Tech-infused watches have been very hit-and-miss over the years. For every Pebble watch gaining plaudits, there's an LG Watch Phone that sinks without a trace. While they are becoming increasingly popular, none have really become an essential part of our tech get-up.
Well that could change soon, if a rumour from Chinese site Tech 163 (via PocketNow) is to be believed. Because Apple is rumoured to be working with Intel on a smart watch that could go on sale in the first half of 2013. And if Apple gets involved, expect others to up their game, sharpish.
The timepiece is rumoured to have a 1.5-inch OLED screen with indium tin oxide coated glass. It'll run iOS, which is no great surprise.
Could the rumour be true? Despite the many failed attempts, techy timepieces are improving. Sony launched an Android-powered time-teller this year, and devices like the Pebble e-paper watch gained a lot of attention on Kickstarter recently. Nike's Fuelband -- which monitors your activity to keep you fit -- while not strictly a watch, is a wrist-based piece of tech that's been a huge success. Apple's previous iPod nano could be worn as a watch as well -- you just had to slot it into a strap -- so we are starting to get used to the idea of wearing our tech on our wrists.
I think if Apple was to venture into watch territory, it would be more of a 'hobby' product than a huge launch. Maybe as an extension of the old iPod nano, with a few fitness apps to rival Nike's Fuelband. Apple tends to wait until a product area is quite mature before going into it, so it can learn from others, so it could be that the time's almost right.
Would you buy an Apple watch? What functions would you like it to have? Let me know in the comments, or on Facebook.
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Comments 34
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anonymous 30 December, 2012 12:33
"What functions would you like it to have?":
1) to be able to be worn on one's wrist.
2) to be able to tell the time.
3) to be made of a non-jelly substance so that it doesn't run down my arm.
Dave Phipp 30 December, 2012 12:40
I wouldn't buy an apple watch but if google made one I would. It would have to be as an accessory to the nexus 4 rather than a standalone device though. Would like to see features such as notification display (you could read a txt message without getting your phone out your pocket) incoming caller id (again decide if you want to take your phone out or not, maybe even touch watch face to silence phone or reject call) display alarms and calendar reminders and of course display the time. Perhaps not something that's possible now but how cool would it be to have a screen that you can see when in use but then goes completely transparent when not in use to reveal a normal watch behind the glass!
Dave Phipp 30 December, 2012 12:46
it would also need to have mega strong King Kong glass as I'm constantly bashing my watches when I'm wearing them!
anonymous 30 December, 2012 13:15
Speak into it.
Buck Rogers style.
jopov123 30 December, 2012 13:37
I really cannot see the point of this. A normal watch tells the time and we have mobiles and tablets on us during the day that also do this. Most people are going away from looking at 'tinternet on small screens as we can see from the success of bigger phones. Do you REALLY want to try looking for anything on something that small? Don't think it will catch on as I think it's old hat technology now.
anonymous 30 December, 2012 13:41
The i'm Watch will take some beating and if apple call theirs iWatch you can see a lawsuit as it's too similar. Really want an i'm watch, shame I haven't got a spare 250 quid. It runs android too, which is even better!
You can keep your crapple watch!
CaptainPicard 30 December, 2012 13:47
I like the idea of a smart watch. But Apple or Google or who ever releases a mainstream smart watch need to innovate on battery life and have apps and programs optimized for the watch. Otherwise, I really don't see the point of a smart watch when you can get a smartphone, that can do almost everything these days.
anonymous 30 December, 2012 14:11
I already own a "smart watch". It cost £5, has worked for many years, and it does what it is supposed to - it tells the time. Why do people waste money on all these new gadgets?
anonymous 30 December, 2012 15:08
@Dave,
Sony already have something like this Android devices, so in itself it is nothing new, Apple will just refine it, paint it and patent the **** out of it lol. Anyway joking aside the Sony SmartWatch fills quite a few of the checkboxes you stated
Peter Hudson 30 December, 2012 17:16
All they needed to do was keep the previous gen iPod nano and put Bluetooth in it.
Damien2701 30 December, 2012 17:59
Apple will make it usable then all the other companies will try and copy, not the idea, but the way its implimented. Same old story
anonymous 30 December, 2012 18:44
I would require an emergency beam-out function.
anonymous 30 December, 2012 19:02
This sounds so counter intuitive...Think about it. How lazy would you have to be to not reach into your pocket to see who has phoned you or to read a message. Of course iSheep will buy it just because it's an Apple product but give me a classic analogue watch any day.
anonymous 30 December, 2012 19:22
Mickey Mouse would wear one.
anonymous 30 December, 2012 19:22
Mickey Mouse would wear one.
anonymous 30 December, 2012 19:23
Mickey Mouse would wear one.
anonymous 30 December, 2012 19:23
Mickey Mouse would wear one.
anonymous 30 December, 2012 19:23
Mickey Mouse would wear one.
anonymous 30 December, 2012 19:25
Sony have a smartwatch already and its amazing!
