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APPLE APPEARS TO be coming out with a computer for your wrist – a smartwatch, perhaps called an “iWatch.” Either that, or the company is working very hard to fool everyone into believing it is.
The latest piece of evidence: Oulets everywhere are reporting that Apple applied for a trademark on the term “iWatch” in Japan. Apple filed the application on June 3, and Japan’s Patent Office published the application on its Website last week.
The trademark application follows months of reports from 9to5 Mac’s Mark Gurman and others, detailing Apple’s efforts to design, build, and sell a watch.
It makes all the sense in the world for Apple to make a smartwatch. There’s a chart we’ve cited before that makes this incredible clear.
It’s from Kleiner Perkins partner and former Internet analyst Mary Meeker’s latest presentation on the state of the technology industry and shows what, exactly, the average smartphone user is looking for when he or she checks their phone ~150 times per day:
Take a look at that chart, and do a quick mental experiment. Tally up all the "checks" you would rather do by looking at a screen on your wrist rather than pulling a screen out of your pocket.
(You – or at least most people – would prefer to look at your wrist in every instance you could, right? That's why wrist-watches outsell pocket-watches, right?)
My tally is ~95. When I highlighted every type of check that I could do on a watch that is wirelessly connected to a phone in my pocket, the result made the chart look like this:
- This story by Nicholas Carlson was reproduced with permission from Business Insider
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I imagine it would be a pain in the ass having to charge my watch twice a day.
Just switched from apple to the Samsung galaxy. .. superior product in every way so many years wasted on an apple and being a slave to iTunes
Apart from iTunes which I agree is solid muck, how is your new phone better than an iPhone? I’m curious as I absolutely love my iPhone 4S and can’t really see how it could be improved. Genuine question.
As someone who had a couple of iPhones and also thought they were the greatest thing ever I also switch. IPhone works and it works great but got sick of breaking the glass, got tired of the same style being repeated, tired of being not able to customize my phone, tired of being tied to iTunes, tired of not being able to connect to anything else other then an another iPhone or Ipod etc. The Samsung and apple thing will always continue simple because they are both superior devices with there ups and downs. The fact i could put a ton of music by simply dragging and dropping mp3 onto my phone made me switch, took too long and was too expensive on iPhone.
And yet I spoke to an S3 owner at the weekend who’s going BACK to an iPhone. Never had an issue with his iPhone.
The Samsung is far more powerful and faster. Better screen display and size. Lighter, much better battery life, a lot more software features and settings so you can customise and change things around, expandable memory, better camera. I could go on….. made the change myself and am never looking back, ever… if you’re going Android, look at the HTC and Sony too. nearly as good and slightly cheaper. The iPhone is like a gameboy compared to other phones. Way to expensive too.
Enola
Until they realise the iPhone 5 is slower than the older models.
Ive seen a few people switch to samsung s3/s4 and they too complained about it.
Personally I think they just a little intimidated by it.
S3/s4 provide so much customizability, which means you have to figure which way works best for you.
I love that about my s3, it becomes a phone fit just for me. Compared to the iphone (most apple products) which are just set to go.
@Enola I know people who swear by their iPhone but I also know a lot of people who switched from iPhone to Android. The architecture of the iPhone makes it solid but it’s slightly limiting, androids problem with crashes and glitches is third party content which is a small price to pay the freedom of the third party content, takes too long for apple to certifie certain content, it annoyed me how long it took for youtube to be approved just because apple didn’t want you watching music videos.
Thanks for all the input lads. I think I’ll stay with my 4s for the time being. Can’t fault it to be honest. iTunes on the other hand… Grrrrrrrrrr….
Carcu – I have a 4s (speedy in itself). My daughter has a 5 and I can assure you it is FAR from slow!!
Mrknow – there’s the problem straight away. The iPhone 4S doesn’t “crash or glitch”. It just works.
YouTube was actually on iPhones from start.
Have to disagree with some of your points, I have an iPhone 5 (work phone) and a Galaxy S3 (Personal Phone) and both are great phones that have their good and bad points. The S3 is great for customisation and having a big screen, however the iPhone 5 is lighter, bettter app selection, has a better camera and is far more reliable for day to day use and is faster and smooter to use and beatsthe s3 for battery life. I keep all my music on Google music and can play it on either device without having to go near iTunes,
Both google play and samsung apps have collectively more apps than apple..iPhone 5 screen res is better than s3 so it will make the camera LOOK better..samsung has the better sensor, lens and pdi rate =better camera ..battery life varies per user..cant compare the two as you use them for work amd personal..samsung has for more mah in the battery and a lower energy consumption screen..the battery lifetime will last longer in the samsung..
