Although the device has never been officially acknowledged by the company, deals make its existence obvious.
Although the iWatch name is nothing more than a term that has been applied to a smartwatch device that is only rumored to be in development at Apple, it is becoming ever clearer that this wearable technology does exist, simply through the deals that the manufacturer has been seeking.
Many rumors about the types of expert that Apple has been seeking are adding weight to the rumors of a smartwatch.
Following rumors that Apple has been seeking fitness experts to assist in the development of potential health software for wearable technology, there have also been other reports that have suggested that the company is looking into solar power battery charging for a device that is somewhat like a watch. Now, there are more iWatch rumor reports as Apple seeks designers at luxury wristwatch companies.
All of these details continue to make it more clear that the iWatch is far more than just a rumor.
At the same time, many of those luxury watchmakers are not entirely impressed with the current look of wearables and the future that they imply. Nick Hayek, the CEO of Swatch has said that he feels that there will be a considerable limitation in the smartwatch marketplace due to tech restrictions.
He explained that “We have been in discussions – not ever initiated by us- with practically all players in smart wearables up until today,” but also added that “we see no reason why we should enter into any partnership agreement.”
There have been recent news reports from many reputable publications that have indicated that Apple is seeking the very best in the designer and wristwatch industry. While they have attempted to “lure” Hublot and “several Swiss parts manufacturers,” said the Financial Times, Jean-Claude Biver, the watch and jewelry chief of Luis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, said that nobody has taken the offer.
The iWatch will be a late entrant into this rapidly moving wearable technology race, in which the smartwatch remains king, so far. In order to stand out and be worth its price tag, it will need to be quite the exceptional device.
The technology giant and the designer accessory brand are coming together for wearables fashion and functionality.
As soon as the Android Wear operating system for wearables such as the smartwatch were announced, Google stated that a number of large brands such as LG, HTC, Samsung, Motorola, and Asus would all be powered by the OS later on this year.
That said, Google also dropped another important name, though not of a tech brand: Fossil.
Fossil is a designer brand of accessories and clothing and will now be working with Google in the design of its smartwatch, causing its shares to rise considerably. The designer brand is based in Richardson, Texas. Its chief strategy and marketing officer, Greg McKelvey said that it is a company that is driven by design and innovation in the creation of products with which customers will simply fall in love.
Now the brand is hoping that a new kind of accessory, the smartwatch, will be something its customers love.
McKelvey released a statement in which he explained the company’s perspective on these wearables. In it, he said that “We believe we are uniquely positioned to develop and bring to market products for our fashion customers that marry the beauty of our designs, the promise of our brands and now the function of new technology.”
He pointed out that this form of wearable technology is “still very much in the formative research and development stage,” but that they are actively taking part in a drive toward wearables that will bring tech and fashion together.
As it is becoming widely believed that one of the primary barriers standing in the way of the widespread adoption of wearable technology is its clunky, large, science fiction geek look, the development of a device by a fashion designer could mean that this struggle could be overcome. Many feel that companies need to work together in order to speed up the development of devices that people will actually wear, instead of releasing one generation after the next that draws curiosity but doesn’t generate the necessary sales.
It will be interesting to see what designers do to the smartwatch over the next few months, as it could change the face – so to speak – of these devices, altogether.
