Apple SmartWatch

Sources from China have leaked a possible rumor that Apple and Intel are working together to create a Bluetooth equipped smartwatch for a first quarter release in 2013. The news has not been confirmed by either Apple or Intel as of yet.

The rumors state it will have a 1.5 inch OLED touchscreen display, will pair to your phone (or other iOS device) via Bluetooth 4.0, will integrate Siri, can make voice calls, send and receive texts and show your Facebook-Twitter-Google+ updates.

Demand for such a device increased with watchband accessories for the iPod Nano, and exploded with the Pebble smartwatch campaign (which is the most successful Kiskstarter project ever).

Evidence supporting this project lie within some of Apple's most recent moves:

- The redesigned iPod Nano no longer works with watch accessories.

- Apple was claimed to pay the Swiss Federal Railway $21 million for use of their watch face design in iOS devices. This is a very large agreement for something Apple could create themselves.

- The insurgence of the Nike Fuelband, Jawbone UP, Pebble smartwatch design, and the old watchband accessories for the iPod Nano tells us that wearable computing devices are becoming staples instead of fads.

- All Apple product lines have Bluetooth 4.0. It comes with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) which aims at low power and low-latency apps for short range wireless devices.

- Intel is updating its manufacturing tech, which keeps it on track to launch a new generation of 'mobile' chips for smartphones and tablets.

There are no proven markets for smartwatches yet, but speculation focuses on the notion that Apple may be trying to displace would-be competitors.

This could be the ultimate affordable iPhone accessory. A small computer on your wrist that connects to your iPhone and supports Siri's voice control. This is the stuff of our SciFi dreams! It is just a rumor, but definitely one of the most popular rumors since the iPhone 5 (which mainly came true).

UPDATE: NYT reported that Apple is experimenting with devices that sport curved glass. Apples expertise is manufacturing and design will amplify the ability to create a curved glass smartwatch.