Not only has there been corporate shuffling, but the tech giant is said to be hitting hurdles with the purported smartwatch's screen technology and battery life. January 7, 2014 5:29 PM PST A real iWatch would surely put this mockup to shame. (Credit: Sarah Tew and Christopher MacManus/CNET) Screen technology, battery issues, and corporate shuffling may be some of the reasons for the delay in the release of Apple's expected iWatch. While all product development hits snags, a report from The Information points to these "bumps" as some of the possible setbacks in the company's rumored smartwatch development. Apparently, Apple hasn't yet definitively decided on what kind of screen technology to use due to battery issues. However, this is common with lots of smartwatch manufacturing since the wearable's real estate is much smaller than a smartphone or tablet. Related stories Apple awarded stocking full of patents, including heart monitor What we want in 2014: Break the mold, tech companies LG Display to get nod on Apple's iWatch screen -- report Apple and the emperor's new wearable tech DisplaySearch: Apple readying phablet, Retina MacBook Air According to The Information, Apple has also "halted advanced prototyping of some unknown pieces with one manufacturer late last year." But, Apple is known for regularly switching manufacturers, so it's unclear how big a deal this was. Another issue for Apple is that Bryan James, who was reportedly working on the iWatch, has stepped down and is now working at Nest Labs. There's been talk of a purported iWatch for about a year now, yet no conclusive signs of any device have appeared. In October it was rumored that LG Display was close to signing a deal with Apple to provide flexible organic light-emitting diode panels (OLED) for its iWatch. It was also said that Apple was talking to Taiwan-based RiTDisplay. Despite the possible setbacks, The Information says that an iWatch launch is still expected sometime this year. CNET contacted Apple for comment. We'll update the story when we get more information.
Not only has there been corporate shuffling, but the tech giant is said to be hitting hurdles with the purported smartwatch's screen technology and battery life.
A real iWatch would surely put this mockup to shame.
(Credit: Sarah Tew and Christopher MacManus/CNET)
Screen technology, battery issues, and corporate shuffling may be some of the reasons for the delay in the release of Apple's expected iWatch. While all product development hits snags, a report from The Information points to these "bumps" as some of the possible setbacks in the company's rumored smartwatch development.
Apparently, Apple hasn't yet definitively decided on what kind of screen technology to use due to battery issues. However, this is common with lots of smartwatch manufacturing since the wearable's real estate is much smaller than a smartphone or tablet.
Related stories
- Apple awarded stocking full of patents, including heart monitor
- What we want in 2014: Break the mold, tech companies
- LG Display to get nod on Apple's iWatch screen -- report
- Apple and the emperor's new wearable tech
- DisplaySearch: Apple readying phablet, Retina MacBook Air
According to The Information, Apple has also "halted advanced prototyping of some unknown pieces with one manufacturer late last year." But, Apple is known for regularly switching manufacturers, so it's unclear how big a deal this was.
Another issue for Apple is that Bryan James, who was reportedly working on the iWatch, has stepped down and is now working at Nest Labs.
There's been talk of a purported iWatch for about a year now, yet no conclusive signs of any device have appeared. In October it was rumored that LG Display was close to signing a deal with Apple to provide flexible organic light-emitting diode panels (OLED) for its iWatch. It was also said that Apple was talking to Taiwan-based RiTDisplay.
Despite the possible setbacks, The Information says that an iWatch launch is still expected sometime this year.
CNET contacted Apple for comment. We'll update the story when we get more information.
