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iWatch reportedly entering production for fall 2014 release

One of many iWatch concepts.

One of many iWatch concepts.

The China Times is reporting that Apple has begun production of the iWatch. This is in preparation for a launch later in the year, widely rumoured to be sometime in the third quarter.

GforGames translated the report, noting that the iWatch will use a different kind of chip layout for miniaturization purposes.

According to supply chain sources cited by the Chinese media, Apple has already started producing the iWatch in small quantities. The smartwatch will allegedly be ready for launch in the second half of 2014, but more importantly, these fresh reports also claim that the iWatch will be built using SiPs (or system-in-package modules) as opposed to traditional PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards)

9to5Mac first reported the iWatch will use a new process for its chips, over three months ago, in January.

Sources also hint that Apple has developed technologies to be able to pack several different sensors into a single chipset for miniaturization purposes.

This should enable Apple to make the footprint of the device as small as possible, a key advantage over other wearables. The wearable market has heated up significantly recently, with the unveiling of the Moto 360, a smartwatch that has caught many people in the tech industry off guard for its use of a novel circular display.

9to5Mac has posted exclusive coverage of the iWatch many times in the past. It seems likely that the iWatch will integrate with the upcoming Healthbook app, to some degree, to provide fitness and health tracking information. The extent to which Healthbook will rely on the iWatch, as opposed to an integrator of many different iPhone health accessories is still unclear, however.

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Comments

  1. nuttmedia (@nuttmedia) - 10 years ago

    I think you mean Moto 360. Moto X is a phone.

  2. freshmixture - 10 years ago

    Just a FYI, it’s the Moto 360, not the X

  3. Hopefully a WWDC announcement?

    • rettun1 - 10 years ago

      My thoughts exactly

    • jrox16 - 10 years ago

      I wouldn’t get my hopes up, just to be safe. Seems like something like a brand new product for Apple should have it’s own big event, with it’s own “It’s time for something new” press invite.

      • Alex (@Metascover) - 10 years ago

        The iPhone or iPad didn’t get their own event, something else was always talked about in those keynotes.

      • slowawake - 10 years ago

        Haha — or “It’s about time.”

    • As Apple has done in the past they may announce that they are making a ‘wearable product.’ They’ve announced new features for the iPhone at WWDC, leaving the majority of info for the actual launch. They do this so developers have time to start working on apps that are ready for launch at the same time as the product. While we won’t hear much about the device or it’s hardware – Apple will most likely tell developers about a new variant of iOS designed for ‘wearable devices.’

      • Also based upon the heavy integration the iWatch is rumoured to have with the iPhone, I really see the iWatch being announced at the same event and the iPhone – most likely in September.

  4. openlabssocial - 10 years ago

    Good scoop, China Times.

  5. openlabssocial - 10 years ago

    Are you ready for the iWatch?

    #iWatch
    #Apple
    #China

  6. iPadCary - 10 years ago

    They better make enough for me cause I’m gonna buy two:
    one for me & one to put on CraigsList!!
    Hook ’em, hirns!

    • I was thinking the same thing, but more along the lines of one for my right wrist and one for my left wrist.

      • iPadCary - 10 years ago

        Oh, Patrick ….
        You’re INCORRIGIBLE!
        Like Tommy Tellarico hosting “Electric Playground”.
        Google it ….

  7. jpatel330 - 10 years ago

    shut up and take my money already!

  8. Rahul Singh - 10 years ago

    Samsung Gear will have to take a back seat now. Not that it really did make an impact, i’ll be looking forward to see what’s Apple onto. If any of it is true that is. Why blame me, its China Times :)

  9. Anthony Moschini - 10 years ago

    I don’t know what the excitement is about surrounding the MOTO 360.

    • It’s the first circular display in an SmartWatch. Also they’ve taken a different approach than others were considering and have some impressive features – like annual battery replacement vs nightly charging.

  10. julianlengfelder - 10 years ago

    have i missed it or weren’t there any clues of how it could actually look like?

Author

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or Twitter.