Apple iWatch Release Date, Price and Specs: What We Know So Far

Apple iWatch
Apple iWatch Concept. (Image credit: Todd Hamilton)

Apple's iWatch may start hitting the shelves by October this year, according to a recent report from Japan -- following the end of the WWDC 2014 developer conference last week.

On June 6, the Nikkei Asian Review claimed insider knowledge that allegedly confirmed the existence of a wearable device under development at Apple. The same report spoke of a mobile device that had the ability to track a user's biometric information via smartphone. That device, says Nikkei, will start selling sometime in October. Thouigh no name was given by Nikkei, many in the rumor mill have assumed that the mystery device in question is the iWatch.

"It will likely use a curved organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touchscreen and collect health-related data, such as calorie consumption, sleep activity, blood glucose and blood oxygen levels," wrote Yuichiro Kanematsu, in the Nikkei report. "It will also allow users to read messages sent by smartphones."

Similarly, Code/Red reported that Apple is launching a wearable device that will take for advantage of the HealthKit app that was launched at this year's WWDC conference. In some sense, these unsubstantiated rumors do bear a small measure of weight considering Apple has much to gain from such technology.

A recently leaked memo written by IBS investment firm analyst Steven Milunovich says that if Apple launches the iWatch near the end of this year, it stands to make at least $6.5 billion in revenue within 2015. This document was later discovered by Apple Insider, which leaked the memo via its website on Monday. The same memo also projected the iWatch market value at around $300, and claimed the device may produce a revenue of no less than $11 billion annually By 2016.

Milunovich believes the iWatch would be ready by later this year, similar to what Nikkei claims earlier. 

"We expect iWatch sales to roughly track iPad unit sales - similar penetration rates would mean higher sales," Milunovich wrote, according to AppleInsider. "iWatch might do better because the customer base is larger than when iPad launched and the ASP might be less. On the other hand, iWatch is the first product to be worn, which might not appeal to all users."

Publically, Apple does not acknowledge the existence of such a wearable device despite rumors suggesting the contrary. In fact, it was the rumor mill that first openly used the term 'iWatch' to describe the fabled mobile device. Indeed, the idea of wearable gadgetry is nothing new, and health-monitoring mobile devices may become necessities in the future. A strong indicator of this growing trend is evidenced in wearable devices already being developed by Apple's rivals Samsung and Sony.

Naturally, Apple is falling under pressure to come up with a wearable device that would either match or overpower what competitors are offering. As WWDC 2014 has shown, Apple has already placed much investment in health monitoring functions by incorporating such features in the recent iOS 8 software update.

The iOS 8 unveiling may haved coincided with iWatch development, which uses the health functions similar to what was mentioned earlier. At this time, iWatch actual specs -- if there are any -- remains scarce. Even so, more information may be available in the following months leading up to the iWatch's eventual unveiling sometime later this year.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.