The second half of 2014 promises to be huge for Apple. Not only will Apple likely release two new iPhone models with larger screen sizes, but the company's somewhat mythical iWatch is also slated for release before year's end.
That said, the intricacies involved in getting the iWatch to market will reportedly lead to some delays. According to in-the-know analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, mass production on the iWatch has been pushed back to November. Previously, it was believed that production would commence sometime in September or October at the latest.
AppleInsider relayedsome of Kuo's statements on the iWatch, noting that the device "represents a new level of difficulty for Apple in regard to both hardware and software development."
Kuo estimates Apple will push back mass production to mid- or late-November, one month later than previous models claiming large-scale manufacturing would start in late-September. With only a few supplier ramping up ahead of an anticipated October release, supplies of the wearable will be constrained and are unlikely to meet market expectations of 10 million shipped units by the end of 2014. Instead, Kuo says about 3 million iWatches will be in the wild by year's end.
On the hardware side of things, the analyst notes Apple is deviating from its normal component cache to more advanced — and difficult to manufacture — parts and materials.
The iWatch is rumored to sport a 2.5-inch rectangular display and, according to some reports, will come in two sizes. Not too long ago, reports surfaced that Apple was planning to hold an iWatch event sometime in October. Assuming production on the device has, in fact, been pushed back, it remains to be seen if the rumored special event will be pushed back as well.
As has been reported many times over, the iWatch will likely be positioned as a fitness-oriented device, with some outlets speculating that it may house up to 10 distinct sensors. On that front, we reported just two weeks ago that Apple recently hired thelead software engineer from Atlas Wearables, a company with a fitness band that puts all other competitors to shame.