A 1960s era Dick Tracy wrist radio (top C) is modeled in District Heights, Maryland September 8, 2014 alongside contemporary smartwatches in a combination of file photos. Rumours of an Apple smartwatch go back several years, but September 9, 2014 may finally be showtime. The watch, which will reportedly have a flexible screen and come in two sizes, will track its wearer's health and fitness, double as an electronic wallet and of course, display messages. Top row (L-R): A Samsung Gear S smartwatch in Berlin on September 5, 2014, a 1960s era Dick Tracy wrist radio in District Heights, Maryland on September 8, 2014, and a Samsung Gear 2 smartwatch in Barcelona on February 23, 2014. Bottom row (L-R): A Moto smartwatch in San Francisco, California on June 25, 2014, a Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch in Berlin on September 4, 2013 and an LG G Watch R smartwatch in Berlin on September 5, 2014. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Apple pulls back the curtain today on its latest innovations, amid frenzied anticipation over new big-screen iPhones and possibly an “iWatch” which could shake up the world of wearable computing.
A mystery event set in San Francisco has pumped up expectations for Apple to unveil a stunning new device to its line—up of iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Macintosh computers.
“Apple’s iWatch category launch will be one of its most important and brand—reinforcing launches in years,” Forrester analyst James McQuivey commented yesterday in a report indicating a quarter of adult US Internet users anticipate buying wearable computing devices in the coming year.
“Apple will show again how computing platforms are won or lost on the one—two punch of eager consumers and hungry ecosystem partners.”
Apple is seeking to show that it hasn’t lost its world—dazzling magic when it comes to innovation, and to shift attention from a recent celebrity photo theft scandal.
Apple has been customarily tight-lipped ahead of the event at a performing arts centre where late Apple co—founder Steve Jobs introduced the Macintosh computer 30 years ago.
But those who follow Apple are expecting bigger versions of the iPhone and — perhaps more significantly — an entry into wearables with an “iWatch.”
The choice of venue has fuelled talk that Apple will crash the wearable computing party with a smartwatch, in a bid to dominate the segment the same way it ruled smartphones, tablets and MP3 players with iPhones, iPads and iPods.
Apple chief executive Tim Cook has stated that wearable computing makes more sense on the wrist than in eyewear such as Google Glass.
Work on a wrist-worn computing device with a heath theme is believed to have begun years ago at Apple, inspired by famed co—founder Steve Jobs and his battle with an illness that took his life in 2011.
Apple is fine-tuning a new mobile operating system that could allow for mobile payments and includes a health platform, which could mesh nicely with an “iWatch” for tracking activity, sleep, pulse and more and connecting to an iPhone or iPad.
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Published on September 9, 2014
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