Michal Ždanský Smart accessories are an area of innovation that has been gaining momentum in recent years. Google is working on its Google Glass smart glasses project, Microsoft is not idle in its research center either, and Apple is still expected to contribute to this category with a product of its own. Since the middle of last year, there has been a lot of talk about a smartwatch, a device that could connect to an iOS device and act as an accessory that could partially control the phone.
The very first swallow was the iPod nano 6th generation from 2010, which had an unconventional square shape, and what's more, it also offered a variety of watch faces, thanks to which many accessories were created that turned the iPod into a classic wristwatch. Several companies have even built a business on this concept. It was even more of a surprise when Apple presented a completely different iPod nano at the press event in September, which is very far from a watch. Some have begun to speculate that this move away from the 2010 design means Apple is planning to use the watch for another product, so the music player had to change. However, it must be remembered that the iPod nano is one of Apple's most radically changing products over the years.
The hunger for smart watches started a Kickstarter project, Pebble, which offered users exactly what they would expect from such a device. It is not for nothing that it is one of the most successful server projects to date, having raised over 10 million dollars. Of the originally expected 1 units, over 000 have been ordered. Pebble will probably reach its owners around CES 85, where the people behind this project will announce the official start of sales.
Such interest could perhaps convince Apple that it should introduce a similar product itself, as third-party manufacturers are limited by the API options available for iOS. Perhaps Apple is already convinced, after all, many expect the presentation sometime in February, at the time when the new iPad model was usually presented. But what would such a watch look like?
Apple iWatch
The basic technology would probably be Bluetooth 4.0, through which the device would be paired with the watch. The fourth generation of BT has significantly lower consumption and better pairing options, so it is the most suitable way to solve communication between devices.
Unlike the Pebble, which uses e-ink, the iWatch would probably have a classic LCD display, the same one Apple uses on its iPods. It is a question whether the company would follow the path of a classic watch design (with a 1-2 inch display), or would it expand the screen to a larger area thanks to a rounded display. However, thanks to the iPod nano, Apple has good experience with a small square display, with purely touch controls, so it can be expected that the iWatch would have a similar interface to the aforementioned iPod.
The hardware could probably include a front-facing camera for FaceTime calls, a microphone, and possibly a small speaker for hands-free listening. The headphone jack is questionable, probably such a watch would not have a built-in music player like an iPod, at most an app to control the player on the iPhone. If the user had headphones connected to the iPhone, the 3,5 mm jack on the watch would probably be useless.
Battery life would also be key. Recently, Apple has succeeded in miniaturizing the batteries of its devices, for example, the iPad mini has the same endurance as the iPad 2 despite its much smaller dimensions. If such a watch could last around 5 days under normal use, it should be enough for the average user.
The most interesting would be the watch in terms of software. In terms of basic functions, they would act as a kind of notification center – you could read received messages, be it SMS, iMessage, from Twitter or Facebook, receive phone calls, receive other notifications or monitor the weather. In addition, some iPod apps would be present, such as timing functions (stopwatch, minute minder), linking to Nike Fitness, music player controls, a stripped-down map app, and more.
The question would be what options third party developers would have. If Apple released the necessary SDK, widgets could be created that would communicate with apps from the App Store. Thanks to this, Runkeeper, a geocaching application, Instatnt Messanger, Skype, Whatsapp and others could connect with the watch. Only then would such a watch be truly smart.
Siri integration would also be obvious, which would probably be the only option for simple tasks such as replying to SMS, writing a reminder or entering the address you are looking for. A function where the watch would alert you that you have moved far from your phone, for example, if you have forgotten it somewhere or if someone has stolen it, would also be handy.
Ready-made solutions
The iWatch would definitely not be the first watch on the market. The already mentioned iWatch covers most of the main named functions. After all, Sony has been offering its version of a smart watch for a long time, which can connect to an Android device and serve practically the same purposes. Finally, there is the upcoming project Martian watches, which will be the first to offer Siri integration.
