The usually accurate KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a new research report this week, and it contains information about his expectations for Apple’s rumored smart watch, dubbed by most as the “iWatch.” While there have been expectations that the device could launch later this year, Kuo believes hardware and software issues may combine to push the debut of the iWatch back to the second half of 2014.
Kuo, via MacRumors:
Apple may not have adequate resources to develop an iWatch version of iOS because it may require big changes to iPhone and iPad iOS this year. In addition, wearable device components aren’t mature. For these reasons, we think mass production of the iWatch is more likely to begin in 2H14, not 2H13 as the market speculates.
In reference to hardware, Kuo predicts the the iWatch will use a 1.5-2.0 inch display, drawing on components from the iPod nano, including both the main processor and its touch technology.
Kuo says, “Currently, the iPod nano uses the same GF2 touch technology as used by the iPad mini. Since the size and computing ability requirements of the iWatch are similar to those of the iPod nano, we think iWatch will use iPod nano’s GF2 touch technology and AP [application processor].”
Kuo also believes that biometrics will play a large part in the iWatch, allowing for increased security, and also opening the door for health-related applications.
It’s been reasonably quiet on the iWatch rumor front recently, although a report earlier this week made the claim that Apple is testing 1.5-inch OLED displays for the device, and Foxconn is said to preparing for a trial run of 1,000 of the devices.
