It seems to be all but confirmed that Apple is launching an iWatch, and probably this year. With rumors of a new Apple TV on the horizon, a larger iPhone(s?) and a new Healthbook app for iOS 8, many are probably wondering when Apple will announce these new devices.
From 2009-2011 Apple used to hold at least one Keynote in the beginning half of the year, but for the past two years, we haven’t seen anything from Apple before the WWDC. It should still be a given that Apple will wait to launch the new iPads until October, and will also launch OS 10.11 and iOS 8 at the WWDC. The only questions are the iPhone and iWatch.
The iPhone 4S, 5, 5s, and 5c were all announced in September/October. The new iWatch is reportedly going to go hand and hand with the new Healthbook app which is rumored to be part of iOS 8. I would hope Apple would give the iWatch its own event, as it is a completely new product category. One possibility is that Apple would hold an event in March to announce the new Apple TV, iOS 7.1, and the iWatch, but not launch the iWatch until the WWDC, or maybe even September. The way I see it, this is the only scenario were the iWatch could have it’s own event, although obviously this date would cause problems. First, if the Health aspect of the device needs, or is severely impaired without Healthbook, iOS 8 would still have to wait until June. There could be a sliver of hope in the fact that Apple could, in theory, launch Healthbook with 7.1, similar to how they launched iOS 4.1 with the original iPad.
If Apple did go this route the device would likely not launch for at least a couple months, as is standard for new product categories at Apple. They do this for a number of reasons, but mainly to avoid leaks and to have extra manufacturing times for a new device.
Another way Apple could handle it is launch it with the iPhone 6 in September. As it seems the iWatch will use the new Healthbook app, and iOS 8 would likely launch at this event, it would seem like an opportune time to launch the iWatch. The only reason not to do this would be the fact that the iWatch will likely cost around $300-$400, and that’s a lot of money for people to pay at one time.
Anyways, this is all speculation and should be taken with a grain of salt. Let me know when you think Apple will launch the iWatch in the comments.
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