Apple is reported to be “aggressively” hiring new employees to aid in the development of its smart watch effort. Sources in a Financial Times report also indicate Apple’s “iWatch” may not debut until late next year.
The Financial Times, via MacRumors:
The company has begun hiring “aggressively” for the project in recent weeks, say people familiar with Apple’s plans for the wearable device, a move that shows it has stepped up development but which raises questions over the ability of its own engineers to develop wearable technology.
As Apple moves from iPods, iPhones and iPads into an entirely new category of product, it is looking beyond its existing staff in Cupertino for the talent required to build it – an indication that the endeavour involves “hard engineering problems that they’ve not been able to solve”, according to one source.
The report also indicates that Apple has been eyeing smaller firms that have expertise that would be valuable in furthering its smart watch development efforts. It is also reported to be “working hard” at retaining employees attached to the project.
Apple has long been rumored to be working on a smart watch, and has been reported to have put over 100 designers at work on the project. The company has also filed numerous trademark applications for the “iWatch” name in a number of countries.
