Players in the $60-billion-a-year global watch industry won't likely welcome tech giant Apple with open arms and won't likely provide the least biased comments on Apple's watch project. Still, it's worth reporting that the CEO of Swatch is skeptical that Apple's "iWatch" would be the next smart device revolution. Swatch CEO Nick Hayek told Bloomberg News that the iWatch could never replace the iPhone, saying that mimicking smartphone features on a tiny wearable device is "difficult." The head of the Switzerland-based watch maker revealed that has had contact with Apple over many years about making watch batteries. Recent reports have said that Apple's readying an iOS-based "iWatch" before the end of 2013, although The Verge says that Apple's working on battery life issues.
What Else You Need To Know
- The iWatch is slated to have the ability to make calls, check caller ID, relay map coordinates, display notifications from the user's phone on the watch's display, and provide health-related data through a built-in pedometer and heart-rate monitor.
- Swatch in 2004 formed an alliance with Microsoft to release Swatch Paparazzi watches, which allowed consumers to receive personalized information, including news, sports, weather, horoscopes and stock quotes.
Other sources
Their reaction of course is expected and understandable given Apple’s market power and street cred in the consumer electronics space.- Christian Zibreg, iDownloadBlog
- Apple Insider
- Swatch CEO doesn't believe Apple's rumored 'iWatch' is next tech revolution
- iPhone Download Blog
- Swatch CEO disparages iWatch, Microsoft could re-enter the smartwatch market
- iPhone In Canada Blog
- Swatch CEO Doesn’t Believe An “iWatch” Can Replace The iPhone
- PCWorld
- How Apple's iWatch could revolutionize mobile security
- iSmashPhone
- iWatch Rumor: Apple Once Asked Swatch About Batteries