Over the past several weeks, rumors have been circulating that Apple is working on a smart watch, dubbed the “iWatch”. Although it is purely speculation at this point, a number of credible sources have backed claims from multiple sources. After Nick Bilton of the NYTimes reported that Apple was working on a curved glass smart watch, a report from Bloomberg suggests that Apple has a team of 100 product designers working on the “iWatch”.

The rumor reportedly stems from “two people familiar with the company’s plans”, who also suggest that the smartwatch is past its experimental stage. This means that the device is likely in its naming, final design, and production plan stage, which is a similar process to the Cupertino company’s other products.

The team, which has grown in the past year, includes managers, members of the marketing group and software and hardware engineers who previously worked on the iPhone and iPad, said the people, who asked not to be named because the plans are private. The team’s size suggests Apple is beyond the experimentation phase in its development, said the people.

It is unclear exactly what features Apple would include in its smartwatch, although it would likely resemble the company’s popular iPad, iPhone or perhaps even the current generation iPod Nano. Apple’s senior director of engineering, James Foster is reportedly also working on the project, which would justify the company’s plans to keep its products consistent.

With an “iWatch”, Apple would likely be competing with other devices such as Pebble’s e-paper display Smart Watch. Apple could also be competing with wearable fitness “smart watches” such as the Jawbone UP, and the Nike FuelBand. Apple currently includes built in Nike+ support in a number of its products, so it would naturally make sense for the company to make this a part of a smartwatch project.

Apple rarely ever introduces a new product unless others fail to make a substantial impact on the market with their own devices. Apple’s CEO Tim Cook is currently a Nike Board member and mentioned that wearable devices are an “an interesting area” and that “the book hasn’t been written on that yet.” If Apple is working on a smartwatch, and if it is past the experimental phase as Bloomberg suggests, leaked images and parts will surface in the coming weeks.

{Via MacRumors}

In late 2011, the NYTimes reported that Apple was working with wearable technology that could potentially become a wearable iPod wristband of sorts. Now, Nick Bilton of the NYTimes is once again reporting that Apple is working on a smartwatch device, dubbed the “iWatch”.

Bilton mentions that Apple is experimenting with curved glass on its smart watch and could potentially take advantage of Corning’s new bendable glass, called Willow Glass which would allow the watch to wrap a user’s wrist. Corning is the maker of the popular Gorilla Glass, which is used on a number of mobile devices, including some of Apple’s devices. With the original iPhone, Apple had plans to include curved glass but could not because the technology was not as advanced as it is now.

In its headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., Apple is experimenting with wristwatch-like devices made of curved glass, according to people familiar with the company’s explorations, who spoke on the condition that they not be named because they are not allowed to publicly discuss unreleased products. Such a watch would operate Apple’s iOS platform, two people said, and stand apart from competitors based on the company’s understanding of how such glass can curve around the human body.

Smart watches are gradually becoming one of the many focus areas of the mobile devices industry, such as Pebble’s e-paper display Smart Watch and other wearable fitness “smart watches” such as the Jawbone UP, and the Nike FuelBand. It is only a matter of time before Apple enters the industry, although the company rarely introduces a product unless others fail to make a substantial impact on the market.

Apple has also been rumored to be working a television set, which is very likely when considering the “Smart TV” market has already had a number of failures. Apple’s CEO Tim Cook is currently a Nike Board member and mentioned that wearable devices are an “an interesting area” and that “the book hasn’t been written on that yet.” If Apple is in fact working on a smartwatch, expect leaked images and parts of curved glass and wrist-friendly accessories.

{Via MacRumors}

When photos of the small touch screen panel which was rumored to be Apple’s new product hit the web many people speculated that it might turn out to be an iWatch. The new iPod nano feels more like an iPod shuffle with touch controls as Apple has taken away the video recording and playing capabilities.

In the last week many accessory makers have started offering straps and cases for the new 6th gen nano and a few of them caught our attention.

Third party accessory makers were quick to offer their solutions to turn your new iPod nano into an iWatch and we recently reported on a watch strap called Rock Band by iLovehandles. The nano clips onto the specially designed leather strap and enables you to wear the nano on your wrist however, it does not provide any protection for the screen. So, if you wear it on a daily basis you might end up with scratches on the screen.

Incipio offers another great solution and turns your nano into a wristwatch with its new accessory called “Linq”

Incipio is taking a whole new design path with this wrist-worn carrying solution for the iPod nano. Meet the most rugged carrying solution for iPod nano produced to date, the Linq™. This is for users who already have or aspire for a lifestyle of action. Linq™ provides the user with an all-day, everyday accessory that may be worn effortlessly but always boldly.

Your once fragile iPod nano is not so fragile anymore as it sits in Incipio’s award winning Next Generation Polymer material securing to the wrist with a nylon and Velcro interchangeable strap.

The Linq™ is expected to release towards the beginning of October for $24.99. Additional watchbands may be purchased for $9.99 each

Do you want to wear the nano as an iWatch? Will you buying any accessory for the new iPod nano? Let us know in the comments section.

In early July we reported on a small touch screen panel which was leaked by a website and was rumored to be the next iPod shuffle with touch controls or the new Apple iWatch. Apple surprised us during the special music event where Steve Jobs announced the new iPod nano which turned out to be the smallest Apple device with multi-touch controls.

Apple’s best selling iPod was the nano before iPod touch surpassed the sales to become the #1. Previous gen iPod nano offered video playback, was capable of recording videos and was larger. When Apple introduced the new nano it was clear that they are trying to focus on offering more features in the iPod touch and restricting iPod nano’s and shuffle’s role as a music player only.

If you were disappointed  about Apple not introducing an iWatch then you’d be happy to know that iLoveHandles has come up with a unique accessory for the new iPod nano. The company has started selling Rock Band, a leather strap which has been specially designed to support the new iPod nano and enables you to wear it as a wristwatch. The leather strap will cost you $19.95.

Have you bought the new iPod nano? Will you be buying iLoveHandles leather strap to turn your nano into an iWatch? Let us know your thoughts.