No you are wrong about the Camera, both iPhone 5 and S3 have the same dpi but the sensor and lens and software are actually far better in the iPhone 5. Colour reproduction on s3 is very disapointing, I take a lot of pictures for work and would not be able to rely on the S3 for Pics, but the Iphone 5 is a very good quick camera when i dont have my DSLR handy. The S4 goes a long way to improve this though and im sure the iPhone 5s/6 camera will improve on this again when it is launched.
iWatch could be the name of a video service.
The first person I see with an iwatch is getting kicked square in the nuts
The awkward moment your Tech Writer realizes Apple trademarks names like this to prevent small tech companies from developing knockoffs and branding them with names similure to apples products…
Most countries have a requirement that you use it in trade or genuinely intend to do so.
@ Kevin – how is it “awkward”?
Anybody know if the rotten fruit company trademarked iCrap? Which better describes there products including their latest and officially slowest smart phone.
If you don’t like their products don’t buy them, simple.
Yes apple make such awful products they turnover billions, Stupid comment of the week.
Phones already have a clock on them. Even my Nokia 3210 had one back in the 90s. Anyone who would buy this will already have an iPhone with a clock on it. Unfortunately there are enough posers in the world to make this product a massive success.
Adam / Paul
In a survey released last week the iPhone 5 is officially the words S L O W E S T smart phone. Bet the rotten fruit company don’t have that splashed all over their web page.
So who is stupid now? Not me for not buying iCrap.
I think somebody’s upset he can’t afford an iphone ;_;
I want one! Now!
Adam – lol!
Adam / Paul
I forgot to mention the rotten fruit company have again proven they invent nothing. They just rip off older products like the Timex DataLink from way back in 1994.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timex_Datalink
Imagine having a watch from an actual watch company. I still have mine & it still works. How many iWatches will still be around & working in 2032?
It’s all too late, you’ve PWNED
Adam
If I so desired I could afford one for everyone in the family.
However I chose to spend my money on phones that actually function as phones, therefore we currently use Samsung & Nokia. But I’m guessing you don’t like having more than 8 hours of the battery life.
Timex – lol!
Enola
Yes Timex and proving Apple create nothing, they only imitate, and as Blinky has shown they even have to imitate design.
Carcu,
That survey was of the top 5 selling smartphones. Not every smartphone on the market. And just because it was slower than the other four doesn’t mean it isn’t still lightning quick, which it is.
I don’t know what your problem is with Apple but get over it. They make fantastic products. And whatever about Samsung, apple products are certainly better than Nokia.
Eh, get over yourself. Some people like iOS some like Android and others like Windows Phone. You look like a fool getting all up in arms about a phone….
Please take your ‘iCrap’ elsewhere.
Karol
Well apart from the fact that they invent nothing & copy designs but claim both as their own, I don’t like the closed nature of the product.
So tell me do you own a computer? What operating system does it run? Well next time you want to buy a computer make sure it’s an Apple. Then try and buy software for it. Guess what there is very little if any available. Apple computers make up less than 7% of total computer sales mostly owing to the lack of software available for them.
Did you also know that Apples own computer servers don’t run Apple Software, at least Microsoft Servers run on Microsoft software. How many of the world’s Supercomputers use Apple software? How about NONE! 476 of the top 500 fastest supercomputers in the world run the free software Linux. Linux by the way is what Apple’s servers run on.
Karol I will give Apple credit for one thing, they make fantastic looking products which are to separate fools from their money, proving the old adage “there is one born every minute”.
Finally Paul, how is the Apple share price doing lately? Oh it’s down 25% in 6 months, with money in the bank also dropping. Maybe the business community know something the iSheep don’t.
What has any of that got to do with someone liking a product?
The reason apple computers make up less than 7% of the market is because the cheapest one on the market is €1200. Compare that to Dell or whoever at around €200 and you can see why.
Apple computers however are that price for a reason. The do not crash. They do not get viruses. They do not slow down over time. They are built to the highest standard. You get what you pay for in this world,
Jordan
Karol asked what I don’t like about Apple. So I told him.
Just to straighten out things I would like to apologise for my reply to Karol, as I must have underestimated the intelligence of some to comprehend it.
Apple servers use Unix for ther servers as Apple OSX and IOS are all based on Unix as is Linux.
Carcu, no SHE didn’t. She said ‘I don’t know your problem with apple products but get over it’. That is not a question. You said something about intelligence?
Excuse me, I didn’t get the direct quote but I think you get the jist.
Jordan
Karol asked what I don’t like about Apple. So I told him.
Just to straighten out things I would like to apologise for my reply to Karol, as I must have underestimated the intelligence of some to comprehend it.
Karol. €1200 for an Apple computer with no commonly available software, are you serious. A Linux €400 or less, with no crashing, viruses etc. You get free software updates, including the operating system, for life. Those Apple’s sure look like money & fools to me.
