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Apple's Smart Watch May Not Launch Until Late 2014, Use Biometrics and iPod Nano Technology

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Apr 12, 2001
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KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has on a number of occasions offered accurate information about Apple's product plans, issued a new research report this week outlining his expectations for Apple's rumored smart watch device, informally dubbed "iWatch". Despite some expectations that the device could launch later this year, Kuo believes that both hardware and software issues will result in the iWatch making its debut in the second half of 2014.
Apple may not have adequate resources to develop an iWatch version of iOS because it may require big changes to iPhone and iPad iOS this year. In addition, wearable device components aren't mature. For these reasons, we think mass production of the iWatch is more likely to begin in 2H14, not 2H13 as the market speculates.
Click to expand...
sony_smartwatch_pebble.jpg
Sony SmartWatch (left) and Pebble e-paper watch (right)​
On the hardware front, Kuo projects that the iWatch will use a 1.5-2.0 inch display and unsurprisingly believes that Apple will draw on the iPod nano when it comes to components, particularly with respect to the main processor and the touch technology.
Currently, the iPod nano uses the same GF2 touch technology as used by the iPad mini. Since the size and computing ability requirements of the iWatch are similar to those of the iPod nano, we think iWatch will use iPod nano's GF2 touch technology and AP [application processor].
Click to expand...
Further, Kuo believes that biometrics will be a key feature for the iWatch, allowing for increased security and opening the door to broader health-related applications. The biometric support should also aid in building out the cross-device integration many expect to see from the iWatch.

Rumors regarding Apple's smart watch project have been relatively quiet over the past few months, although a report from earlier this week claimed that Apple is testing 1.5-inch OLED displays for the device, with Foxconn said to be gearing up for a trial run of 1,000 devices.

Article Link: Apple's Smart Watch May Not Launch Until Late 2014, Use Biometrics and iPod Nano Technology
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2013/05/22/apples-smart-watch-may-not-launch-until-late-2014-use-biometrics-and-ipod-nano-technology/
parapup

parapup

macrumors 65816
Oct 31, 2006
1,291
49
When all analysts are done with their predictions, the Smart Watch may or may not launch anytime between now and the next decade. Way to go analysts.
 
T

that1guyy

macrumors 6502
Nov 11, 2011
454
20
So pathetic Apple can't do anything. No mac pros: delayed indefinitely. Their damn radio thing can't even launch. And now the stupid iwatch isn't coming. And what about iwork, ilife, aperture, logic pro? What has Tim Cook been doing?

What's next, a mini ipad with a retina display that should have been included in the original? A few spec bumped macs? The same iphone with an S in front it? IOS7 will probably play it safe and OSX will be the same thing but bloated even more. What happened to innovation?
 
Rogifan

Rogifan

macrumors Penryn
Nov 14, 2011
24,124
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Apple may not have adequate resources to develop an iWatch version of iOS because it may require big changes to iPhone and iPad iOS this year. In addition, wearable device components aren’t mature. For these reasons, we think mass production of the iWatch is more likely to begin in 2014, not 2013 as the market speculates.
Click to expand...

Why exactly does this deserve front page news? :confused: All this is, is pure speculation not bases on any inside knowledge.
 
B

Brandon263

macrumors 6502
Sep 12, 2009
404
37
Beaumont, CA
Sigh. I was actually looking forward to buying this this year. I also wish Apple were developing an iOS alternative to Google Glass, but I guess that is too much to wish for.
 
chadley_chad

chadley_chad

macrumors 6502
Apr 19, 2004
311
0
Nottingham, UK
Don't make me laugh, New Products, Apple ... Apple only makes money these days by tax evasion and suing competitors in court. Makes sense then that any new product isn't even available for at least a year (giving competitors time to beat Apple to market and thus giving Apple more ammo to jump back into court again!!!)
 
Rogifan

Rogifan

macrumors Penryn
Nov 14, 2011
24,124
31,156
that1guyy said:
So pathetic Apple can't do anything. No mac pros: delayed indefinitely. Their damn radio thing can't even launch. And now the stupid iwatch isn't coming. And what about iwork, ilife, aperture, logic pro? What has Tim Cook been doing?

What's next, a mini ipad with a retina display that should have been included in the original? A few spec bumped macs? The same iphone with an S in front it? IOS7 will probably play it safe and OSX will be the same thing but bloated even more. What happened to innovation?
Click to expand...

All this ranting based on speculation from Wall Street analysts who know absolutely nothing about Apple's product pipeline? Sorry, but Ming-Chi Kuo has no inside knowledge about anything. It's all speculation and guessing.

And please explain how retina could have been included in the current iPad mini form factor for $329. It's so easy for people to make emphatic statements when they're not the ones designing or engineering these products.
 
chadley_chad

chadley_chad

macrumors 6502
Apr 19, 2004
311
0
Nottingham, UK
that1guyy said:
So pathetic Apple can't do anything. No mac pros: delayed indefinitely. Their damn radio thing can't even launch. And now the stupid iwatch isn't coming. And what about iwork, ilife, aperture, logic pro? What has Tim Cook been doing?

