Apple's 'iWatch' to pack in 10+ sensors for health & fitness tracking, to come in multiple sizes, WS
Reports about Apple's anticipated wearable wrist-borne device continue to take shape, with the latest details claiming the product will launch this fall loaded with sensors and coming in multiple screen sizes.
"iWatch" concept by Martin Hajek.
The alleged details on Apple's so-called "iWatch," credited to the usual people familiar with the matter, were published on Friday by The Wall Street Journal. According to the publication, Apple's anticipated device will include more than 10 sensors, including ones to track health and fitness.
"Apple aims to address an overarching criticism of existing smart watches that they fail to provide functions significantly different from that of a smartphone," reporters Eva Dou and Lorraine Luk wrote.
In addition, the report said the alleged "iWatch" will come in multiple screen sizes. The product is rumored to launch as soon as October, and Quanta Computer is expected to build between 10 million and 15 million units by the end of the year.
The details come on the heels of a report from Reuters on Thursday that also claimed the iWatch will launch this fall, and added that it will have a "slightly rectangular" touchscreen display. That report suggested that the device would come in just one screen size of 2.5 inches, however.
Apple is said to be planning a media event for this October where it's expected to introduce the company's "first wearable device," which is widely believed to be a wrist-worn connected device. The "iWatch" is believed to tap into the new HealthKit tools for developers that Apple will include in the forthcoming iOS 8 mobile operating system, which is currently available in beta for testing.
Other alleged features of the "iWatch" include wireless charging that could allow a port-less design, and the use of flexible OLED displays that could allow Apple to introduce unique designs not possible with traditional LCD panels.
"iWatch" concept by Martin Hajek.The alleged details on Apple's so-called "iWatch," credited to the usual people familiar with the matter, were published on Friday by The Wall Street Journal. According to the publication, Apple's anticipated device will include more than 10 sensors, including ones to track health and fitness.
"Apple aims to address an overarching criticism of existing smart watches that they fail to provide functions significantly different from that of a smartphone," reporters Eva Dou and Lorraine Luk wrote.
In addition, the report said the alleged "iWatch" will come in multiple screen sizes. The product is rumored to launch as soon as October, and Quanta Computer is expected to build between 10 million and 15 million units by the end of the year.
The details come on the heels of a report from Reuters on Thursday that also claimed the iWatch will launch this fall, and added that it will have a "slightly rectangular" touchscreen display. That report suggested that the device would come in just one screen size of 2.5 inches, however.
Apple is said to be planning a media event for this October where it's expected to introduce the company's "first wearable device," which is widely believed to be a wrist-worn connected device. The "iWatch" is believed to tap into the new HealthKit tools for developers that Apple will include in the forthcoming iOS 8 mobile operating system, which is currently available in beta for testing.
Other alleged features of the "iWatch" include wireless charging that could allow a port-less design, and the use of flexible OLED displays that could allow Apple to introduce unique designs not possible with traditional LCD panels.
Comments
Can some put together a list of all the prediction for this and who is making them so we know who have no clue when apple finally release new products this fall. This whole guessing is worse then when it was rumor Apple was coming out with a phone.
Scamscum
gyro
accel
ambient light
ambient noise
primary mike
near field
temperature
camera
...i'm at 8 with just some of the normal smartphone sensors.
You know that is an intriguing idea, the wrap-around display could be segmented to show many different metrics and the user simply rotates band to see what they want. Patent this.
Such as upcoming Apple product concepts sensor, Apple patent applications sensor, Apple rumors sensor and ex-Apple employees sensor.
Don't forget the Chicken Fat sensor!
Sounds good in theory, but when are you without your phone?
I like this. If not Apple, expect others to take this path. The whole concept behind the health kit/app?
I do not believe ONE word of this rumours.
Are we waiting for this ?
What’s the ‘added’ value ?
Usability....price... in a market already over flooded with brands and models so much there is almost market saturation, and Apple is coming with a watch ! yeah right!
I remember years ago the Apple I-TV rumours and market speculations, the same situation on the markets as with watches, price margins and dozens of brands in all flavours.
Steve Jobs had ‘found the answer’ for breaking into this market...what happened ? Nothing!
In my opinion, at this moment Apple is surely working on some nice niche products...but an I-watch in 2014? no way ! There is simply NO demand for this and the technology is not ready yet, take batteries for ex. so much power needed to feed all this sensor-date, the most advanced tech watches like Samsung/Sony cannot hold out 24 hours, even with ‘wireless’ charging the drain is too high.
Because this is a rumour site, I make my own predictions :-)
2015 :break-thru of medical integration in more IOS devices.
2016 :possible launch of thru wearable devices with foldable OLED screens etc.and battery technology able to keep the device running for a week without disconnect of charging.
2018 - 2020 :break-thru of ‘real’ AI in IOS devices, Siri becomes more ‘human’
Just my opinion of course :-)
I didn't consider a camera, NFC, or microphone as sensors.
Here is what Apple lists for the iPhone 5S:
wish it would have no screen, and just be a flexible band of sensors that report to my iphone...and make it so thin that I don't even know I'm wearing it.
Imagine if they could cram all 10 sensors in to a pair of EarPods? Then it wouldn't even need a bluetooth transmitter to your phone, just plug it in in place of your normal exercise EarPods.
But probably it would have to go in to the Lightning port instead to transfer the sensor data. Wasn't there a rumour recently about Apple making Lightning earphones?
There was, and I do see a path for certain sensors in the headphone phones for at least your temperature, and perhaps hydration, pulse rate and blood sugar.
PS: I do somewhat agree with [@]schlack[/@] about the sensors reporting to the phone but there has to be some sort of independent use for a wristwork device, like telling time and some other simple features typically found on a watch. An OLED display that is black with an ultra-thin Helvetica Neue dial that would turn on when you raise your wrist would be perfect for me.
wish it would have no screen, and just be a flexible band of sensors that report to my iphone...and make it so thin that I don't even know I'm wearing it.
I think this depends on how Apple is approaching the iWatch. If they want to make a standalone device that works without an iPhone, it won't be very useful without a screen. If they want it to be just an iPhone accessory, then a screen is not as important. It can just record information and send it to the iPhone/iPad.