Every few years we run across a storm of rumors about the Apple iWatch, a wristwatch device that could not only tell time but also perform many of the functions of devices like the iPhone or the iPod touch. Earlier this year, the rumors resurfaced, with the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal reporting that an iWatch-type device was being tested, though neither mentioned a possible purchase date.
More than just a Concept
While the idea of wearing a computer on your wrist may sound like something out of Star Trek, consider that Apple has already made something like this possible. Owners of a sixth generation iPod Nano were able to purchase wrist straps for the device. While the iPod Nano is a much more basic device than an iPhone or, presumably, the iWatch, the concept is still there.
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Advantages over iPhone
If the iWatch ever was completed, what advantages could it have over a regular iPhone? For one thing, it could reduce muggings and thefts. The iPhone is an extremely valuable device, and many people choose not to use the phone in public for fear of it being stolen. A wearable version of the phone, one with all the same capabilities, could be used more discretely.
Wearable Tech is the Future
The growth of body-monitoring technology is also an indication that wearable computers are only a matter of time. Body-monitoring devices like Nike’s FuelBand are already on the market. Combining the technology with an Apple device that sits on your wrist all the time could be a very valuable option. Potentially, the device could keep an eye on your blood pressure, pulse, and activity level, warning you if anything was out of the ordinary. It could be used as a fitness motivator, acting as a heart rate monitor and pedometer as you run, as well as incorporating social aspects, like the ability to instantly share your progress on Facebook and Twitter or compare your speed against a friend’s.
Apple has the Know How
The appeal for an iWatch is certainly there. Now the question is whether Apple has the technology to make it. It would need a very sturdy screen, but something along the lines of Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3 would certainly work. It’s extremely scratch-resistant, thin, and light, so it would be easy to wear all the time. Apple might be able to take advantage of the Willow Glass technology, which allows for bendable glass. That would open up plenty of new opportunities for the iWatch. Instead of just a solid rectangular display attached to a wrist strap, the entire device itself could perhaps be fashioned out of this bendable glass to fit around a particular user’s wrist.
Battery Life
The major issue Apple will need to address with the iWatch is battery life. Nobody wants to recharge their watch every day, much less several times a day, so the iWatch would need a long-lasting battery that didn’t take up too much space and make the device unnecessarily bulky. Playing games and watching videos on a mobile device uses up battery life fast, so if early versions of the iWatch don’t fix this, they might need to be pretty bare bones with their apps.
Conclusion
While this is all speculation at this point, it does give us an idea of what to expect if Apple ever does actually roll out the product. If they wait too long, another mobile company might even beat them to it. Wearing our computers doesn’t seem like too much of a stretch, given the technology we have now. It’s just a matter of who gets around to it first.
This article was written and published on behalf of Mr. by David Johnson of BestWirelessCoupons. He used promo code to save $100 on a new Verizon Wireless phone.
