Everyone's got their eye on the iWatch, Apple's mythical entry into the realm of wearable computing. Other companies are experimenting with watch computing, but the results so far have been kinda lame. The consensus is that Apple is either avoiding entry into this space because the technology is not yet up to the limitations of the form factor, or is about to enter the space with a product that surpasses all these limitations and blows our minds.
Here's my prediction: there is no watch, at least not yet. Apple is going to enter the wearable computing market with something much more radical, and yet much more obvious, in hindsight: clothing. The amount of computing power that could be embedded into something like a jacket is pretty substantial, compared to a watch. I'm not sure what you would do with that type of computing power or how you would interact with it (this idea is pretty half-baked, I admit), but I do know that it would be a hell of a lot more than you could do with a puny little watch.
I don't think Apple will be involved in the actual clothing design; rather they will provide a spec that clothing designers can build around. It will launch with a few high-profile labels, but others will be able to sign on as "clothing developers". Apple Stores will grow to include a full fashion boutique where you can shop for snappy wearable computing. This would explain Apple's recent acquisitions re: high-fashion retail. It is also one of the few markets that are so large that they could have a significant impact on Apple's bottom line, unlike watches and TVs, which are simply a sideshow in terms of potential business. By comparison, clothing is a huge market.
Here's my prediction: there is no watch, at least not yet. Apple is going to enter the wearable computing market with something much more radical, and yet much more obvious, in hindsight: clothing. The amount of computing power that could be embedded into something like a jacket is pretty substantial, compared to a watch. I'm not sure what you would do with that type of computing power or how you would interact with it (this idea is pretty half-baked, I admit), but I do know that it would be a hell of a lot more than you could do with a puny little watch.
I don't think Apple will be involved in the actual clothing design; rather they will provide a spec that clothing designers can build around. It will launch with a few high-profile labels, but others will be able to sign on as "clothing developers". Apple Stores will grow to include a full fashion boutique where you can shop for snappy wearable computing. This would explain Apple's recent acquisitions re: high-fashion retail. It is also one of the few markets that are so large that they could have a significant impact on Apple's bottom line, unlike watches and TVs, which are simply a sideshow in terms of potential business. By comparison, clothing is a huge market.
