Apple considers developing so-called iWatch
Apple is reportedly contemplating a new branch in its product portfolio with the development of a so-called iWatch, a hi-tech interpretation of the humble wrist watch, in an attempt to carve out a fresh market for further growth.
According to the Wall Street Journal the technology giant has broached the idea to one of its primary Chinese manufacturing partners, Hon Hai Precision, with a view to allocating production capacity to such a gizmo if it ever comes to pass.
Apple has come under fire from commentators and investors for resting on its laurels since developing the iPhone, iPad and iPod with the clamour for something new now reaching a crescendo.
Shares in Apple have slipped by a third over recent months on concern that this lack of innovation is ceding ground to rivals such as Samsung.
It is thought that the new watch would sport simple functionality such as texting, voice calls and web browsing but could be harbinger of something much bigger as inexorable expansion of computing power brings wearable gadgetry into view.
Significantly any IWatch release would be likely to be cheaper than the iPhone, a key factor in emerging market economies with relatively small middle income populations.