Hasta La Gadget!

There have been rumors floating about for a while that suggests that Apple has an iWatch in the works along with a television set that will supposedly revolutionize the market, but so far those have only been rumors with no evidence suggesting that such devices were indeed being worked on. However speaking during Apple’s Q4 earnings call, the Cupertino company’s CEO, Tim Cook, confirmed that Apple was still planning on introducing new product categories in 2014. Cook was quoted as saying that they are confident that with Apple’s experience in software and hardware that they will be able to create “great products” in categories that they do not participate in today, and wearable electronics and televisions do come to mind.

Granted this is hardly a confirmation that an iWatch and iTV exists, it certainly does sound like Apple has something up their sleeves which they have yet to reveal. Previously Apple’s board of directors had told Cook to be more innovative and hopefully come 2014, these new categories will indeed show that Apple does have the potential to be considered innovative again post-Steve Jobs, but until then we guess we will just have to wait and see, but in the meantime who else is excited by these new product categories?

Tim Cook Confirms New Product Categories For 2014 original content from Ubergizmo.

There is no shortage of iWatch rumors. Time and time again we have heard that Apple is developing a smartwatch, while there has been no confirmation of the device or the moniker from Apple, it is widely known as the iWatch. Previously it was rumored that the smartwatch will release in 2013, but recent reports suggest that the launch might not take place until 2014. Many predictions have been made about the iWatch’s market performance once it launches, the most recent one comes from Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. Based on the survey conducted by the investment firm, Munster believes that Apple might end up selling 5 to 10 million iWatch units in the initial launch year alone.

Piper Jaffray surveyed 799 U.S. consumers, they were asked if they would purchase an Apple smartwatch for $350. Only 12 percent said that they would, 88 percent didn’t seem to be too keen on paying $350 for an iWatch. The percentage is likely to drop if we look at prospective demand for the iWatch from a global scale. Munster is of the view that 2 to 4 percent of the estimated 293 million iPhone owners around the globe are likely to purchase the smartwatch during its initial launch year. This would amount to 5 or 10 million units being moved, with an assumed midpoint of 7.5 million units, the rise in Apple’s revenue and gross profits would be just 1 percent each. If these numbers hold true once the smartwatch actually comes out, its not like it will start bringing in an insane amount of revenue or gross profit for the company. Nonetheless, it would strengthen Apple’s publicly presumed ability to churn out innovative products every few years. It remains to be seen exactly how innovative the iWatch will be, which is not expected to be released before 2014.

Analyst Expects 10 Million iWatch Sales During Initial Launch Year original content from Ubergizmo.

Yesterday it was reported that Apple has hired top Nike design director Ben Shaffer to work on wearable devices. Shaffer was the Studio Director at Nike’s Innovation Kitchen, it was said that his work at the company included Nike’s Flyknit shoes and its Fuelband fitness tracker. A new report by Fast Company states that while Shaffer was indeed the studio director at the Innovation Kitchen, he never worked on the Fuelbands. According to the report, Shaffer’s work at Nike was related to “footwear innovation.”

Apparently the Innovation Kitchen is littered with knitting machines and shoe prototypes, but its not where work on the Fuelband is done. The report claims that Fuelband’s development was lead by the Digital Sport group at Nike, which is said to be in a totally different building than the Innovation Kitchen. This certainly contradicts the earlier report which implied that Shaffer had been poached from Nike due to his experience with wearable devices, particularly those that are fitness focused. The iWatch itself is said to be fitness focused, so it seemed logical for Apple to bring someone in who had worked on a similar device before. No confirmation of Shaffer’s appointment at Apple has been made as yet.

Top Nike Design Director Apple Hired Didn’t Reportedly Work On Fuelband original content from Ubergizmo.

Apple is rumored to be working on a smartwatch. Such rumors have been going around for well over a year now, but there has been no indication from the company that it actually does intend to release a smartwatch somewhere down the line. This product is currently widely known as the iWatch. According to a new report by the infamous trade publication Digitimes, the company is facing manufacturing issues with iWatch. The report claims that the problems are so big that upstream suppliers might only be able to fill 30 to 40 percent of Apple’s total order volume.

Apparently the iWatch is built using powder metallurgy technology, it is then processed by CNC equipment. Apple reportedly wants it to be thin and light and still have an “elegant design,” this is said to pose a challenge for chassis and component suppliers. As per rumors, Apple might announce the iWatch in the second half of 2014, the smartwatch is expected to be priced between $149-229. Apple will reportedly tap Inventec and Quanta Computer to manufacture the smartwatch. Even though there have been a lot of rumors about the iWatch, there’s still no confirmation that such a product is on the cards for next year. Analysts believe that Apple might announce it as a response to Samsung, which recently released its own Galaxy Gear smartwatch.

Apple Reportedly Facing Manufacturing Issues With iWatch original content from Ubergizmo.

It has been rumored time and again that Apple is working on its very own wearable gadget. The company is expected to release a smartwatch which many currently refer to as the iWatch. The device is believed to be fitness focused, and while there have been rumors that claim it will be released this year, many analysts are of the view that it won’t come out until next year. According to a new report from Digitimes, the iWatch will be released in the second half of 2014 and will be priced between $149 to $229.

If you follow the Apple rumor cycle you’ll be familiar with this source, it has a hit or miss track record. An analyst at CIMB Group has been cited in this report, who claims that Apple will place 60 percent of the orders for iWatch with Inventec. He also believes that customers will primarily purchase the smartwatch to replace their iWatch. Rumors about the iWatch intensify as Samsung gears up to launch its own smartwatch, the Galaxy Gear, next month. An executive at the company has already confirmed that. Analysts and consumers both expected Apple to retaliate with its own wristwatch, but the company is yet to drop any hint regarding its plans for a wearable gadget.

iWatch Price Between $149-229, Release Expected In Second Half Of 2014 original content from Ubergizmo.