We have been hearing rumors about Apple working on a smartwatch for many years. Although Apple did file a patent for a smart wristband back in February 2013, there have been designs and drawing concerning a wrist worn device in the past, so has Apple just been waiting for the right time?
Right now, the word is that Apple “may” release its first smartwatch as soon as September. This is designed to coincide with the launch of the iPhone 6. At last week’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference Apple mentioned that we can expect to see an upgraded mobile operating system for smartphones and tablet devices.
Craig Federighi, senior vice president of software engineering at Apple, announced the company's entry into health monitoring services. The new wristband wearable device will run on the new mobile OS. It will be equipped with a centralized function to manage users' biometric information via smartphones. That means that it will end up being a companion device to the new iPhone 6.
The time line for this new device seems to be that Apple will begin to manufacture the necessary components later this month. The process is 
expected to quickly accelerate so that production of the iWatch can begin this fall.
According to TMC CEO Rich Tehrani, “Apple’s Beats Acquisition and a more firmed up rumor regarding an impending smartwatch show the company is serious about being a major player in the wearable tech space. We can expect the fierce competition for dominance in this market to continue thanks to what Apple is doing and is thought to be doing.”
If the information in the rumor mill is correct, a parts manufacturer said that it plans monthly commercial output of about 3-5 million units. Apple has also teamed up and formed partnerships with several high profile hospitals, such as the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic and U.S. health institutes based in Minnesota and Ohio. This adds credence that the initial device will be more of a health monitor that will work in conjunction with the iPhone 6.
Not surprising, at this time we don’t have full details about the device, Apple is still in the process of finalizing all of the specifications for the iWatch. In all likelihood, it will have a curved organic light emitting diode (OLED) touchscreen face. It should be able to gather information concerning health related data.
It will probably collect calorie consumption, sleep activity, blood glucose and blood oxygen level data. It seems that the price range for the iWatch could be somewhere between $199 and $229. This keeps it in the range of similar devices.
I’ve mentioned the iPhone 6 this is also going to be a change of pace for Apple. The newest device that will run on iOS 8 is more of a phablet sporting a 5.5 inch screen. It is expected to be very thin as you can see from these leaked photos that we secured from a Chinese website. While the pictures do seem to have a green hue to them that does not necessarily mean that is the actual color of the device. You can see how much larger this device is from any of the previous models.
Images via Business Insider
Edited by
Maurice Nagle
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