collaboration with Apple partner GT Advanced.
While the iWatch will perform some of its own independent tasks, it will also be dependent on a compatible iOS device for functions like the Galaxy Gear, like receiving messages, voice calls, and notifications. It is also expected to feature wireless charging capabilities, advanced mapping abilities and possibly NFC integration.
Now about the independent features of the iWatch, it will be able to measure multiple different health related metrics. These include steps taken, calories burned, sleep quality, heart rate, and more. This can be possible because the iWatch is rumored to include 10 different sensors to track health and fitness, providing an overall picture of health.
Apple has reportedly designed iOS 8 with the iWatch in mind and the two are said to be highly reliant one another.
Features and Battery life:
In early March, a flurry of reports about Apple’s iWatch plans arrived, with Bloomberg – the one to claim – that the device could include biosensors and mapping features and launch “as soon as” 2013. The Verge followed up with its own report claiming that the iWatch was indeed planned to run a “full” version of the iOS rather than a simpler operating system such as that seen on the iPod nano.
At WWDC 14’, Apple launched iOS 8, which includes a health and fitness tracking app called “Health”. Rumors have proposed that the iWatch will integrate with this new Health app, allowing it to collect data from the iWatch’s sensors.
Release Date:
In a recent product roadmap, reliable KGI securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted a third quarter launch date for the iWatch, which is in line with previous rumors. Other sources have also proposed a late 2014 launch that is highly likely to be released in September.
While it was first rumored that the iWatch and iOS 8 will be launched alongside at the WWDC, but that did not happen.
Concept Images:
There have been no hints at all on what form factor Apple’s iWatch might take on, but that hasn’t stopped people form speculating. Several different concept images of the iWatch have surfaced, mimicking the design of existing products or adopting futuristic curved display.
Which one you like? Excited for the new iWatch? Have your words in comment section below.