Following on from multiple rumors suggesting that Apple will be launching a smartwatch device near the end of 2013, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested that the so called ‘iWatch’ will not debut until the second half of 2014 at the earliest (via MacRumors). The analyst, who has repeatedly demonstrated accurate knowledge of unreleased Apple products in the past, suggested that due to issues developing both hardware and software for the device, production will not start until after mid-2014, placing release of the device in the second half of next year.
The iWatch is rumored to sport a 2 inch display that will incorporate a key number of features over and above that offered by the iPod nano with a watch strap attachment. Some of these features have been suggested to be biometric-related and will likely be targeted and the sports, fitness and health areas. The device is expected to run some form of iOS software but it’s not clear how much functionality Apple is looking to offer, particularly given the expectations of the public on battery life.
The new report runs contrary to previous reports from sources such as Bloomberg suggesting that Apple had a team of around 100 people working on iWatch development and that the device could launch as early as this year
It’s All In The Wrist…