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

Wednesday May 22, 2013 3:24 pm PDT by Eric Slivka
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.
sony_smartwatch_pebble
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].
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.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 5, watchOS 6
Tags: KGI Securities, Ming-Chi Kuo
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
[ 172 comments ]


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that1guyy
82 months ago
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?
Rating: 58 Votes
Avatar
Rogifan
82 months ago

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?


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.
Rating: 24 Votes
Avatar
Satori
82 months ago

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!)


So why are you still hanging out in an Apple forum?
Rating: 24 Votes
Avatar
Mad Mac Maniac
82 months ago
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.
Rating: 21 Votes
Avatar
xVeinx
82 months ago

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!!!)


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?
Rating: 21 Votes
Avatar
cmChimera
82 months ago

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?


1. Mac pros weren't delayed. You never had a release date.

2. Radio isn't delayed. You never had an announcement, let alone a release date.

3. Watch isn't delayed. You never had an announcement, let alone a release date.

4. Retina iPad mini was likely impossible at the time of release. Or at least so prohibitively expensive, that it was unfeasible.

5. They gave you the highest resolution laptop ever last year, did you buy one?

6. I did some research, and found that the "s" model phones actually have substantial improvements. Who knew?

7. They are obviously working on new versions of iWork, as they've been hiring people for the project.
Rating: 21 Votes
Avatar
chadley_chad
82 months ago
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!!!)
Rating: 12 Votes
Avatar
adildacoolset
82 months ago

And they released the iPad mini a short while ago, as well.

.


It looks like we're getting a huge influx of paid Samsung shills on these forums. Or maybe it's just the level of intelligence that has taken a huge hit.
Rating: 12 Votes
Avatar
iGrip
82 months ago

Don't make me laugh, New Products, Apple ... Apple only makes money these days by tax evasion and suing competitors in court.


Be fair. They also update old products to make them thinner.
Rating: 11 Votes
Avatar
adildacoolset
82 months ago

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?


Jeez, you're just hating on apple based on assumptions. You can't even wait 5 months into a year, and you want a new iPad, a new mac, a rumoured radio service, and all of their software to be updated.

On top of that, you start blindly assuming (contrary to rumours, even though you're basing your judgements on rumours) about iOS 7, and even judging Apple from your assumptions. You're also saying that the "S" products are the exact same thing. I'll tell you something: they're very different. Only the shell remains the same.

On top of that, you're just asking for "innovation" even when this very article is of a brand new product in the pipeline.

If you really want to see what tim cook has done, then wait until 2014/2015. Because this stuff was already in the pipeline with Steve jobs. And I ask you this: what are they doing that is different? If you look at their past, it has always been to make a big release and refine it for years, then make another big release. Can you tell me what they're doing differently in their strategy?


Your comment is bad and you should feel bad.
Rating: 11 Votes

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