14 DAY TRIAL // Reinforcing rumors of a wirelessly-charing iWatch launching in 2014, sources from Apple’s Taiwan-based supply chain are telling DigiTimes that production of the much-hyped smartwatch is set to begin in Q2 2014.
According to the Taiwanese trade publication, citing the aforementioned Taiwan-based supply chain people, “Apple will start production of the iWatch smartwatch in the second quarter of 2014 with Quanta Computer and Inventec as OEMs.”
The report mentions Wistron as one of the contenders – “to be selected as a third OEM” – but it is unclear whether Apple actually needs a third supplier, some market watchers believe.
The key paragraph then follows: “Apple is rumored to announce the iWatch along with next-generation iPhones in October 2014. The iWatch will support wireless charging. Apple is also said to planning two models: an 1.3-inch OLED one and an 1.7-inch OLED one.”
That’s three major iWatch rumors (likely the biggest rumors related to the Apple smartwatch), all reinforced by Apple’s supply chain partners in Asia.
Going by these people’s claims, Apple will have at least one iWatch prototype ready for unveiling at its Worldwide Developers Conference in 2014, at which time it will also unveil the next-generation iPhone 6 or whatever it decides to call it.
Apparently, the iWatch will be available in two different configurations, perhaps one catering to the female population, as suggested by David Hsieh, vice president of the Greater China Market at DisplaySearch.
While Apple will most certainly not market the smaller iWatch as “For Women,” the Cupertino giant could well replicate the success of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c duo by giving customers more than one choice.
According to earlier reports, Apple is said to be working with a team of 100 technicians to equip the iWatch with all kinds of sensors and technologies.