Jordan I quote from Karol
“I don’t know what your problem is with Apple”. So you were saying, what about intelligence.
Jordan,
I’m not a she.
Firstly you’ll find that Karol is a woman’s name. So her not him. Secondly if you cared to finish the quote it would imply that they couldn’t care less about what you think.
Shit…
Sorry Karol
Jordan,
Jordan is a woman’s name as well as a mans name.
Karol on the other hand is a mans name believe it or not. I was named after Pope John Paul II. His real name was Karol. It is the Polish spelling of Karl, the mans version of the name.
Women versions are more commonly spelled Carol and Carroll.
No hassle Jordan.
It’s not the first time this has happened. :)
I could….
Really, really sorry…I knew as soon as I pressed submit I must have made a tragic mistake!
Ha ha it’s hardly tragic! It’s all good.
Cardu – such nonsense. I have an iMac for the past few years. NEVER a problem getting software for it.
Wow Carcu. Arrogant doesn’t even cover that comment! Questioning people’s intelligence – because they disagree with the rubbish you’re posting??!!
Feom someoone that has no clue what so ever about computers
And that is aimed at?
God another apple story that’s ancient news.
I assume Apple are specifically targeting kids with this tacky product.
Targeting? Settle down, Helen Lovejoy
Have another doughnut, Chief Wiggam.
Whats next? iRan and iRack? Each with a built-in battery designed to fail so you have to fork out more money to Apple!
There are four apple products in my home. Not one has failed to work perfectly ever. Not one.
Same here. All function perfectly.
Oh I see!!!!!!!!!
So Apple are following on from Sony’s Smart Watch then?
In fairness, Apple have been rumored to be working on a smart watch for years and Sony and Samsung jumped on the bandwagon in the last year saying that they are looking at this too.
Doesnt mean it is true, after all a lot of perople are not wearing watches anymore and are using their phones to tell the time. So i am sceptical that these will ever appear.
To be fair if apple were at it “years” as you imagine, and other companies “jumped on the band wagon” and produced and released a product prior to them it doesn’t say a hell of a lot for apple.
Kickstarter programs for smart watches started years ago and there are many good ones on the market atm!!
What does the “i” stand for in iPhone iPad etc? that’s what i would like to know.
Idiot….
Slap yourself
How will iradio in Ireland figure out when Apple launch their music streaming service also to be called iradio?
Good one! i like it i really do!
Stands for Internet, individuality and innovation. In your case, stands for ignoramus for not being able to even google a basic piece of information such as this.
@P1 it’s not called iRadio it’s called iTunes Radio, no problem. However I would imagine that people would shorten it to iRadio just like they do with the iPod Touch.
Ah thank you Alfonso. iii see!
It’s so annoying when someone says itouch.
i won’t be getting because i is broke.
If people are to lazy now to take there phones out of there pockets I hope the all get apple nerdgasms and spend 1000 euro on this crap
I just changed from an iphone4 to a s3 because I found the iphone boring , nit being able ti customise it etc, otherwise I had no problem with it . However he s3 us driving me crazy , the battery life is shit , ads keep popping randomly up , the screen is far too delicate and far to touchy , the phone itself is far too big , its way slower than iphone etc etc . I do love the free music however and the fact that it is fun to set up but I am seriously considering going back to the iphone despite its idiot proof boringness . (Thats not a word is it ) ….
Sounds like you’ve been downloading some dodgy apps.
Next time an ad shows in the notifications bar, long-press on the ad, select ‘App Info’ and, either untick ‘Show Notifications, ‘ or better yet, select ‘Uninstall’ to remove the app
Will try that CPM . Thanks :)
Funny, in Malaysia u can buy this iWatches for ages on the street. Almost got one last week but decided to save for a Breitling(copy). Obviously fake but works just as the fake iPods and the rest.. Very popular stuff. :)
I ordered one from the states 2 weeks ago ( not for me ).This is not news.
an incredible collection of comments
I’ll wait for the iwatch 5 to come out….. By then it should be good
I think the iPhone 5 is good enough. Tbh. I see a lot of comments about it. However it’s probably the best looking phone available. It feels expensive and the software is pretty decent to I have to say. My opinion. Android has a cheap appearance.
Watch this i-space
Ask any ups driver who delivers to u how many pick ups of faulty i phones they do then ask him how many samsung.apple warranty is superb but they have to be with so many faults.
what next .
the icome, ibrain, iballs, ifood, icoffee , icar
Ispy
What’s the point? Once you have a phone (even if its a Nokia brick aka blokia) a watch isn’t even required.
Smart Watches are on sale for ages now. $50-100 http://www.amazon.com/Quadband-Voice-Dialing-Watch-Unlocked/sim/B004CWCHP8/2/ref=pd_sxp_more?ie=UTF8&o=9
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