Apple 'iWatch' could be out by end of 2013
updated 09:54 am EST, Mon March 4, 2013
Jonathan Ive said to have long interest in watch technology
Apple is hoping to launch its planned smartwatch by the end of 2013, says Bloomberg, elaborating on information it received from sources last month. The sources also indicate that some of the specific features Apple is considering are making phone calls, seeing the identity of incoming callers, and checking map position. It might also build in some health tracking technology, such as a pedometer and a heartrate monitor.
Scott Wilson -- a watch designer who was once Nike's creative director -- claims that Apple's lead designer, Jonathan Ive, has long been interested in watches. Ive is said to own a number of luxury models, and during the mid-2000s had his team visit watch factories, as well as buy boxes of a Nike sports watch.
It's typically believed that while the watch might duplicate some of the functions of the iPhone or iPad, it could be dependent on those devices for full functionality, like other smartwatches. New York Times sources have also previously said that the watch will use curved glass, helping it to wrap around a person's wrist. It may not use Corning's flexible Willow Glass though, since the company is telling people not to expect any products with it until 2016.
