Apple’s ‘iWatch’ Reportedly Runs Full iOS, Issues with Battery Life in Prototypes

Apple iPod nano iWatch

Apple iPod nano iWatch

With the web abuzz with rumors that Apple is working on a curved glass smartwatch being called the iWatch, it is no surprise that major news sources such as Bloomberg are also supporting claims and pegging the release for as early as this year.

On Monday, a new report from The Verge was published with new details about Apple’s next major product line. The report mentioned that Apple’s smart watch will be running the full iOS, as seen on the iPhone and iPad touch and not a simplified iOS-like skin as on the iPod nano.

Interestingly, we’re also told that Apple’s chosen to rework the full iOS to run on the watch instead of building up the iPod nano’s proprietary touch operating system — although the previous nano was already watch-sized and seemed like a great starting point for a watch, Apple’s betting on iOS across product lines.

It is no surprise that Apple would want any major product line to run a full fledged version of its iOS software, however, it is also reasonable that the software would have to be cut down some and even changed to accommodate the smaller and possibly curved display. The report goes on to note that Apple’s desire to include the full iOS is causing battery life issues. Apple’s iOS devices currently last less than 48 hours with regular usage, however, a watch would need to last much longer with a range of about a week or less.

[T]he goal is to last at least 4-5 days between charges, but the current watch prototypes are apparently only going for a couple days max. We’re also told Apple has some work to do with iOS on the iPhone, which currently has several hooks for supporting a watch-like device but lacks the appropriate interface or settings to make it work properly.

These issues will likely be minor as Apple is known to make drastic decisions at the end of a product’s production, as seen with Steve Job’s choice for a glass screen on the original iPhone instead of plastic and even the naming of the iMac. Apple has also been rumored to be working on a television set, although that has been delayed by negotiations with content providers. At this point, it is unclear when these products will see the light of day, however, it is almost certain that these products are in Jony Ive’s lab.

{via MacRumors}

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