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SALT LAKE CITY — Various reports of a smartwatch surfaced this week, pointing the way to Apple's next "big thing."
iWatch
Bloomberg reports that approximately 100 people are developing an "iWatch," including employees from marketing, software and hardware development for the iPhone and iPad. The New York Times also issued a report referring to two people familiar with the project. "Apple is experimenting with wristwatch-like devices made of curved glass."
In addition to frequent rumors and tips about a smartwatch, Eric Migicovsky, CEO of Pebble, declined to comment on a potential buyout by Apple. Pebble builds customizable smartwatches and executed the most successful Kickstarter campaign in history, raising more than $10 million within one month.
Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, said last year that while Apple does make regular acquisitions, "We're disciplined and thoughtful, and we don't feel a pressure to go out and acquire revenue. We want to make great products."
4.8-inch iPhone 6
Amid rumors of the smartwatch, reports of the iPhone 6 are also on the horizon. Jefferies analyst Peter Misek said that while Apple had planned a summer 2014 launch of a larger 4.8-inch iPhone 6, pressure to recapture market share lost to other smartphone manufacturers was sufficient to accelerate Apple's timeline to an October 2013 launch. He said "Apple's suppliers are running into difficulties trying to scale the screen size from 4 inches to 4.8 inches."
While Apple CEO Tim Cook defended the 4-inch screen of the iPhone 5 during his most recent earnings call, Misek said Cook did so "to avoid freezing iPhone shipments in the quarters before a 4.8." With increasing pressure from Samsung and other smartphone makers, Misek suggested Apple intends to move to larger display sizes and possibly even OLED displays to compete.
His point about OLED display use, however, contradicts a statement by Cook at Goldman Sach's Internet and Technology Conference on Tuesday, when he discounted OLED displays, saying, "You should really think twice before you depend on the color from an OLED display."
AppleTV developer event
In addition to reports on iPhones and OLED displays, Misek also reported that "Channel checks indicate Apple has a product event in March that is Apple-TV related."
His report specifically linked this event with the introduction of an iTV SDK, or software developer kit, which would enable app developers to create and distribute apps for an ever-rumored iTV device — an integrated Apple TV and HD television unit under the Apple brand.
According to Misek's report, "We think a Sept./Oct. iTV launch is being targeted." Industry analysts and Apple fans have anticipated an iTV product for years, looking forward to how the product could revolutionize our living rooms in the same way that iPhones, iPads and iPods transformed cellphones, computing and music.
While rumors of such a device have been in circulation for some time, recent reports may be indicating that the iTV is indeed on the horizon.
TV-maker Loewe buyout rumors
From a Wednesday Reuters report, "Shares in German luxury TV maker Loewe surged on talk of a bid from Apple."
According to the article, rumors of an Apple buyout began circulating in May last year, however no concrete evidence is available to suggest that bid has been made for the company. A spokesman for Loewe said it was unaware of any offer by Apple, and Apple declined comment on the matter.
Loewe suffered significant losses in 2012, reporting a net loss of 29 million euros. To cut costs, the company is reportedly laying off approximately 200 employees.
Patents point to future
While many technology patents go into dusty portfolios and are never fully used, recent patents filed by Apple indicate Apple may be aiming to build a wearable computing platform built around wireless sensing and monitoring.
According to AppleInsider, the provisional patent filings in question have been awarded rights to continuation under the title "Personal items network, and associated methods." It refers to dozens of prior filings, including several from 2001.
The patents in question describe movement monitoring devices, event monitoring devices and the interactions between these devices and a broader hardware and software platform. From the article, these devices "can monitor and enhance activities and live broadcasts of Nascar races, marathons, rodeos, bike races, and extreme sports. They could also be applied to body armor and used for weight monitoring."
Apple was also awarded another patent on Tuesday for "Microslot antennas for electronic devices." According to this patent, components required for wireless communications could become drastically smaller, paving the way for smaller, thinner, and lighter laptops, smartphones, and (of course) iWatches.
Given the wireless nature of virtually all new consumer technologies, this technology will contribute to Apple's famously thin form factors, enabling designers to craft thinner and more natural-feeling devices.
Brent Anderson is a mobile app developer and founder of Juicy Development LLC. He studies information systems at Brigham Young University and loves connecting businesses with technology in new and valuable ways. Find him online at www.BrentJAnderson.