Analyst: Don’t Plan To See An iWatch Until Later In 2014, But It Will Probably Use Biometrics

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Not a real product, yet.
Not a real product, yet.

Hoping to see an Apple-branded smart watch this June at WWDC? How about next March at MacWorld/iWorld?

Don’t hold your breath, says Ming-Chi Kuo, a KGI Securities analyst.

Kuo tells investors that Apple might not have enough resources to make an iOS compatible with such a new form factor, especially given Apple’s probable current iOS 7 efforts.

Kuo’s note says that since wearable devices like the rumored iWatch just aren’t mature enough to expect any kind of mass production this year, pushing that to the second half of 2014. He’s also quoted as saying that Apple will likely choose a one-and-a-half to tw-inch screen for any watch-like device, and make use of biometric systems for security. Kuo points to Apple’s acquisition of AuthenTec last summer.

Kuo also thinks that Apple will model the first model of a possible iWatch off of the iPod nano, which makes a lot of sense, obviously, especially in regards to the touchscreen tech and processor involved.

Further, Kuo believes that biometrics will be a key feature for the iWatch, allowing for increased security and opening the door to broader health-related applications. The biometric support should also aid in building out the cross-device integration many expect to see from the iWatch.

Kuo has been right in the past, especially in his prediction of the timing of Apple’s 13-inch Retina Macbook Pro, as well as iPod and iPad details, says CNET. While a later manufacturing date means we won’t get our hands on this product for a long while, if it’s truly going to come to fruition, at least his prediction means that an iWatch is still on its way.

Source: MacRumors
Via: CNET

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