Apple and Intel Working on Bluetooth Smart Watch for 2013 Launch?

[MacRumors]

Chinese site TGBus reports [Google translation, via Mobilegeeks.de] that Apple and Intel are currently working together on a Bluetooth-enabled smart watch. According to the report, the watch will include a 1.5-inch OLED display from RITEK subsidiary RiTdisplay and will launch in the first half of next year.

Sony SmartWatch (left) and Pebble e-paper watch (right)

Full details on Apple's smart watch are unknown, but the report compares Apple's project to Sony's SmartWatch, although it notes that Apple's Siri voice assistant will provide for greater integration with the iPhone in allowing users to take phone calls directly through the watch.

There are of course other smart watches taking advantage of the low-power Bluetooth 4.0 standard hitting the market as well, with one of the most highly anticipated ones being the Pebble e-paper watch that raised over $10 million on Kickstarter. But while the Pebble team has continued to give regular updates on its development progress, the watch has yet to begin shipping.

Article Link: Apple and Intel Working on Bluetooth Smart Watch for 2013 Launch?

[AnonMac50]

How long before patent wars on watches?

[JaySoul]

You'd better watch out.

[Allenbf]

Go-go-Gadget!

I'd like this. Pebble is looking nice if they can ever get them released.

[newdeal]

intel? do they have a bluetooth 4.0 patent or something?

[mp0890]

Nice.

[oclor]

I regret backing pebble every single day. It has taken them so long to figure out production when Apple can make something 10x better in just a couple of days. The pebble guys had a great idea and a great vision, but they were obviously in way over their heads. If this story is true my I won't even open the box before I put the pebble up on craigslist or ebay.

[Sixtafoua]

Now we know why they got rid of the watch-like iPod nano.

[apfeljonas]

Somehow I really doubt this...

[WordMasterRice]

So will this always show the time as 10:15 as to not waste the battery?

[Thunderhawks]

People are still wearing watches?

[charlituna]

Originally Posted by Sixtafoua

Now we know why they got rid of the watch-like iPod nano.

Given that this is just a rumor, no we don't.

When Apple announces it, then we will know

[MuddyPaws1]

Originally Posted by Thunderhawks

People are still wearing watches?

hhahahaha

I don't think I have noticed one in a long time.

[justperry]

These competitors better watch out.


For Apple.

[Saladinos]

I call BS.

Nobody wants wearable electronics. They seem useful in most people's imagination, but in reality they're not extremely practical (especially since you need your phone with you anyway).

[jmcrutch]

Clock, alarms, Siri; notification center; weather, stock updates, answer phone calls, control music playback ... So many possibilities for leaving iPhone in my pocket.

[Dagless]

Colour me interested. I've got a Pebble coming from that Kickstarter campaign (whenever they ship). The idea of a little device to communicate with my bigger devices seems really cool to me. It'd be much easier to quickly glance at my watch for SMS messages and caller ID, and for music controls than having to dig out my phone or the remote section of the earphones from under a scarf.

[maknik]

Anyone know who bought WIMM?

[Polansky]

Originally Posted by jmcrutch

Clock, alarms, Siri; notification center; weather, stock updates, answer phone calls, control music playback ... So many possibilities for leaving iPhone in my pocket.

So you really enjoy the fact that the everybody in your surrounding can hear your phone conversation while speaking against your watch....

I see Apple going downhill entering a niche market as nobody wears watches anymore.

[b166er]

Originally Posted by Saladinos

I call BS.

Nobody wants wearable electronics. They seem useful in most people's imagination, but in reality they're not extremely practical (especially since you need your phone with you anyway).

Believe it or not it is still frowned upon to pull your phone out in many situations. This allows you to just do a quick glance at your wrist and not have to take out your phone. I wear a watch every day, always have. Also when you're strolling through the crappy parts of the city it's a bad idea to have your phone out.

I am all for this. I bought a meta watch since the pebbles weren't out yet. It's a little weird at first but I find it very useful, especially at work. I can glance at my wrist and gauge from there whether or not that particular notification demands immediate attention or not. The watch battery lasts several days and the impact on the iPhone battery is minimal.

[sbrhwkp3]

I have a Pebble kickstarter preordered. Their final build is nearly complete, so they should start ramping up production relatively soon.

That said, I'm very intrigued by an Apple stab at this market.

[troop231]

Originally Posted by JaySoul

You'd better watch out.

You'd better not cry.

[macse30]

Originally Posted by oclor

I regret backing pebble every single day. It has taken them so long to figure out production when Apple can make something 10x better in just a couple of days. The pebble guys had a great idea and a great vision, but they were obviously in way over their heads. If this story is true my I won't even open the box before I put the pebble up on craigslist or ebay.

This. Pebble is like a lottery ticket. The fantasy and hope distract you from the fact that you are a sucker. They are learning to be engineers and I helped pay for their education.

[AlphaHumanus]

Got my attention. The Martian watches have caught my eye, but I'd really just like a full color pebble with a mic.

Originally Posted by Polansky

I see Apple going downhill entering a niche market as nobody wears watches anymore.

I must live on the moon then. I own several, wear one daily, and know quite a few others that do the same. We aren't even office workers/Teachers/Etc.

[clownie]

Maybe mission creep, but they are missing a bet if it doesn't have GPS to use as an exercise watch. Would replace an existing non Apple gadget for a lot of users...