Apple to Introduce iWatch in September Suggests Apple Journalist John Gruber [Updated]

Apple may be planning to introduce its iWatch in September, according to a comment from prominent Apple journalist John Gruber. In a post highlighting the charging functionality of the Moto 360, Gruber suggests Apple will be announcing its "wrist wearable thing next month."

It looks like Motorola's designers tried to draw as much attention as they could to the 360's stupid flat-tire display shape.

The only way this could get funnier would be if it doesn't even ship until after Apple announces their wrist wearable thing next month.

Gruber did not go on to refute his claim, and with his history of inside knowledge and sources within Apple, his comments suggest he believes the iWatch will debut in September. A September introduction would likely take place at Apple's scheduled iPhone 6 event, set to be held on September 9.

moto360

Motorola's Moto 360 smart watch
Gruber's September claim directly contradicts previous rumors from Re/code, a site that has a track record of accurate event date predictions. In June, Re/code's John Paczkowski reported that Apple was tentatively planning to reveal the iWatch at an event in October.

Few concrete details are known about Apple's iWatch and as the device is not expected to enter production until the fall, no part leaks have surfaced. If Apple does introduce the iWatch in September, it is likely the device will not ship until late 2014 or in early 2015. Historically, Apple has revealed some product in new categories ahead of their ship date.

Apple previewed the new Mac Pro in June, for example, before beginning sales on the desktop computer in December. Steve Jobs also unveiled the original iPhone six months before launch, with the iPad shown at an Apple event more than two months ahead of its sale date.

Rumors have suggested the iWatch will contain a multitude of health and fitness sensors, measuring metrics like calorie consumption, sleep activity, blood oxygen levels, and more. It's said to integrate deeply with iOS 8's Health app and it may come in multiple sizes and multiple price points.

Update 10 PM PT: John Gruber has clarified that he made the statement as a joke and that he does not have any information on Apple's release plans: "By the way, I have no idea whether Apple is planning wrist thing for September or October, just making a joke."

Top Rated Comments

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fermat-au

60 months ago

John Gruber a Journalist? an Apple fan boy? yes. Blogger? Yes, but a Journalist? .....

Rating: 37 Votes

fermat-au

60 months ago

MacRumors now posting unsubstantiated rumors that John Gruber is a Journalist.

Rating: 32 Votes

Dilster3k

60 months ago

the 360's stupid flat-tire display shape.

He's joking right? I'm not that into Motorola products right now, but I must admit that the 360 looks really good.

Rating: 25 Votes

IdleWanderlust

60 months ago

Maybe it's just me, but besides the cheap looking band, the Moto 360 looks nice.

Rating: 24 Votes

farewelwilliams

60 months ago

Yay, I posted this before MacRumors did:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1763142

Do I get to be an editor now?

Rating: 15 Votes

nagromme

60 months ago

Gruber a "journalist"? Hardly.

These days, a "journalist" delivers made-up, under-researched, unverified, poorly-analized garbage just to get ad clicks.

Gruber always links to real facts on factual matters, and reasoned arguments on opinion matters. If he asserts a fact, you can be as confident as is possible that he is correct.

I don't know what he is, but thankfully, not a "journalist." Look at his track record of being right before you lay such a loaded term on him :p

And yes, since he reports pro-Apple facts--because they are facts--instead of making up anti-Apple fictions (which "journalists" are wont to do), he may also be a "fanboy." One who criticizes Apple soundly and frequently. And praises Apple competitors. I don't always agree with him, but he's able to see facts wherever they may point.

(P.S. I don't see his post as claiming it WILL come next month. I see a weaker claim that he believes it MAY. Unlike a "journalist," he's careful not to overstate the strength of what he is saying. We should read it the way it is written, as a possibility.)

Rating: 15 Votes

usamaah

60 months ago

He's joking right? I'm not that into Motorola products right now, but I must admit that the 360 looks really good.

Yeah. Apparently it's cool to rail on the fact that Motorola couldn't get it to be completely circular (because of the display components, there's that slit at the bottom that is not an active display).

If there's a company that CAN figure out a way to do a full circular display, Apple would be at the top of my list. But as it stands, I like to applaud engineers/designers from all companies when they do a good job. I think Motorola did a great job.

Rating: 14 Votes

Rogifan

60 months ago

Yeah, lol, I agree.

Also, let's be objective here. Many, many people have said that the Moto 360 is the best looking smart watch seen thus far. Gruber's comments now have me hoping that the Apple watch has a similar design.

Why? Because it has a round face? The black bar at the bottom is ugly (and yes I know why it's there). The watch itself seems very thick and bulky. I know it would look hideous on my tiny wrist. I can't imagine any females wearing it.

Rating: 11 Votes

Rogifan

60 months ago

The bottom bothers some, but just as many are not bothered by it. I'm really not bothered by it. I can understand if you think it's an unfortunate blemish, but "ugly," I'm honestly agape. And I can deal with a thicker watch if it means better battery life.

The "flat tire" comments are because of the black bar/slit at the bottom for the display drivers.

All these smart watches to me are just a solution looking for problem. It's the tech industry looking for "the next big thing" and tech sites like The Verge drool all over this stuff because smartphones and tablets are mature tech now and they're bored. That's why they hype anything with sensors they can call "smart" because they're desperately looking for something, anything to get excited about.

Rating: 9 Votes

SchneiderMan

60 months ago

Update 10 PM PT: John Gruber has clarified that he made the statement as a joke and that he does not have any information on Apple's release plans: "By the way, I have no idea whether Apple is planning wrist thing for September or October, just making a joke."

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: