Data published by ChangeWave Research points to growing demand for Apple to start production of the so-called iWatch – the company’s rumoured venture into the wearable technology market.
In a survey involving 1,713 North American respondents, 19 per cent of consumers considered themselves “likely” to buy such a device.
The main selling points that have determined this increase in demand include an interest in the “cool factor” of the iWatch, as well as the convenience the device would have to offer and general trust in Apple as a company. SEE: Apple iWatch release date, rumours and leaked images
It’s good news should the iWatch be made; research conducted in January 2010 found that 18 percent of consumers would probably buy a hypothetical Apple tablet – and we all know what a success that turned out to be after it launched in April of the same year.
In a study of our own, Macworld found that over 33% of respondents would definitely buy an Apple iWatch.
Wearable technology is becoming more and more popular; Pebble has already released an iPhone friendly watch and, before this, people resorted to turning the iPod Nano into a watch by attaching it to watch straps and using Apple’s built-in clock face feature.
Rumours surrounding the smart watch describe it as having a flexible display that can snap around the wrist, whilst allowing the consumer to accomplish a number of tasks, including reviewing a list of phone calls, adjusting a playlist and even responding to text messages.
It’s not without its rivals, however, Google has nearly completed the highly anticipated Google Glass – a head-mounted display that boasts the ability to display information as a smartphone would, before your eyes.
As well as this, Apple’s main rival, Samsung, has revealed that it has already chalked plans for its own smart watch. Lee Young Hee, executive vice president of the company, said that: “We’ve been preparing the watch product for so long. We are working very hard to get ready for it. We are preparing products for the future, and the watch is definitely one of them.”
[ Via Apple Insider]