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Bloomberg today published a story on the much rumored Apple smart watch, offering information on potential functionality and profitability. The article also hinted at possible design cues for the iWatch, highlighting Apple designer Jony Ive's intense interest in watches, specifically those manufactured by Nike in the mid-2000s.
Apple design chief Jony Ive has long had an interest in watches. Besides owning many high-end models himself, he had his team visit watch factories and ordered boxes of a sports watch made by Nike Inc. in the mid-2000s, said Wilson, who was then Nike's creative director.
New information from Business Insider reveals that Scott Wilson sent Jony Ive the Nike Presto Digital Bracelets and the Oregon Series Alti-Compass watches, which were manufactured in 2002-2004.

Both of these watches feature clean, simple designs. The Presto Digital Bracelet is a cuff-style wraparound watch with a translucent plastic body, while the Oregon Series Alti-Compass has an aluminum face.
Well, he didn't buy them. We just gave them to them as designer bro deals. He and others in the design group just requested them and we sent them a ton of Nike Presto Digital Bracelets and the aluminum Oregon Series Alti-Compass watches. Was flattered that they were requesting them.
nikewatches1.jpg
Wilson goes on to say that after receiving the watches, Apple asked questions about materials and processes.
This meshes up with their research in watch manufacturing during that timeframe which has been documented in previous stories. They definitely drew upon watch industry techniques and manufacturing in their products since the first iPhone. Interesting that it may come full circle to an actual iWatch at some point.
A patent application found last week suggested that Apple might be looking at a watch with a wraparound design, a touchscreen, and a flexible glass display, but it remains unclear what the actual watch might look like.

Apple is said to have a team of 100 product designers working on the watch. The watch is rumored to run the full version of iOS and though a release date remains unclear, Bloomberg has suggested that it could launch as early as 2013.

Article Link: Jony Ive Ordered Boxes Full of Nike Watches in the Mid-2000s
 

samcraig

macrumors P6
Jun 22, 2009
16,779
41,982
USA
That's just crazy. Jony Ive looking at what a competitor in a space they want to occupy was/is doing.

Unheard of! :rolleyes:
 

macguru9999

macrumors 6502a
Aug 9, 2006
772
358
What a waste of fracking "time" , how about concentrating on COMPUTERS, remember them ? We need a surface style ipad/tablet device and new mac pro for starters........
 

tekno

macrumors 6502a
Oct 15, 2011
842
4
Besides owning many high-end models himself, he had his team visit watch factories and ordered boxes of a sports watch made by Nike Inc. in the mid-2000s, said Wilson, who was then Nike's creative director.

But, of course, Apple never copy. That's left to Samsung...
 

Rogifan

macrumors Penryn
Nov 14, 2011
24,122
31,154
But, of course, Apple never copy. That's left to Samsung...

Come back here when we have an Apple watch that looks exactly like a Nike watch.

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What a waste of fracking "time" , how about concentrating on COMPUTERS, remember them ? We need a surface style ipad/tablet device and new mac pro for starters........

Who's we?
 

J1989

macrumors newbie
Nov 15, 2012
10
0
CA
Voice Mail iWatch

It probably will send and receive email via voice among other feats. Maybe solar power boost.
 

Incindium

macrumors member
Apr 3, 2009
72
0
I still like the idea that iWatch is actually the Apple produced TV product and not a watch at all.
 
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