Posted on 06/19/2014 1:42:34 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Taiwan's Quanta Computer Inc will start mass production of Apple Inc's first smartwatch in July, according to a source familiar with the matter, as the tech giant tries to prove it can still innovate against rival Samsung Electronics Co Ltd. The watch, which remains unnamed but which company followers have dubbed the iWatch, will be Apple's first foray into a niche product category that many remain skeptical about, especially as to whether it can drive profits amid cooling growth in tech gadgets.
Apple will introduce a smartwatch with a display that likely measures 2.5 inches diagonally and is slightly rectangular, one of the sources said. The source added that the watch face will protrude slightly from the band, creating an arched shape, and will feature a touch interface and wireless charging capabilities.
The source said Apple expects to ship 50 million units within the first year of the product's release, although these types of initial estimates can be subject to change. The watch is currently in trial production at Quanta, which will be the main manufacturer, accounting for at least 70 percent of final assembly, the source said.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
“They discontinued that iPod so it couldnt have been too popular”
The iPod nano has long been a test bed for new tech. Each year or so is a new version, radically different from the previous. The “watch” model did it’s job: introduced a prototype iWatch to the public, which I’m sure was duly evaluated and vital to creating the now-imminent iWatch. Like its predecessors featuring video, camera, and other prototype tech, it was discontinued because the new feature was rolled higher up the product food chain.
If Apple does a watch, I can see it useful for two reasons.
HEALTH AND FITNESS
Apple i
Phone has some awesome health and fitness apps, some of which require the “phone/watch to be attached to you. I know my current blood press monitor goes through my iPhone, the the data gets mailed to my doctor.
Same with my Withing’s weight scale. Everything through the phone then off to the doc. There are dozens of health apps that are like that now and many more coming up. I see the iPhone at the front in cutting edge health aps.
HOME APPLIANCES
Besides health, Apple has been putting a lot of energy behind programing of appliances.
Lo and behold, I jus sold my 1924 home and am moving into a house that will be finished in a couple of weeks. Everything is controlled by the iPhone, heating, AC, oven, front door, interior and outside cameras, cameras and speaker at front door, garage, etcetera.
I’ll let you know know after my escrow settles in late July if I like it. I suspect it will be mixed. Anyhoo ...
I think you're on to something. Imagine having a wrist device that can sense changes in a woman you're flirting with. Sort of a mood ring on steroids.
If you don't know what that is, back in the 1960s and 1970s people wore them and they changed color depending on the heat they sensed. Blue bad, but warm red good. It was a conversation starter between couples.
Additionally, the wrist device gives you feedback through your skin. A Woody Allen movie "Sleeper" in 1973 had a guy awaken in the future, and a gal gave him an orb to play with between them in lieu of sex. A wild feedback device for him. Anyway, I'm postulating effects way beyond simple heat detection. More of an electronic love potion. Ha-ha, my mind wanders when I'm tired at night!
Its really simple and convenient - all you have to do is subtract 12 from it and you know what time it is.
If you have been retired long enough all you need is the sun, as a bonus, on cloudy days you get to sleep longer.
The problem is, who is going to give up their real computer to use an iPad that does many of the same things.
Sound familiar?
Bah humbug! :(
(that means I agree)
Watch? I use the sun to tell time. who needs a watch.
Sound familiar?
No, because you don't have to give up your computer to use an iPad. I use both every day. But unless you want to look ridiculous, you can only wear one watch at a time. Since most people (certainly everyone in the target audience for an iWatch) already carries a mobile device at all times, they don't get anything out of giving up their watches to duplicate their phone's functionality on their wrist.
I have an iphone that I never use for anything except phone calls because I can’t see it. I carry and ipad around as well. I sure as heck am not gonna downsize to a watch size. lol
Ok you convinced me
Apple is Doomed, again!
I stopped wearing a watch because I could get the time from my phone. Wearing one nowadays is effectively just wearing jewelry.
Apple introduced some new health features into their latest operating system. I suspect this iWatch will be able to take/give biometric data also. Given that one of the main reasons for the success of the original iPhone was the combining of functions that used to require separate devices, they are certainly being consistent with their design philosophy.
Who knows if it’ll be successful. I was wrong in my prediction about the success of the iPod and the iPad. The market will decide.
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