Apple’s iWatch set for October launch

The watch, which is expected to be round and come in both men and women’s sizes, will help track user’s health, according to the reports.It is claimed Apple will produce up to 5 million of the gadgets per month.Speculation around Apple’s iWatch began at the end of 2012 and a rumoured release date was initially […]

The watch, which is expected to be round and come in both men and women’s sizes, will help track user’s health, according to the reports.
It is claimed Apple will produce up to 5 million of the gadgets per month.
Speculation around Apple’s iWatch began at the end of 2012 and a rumoured release date was initially set for the fourth quarter of 2013. But this did not happen.
Chinese websites reported in December 2012 that the computer giant was working with chip-maker Intel on a wrist-worn gadget.
It was said to have a 1.5inch screen and use Bluetooth to communicate with other devices, including an iPhone.
Other rumours suggest the iWatch will feature Siri voice controls that let users dictate messages, rather than use the tiny screen.
The watch could also be used as a remote control to change music tracks or pause video, on the phone or tablet.
In July last year, reports in the Financial Times said Apple was hiring outside help to tackle design problems with its iWatch.
“October. That’s the tentative launch date Apple has set for its first, long-in-the-offing foray into wearable devices,’’ said Re/Code.
Re/Code said: ‘‘People familiar with Apple’s plans tell Code/red the company hopes to schedule a special event that month to show off the device, which is designed to make good use of the HealthKit health and fitness information-gathering app it recently showed off at WWDC.’’
Nikkei also claims the same date, and its sources say that Apple is so confident in the gadget that it’s looking to produce three million to five million units per month.
According Nikkei, the watch will run a version of Apple’s iOS software currently found on the iPad and iPhone.
‘’The new watch-like wearable gear will run on this OS, which will be equipped with a centralized function to manage users’ biometric information via smartphones,’’ it said.
During a trip to Taiwan, a New York tech analyst recently said an Apple supplier revealed a number of features of the much-rumoured device, including a rounded face and slim design.
This would resemble how the Moto 360 looks –  and contradicts previous reports the watch would have a curved, or square screen.
The reports were made by Brian Blair from Rosenblatt Securities.
According to his supply chain sources, the iWatch will be designed to look like a traditional watch, and move away from the chunky, square look of the G Watch and Samsung’s Gear range.
 Motorola announced its own plans for a round, Android-powered smartwatch earlier this year and Blair’s sources claim Apple’s version will be almost identical, if not a little thinner.  
As Business Insider noted, Apple’s icons have rounded edges and this would suit a circular face.
Blair’s source also confirmed previous rumours that the iWatch would be available in ‘his’ and ‘hers’ models, and will go into production from July.
The design is similar to concepts created by Mark Bell from Belmdesigns.  
Bell’s concept incorporates the rumoured Healthbook fitness features that leaked in March, but experts believe Apple could additionally be working on a separate wristband specifically designed to track health.
Earlier this week, during the unveiling of its latest G3 handset, LG gave a sneak peek of its square Android-powered G Watch.
All three – the Moto 360, the G Watch and the iWatch – are expected to launch later this year.
It’s likely the Moto 360 will be announced at Google’s I/O in June, and go on sale for £180 in July, followed by the iWatch during Apple’s annual September event.
Price-wise, an Apple iWatch may follow the same pattern as Apple’s handsets and sit at the top end of the market.
Reports last month even stated it could cost ‘thousands’ of dollars.
Although the smartwatches of Samsung and Sony haven’t been as popular as analysts predicted, Blair said orders for the iWatch are surpassing expectation and he forecasts 18 to 21 million iWatches will be sold before Christmas.
Last night, Samsung revealed a new smart wristband and announced plans to let manufacturers use the same core components – much like the mobile phone market.
It also revealed an online service to track the data – just days before Apple is expected to reveal its ‘Healthbook’ app for the iPhone.