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Monday, March 04, 2013, 10:35 am
Rumor: Prototypes of Apple's iOS-powered 'iWatch' face battery life issues
A new report claims Apple hopes its alleged "iWatch" will offer between 4 and 5 days of use between charges, but current prototypes get about half that.The details were reported on Monday by The Verge, which cited unnamed sources apparently familiar with the prototype hardware. Those people said Apple's current test models only get about two days of use maximum before a recharge is necessary.
Source: USPTO
The prototype device allegedly runs the same iOS platform found on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. iOS reportedly has "several hooks" to operate with a watch-like device, but the software currently lacks an appropriate interface, suggesting Apple may have more work to do on the software front.
The details piggyback on an earlier report from Bloomberg which claimed that Apple could introduce its rumored wristwatch device as soon as this year. That report also indicated that the wearable device will run Apple's iOS platform.
Illustration of continuous display in "curled state."
The same publication claimed in a report filed last month that Apple has a 100-person team working on the device, including marketing, software and hardware personnel who previously worked on the iPhone and iPad.
Though the "iWatch" remains a fantasy for now, that hasn't stopped market watchers from speculating how much Apple could earn from such a device. Citigroup's Oliver Chen noted that current watch makers see margins of about 60 percent on their products, suggesting that an "iWatch" could be a hugely profitable device for Apple.
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Previous Comments View All
You don't need to be a genius to know that a small wearable computer will have battery life issues at the current state of the art, but Apple has a long history of not releasing a product before it has a reasonable UX, which certainly includes battery life. Four to 5 days would be great but I don't think 2 to 3 days wouldn't be bad.
Off Topic: Why aren't we calling these Ive Strong bracelets?
Wait, this report says the watch effort is being led by Ive. The Bloomberg report a few weeks back said someone on Mansfield's team was in charge of the project. Is this just a disinformation campaign from Apple or speculation and rumors from people who aren't really in the know?
BS rumor about a BS device rumor.
"I am going to sue Apple because the battery life on this imaginary rumor product is not acceptable."
I rule in your favor, force Apple to put "Nobody Copies Us" on their homepage in 64 bold font, and also announce my new unrelated job as a highly paid...person at Samscum.
So a rumor about the prototype for a rumored product isn't perfect. It doesn't have the rumored battery life.
Isn't that why there are prototypes in the first place.
This sounds more like hit whoring hype to me. Someone sees the patents, claims it's real and currently in progress. But said person doesn't want to look like idiot when it doesn't happen, at least any time soon. So trumps up this outrageous spec and says there are issues. That way no one will be shocked when it's 'delayed'.
So a rumor about the prototype for a rumored product isn't perfect. It doesn't have the rumored battery life.
Isn't that why there are prototypes in the first place.
This sounds more like hit whoring hype to me. Someone sees the patents, claims it's real and currently in progress. But said person doesn't want to look like idiot when it doesn't happen, at least any time soon. So trumps up this outrageous spec and says there are issues. That way no one will be shocked when it's 'delayed'.
Anyone know more about the history of the Verge and if rumors they've reported on in the past (not just about Apple) turn out to be accurate? Seems this is one of those where there's smoke there's fire.
I don't really care about the rumor, I care more about whoever is leaking this crap, if it's true.
Just who are these people in the know who have seen and tried an Apple prototype watch that Apple is reportedly developing, and why would they be leaking details about it? An Apple employee? I doubt that, because they would be fired in about two seconds if that were the case, and I'm pretty sure that Apple employees must sign NDAs. An outsider? Who, a journalist? I doubt that too many people have seen the alleged watch, so Apple should be able to know who the leaker is.
If this rumor were true, then Apple needs to tighten up it's security, as I've always been saying. Heads need to roll.
Anyone know more about the history of the Verge and if rumors they've reported on in the past (not just about Apple) turn out to be accurate? Seems this is one of those where there's smoke there's fire.
I knew that Josh used to claim his source told him, right after SJ unveiled iCloud at WWDC, that it will not have web apps. The rest is, as they say, history. :)
Boy is really going down AAPL today! 422$
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I am going to sue Apple because the battery life on this imaginary rumor product is not acceptable.