Rumors are beginning to hit the press less than two weeks before the next-generation iPhone from Apple is unveiled on Sept. 9 that indicate Apple may be looking to also launch a wearable smart watch.
Although many observers are calling it the iWatch, no official announcement of the new smart watch has been made by Apple, keeping everyone in suspense.
The debate over what wearable tech Apple will unveil is growing. While many are hopeful there will be a smart watch in the mix, others believe Apple is heading toward the smart fitness band to continue its health and fitness push that included an app launch of Healthfit last summer that targets exactly that. Or it could be smart jewelry or connected ear buds. Only Apple knows for sure.
Now appears to be the moment for Apple, a company that has not launched an altogether new product or device since 2010 when it revealed the iPad. And with a number of iWatches or other wearables reportedly ready to sell, potentially four different wearables, the company is looking to reinvigorate the tech sector through its iPhone 6 launch and foray into wearable tech.
"Apple has kind of lost its mojo," says James McQuivey, an analyst with Forrester Research. "But, Apple is a unique company, it's capable of making that kind of radical social change, not only possible, but desirable. And that's how it will get its mojo back."
The wearable sector has garnered much interest over the past couple of years, with Samsung launching a number of devices, and LG earlier this year unveiling its G Watch and now its G watch R. However, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak said wearables may be "a hard sell," although he believes that Apple can help to convince consumers to get on the wearable wagon.
"Apple works very hard to produce exceptionally great products and doesn't quickly release things like a wearable," Wozniak continued. "So if one is introduced I expect it to have a chance to set the direction and make the product category finally viable."
It won't be by itself in that categtory going forward. Both LG and Samsung are expected to get some traction ahead of the Sept. 5-10 IFA consumer elecronics show in Berlin by releasing information and the expected dates their smart watches are to hit the market, Tech Times reports.
But if Apple can get its own wearables onto the market ahead of its biggest competition, the Silicon Valley-based company could see some solid initial market results.