Dave Phipp 30 December, 2012 20:45
sony one doesn't look very nice. the imwatch looks quite good but expensive
anonymous 31 December, 2012 02:54
It would need to come with the Knight Industries Three Thousand and have a get-me-out-of-here function.... But the beam-out function is a serious consideration. I would buy it without those though.
anonymous 31 December, 2012 09:03
An Holographic display would be great (like the device for scanning in mass effect games) but a "smart" watch is going to be outdated by the smart glasses via google
applefan 31 December, 2012 10:38
A watch which acts as a single point of signal for ALL apple devices... A Watch that contains a SIM card that would provide a single point of data flow.. E.g provide signal for future sim free ipads, iphones, even macbooks and other future devices that pair with the watch which will also include a personal hotspot wifi point. On top of that, also the usaul expected things... identify incoming calls and pick up txt messages.
anonymous 31 December, 2012 15:57
The government have been testing similar devices for a number of years, but in another guise.
They're called Tags and they're usually strapped to the users body. They can then track their ever movement.
Of course the Beta testers had no choice in the matter, but the problem has been how to get the rest of the "free" and law abiding population to wear them. Compulsion is obviously not an option (yet).
Ah Ah ! Eureka ! .....disguise them as trendy consumer goods and the people will strap them on willingly.
leoevs44 1 January, 2013 15:05
Been there done that its nothing new and if Google glasses take off then crapple watch won't stand a chance and to be honest I don't think even mickey mouse would wear one but saying that he is a yank...
anonymous 1 January, 2013 17:22
Ridiculous. Apple doesn't wait till a market is mature to step in. They step into a market and then it matures. Smart phones weren't a mature market. They were garbage that a few business people carried out of necessacity. iPhone created that market, they didn't join it. The tablet market was non existent until the iPad. There was no real MP3 players to speak of before the iPod. So tell me, what mature market has apple waited to jump into?
anonymous 2 January, 2013 10:39
IT DOES NOT MATTER FROM WHICH COMPANY IS IT FROM? WHAT REALLY MATTER IS HOW GOOD THEY ARE ON CREATING THINGS.. I WILL OVIOUSLY BUY A PRODUCT AND RECOMMEND TO OTHERS AS WELL BUT IT NEED TO BE AFFORDABLE AND WHAT WE NEED FOR OUR DAILY BUSY LIFE .. I MEAN IT NEED TO USEFULL AND NEED TO ABLE TO GIVE FLEXIBILITY TO OUR LIFE.....
anonymous 2 January, 2013 19:26
@Damien2701
It's already been done as an android device mate!
If anybody's copying its apple. Lol ;)
http://www.imwatch.it/us-en?gclid=CL_vlN6zyrQCFUbKtAodOwUALw
anonymous 3 January, 2013 12:14
@anonymous 1 January, 2013 17:22
right , apple is an innovational company
anonymous 3 January, 2013 12:22
@jopov123
I really cannot see the point of this. A normal watch tells the time and we have mobiles and tablets on us during the day that also do this. Most people are going away from looking at 'tinternet on small screens as we can see from the success of bigger phones. Do you REALLY want to try looking for anything on something that small? Don't think it will catch on as I think it's old hat technology now.
yes , it is too small to see something .
tuxtester 6 January, 2013 12:30
Battery is the problem with smart watches. Ask anyone who already has an Android smart watch.
Smart watches have to be charged every few days. This, added with the fact you will already have a smart phone that has all the same features and more, means ... that (very) expensive Apple watch will just end up in the draw and only get worn at special occasions and/or when we think others are going to be impressed.
I just bought a Casio LCD watch from Argos for a tenna and it says right on its face (in a tiny font):
10 year battery
Hehe
Loadit 13 January, 2013 21:02
Apple tends to wait until a product area is quite mature before going into it, so it can learn from others, so it could be that the time's almost right.
And they claim not to copy others and use the lawyers to claim others do. Hypocrites.
Ruben Rocha 22 January, 2013 22:23
Everyone says it is stupid, they will not buy one or blah blah blah... but when the time comes everyone wil be queing at the apple store to buy one. Eve if it is rubbish people will buy because it will be a fashion thing and if you dont have the latest and greatest thing, youre out.
anonymous 14 February, 2013 00:52
Why bother its a bit lame, a smartphone these days like the galaxy note does everything and i take it with me everwhere! with buisness and buying! why would i need a watch linked to it telling me i have mail when i have a smartphone with a 5.3 inch screen telling me verbally i have a new email waiting! and i can view it 100 times better and do everything 1st hand not 2nd I just dont get what this device is for, i think people have more money than sense these days! I the name apple makes people go out and buy this device i feel truly sorry for the lost souls! who would. Its all about makeing the money for them, i have never gotten in to this brainwashed thing thats goes around with apple, but if something like this did sell, then i would agree!