However, all of these iOS solutions have their limits and are dependent on what Apple allows through their APIs. A watch directly from the Californian company would have unlimited possibilities of cooperation with an iOS device, it would only depend on the manufacturer what options it would use for its product.
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There is no substantiated information to confirm Apple's work on such a product, except perhaps claims New York Times, that a small group of Apple employees are creating concepts and even prototypes of such a device. While there are several patents that hint at plans for a smartwatch, the company owns hundreds, perhaps thousands, of patents that it has never used and may never use.
The public's attention tends to turn towards television. There has already been a lot of speculation, either about a TV directly from Apple or the expansion of Apple TV options, which could offer a classic portfolio of TV channels. However, the smartwatch journey could also be interesting and ultimately profitable. We can only hope that Apple will adopt a similar idea, or even already. The iWatch or whatever the product is named will hopefully be introduced later this year.
Unfortunately, the article is somewhat spoiled by some grammatical and stylistic errors. Otherwise interesting.
All that remains is to agree. E.g. the sentence "The options of third-party manufacturers are limited by the API options,..." is somewhat out of context. The easiest would be to replace the word limitation with limited. Also, the sentence "However, all of these iOS solutions have their limits and are dependent on..." is not a happy start, so I'd recommend replacing the word "all" with the word "all".
Thanks for the warning, fixed.
I will certainly not object to the deletion of my comment, I like your articles and those of your colleagues and I do not think that any of my comments should spoil them.
I didn't read the article - I just don't read these conjectures. But I don't like it at all from the photos. When I look at my hand where I have a dial watch, I can't imagine wearing something like that. Whoever wants a watch will buy a watch, whoever wants an Apple will buy a Mac, iPhone or iPad and not a watch :)
Perhaps you should really read the article to understand that it is not an Apple watch, but mainly an iPhone accessory.
I like Apple products, but I wouldn't buy an Apple watch. In my opinion, watches are a complete waste. We have cell phones. I understand that someone wears a watch as a fashion accessory, but it is certainly not a necessity for anyone. In addition, Apple would be doing itself a disservice with such a product (iPhone).
How would the watch compete with the iPhone if it is to be an accessory? The watch would not have a SIM card, it would not be a mobile phone, it would just be connected to the iPhone.
"In terms of basic functions, they would act as a kind of notification center - you could read received messages, be it SMS, iMessage, from Twitter or Facebook, receive phone calls, receive other notifications or monitor the weather."
It is not enough? This watch would compete with the iPhone mainly because instead of the iPhone, the user would check and monitor the watch and not the iPhone. I absolutely do not understand why I should read text messages on my watch when I have my phone in my pocket just a short distance away.
But one would have to have an iPhone to use the watch. Otherwise, for example in the winter, when my phone is tucked in my coat, such a watch would be priceless.
If they put something similar on sale, I won't hesitate to buy it... :)
You probably made a mistake there, the second sentence probably shouldn't even say Watch, but Pebble.
...iWatch would definitely not be the first watch on the market. The already mentioned iWatch covers most of the main named functions... Otherwise, nice article, ignore comments like: I didn't read the article but it's nonsense :)
Well, if it lasts a week charged, it would make sense, but I don't want another thing that I have to charge every day :-)
The use of the "Bluetooth sharing" function from iOS 6 is offered
The watch will definitely not have wifi and there is no other option.
"Applications using Bluetooth sharing" is written in the settings.
Well, what else would it be? :)
John Appleseed :-D If anyone has found out where Mr. Jaderník is found everywhere. Probably similar to John Doe or is that just such a rarity?
Super article. I would take them. They are beautiful!!!! I would buy them right away
Only people over 30 use the watch. Maybe the era of wristwatches will return, maybe Apple will breathe new life into them with their special uses, even if none of these notification services from my pocket to my hand make any sense to me. I can almost imagine that it should be an iPhone nano with a 3G module and synchronized notifications would go from the iPad from the backpack. I would probably buy such a combo.
Well, the idea that Apple certainly didn't throw away the old iPod nano design is, in my opinion, 99% certain, and that it will be a watch is also probably the most likely... so the article is not old. Thank you.