CNET Editors' Take
April 18, 2013 3:38 PM PDT (Updated: October 14, 2013 2:30 PM PDT)
Not satisfied with just smartphones, MP3 players, and computers anymore, the rumor mill has now tacked on "smartwatch" to the list of potential hot items that Apple will develop and manufacture. Dubbed "the iWatch," chatter about Apple producing this sort of wearable tech is timely, considering that smartwatches seem to be on the mind of a number of other companiesas well.
From bendable glass to an OLED screen, we gather all the dish on Apple's iWatch. Please note that we'll continue to update this roundup periodically, and feel free to let us know if we missed any rumors.
October 7, 2013
The iWatch will sell... moderately well
Based on a Piper Jaffray survey, analyst Gene Munster estimated that if the iWatch were to cost $350 and could connect to the iPhone, Apple could sell between 5 to 10 million iWatches during its debut year. Though that sounds like a lot, that really leaves only about 12 percent of current iPhone owners in the US who are willing to buy the smartwatch. Globally, that number lowers to 2 to 4 percent. Given these bleak numbers, however, Munster said that the device could still "potentially lead to a more meaningful new product category in wearable tech."
The iWatch will sell... moderately well
Based on a Piper Jaffray survey, analyst Gene Munster estimated that if the iWatch were to cost $350 and could connect to the iPhone, Apple could sell between 5 to 10 million iWatches during its debut year. Though that sounds like a lot, that really leaves only about 12 percent of current iPhone owners in the US who are willing to buy the smartwatch. Globally, that number lowers to 2 to 4 percent. Given these bleak numbers, however, Munster said that the device could still "potentially lead to a more meaningful new product category in wearable tech."
October 1, 2013
Three screen sizes are a charm
Citing "industry sources," the Korean news site Chosun Ilbo reported that the Apple iWatch may come in three different sizes. Plans of a 1.5-inch, 1.4-inch, and 1.3-inch model are supposedly in the works, as well as a flexible display that was previously rumoredback in February.
Three screen sizes are a charm
Citing "industry sources," the Korean news site Chosun Ilbo reported that the Apple iWatch may come in three different sizes. Plans of a 1.5-inch, 1.4-inch, and 1.3-inch model are supposedly in the works, as well as a flexible display that was previously rumoredback in February.
July 14, 2013
'Helped wanted, inquire within'
Apple is apparently on a hiring frenzy. Citing "sources familiar with the matter," The Financial Times is reporting that the tech giant is "aggressively" hiring more employees to work on developing the iWatch. This may indicate that the gadget won't be ready for market until late next year.
'Helped wanted, inquire within'
Apple is apparently on a hiring frenzy. Citing "sources familiar with the matter," The Financial Times is reporting that the tech giant is "aggressively" hiring more employees to work on developing the iWatch. This may indicate that the gadget won't be ready for market until late next year.
July 2, 2013
All your trademarks are belong to Apple
As the previous rumor stated, Apple trademarked the brand iWatch in Japan. However, both9to5Mac and MacRumors are reporting that more filings have spread to several other countries,too, including: Mexico, Taiwan, Colombia, and Turkey. All were registered on June 3. It remains unknown, though, if the trademark gets any frequent flier miles from its world tour.
All your trademarks are belong to Apple
As the previous rumor stated, Apple trademarked the brand iWatch in Japan. However, both9to5Mac and MacRumors are reporting that more filings have spread to several other countries,too, including: Mexico, Taiwan, Colombia, and Turkey. All were registered on June 3. It remains unknown, though, if the trademark gets any frequent flier miles from its world tour.
June 30, 2013
Sugoi! Trademark filings pop up in Japan
First it was Russia. Now Bloomberg has reported that Apple has traveled to the Land of the Rising Sun in order to trademark the moniker "iWatch." Filed with the Japan Patent Office, the report was made public at the end of June, though the actual paperwork was filled out earlier in the month. The product is categorized as a "handheld computer or watch device."
Sugoi! Trademark filings pop up in Japan
First it was Russia. Now Bloomberg has reported that Apple has traveled to the Land of the Rising Sun in order to trademark the moniker "iWatch." Filed with the Japan Patent Office, the report was made public at the end of June, though the actual paperwork was filled out earlier in the month. The product is categorized as a "handheld computer or watch device."
June 7, 2013
iWatch to come later end of 2013
Glen Yeung, an analyst from Citi, reported in an investor's note that production for the iWatch is rearing to go and that suppliers are waiting on Apple to give them the go-ahead to start making the iWatch. Furthermore, Yeung predicts that it is "increasingly likely" that the product will launch in the second half of this year, with a "go/no-go" decision finalized around June.
iWatch to come later end of 2013
Glen Yeung, an analyst from Citi, reported in an investor's note that production for the iWatch is rearing to go and that suppliers are waiting on Apple to give them the go-ahead to start making the iWatch. Furthermore, Yeung predicts that it is "increasingly likely" that the product will launch in the second half of this year, with a "go/no-go" decision finalized around June.
Artist rendering of an Apple iWatch.
(Credit: Sarah Tew and Christopher MacManus/CNET)
June 5, 2013
In Russia, trademark files you
Via 9to5Mac, reports from Russian newspaper Izvestia state that Apple has filed for an iWatch trademark at Rospatent, the country's patent and trademark office. If this rumor is true, it still doesn't mean that an iWatch is in the works. As CNET's Don Reisinger pointed out, sometimes companies file trademarks on brands just to "protect itself in the event it launches a product that would use that name."
