Apple has patented a smartwatch design called iTime in the United States.
The patent, dated as filed on 20 July, 2011 and granted on 22 July of this year, includes numerous details about the much-rumoured "iWatch" product. Specifically, that it could act as a device that displays messages and alerts received by a connected iPhone or Mac; and in one design variant could be detached from the wristband and operated like the old square iPod nanos.
Inside the touchscreen device are sensors, including an accelerometer and gyroscope "to detect an arm or wrist gesture".
GPS and NFC are mentioned in the application as possible features, as well as vibration alerts, "media storage and playback" and the ability to accept or reject calls for a connected phone. Phones, portable computers and desktop computer are illustrated as compatible with the smartwatch, suggesting support for iPhones, MacBooks and iMacs (and presumably iPads).
Several illustrations show a variation of physical designs. One model has the aforementioned detachable screen, while another appears thinner but with no detachability.
Apple has many patents under its corporate belt, and many never result in products being released. However, the smartwatch market has been fuelled by competition between Samsung, Sony and more, plus very recently with Google's Android Wear and related products from Motorola. One research group has suggested shipments of smartwatches in 2014 could hit 8.9 million globally, rising to 214 million by 2018.
It is likely Apple will use its traditional September event to showcase new iPhone and iPad hardware, as well as the public availability of iOS 8. It doesn't seem unlikely that the company may use this opportunity to show off its smartwatch product, should one exist at all. It would come at a good time for Apple, which this week saw exceptionally strong figures for iPhone sales but a drop in iPad shipments, suggesting people are happier sticking with older tablets than they are with phones. The launch of a new device that enhances the functionality of an updated tablet line could help address that as the company heads into its traditionally successful Christmas shopping period.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
