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Apple Reportedly Targeting Q3 2014 Launch for iWatch
An alleged bill of materials for Apple's upcoming iWatch has surfaced, with supply chain sources indicating that the product will launch in the third quarter of this year, reports Taiwan's Economic Daily News [Google Translation] (via Digitimes).
iWatch concept by Todd Hamilton, based on the Nike FuelBand
The report claims that the iWatch itself will be manufactured by Apple supplier Quanta Computer, with Richtek Technology and TPK supplying chips and sapphire touch panels, respectively. Meanwhile, the device's processor is said to be developed by Apple, with chip production being outsourced to Samsung. In total, Apple is said to be targeting production of 65 million iWatch units by the end of 2014.
Notably, two suppliers mentioned in the report have been linked to previous stories about iWatch production, albeit with contrasting details. In November, Quanta Computer was rumored to have landed a contract to mass produce the iWatch for a Q2 2014 release, while a report this past February claimed that Apple had chosen TPK to supply flexible AMOLED panels for iWatch.
While the exact features of the iWatch are currently unknown, past rumors have indicated that the device will feature biometric sensors to track a number of health-related statistics, including sleep activity, UV light exposure, and heart rate. A "Healthbook" companion app is also said to be in the works for iOS 8, which would integrate with the iPhone and iWatch to monitor and track other health statistics.
To this point, most reports have pointed to a release later in the year for the iWatch alongside the iPhone 6 and iOS 8. A Q3 2014 release as indicated by the Economic Daily News would mean that the device could be unveiled by Apple sooner, possibly at the company's annual Worldwide Developers Conference.
The report claims that the iWatch itself will be manufactured by Apple supplier Quanta Computer, with Richtek Technology and TPK supplying chips and sapphire touch panels, respectively. Meanwhile, the device's processor is said to be developed by Apple, with chip production being outsourced to Samsung. In total, Apple is said to be targeting production of 65 million iWatch units by the end of 2014.
Notably, two suppliers mentioned in the report have been linked to previous stories about iWatch production, albeit with contrasting details. In November, Quanta Computer was rumored to have landed a contract to mass produce the iWatch for a Q2 2014 release, while a report this past February claimed that Apple had chosen TPK to supply flexible AMOLED panels for iWatch.
While the exact features of the iWatch are currently unknown, past rumors have indicated that the device will feature biometric sensors to track a number of health-related statistics, including sleep activity, UV light exposure, and heart rate. A "Healthbook" companion app is also said to be in the works for iOS 8, which would integrate with the iPhone and iWatch to monitor and track other health statistics.
To this point, most reports have pointed to a release later in the year for the iWatch alongside the iPhone 6 and iOS 8. A Q3 2014 release as indicated by the Economic Daily News would mean that the device could be unveiled by Apple sooner, possibly at the company's annual Worldwide Developers Conference.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 5
Tags: digitimes.com, Economic Daily News
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
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67 months ago
Although I'm not really interested in buying the product at this moment in time, my inner fanboy wants Apple to thoroughly embarrass the competition's rushed efforts in this area :cool:
67 months ago
Anyone else think the invite for this event will say "This will really be worth a watch" ? :D
Or "Time for Something New"
67 months ago
Apple is said to be targeting production of 65 million iWatch units by the end of 2014.
That sounds like it's going to be bundled with new iPhones. No way will sell that many by end of year alone...
67 months ago
Although I'm not really interested in buying the product at this moment in time, my inner fanboy wants Apple to thoroughly embarrass the competition's rushed efforts in this area.
I really think this is going to be a make-or-break moment for Apple. If it's just an iPhone on a strap (essentially what the competition currently have), it won't sell and will be panned by the critics.
If it's an accompaniment to an existing product, like the Galaxy Gear is, I don't think that's a particularly great idea either. It's just another product to charge and worry about, without significantly improving on anything.
Apple's current competitors have released wristwatch products which are fairly evolutionary for a post-PC era -- that being, touchscreen on a strap. What I'm hoping for is an 'iPhone' moment -- something so bats**t futuristic and beyond anything we expected. I hope they manage to do it.
67 months ago
I really think this is going to be a make-or-break moment for Apple.
Why is if that everything Apple produces must be revolutionary? We don't expect this of anybody else.
67 months ago
Anyone else think the invite for this event will say "This will really be worth a watch" ? :D
I'd prefer: "It's about time."
67 months ago
65 million watches at the end of 2014? Either they are really expecting this product to take off like nothing else they have produced, or more likely, it is bundled with all iPhones.
67 months ago
Can't wait to have another device that will require constant charging and several 100 MBs of updates every other months :rolleyes:
It's a shame you were born too late. You'd have loved the 1800's. :rolleyes:
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