What's next, a mini ipad with a retina display that should have been included in the original? A few spec bumped macs? The same iphone with an S in front it? IOS7 will probably play it safe and OSX will be the same thing but bloated even more. What happened to innovation?
Click to expand...

Couldn't have put it better myself! The Apple I once knew and loved disappeared a long time ago (whilst meanwhile I'm loving my S4 and windows 8 laptop!)
 
Rogifan

Rogifan

macrumors Penryn
Nov 14, 2011
24,124
31,156
parapup said:
When all analysts are done with their predictions, the Smart Watch may or may not launch anytime between now and the next decade. Way to go analysts.
Click to expand...

Pretty sad that sites like MR are so obsessed with clicks they'll throw anything on the front page these days. I mean there's no news or rumor here. It's just speculation from a Wall Street analyst. Which doesn't even seem to be based on any rumors. Just all guessing.
 
AZREOSpecialist

AZREOSpecialist

Suspended
Mar 15, 2009
2,354
1,278
that1guyy said:
so pathetic apple can't do anything. No mac pros: Delayed indefinitely. Their damn radio thing can't even launch. And now the stupid iwatch isn't coming. And what about iwork, ilife, aperture, logic pro? What has tim cook been doing?

What's next, a mini ipad with a retina display that should have been included in the original? A few spec bumped macs? The same iphone with an s in front it? Ios7 will probably play it safe and osx will be the same thing but bloated even more. What happened to innovation?
Click to expand...

+100
 
N

NMSUballa

macrumors regular
Sep 14, 2012
210
83
Mad Mac Maniac said:
It just seems like all new Apple product timelines just keep getting pushed back and back (by analysts). They figure that gives them more time to come up with excuses if they are wrong.
Click to expand...

It is Apple's fault if it gets closer to the timeline and their prediction looks like it isn't going to happen. If it happens then they take the credit for it.
 
X

xVeinx

macrumors 6502
Oct 9, 2006
361
0
California
chadley_chad said:
Don't make me laugh, New Products, Apple ... Apple only makes money these days by tax evasion and suing competitors in court. Makes sense then that any new product isn't even available for at least a year (giving competitors time to beat Apple to market and thus giving Apple more ammo to jump back into court again!!!)
Click to expand...

No, they are currently making money off of the the products they sell. They haven't made any money from their lawsuits, and they legally minimize their tax burden (evasion implies not paying what is owed).

Would you like to make a second attempt at those cheap shots?
 
gglockner

gglockner

macrumors 6502
Nov 25, 2007
413
52
Bellevue, WA
Q: What's the difference between the Apple television, the iWatch, the new Mac Pro, and the iPhone 5?

A: The iPhone 5 actually exists. The others are figments of your imagination.
 
AZREOSpecialist

AZREOSpecialist

Suspended
Mar 15, 2009
2,354
1,278
Huh... Pebble can design its operating systems from scratch, source components, build and ship a product now but Apple can't do the same thing until late 2014 - 18 months from now? And the reason they can't do that is because too many changes will be required to iOS when they already have the iPod Nano version of iOS that already serves the same form factor?

Either this analyst has no idea and is just foaming at the mouth, or Apple is in some serious trouble. One of the largest companies on earth with over $140 billion in cash (granted, it's overseas, but still) cannot update its own iOS and launch a Pebble competitor in reasonable time frame?

Mac Pros are over 2 years old and don't even have USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt. MacBook Pro and iMac performance is on par with the 2-3 year old Mac Pro. I firmly believe that the Mac Pro is going to be the one Mac model that will be made in Texas later this year - the fabled "made in the USA" Mac. That would explain the delay, and given Apple's high margin on that product, would make sense to lower the margins and manufacture in the US.

I'm speculating, but I agree with other posters that there is definitely a public perception out there that Apple is standing still.
 
Rogifan

Rogifan

macrumors Penryn
Nov 14, 2011
24,124
31,156
Anyone know what Ming-Chi Kuo's record is on predicting new product categories for Apple? I'm not talking about updates to existing products, but completely new products.
 
F

FrizzleFryBen

macrumors 6502
Dec 14, 2009
453
179
Charlotte, NC
chadley_chad said:
Don't make me laugh, New Products, Apple ... Apple only makes money these days by tax evasion and suing competitors in court. Makes sense then that any new product isn't even available for at least a year (giving competitors time to beat Apple to market and thus giving Apple more ammo to jump back into court again!!!)
Click to expand...

Whoa Whoa Whoa. Tax evasion is illegal. Up to this point, so far as we know, Apple is simply using the tax code to their advantage. Yes, it sucks, but that's congress' fault. AND I do the same thing...all legal of course.

As for making money suing....that's nearly negligible. Problem there is with the patent office throwing IP patents around like it's christmas (if you can afford to try enough times).

Apple's "problem" is they only release new products when they will knock your socks off. (granted they've had their share of flops and ooposes)

As for me...I never liked watches and will never wear one.
 
P

peb123

macrumors member
Feb 14, 2010
69
2
"iWatch will use a 1.5-2.0 inch display"

What?? No 5 inch display!!
I won't buy one unless it has a 5inch display.

:)
 
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