04/19, 3:42pm
Levels similar to interest in Apple tablet, Intel-based Mac
An undercurrent of interest in an Apple "iWatch" already exists, even though the accessory is still just rumored, a new 451 Research survey indicates. The firm polled 1,713 people between March 4 and the 19th, of which most respondents were North American. The people were provided with a list of "probable" iWatch features, such as calls, texting, Siri, mobile payments, and health sensors. It's commonly believed that the watch will pair with an iPhone or iPad.
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03/04, 11:05am
Prototypes allegedly seeing serious battery life issues
Apple's upcoming watch will run a complete version of iOS, say sources for The Verge. The alternative is thought to have been scaling up the iPod nano's OS, which is similarly touch-based, but unable to run any apps that aren't pre-installed. Some previous-generation Nanos were explicitly designed to act like watches, including multiple watchface options.
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03/04, 9:54am
Jonathan Ive said to have long interest in watch technology
Apple is hoping to launch its planned smartwatch by the end of 2013, says Bloomberg, elaborating on information it received from sources last month. The sources also indicate that some of the specific features Apple is considering are making phone calls, seeing the identity of incoming callers, and checking map position. It might also build in some health tracking technology, such as a pedometer and a heartrate monitor.
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02/21, 12:21pm
Display itself would wrap around wrist
A newly-published Apple patent application may support claims that Apple has been working on a watch. AppleInsider notes that the filing, Bi-stable spring with flexible display, shows a unit with a screen that wraps around a person's wrist. Like other smartwatches, the Apple concept would connect to supporting devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and pull data from them in real time.
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02/11, 9:45am
NYT claims watch would use curved glass
Apple is currently experimenting on a "watch-like" device, according to sources for the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. The Times claims that the device is based on iOS, and employs curved glass. While curved glass isn't unique in the electronics world, the Times sources suggest that Apple is exploiting knowledge of how it can curve around the human body. The paper speculates that Apple could turn to Corning's Willow Glass, which can be curved far enough to wrap around someone's wrist.
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12/27, 11:51am
Claims watch will feature Siri/iPhone integration
Apple and Intel are collaborating on a producing a Bluetooth-capable smart watch, claims Chinese site TGBus. The device will allegedly use a 1.5-inch OLED screen from RITEK subsidiary RiTdisplay, and ship in the first half of 2013. Few other details are mentioned, but it's expected to integrate with Siri and the iPhone, allowing people to take calls through the watch alone.
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01/02, 10:55pm
Move affects some GPS devices, SPOT watches
As expected, Microsoft has finally put an end to its MSN Direct wireless service. The aging system took advantage of FM signals to transmit data to a variety of devices, including Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT) watches, in-car and standalone GPS navigation systems, and other gadgets.
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07/05, 5:10pm
SOS button sends GPS location to rescuers
VEA Digital has introduced a new watch, the Sportive, that centers around a 1.5-inch touchscreen. The device offers a variety of smartphone-like features, enabling users to take advantage of a camera, GPS, 8GB of onboard storage, an MP3 player and Bluetooth connectivity.
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05/08, 1:10pm
Upcoming BlackBerry gear
At least two new BlackBerry accessories are well into development, according to RIM accessories VP Antoine Boucher. The first is a new Bluetooth headset, so far codenamed the Alpha 1, which uses an over-the-ear loop combined with a molded in-ear bud. The unit is said to be larger than the BlueAnt Q1 but smaller than the Jawbone Prime, and equipped with noise cancellation as well as a micro USB charging port, now standard on RIM hardware. The device is however limited to mono output, as well as simple on/off and dial/hangup controls. Text-to-speech and speech-to-text functions may be supported in the future.
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09/24, 10:25am
Sony Ericsson BT watches
Sony Ericsson on Wednesday announced it will supplement its men’s line of MBW-150 Bluetooth watches with a women’s line called the MBW-200. Made in conjunction with watchmaker Fossil, the timepieces use Bluetooth to connect with compatible handsets and display caller ID and vibrate when the phone is ringing or a text message is received. Users can then mute or reject the call via the watch. Either of the three distinctly styled timepieces will also act as a remote control for the music playing from the handset.
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