Apple is working on a “smart watch” according to various reports. There have been rumors in the past that the company was doing so, but now we’re seeing it reported by the likes of The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. The former reports:
In its headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., Apple is experimenting with wristwatch-like devices made of curved glass, according to people familiar with the company’s explorations, who spoke on the condition that they not be named because they are not allowed to publicly discuss unreleased products. Such a watch would operate on Apple’s iOS platform, two people said, and stand apart from competitors based on the company’s understanding of how such glass can curve around the human body.
The latter says:
The company has discussed such a device with its major manufacturing partner Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., one of these people said, as part of explorations of potentially large product categories beyond the smartphone and tablet.
TechCrunch speculates that the device will use glass from Conrning, makers of the Gorilla Glass used in the iPhone.
The smart watch space might be the next one where we see the big players in smartphones and tablets extend their rivalry. Google is reportedly already thinking about marketing its own smart watch, and has already secured a related patent.