iWatch may be released in September alongside Apple's iPhone 6, with features of the wearable gadget still unconfirmed. However, it may not be available for shipping immediately and could be made available only after the holidays.
Rumors about the iWatch have started back in 2011 following Apple's alleged decision to hire several experts on wearable computing, says Mac World. The rumor about the wearable device escalated further in 2013 as it was allegedly reported that 100 experts were working on the project. Now in 2014, the rumors have an expected launch date. Various reports have arisen stating conflicting takes on the secret Apple product, but there is a big possibility that the product will come. Mac World is citing Apple CEO Tim Cook to have hinted at new product categories in 2013, which he allegedly repeated in the first and second quarter of 2014. Mac World also has Cook allegedly stating that the wearable computing market is worth exploring. However, sites are reporting different dates for the wearable.
According to Mac World, iWatch may be unveiled in September 9 alongside the iPhone 6, which could make it the bigger product of this year. However, the site also talks about a different article in July saying that the mass production of the wearable gadget encountered delays, which could push back the release of the product to 2015. It was in July that Apple allegedly obtained the patent for a smartwatch from the US Patent and Trademark Office, shares Tech Times. Another rumor places iWatch's release date to be the same of the new iPad Air, which will be in October.
If the iWatch is indeed on its way, it will be welcomed by tough competition, as Mac World says that the wearable market has dominated the 2014 Consumer Electronic Show. With the release of Google's Android Wear, LG's G Watch, Samsung Gear Live, and a rumored Google Gem are not the only wearables iWatch will have to compete with. According to Mac World, "Companies including Samsung, Pebble, LG, Wellograph, Razer, Sony, ZTE and more have released or unveiled wrist-worn smart-devices." The article also says that not releasing the wearable this year or not including "all-new, never-before-seen technology that blows competitors out of the water" could be a bad idea.
Release date aside, Tech Times thinks that the smartwatch will not be available in the market immediately after its unveiling as the article recalls the first iPhone being shipped six months after it was introduced.
While waiting for confirmation, cites are looking into the possible features of the device. The device will allegedly run on iOS 8 and could have a curved OLED screen and biometric sensors, shares Japanese newspaper Nikkei. GizModo shares Apple's alleged plans for the project. "Apple has filed patents for a wearable device with swappable screen modules," says GizModo, who thinks that the device would be more of a "health bangle" than smart watch. The patent for Apple's wearable device includes Bluetooth transceivers, a GPS receiver, and an accelerometer. Re/code also says that the device will use HealthKit and HomeKit APIs."HealthKit, which ties into Apple's iOS 8 Health app, focuses on health and fitness, while HomeKit is a home automation platform designed to allow users to control a variety connected devices," explained Mac Rumors.
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