AppleInsider Staff
A rumor out of Asia on Thursday claims that Apple is working in cooperation with Intel to build a so-called "smart watch" accessory that will allow users tap into high-end iPhone functions, including voice calls.
AppleInsider cannot verify the publication's assertions and as such offers the following information for purposes of discussion only.
According to Chinese publication 163.com (via Mobile Geeks), Apple will release an Intel-powered wrist watch in the first half of 2013, complete with a 1.5-inch OLED display and low-power Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity.
The purported "supply chain" source said the screen will feature an ITO (indium tin oxide) capacitive touchscreen manufactured by Ritek, a small Chinese OLED display maker located in Shenzhen with ties to DuPont. Intel's connection with the project is somewhat shady as Apple has moved its entire line of iOS devices completely to proprietary package-on-package chip designs. It should be noted, however, that Intel is said to be working on a mobile processor to compete with ARM-based rivals.
While the rumor may be questionable, smart watch devices are seeing a slow rise in popularity as more products come to market. For example, AppleInsider recently took a look at the MetaWatch, a Bluetooth-enabled wrist watch that serves up text messages, calendar alerts and other data directly from a compatible iPhone. Apple's own sixth-generation iPod nano spawned an entire cottage industry of third-party accessories that allowed users to wear the device like a watch. While the company built in Bluetooth capabilities with the current iPod nano, it changed the form factor to more closely resemble a tiny iPhone than something wearable.
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17 Comments
My first thought on reading this was "Mondaine". A Mondaine styled watch with apple tech would be a winner.
Apple doesn't need Intel in order to make their own watch accessory. This rumor makes no sense.
Apple doesn't need Intel in order to make their own watch accessory. This rumor makes no sense.
Right, what exactly is Intel going to be contributing? The watch bands?
It's always possible that Intel is creating an extremely low power chipset, or manufacturing process, that would work well in a smartwatch.
However, lots of times these rumors get the target companies mixed up. Someone hears about a production item and automatically tries to associate it with a big name.
I will wait for the 2nd version of iWatch which will come with the hi-rez retina screen.
And Apple better not release another new watch for at least one year after I buy mine.
Because Steve would have never let this happen...