Apple recently received a patent for a “wrist-work electronic device”, a multi-use device which the company hopes will help get the Apple brand out of the doldrums.
The device, which Apple refers to as an “electronic wristband”, is likely to, as analysts have speculated, synch with your mobile phone, laptop, tablet and desktop, in what apple calls a “personal wireless environment” as one possible option. The wristband will have a receptacle area, where a “mobile electronic device” can be inserted. One embodiment of the invention, the patent suggests, is that the eletronic device part of the wristband could have a “highly portable media player” such as an iPod. It can be controlled by a touchscreen. Also, haptic sensors and accelerometers may play a role, a possible indicator the iWatch may have applications for health monitoring, as well.
iOS 8 is believed to have been designed with the iWatch in mind as the iWatch would run on iOS 8, making the interdependence of both inevitable. The iWatch will likely take advantage of the “Health” app introduced with iOS 8, which may display all of the health-related information gathered by the watch.
Currently, Apple is gearing up to begin mass production on the iWatch, and has been testing the device’s fitness capabilities with professional athletes such as Kobe Bryant, who will likely go on to promote the iWatch following its release.
- Expected Specs
- Sizes from 1.3 to 2.5″
- “Full” iOS
- Biometrics and other sensors
- 4-5 day battery life targeted
- Tentative October 2014 debut plans
IT experts at Computer Village, Ikeja, have prophesied tidal wave sales of the device, should it ever make it to the Nigerian market.