Apple plans multiple designs for smartwatch

In the past, Apple Inc. took an assertive stance in the smartwatch market, joining other industry behemoths such as Google Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., and numerous start-ups in the wearable technology space. However, there have been uncertainties regarding the consumer response to these wearables. One of the main reasons wearables initially struggled was their limited functionalities, which simply mimicked smartphone capabilities to a large extent.

Apple had an ambitious plan to introduce different design options for its then-new smartwatch, also publicly known as the iWatch. A device equipped with over 10 sensors, primarily for fitness and health tracking, rumors were rife that the iWatch would go into production a few months post the announcement.

When the smartphone and tablet markets appeared saturated, tech companies including Apple were attracted to the wearable devices market. The likelihood of blending compact sensors, malleable screens, and wide-ranging wireless connectivity may have set the stage for a fresh era in computing, where every device would be “smart” and capable of analyzing life data.

Given Apple’s impactful innovation history with the iPhone and iPad, analysts anticipated another conceivable triumph. Although this came in light of the fact that existing numbers of wearable devices represented only 1% of the 300 million smartphones shipped in the same period.

Neglecting the disclosed figures, Apple had strategies to distribute 10-15 million smartwatches for that year. When equated with its initial iPhone release in 2007, which sold 1.1 million units, this proposed distribution volume was significant.

Apple wasn’t alone in its shift towards wearable technology. Google, for clarity, had been investing in groundbreaking undertakings like Google Glass and a smart contact lens for diabetes monitoring. The health-related data fetched by these wearables intensified the rivalry between Apple and Google.

In spite of widespread anticipation, wearable devices encountered challenges in achieving general acceptance, with leading figures in the market being fitness trackers like Fitbit Force, Jawbone Up, Garmin Vivofit, and Nike’s FuelBand. The rising competitors would ultimately influence the apps that draw users to these wearables.

Intel Corp.’s CEO Brian Krzanich highlighted a substantial shift to wearable tech, showcased through the unveiling of new prototypes, such as a smartwatch and intelligent earphone headset. Mirroring these changes, Intel even launched a microchip named ‘Edison,’ designed exclusively for wearable gadgets.

Insider sources revealed that Apple was dedicated to incorporating progressive sensors into its smartwatch that could measure a user’s blood pressure and hydration levels by hiring professionals from fashion and medical device sectors.

Yet, it appeared that the real power of wearable gadgets relied not on the hardware but on their capacity to collect data. This suggested that tech giants might be excessively concentrating on smartwatch design, undermining the primary purpose of wearables – data acquisition.

Ultimately, the smartwatch industry, being in its infancy, remained inexplored. Companies such as Apple, enthusiastically participated, banking on the possibility of overcoming inconsistent consumer interest and confronting competitors. Nonetheless, it seemed too early to determine the future frontrunners or underperformers in this promising sector.

Updated in 2025 to align with recent developments.