Rumor: Apple's unannounced 'iWatch' faces manufacturing issues, much like Qualcomm's Toq
Though it has yet to be announced and there are no signs of an impending product launch, Apple's so-called "iWatch" is reportedly facing poor yield rates of less than 50 percent in trial manufacturing, if the latest rumors are to be believed.
AppleInsider was first to discover an Apple patent filing describing a watch design with flexible display.
Alleged details on Apple's rumored wrist-worn accessory were reported on Thursday by DigiTimes, a Taiwanese tech industry publication notorious for being the source of questionable rumors regarding Apple. Its latest scoop, crediting its usual supply chain sources, claims that Apple's "iWatch" is seeing poor yield rates stemming from "difficulties applying surface treatments on their metal injection molded (MIM) chassis."
"The MIM process is often used in the mass production of high-precision products with complicated industrial designs as it allows components to feature special shapes, but still maintain rigidness," the report noted.
The so-called "iWatch" was singled out alongside Qualcomm's just-released Toq smart watch --?another device allegedly plagued by poor yield rates. Qualcomm's wearable products are also said to be facing setbacks due to MIM components related to the external design.
Qualcomm's Toq enters an emerging market of wearable devices that is poised to explode in 2014 -- if not in sales, at least in terms of available options. In addition to Samsung's recently launched Galaxy Gear smart watch, new wearable products are on the way from Archos, while similar devices are rumored to be in the works by Google, Nokia and even Microsoft.
Industry heavyweights are entering the wearable space as startups like Pebble have already generated considerable buzz for their own wrist accessories. Many such devices are compatible with Apple's iPhone, allowing users to perform functions such as viewing notifications and controlling music on Apple's handset.
As for Apple's "iWatch," it's been claimed the rumored device will focus on biometrics, offering users feedback on health and activity by acting as a pedometer, heart rate monitor and possibly more. Apple itself has helped to fuel speculation regarding the device by company seeking ownership of the "iWatch" name in a number of countries, filing a number of related patent applications, and making a number of key hires related to fitness, wearable devices and fashion.
AppleInsider was first to discover an Apple patent filing describing a watch design with flexible display.
Alleged details on Apple's rumored wrist-worn accessory were reported on Thursday by DigiTimes, a Taiwanese tech industry publication notorious for being the source of questionable rumors regarding Apple. Its latest scoop, crediting its usual supply chain sources, claims that Apple's "iWatch" is seeing poor yield rates stemming from "difficulties applying surface treatments on their metal injection molded (MIM) chassis."
"The MIM process is often used in the mass production of high-precision products with complicated industrial designs as it allows components to feature special shapes, but still maintain rigidness," the report noted.
The so-called "iWatch" was singled out alongside Qualcomm's just-released Toq smart watch --?another device allegedly plagued by poor yield rates. Qualcomm's wearable products are also said to be facing setbacks due to MIM components related to the external design.
Qualcomm's Toq enters an emerging market of wearable devices that is poised to explode in 2014 -- if not in sales, at least in terms of available options. In addition to Samsung's recently launched Galaxy Gear smart watch, new wearable products are on the way from Archos, while similar devices are rumored to be in the works by Google, Nokia and even Microsoft.
Industry heavyweights are entering the wearable space as startups like Pebble have already generated considerable buzz for their own wrist accessories. Many such devices are compatible with Apple's iPhone, allowing users to perform functions such as viewing notifications and controlling music on Apple's handset.
As for Apple's "iWatch," it's been claimed the rumored device will focus on biometrics, offering users feedback on health and activity by acting as a pedometer, heart rate monitor and possibly more. Apple itself has helped to fuel speculation regarding the device by company seeking ownership of the "iWatch" name in a number of countries, filing a number of related patent applications, and making a number of key hires related to fitness, wearable devices and fashion.
Comments
Next, iwatch program is delayed/cancelled.
Lol, that's better than the headline and the story
Does everybody remember that freakout 8 weeks ago?
Isn't it better to identify and sort out the bugs in manufacturing BEFORE you announce and start taking pre-orders for a product, rather than have angry buyers waiting for deliveries of a questionable device? Of course it is.
But this is Apple. Analysts will find a way to criticize and spread FUD for them doing the RIGHT thing. Every time.
i.e., Artist's fantasy.
I like AppleInsider, but doesn't this "story" make you a promoter of questionable rumors regarding Apple?
AI: "DigiTimes, a Taiwanese tech industry publication notorious for being the source of questionable rumors regarding Apple."
I like AppleInsider, but doesn't this "story" make you a promoter of questionable rumors regarding Apple?
It's out there, in a well-known, though somewhat worthless publication, and as a rumor about a potentially significant future Apple, AI would be remiss not to pass it on. The article does not endorse the rumor.
If, for sake of argument, we accept this as believable, who other than Tim Cook would you want at the helm of a company tasked with dealing with a supply-line issue?
If Apple is having this problem, then so is everyone else, and Cook is the guy to beat the field.
I call BS. If these people had enough access to know about production delays, they'd be able to tell us about the iWatch. Since they can't, they don't.
Apple also had iPad mini w retina production issues
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WS manipulation and rumors at its best!
Future Headline ----> "Supply issues grows bigger as China Mobile Joins Apple"
If it has full "health/training" functions, i.e., HRM, GPS, running, etc., I'm in!
Past rumors can't manipulate stock prices, so no.
Coincidentally, Digitimes' accuracy is below 50%, too.
And yet, AAPL, -7.
Brilliant.
I also heard unicorns are having trouble pushing rainbows out of their asses due to the cold in the northeast.
Same thing every time Apple comes out or plans on coming out with something. When you design (r)evolutionary products, specialized manufacturing needs to be developed. This is a non-story.
Yeah I'm going to get worked up about this.
Not
I think it is time for unfounded iTV rumors again. An inside source told me that the iTV was delayed as a result of 4K display manufacturing issues.
Manufactured issue!
That is so perfect! They are manufacturing issues! That is their job really, to manufacture imaginary problems where none exist. Negativity gets clicks!
Analysts are about as useful, reliable, and relevant as movie critics.
I wish someone ELSE (not me!) would do the work of charting of all these rumors and predictions, to make it immediately and obviously clear just how wildly wrong must of this stuff is.