Curious Timing: Apple’s iWatch Patent
Sapphire glass and ramped up production lines were just a few signs that Apple is moving toward the rumored iWatch. However, its latest move may be the most obvious. The company has registered a comprehensive high-tech watch patent.According to Apple Insider, “As published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple’s U.S. Patent No. 8,787,006 for a “Wrist-worn electronic device and methods therefor” describes a device (dubbed “iTime” in one illustration) that fits squarely with speculation regarding a so-called “iWatch” smartwatch. The invention’s main claims, as the title implies, revolve around a wrist-worn device that can connect with other portables like iPhones and iPads, computers, or even the watch’s straps, which integrate sensors and other circuitry to augment device performance.”
The patent states that the device will multitask everything from incoming calls to text messages, as well as connect to other Internet sites to display information feeds.
The supposed iWatch patent was filed in 2011. Alleged iWatch manufacturing is slated to begin in November 2014.
Back in June, sources close to Apple’s notorious production plant, Foxconn, reported that the facility will start to add up to 100,000 employees to accommodate possible increased assembly numbers. However, sources could not confirm what products the staff would be responsible for.
With rumors of the iWatch on the rise, Swiss watchmaker Swatch saw its shares dive 13 percent in the last year.
In the past, Swatch, along with Microsoft, did try to capitalize on the “smartwatch” trend; however, analysts believe much of the available technology was too young to support such a fledgling device.
Reuters notes, “Ten years ago, Swatch and Microsoft Corp launched a smartwatch called Paparazzi that used radio waves to access information, but the product did not meet with the hoped-for success and the partnership ended in a legal dispute.”
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