In Russia, trademark files you
Via 9to5Mac, reports from Russian newspaper Izvestia state that Apple has filed for an iWatch trademark at Rospatent, the country's patent and trademark office. If this rumor is true, it still doesn't mean that an iWatch is in the works. As CNET's Don Reisinger pointed out, sometimes companies file trademarks on brands just to "protect itself in the event it launches a product that would use that name."
May 20, 2013
May have 1.5-inch display
According to Taiwanese news outlet Economic Times (translate), Apple is eyeing 1.5-inch OLED screens manufactured by Ritek. It was also reported that Apple was originally looking at 1.8-inch displays, but deemed them too large. In addition, Economic Times claims that Foxconn, an Apple supplier, has received 1,000 trial orders for the iWatch already.
May have 1.5-inch display
According to Taiwanese news outlet Economic Times (translate), Apple is eyeing 1.5-inch OLED screens manufactured by Ritek. It was also reported that Apple was originally looking at 1.8-inch displays, but deemed them too large. In addition, Economic Times claims that Foxconn, an Apple supplier, has received 1,000 trial orders for the iWatch already.
April 13, 2013
Apple board member offers crumb-size insight into the matter
At a meeting held by software company Intuit, Bill Campbell, who is an Apple board member and friend of the late Steve Jobs, hinted that Apple may have its eyes on wearable tech. Not going into specifics, he said that when it comes to future Apple devices, customers should expect "a lot of things going on with the application of technology to really intimate things." According toBloomberg, Campbell specifically referred to glasses and watches as becoming just as "intimate as the cell phone was."
Apple board member offers crumb-size insight into the matter
At a meeting held by software company Intuit, Bill Campbell, who is an Apple board member and friend of the late Steve Jobs, hinted that Apple may have its eyes on wearable tech. Not going into specifics, he said that when it comes to future Apple devices, customers should expect "a lot of things going on with the application of technology to really intimate things." According toBloomberg, Campbell specifically referred to glasses and watches as becoming just as "intimate as the cell phone was."
Will Apple be releasing a competitor to Samsung's Galaxy Gear smartwatch?
(Credit: Andrew Hoyle/CNET)
March 4, 2013
ETA: By the end of this year
Piling on to its February rumor, the same people who spoke to Bloomberg about Apple gathering a 100-person team for the iWatch also said that we can expect to see the final product by the end of 2013. Additional speculated features include checking location and map coordinates, as well as a pedometer.
ETA: By the end of this year
Piling on to its February rumor, the same people who spoke to Bloomberg about Apple gathering a 100-person team for the iWatch also said that we can expect to see the final product by the end of 2013. Additional speculated features include checking location and map coordinates, as well as a pedometer.
February 21, 2013
We got ourselves a patent application!
Though it dates back to August 2011, a patent filed from Apple under the title "Bi-Stable Spring With Flexible Display" was discovered by AppleInsider. The patent describes a bendable touch-screen that can be rendered into a phone or worn on -- and here's where it gets juicy-- the wrist. And while the document doesn't specifically point out it will be used for a watch, it does state that the glass can carry out tasks like ordering a playlist or "reviewing a list of recent phone calls."
We got ourselves a patent application!
Though it dates back to August 2011, a patent filed from Apple under the title "Bi-Stable Spring With Flexible Display" was discovered by AppleInsider. The patent describes a bendable touch-screen that can be rendered into a phone or worn on -- and here's where it gets juicy-- the wrist. And while the document doesn't specifically point out it will be used for a watch, it does state that the glass can carry out tasks like ordering a playlist or "reviewing a list of recent phone calls."
February 12, 2013
How many people does it take to make an iWatch? A hundred, apparently.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is rounding up a team of 100 employees to develop its smartwatch. Citing people who are "familiar with the company," two important members of this team include James Foster, Apple's senior director of engineering, and program manager Achim Pantfoerder, who has 13 Apple patents under his belt.
How many people does it take to make an iWatch? A hundred, apparently.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is rounding up a team of 100 employees to develop its smartwatch. Citing people who are "familiar with the company," two important members of this team include James Foster, Apple's senior director of engineering, and program manager Achim Pantfoerder, who has 13 Apple patents under his belt.
February 10, 2013
It may feature curved glass
The all-right-that's-at-least-more-legitimate-when-it-comes-to-tech-rumors New York Timesreported that Apple is tinkering around with bendable glass in order to develop its iWatch. Fanning the flames of this rumor is the fact that earlier in the year, Corning Glass Technologies, which is featured in the iPhone, announced that it has created flexible Willow glass.
It may feature curved glass
The all-right-that's-at-least-more-legitimate-when-it-comes-to-tech-rumors New York Timesreported that Apple is tinkering around with bendable glass in order to develop its iWatch. Fanning the flames of this rumor is the fact that earlier in the year, Corning Glass Technologies, which is featured in the iPhone, announced that it has created flexible Willow glass.
December 27, 2012
And so the rumors begin...
Citing a Chinese blog site called Tech163.com, Business Insider reports that Apple is working with Intel to create an iOS-toting watch. In addition to Bluetooth capabilities, the device will have a 1.5-inch OLED screen. So, why does this rumor hold more water than all the other fluff that comes out of the tech mill? Perhaps it's because in 2011, Apple released the iPod Nano, which can be fashioned into a watch, and the idea of an iWatch isn't that far-fetched.
And so the rumors begin...
Citing a Chinese blog site called Tech163.com, Business Insider reports that Apple is working with Intel to create an iOS-toting watch. In addition to Bluetooth capabilities, the device will have a 1.5-inch OLED screen. So, why does this rumor hold more water than all the other fluff that comes out of the tech mill? Perhaps it's because in 2011, Apple released the iPod Nano, which can be fashioned into a watch, and the idea of an iWatch isn't that far-fetched.
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