Another rumor has slipped out of the Apple supply chain, and this one intrigues me. Supposedly Apple and Intel are working on a wristwatch, that could be based on iOS. Supply chains sources say that Intel developed the watch, and that Apple is interested in it.
Chinese site TGBus reports [Google translation, via Mobilegeeks.de] that Apple and Intel are currently working together on a Bluetooth-enabled smart watch. According to the report, the watch will include a 1.5-inch OLED display from RITEK subsidiary RiTdisplay and will launch in the first half of next year.
That’s basically the full extent of the rumor. But that’s been enough for various online news sources to report on it. (Yes, us too.)
There’s no way to tell how much the rumor is based in fact. These days Apple can’t keep a rumor to save their corporate life. Their huge supply chain basically guarantees leaks. Someone tells Charlie in assembly, then he whispers it to a secretary he’s trying to impress, she goes home and tells her boyfriend, who just happens to know a guy…
We need to keep in mind that Apple works on numerous new products, most of which will never see the light of day. It’s always difficult to know if a rumor is related to a product that’s about to ship, or if it’s just a “throw it against the wall and see if it sticks” project.
With that out of the way though, let me just say, this would be pretty freaking cool if it were true!
Casio recently announced their Bluetooth connected watch that works with the iPhone, and I immediately headed to Amazon.com to check availability. I love watches that do things besides tell the time. I’d be on this like a pit bull on a pork chop. I wouldn’t give the Casio watch a second glance.
Is the rumor true? Only time will tell, but rest assured, if it is, you’re going to have to fight me for first place in line.
