Apple is definitely working on a watch that talks to your phone. The iPhone 5 and iPad manufacturer has patented a design for a smart watch -- but will it ever actually reach shops?
The existence of an Apple watch appears to be confirmed by a patent filed by the California company, spotted by the AppleInsider blog. With Samsung also rumoured to be working on a smart watch -- possibly under the name Samsung Galaxy Altius -- it seems wrist-based mobile fun could be the next big thing.
The Apple patent concerns a flexible, touchscreen display worn on the wrist, paired with your phone over Bluetooth. You can use the iWatch to see recent calls and texts, edit playlists and view maps. Solar and kinetic power from your hand movements keep the watch ticking.
The strap is one of those slap bracelet things kids wore in the 80s, which contain bistable springs in the band that can stay flat or curve around your wrist when you whack it on your arm.
The existence of a patent proves Apple is at least considering a watch, although that doesn't mean we'll necessarily see an iWatch at any point. But a lot of people got excited about the prospect of strapping the tiny iPod nano to your wrist, so it seems some people do want to see what's going on without whipping out their phone all the time. The Pebble watch raised over $10m on Kickstarter, after all.
Should Apple make an iWatch? Would you wear a smart watch? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 12
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anonymous 22 February, 2013 23:56
I'd like a watch interface link, but I think it would require some form of wireless in ear piece to make the calls etc.
I like the idea of using siri (yes, I'm the nutter who uses it) and looking through contacts on my wrist. Maps when walking, perhaps even tell the time.
For it to really cook I think It's gotta be scratch proof thou.
But I can't see this ever happening.
Neilc28 23 February, 2013 01:11
How can something be patented that already exists? Or maybe it's just the solar/kinetic trickery?
anonymous 23 February, 2013 07:51
So they're patenting something that's already been done? Again? These people turn technology into a farce. The days of sharing new developments for the greater good is dead in the water. Thanks apple.
anonymous 23 February, 2013 17:49
Two comments with little understanding of patents. If it did already exist the patent office refuses the patent as a basic opener....
anonymous 23 February, 2013 18:05
It doesn't matter if it exists or not, they will bend over backwards for apple. If apple bought out a toaster and called it the i toaster they would then sue all toaster makers a year later.
Jamie Ingram 23 February, 2013 19:37
Well this is going to be fun! Samsung have the patents for the only working truly flexible screen technology and apple are patenting a watch that makes use of it. We're in for a whole new round of patent wars between the two of them.....
anonymous 24 February, 2013 00:17
@anonymous 17:49,
Why don't you take the comment for what it was intended! A patent means precisely nothing these days, it's a way of making money by trolling, not for protecting anything like it was initially setup for.
And as for the patent office refusing anything? Not likely for the fruit as we have already seen.
Neilc28 24 February, 2013 00:20
Whoops, forgot to login, that last comment was by me btw
anonymous 25 February, 2013 14:57
So Apple are patenting something that somebody else has already made? The concept of a bluetooth watch accessory has been done. Several companies beat Apple to it. There are companies with flexible displays, but not Apple. Apple don't have the technology to make or develop flexible displays so how can they patent a device that uses one as it's key stand out feature? That's like me patenting a time machine then waiting until it gets invented before I pounce with a law suit. Surely you need to know how something will actually work to patent it?
Apple are combining two of other company's inventions and trying to patent them. Smsung took the Apple style capacitive touch interface and combined it with bigger screens, cheaper handsets and well, things that Samsung they themselves developed and invented. Yet they get sued. Apple try patent something that they have no idea how to actually make! If they get this patent, the ptent system is completely gone. A ridiculous cirus designed by the legal industry to make work for themselves.
anonymous 26 February, 2013 19:25
How do you know apple can't make flexible screen? What you need to know about apple is they are very secretive of what they have for all we know they might have had it ages ago they just don't like showing it before its done because others companies will take the idea.
anonymous 14 March, 2013 18:31
I think the iPod Nano Gen 6 and a "LunaTIK" combination are a perfect example of what an iWatch can and should be. I own one and it's the perfect watch, add phone capability with bluetooth headset or through headphones, id be amazing
brackvakic 28 March, 2013 17:14
Anon 19.25 Apple don't know how to make anything, they have zero manufacturing capabilities. They don't invent hardware, they put together other people's hardware in occasionally innovative ways. Sometimes their recipes are so innovative that they're worthy of patents but this really isn't. It's a smart watch, Pebble beat them to it, as did Sony. There'll be some tiny difference like the material it's made from or something which they will claim justifies the patent.