Hasta La Gadget!

In U.S. trademark filings product categories are divided into 45 classes. Apple seeks to extend its corporate trademark so that its name qualifies for cover under Class 14 as well. Definition for this class states: “This class includes mainly precious metals, goods in precious metals, and, in general, jewelry, clocks and watches.” This means that Apple wants its name protected in the jewelry and watch business. Whenever Apple and watch are mentioned in the same sentence these days it has something to do with its much rumored smartwatch, the iWatch.

This is actually the first time Apple has applied for this trademark extension in the U.S. It has already filed for similar extensions in the U.K., Norway, Mexico and Ecuador. Last year Apple applied for ownership of the iWatch product name, fueling speculation that it was indeed working on a smartwatch. Though so far this product hasn’t materialized.

Recent reports and analyst predictions suggest that Apple iWatch is destined for release later this year, presumably in fall. It is believed to have a flexible OLED display and many fitness related features. Apparently iOS 8′s focus on mobile health and fitness tracking will be aided by relevant data collected by the smartwatch.

Despite Apple’s own claim of entering new product categories this year, the company is yet to confirm that it is working on a wearable device, a smartwatch to be precise. For now rumors are all there is.

Apple Trademark Change Fuels iWatch Frenzy , original content from Ubergizmo, Filed in Gadgets, iOS 8, iwatch, social hit, Wearable Tech,

At Worldwide Developers Conference 2014 Apple is expected to unveil iOS 8. While we have already heard a lot about what to expect from the upcoming major software update we still haven’t seen official images, and we won’t until WWDC 2014. However a sketchy image has appeared online showing off what is claimed to be an iOS 8 beta build running on iPhone 5S. Even if it corroborates with some of the rumors we have heard about iOS 8, it is highly likely that this photo might be fake.

Rumor has it that iOS 8 will come with a Healthbook app as well as a standalone iTunes Radio app, both are seen in the picture. Even an app titled “Watch Utility” can be seen. Since Apple is expected to introduce the iWatch later this year, the app can only serve one purpose, but it certainly won’t be there in iOS 8 if Apple has no plans of launching a wearable device anytime soon.

Apart from the apps it doesn’t seem like any major user interface changes will be made to iOS 8, provided that this imagine really does offer a glimpse of what the new software looks like. Staging this photo is as easy as opening up a fake in camera roll and then taking a picture, so as previously cautioned, take this with a grain of salt.

Sketchy Photo Of iOS 8 On iPhone 5S Appears Online

, original content from Ubergizmo, Filed in Apple, iOS 8, iwatch,

Apple’s iPhones are typically subsidized by carriers, which makes sense since carriers provide the service that the iPhone needs in order for some of its functions to work, like making calls or sending text messages (VoIP and instant messenger apps not included). That being said, does it make sense then that Apple’s rumored iWatch could be subsidized by health insurance companies then?

This is according to Timoth Arcuri, an analyst with Cowen & Co. who has recently speculated that there is a chance that Apple could figure out a deal with health insurance companies to help subsidized the cost of the iWatch. In Arcuri’s research note, “We continue to believe it is possible the product (iWatch) is backstopped by some sort of insurance subsidization model similar to the carrier subsidization model for iPhone.” (more…)

Insurance Companies Could Subsidize iWatch, According To Analyst original content from Ubergizmo.

According to a report from yesterday, it was rumored that Apple could finally be taking the wraps off its rumored iWatch later this year, Q3 2014 to be exact. Now thanks to a new rumor from DigiTimes, that timeframe has been somewhat corroborated as they are reporting that there are at least three different firms who will be supplying Apple with samples of flexible circuit boards that could be used in the iWatch.

The companies that are allegedly involved are Flexium Interconnect, Career Technology, and Zhen Ding Technology Holding. The latter is actually a familiar name as they currently supply other components to Apple, so perhaps there might be some truth to DigiTimes’ claims after all. Then again the publication has had some pretty spotty history when it comes to Apple rumors, so do take it with a grain of salt for now.

We’ve not even come to the middle of the year and we’ve already seen smartwatch efforts from a bunch of different companies, like LG, Samsung, and Motorola. While Google has yet to make their own hardware, they did reveal Android Wear which is a version of Android designed for wearable devices.

A release of Apple’s rumored iWatch later this year does make sense especially if they hope to compete with the rest of the competition. Any later and Apple would essentially have to play catch up instead of being considered one of the pioneers. Hopefully we will learn more about the rumored iWatch soon so stay tuned for more updates.

iWatch Circuit Board Samples Reportedly Being Sent To Apple [Rumor] , original content from Ubergizmo, Filed in Apple, Gadgets, Rumors, iwatch, smartwatch, Wearable Tech,

Is the iWatch real? At the moment it seems like the device is merely a rumor and we have no way of knowing if it really exists, but as the saying goes, when there’s smoke, there’s fire. Recently a report from the Financial Timesseems to confirm that, according to a quote from Jean-Claude Biver, president of Watches and Jewelry at LVMH, “Apple has contacted some of my employees – I saw the emails personally.”

However it seems that despite Apple’s reputation and size, it looks like not many in the watch industry are particularly inclined to work with them, at least that’s based on the feedback that some watch companies have given. In the case of LVMH, Biver said that his employees have since rejected Apple’s advances. (more…)

Apple Reportedly Tried To Hire Swiss Watchmakers For iWatch original content from Ubergizmo.