Apple's iWatch could rake in the dough, but we probably won't see it this year
Report says Apple's rumored watch could prove more popular than an Apple TV
Apple's rumored watch or "iWatch" could turn a larger profit than other company products, like an Apple TV. Bloomberg reported Monday that an Apple-branded watch could make a lot of sense, thanks to the global watch industry:
"The global watch industry will generate more than $60 billion in sales in 2013, said Citigroup Inc. analyst Oliver Chen. While that’s smaller than the pool of revenue that comes from TVs, gross margins on watches are about 60 percent, he said. That’s four times bigger than for televisions, according to Anand Srinivasan, a Bloomberg Industries analyst."
While the very idea of it may seem silly to some, it also makes a lot of sense given that Apple has already lost out to companies like Nike and Fitbit, where wearable tech is already a thing (and consistently being improved upon). Apple is a little late to the game here, but that doesn't mean it will be ready to release such a product anytime this year (though that's what the laundry list of rumors are saying).
Despite the influx of gossip about Apple working on a watch, the company could very well hold off on releasing the product for one simple reason. It wants to be damn well sure that all of the necessary elements are in place. If Apple is truly working to release a watch, every little aspect has to be just right. And as these things always go with Apple, there's been no official statement on the matter. The best that we can garner so far comes from part of Apple's description from its recently published patent for the device in question:
"With a touch screen user input a user can accomplish a number of different tasks including adjusting the order of a current playlist, and reviewing a list of recent phone calls. A response to a current text message can even be managed given a simple virtual keyboard configuration across the face of the flexible display."
Features of the Apple iWatch could include the ability to make calls, view contacts and a recent caller list, check map coordinates, track steps (like Nike and Fitbit) and view/send text messages.
