News & Reviews:   Apple iWatch

As of the time of writing, Apple will be holding an event in the next 11 hours or so where many are expecting the next Apple iPhone, the iPhone 6 to be revealed. Quite a number of rumours and leaked images suggest that we could see two sizes of Apple iPhone 6, one with a 4.7-inch display and another with a 5.5-inch screen. Other rumours also say that we could see the Apple iWatch smartwatch and the latest version of iOS make an appearance, so if you're interested in seeing it all happen as it happens, do check out the Livestream event at about 1 o'clock tonight.

Apple has sent out invitations for an event on 9 September 2014. The invite doesn't give much of a hint apart from the title "Wish we could say more". However, many are expecting the event to reveal the Apple iPhone 6 or at least the version with the 4.7-inch display. Already, any number of Apple iPhone 6 clones have appeared, many of which have been confirmed to be how the original will look like. Other devices may also make an appearance such as the Apple iWatch and possibly some premium Audio devices from Apple's recent purchase of Beats Audio. The final version of iOS 8 is also expected to be available on the same date but there are still no details on Malaysia release dates or pricing. If we were to follow the trend we should see the Malaysia launch in November 2014 at $100 (RM315) more than the previous Apple iPhone 5S.

While reports have it that the rumoured Apple iWatch could be delayed to early 2015 other reports have it that the wearable device may come in 3 distinct versions. The first Apple iWatch will have a 1.6-inch display while the other two versions will offer larger 1.8-inch displays. One of these 1.8-inch display devices will be the premium version and offer a sapphire glass covered screen. Now, we've covered this before and found it perfectly logical as the smaller iWatch could be designed for women while the larger iWatch could be for men. While there are still no details on Malaysia release dates or pricing rumours indicate that it could be priced from $349 (RM1115) which is quite high for a smartwatch and just about right for an Apple product. As always, do take such rumours with a good pinch of salt and stay tuned as we'll keep you updated as to any new developments.

A roadmap stating when we might see Apple's upcoming products has appeared from KGI Research. Granted, it isn't a leaked semi-official roadmap from Apple but it does come from a source that has generally been accurate when it comes to predicting what Apple will do. The roadmap reveals that Apple may come out with a 4.7-inch Apple iPhone 6 in Q3 of 2014 while a 5.5-inch Apple iPhone will come during Q4 of 2014. Before that, the analysts go on to predict that the Apple iWatch smartwatch could be coming before the iPhone but still in Q3 of 2014. No news yet on pricing or Malaysia release dates but do remember that this is very much a rumour still, so do take it with a good pinch of salt.

While the Apple iWatch has yet to arrive, or even get any official leaked images, quite a few designers have gone and made their own takes or concept render's of Apple's rumoured smartwatch. Most look very attractive while some seem so realistic that they look very much like how the Apple iWatch could look when it does come out. This next concept render however, is just beautifully attractive and doesn't seem very realistic at all. The designer states tech specs like a Retina display on a circular watch design which definitely looks nice but we have to wonder where or how Apple would stick all the necessary hardware like a battery with this design. We think it very unlikely that this design will get picked up by Apple but you can enjoy it for yourself below nonetheless.

A couple of months back we saw a Nike Fuelband inspired Apple iWatch concept from Thomas Bogner and in the recent CES 2014, the trend for smartwatches is leaning more towards the smart band or bracelet look than your traditional watch. This time around we get another, very polished and very beautiful Apple iWatch concept render, this time courtesy of designer Todd Hamilton, who not only did a similar band design but also added in iOS 7 functionality. Overall, the design here is a lot more realistic, as the icons look more readable (as it is oriented differently) than the previous one. However, there are major hurdles for this design, one of which would be flexible enough batteries for such a slim bangle but with LG's recent string batteries, we don't see why it can't be fit into a band form as well. Check out the concept render for yourself below:

While the Apple iWatch is expected to arrive in late 2014, there are still quite a few creative people out there making concept renders of Apple's upcoming smartwatch. This time around the concept renders come courtesy of Martin Hajek who has been known for making concept renders of previous Apple products before. He offers two concept renders, the Apple iWatch S and iWatch C. A glance at either design easily reveals the inspiration for both as they are patterned after the Apple iPhone 5S and 5C. While the renders certainly look good, it does seem a bit strange for the Apple iWatch to look like last year's Apple iPhones when it will probably be revealed with the Apple iPhone 6.

Reports from China have leaked some possible tech specs of the rumoured Apple iWatch along with a possible release date. These tech specs include a 100 mAh battery for two prototype iWatch devices which matches earlier reports that the iWatch would come in His and Her versions. Do bear in mind that a 100 mAh battery is barely even a third of the 315 mAh battery on the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch and that that only lasts a little more than a day. Apple will supposedly solve this by using a wireless charging technology capable of charging the iWatch from 3.2 feet away. The report goes on to say that the Apple iWatch will come in October 2014 again matching earlier rumours that it would come in late 2014. The report comes from a fairly accurate source when it comes to Apple leaks but do take this rumour with a healthy pinch of salt as it involves a so far yet to be seen magnetic resonance wireless charging technology that hasn't been completely confirmed in itself yet.

The rumoured 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro has been making the rounds for quite some time now, with initial rumours saying that we might see it in early 2014. However, some new rumours indicate that we may only see the actual device in Q2 or Q3 of 2014. This is because some sources are saying that Apple has appointed Quanta Computer as the main manufacturer for the iPad Pro with mass production to begin in Q3 of 2014. This would mean we'd only see an announcement and launch in or after late Q3 of 2014. These sources go on to say that since the larger iPad Pro is only expected to target educational and enterprise markets, it will be produced in limited amounts. In related news, Foxconn, Inventec and Quanta are all looking to produce the Apple iWatch with no clear winner in the production bidding just yet. Initial production yields of the Apple iWatch has not been good, further delaying the iWatch until Q2 of 2014 with an expected launch in late 2014. Most industry watchers are expecting the Apple iWatch to come after August 2014, but it could just as well make it's first appearance at IFA 2014, which is where the previous bunch of smartwatches made their debut as well.

Despite poor reviews (ourselves included) of the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch, Samsung still managed to move 800000 units of the smartwatch, making it probably the most profitable smartwatch to date. It does help that the smartwatch market is still very small but this is still a cause for celebration, at least for Samsung. However, it does raise the question of what you would really want in a smartwatch. Quite obviously, many of the smartwatches available on the market aren't what you want. So, what would you want from a smartwatch or what sort of smartwatch would you really want? How much would it cost?