14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is likely to have settled on the final design of its rumored iWatch, as “component makers have already started the pilot production,” according to a new report.
Citing the usual industry sources, hit-and-miss publication DigiTimes claims Apple is now talking to its Asian assemblers to begin work on the next batch of products for 2014.
One such product is a rumored larger iPad, for which Quanta Electronics has reportedly secured exclusive manufacturing rights. The other product is the much-hyped Apple smartwatch, dubbed iWatch by the media.
According to sources from Apple’s upstream supply chain, “Inventec, Quanta and Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) are currently competing over Apple's iWatch orders.”
The report, citing the same people, adds that, “component makers have already started the pilot production, but because of low yields, mass production is rumored to have been postponed from the first quarter of 2014 to the second.”
In other words, Apple has settled on the final design of the iWatch, but has yet to decide when to start mass production and, ultimately, schedule the ceremonious unveiling of the gadget.
Apple has reportedly “invited” Inventec, Quanta Computer and Foxconn Electronics to become manufacturing partners.
The report suggests that the three assemblers are struggling to impress the Cupertino giant with their output claims, which is why “their order proportions have not yet been decided.”
In addition to an oversized iPad and the iWatch, Apple is also said to be developing a full-fledged television product which may incorporate Kinect-like motion sensing technology.
As a result of Apple’s PrimeSense acquisition confirmed earlier today, Apple could incorporate visual sensors in its devices – small ones for the iWatch, and larger ones for the TV product (which may also pave the way for an iTunes-powered gaming system).