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2.5-Inch iWatch with Wireless Charging and Pulse Sensor to Enter Mass Production in July

Thursday June 19, 2014 12:20 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple's upcoming iWatch may measure in at 2.5 inches diagonally with a slightly rectangular face, reports Reuters, citing sources familiar with the product. The watch face is also expected to protrude slightly from the band to create an arch shape, and it will reportedly include a touch interface and wireless charging.

Reuters also suggests the iWatch has a sensor that monitors a user's pulse, which is just one of many sensors that may be included in the device. Rumors have indicated that the iWatch will be able to measure several different health metrics in addition to heart rate, like steps taken, sleep quality, and more.

nanowristband
Apple's 2.5-inch iPod nano in a Griffin SportCuff
A 2.5-inch screen is much larger than the size predicted in previous rumors, which suggested the device would come in 1.3 and 1.6 inch sizes to accommodate different sized wrists. 2.5-inches is the same size as the existing iPod nano, though the iWatch may be more squared than the nano.

Taiwan's Quanta Computer is currently producing a trial run of the smartwatch and mass production is expected to begin in July, in preparation for a possible fall launch. LG Display is said to be the exclusive supplier of the screen, which is in line with previous rumors.
While the watch is widely expected, the start date of its mass production and the extent of Quanta's involvement were not known until now. Mass production will start in July and the commercial launch will come as early as October, according to the source and another person familiar with the matter.
Along with providing an array of health-related information via sensors, Apple's iWatch is also expected to interface closely with the iPhone and iOS 8, providing users with at-a-glance notifications and information.

Reuters confirms that the iWatch is slated for an October release, a target launch date that was previously shared by Re/code.

Update 3:45 PM PT: Reuters has amended its original post with additional information, suggesting that while the iWatch will be able to perform some functions independently, "tasks like messaging and voice chat will require a paired smartphone." The iWatch will only be compatible with devices running iOS, like the iPhone.

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[ 118 comments ]


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bpeeps
57 months ago

Another status symbol for the insecure. If this mugger magnet is less expensive than an Omega or Rolex, then it will sell very well.

But will it tell time any better than my US$12 Casio?


This comment can also be read as: I am bitter.
Rating: 14 Votes
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mengel
57 months ago
Rating: 10 Votes
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Technodynamic
57 months ago
I assume the 2.5" is in length in this diagonal and the width to be far narrower, like this concept, but with perhaps a longer screen (but same basic size)

Rating: 10 Votes
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Reason077
57 months ago


But will it tell time any better than my US$12 Casio?


Yes, it will, because it'll be able to get very accurate time from the Internet (NTP) or from the GPS time signal. It'll also, presumably, automatically switch timezones when you travel.
Rating: 9 Votes
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lewisdorigo
57 months ago

2.5in diagonal? That's rediculous.


what the heelll...2.5" ?? is so big, what is this ?! 1.7" was ok


Moto 360 has 1.8" and is big enough


I’m not sure. Last year, I made a little mockup of an iWatch with a 2.5" display. Didn’t seem too big to me. (I assumed it at the time that it’d use the same software as the iPod Nano. I’ve since done mockups of an iOS 7-ish UI on a 2.5" display. (http://dorigo.co/my-probably-wrong-iwatch-predictions/))

(https://twitter.com/LewisDorigo/statuses/312937787152273410?tw_i=312937787152273410&tw_e=media&tw_p=archive)

An iWatch with a 2.5" (well, 2.45") display and a resolution of 480x640 would have the same pixel density as the current iPhones.
Rating: 8 Votes
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IJ Reilly
57 months ago

with a slightly rectangular face


New concepts in geometry.
Rating: 8 Votes
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farewelwilliams
57 months ago
can't wait for the $100 price tiers of doubling storage.
Rating: 5 Votes
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J4B3
57 months ago
2.5" (!!) wow. Typically watch measurements are given in millimeters, so 63.5mm seems crazy; I don't think that can be right. Steve Wozniak is famous for his HUGE Nixie Diode watch whose diameter exceeds the length of his wrist. The Nixie is (only) 55mm in width.

Rating: 5 Votes
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CharlieBrandt09
57 months ago
Taking all the available information, I believe I have designed a 100% accurate mock-up.
Rating: 5 Votes
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Millah
57 months ago

Oh God no. As if we need yet another iToy for pretentious hipsters. I'm just going to love how Apple will spin this "iWatch" as revolutionary, just like they did with the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, yet these toys don't offer anything useful except the shiny Apple logo to make oneself look superior in public. And charge a premium for it, of course. Then again this the same company whose iMacs don't even have Blu-rays. What passes for innovation at Apple is handicapping their 21.5-inch iMac with crappy tech specs while making it more affordable, when they should be improving tech specs just to appease those people who have zero intention of buying one in the first place, while those who do just want to plug and play.

Point is, I just have to laugh at those who buy these Apple mobile devices when the sole purpose is to have the right to be smug. But I guess I have to hand it to Cupertino for convincing the public to buy a big iPod touch by the millions.


Uh huh. And the Apple users are the smug ones? Right. Someone needs to look in the mirror :rolleyes:
Rating: 4 Votes

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