Apple Reportedly Testing Inductive, Solar and Motion Charging For Its Smartwatch 219
An anonymous reader writes in with the latest from the rumor mill about a possible Apple smartwatch. "We've heard that when Apple reveals its first smartwatch product, there's going to be a heavy focus on health and fitness, but There might also be a way to charge the wearable without plugging it in, according to a report from the New York Times. Inductive charging came in a wave of smartphones last year, including Google's Nexus 4 and Nokia's Lumia 920 range, although we don't often see it in anything smaller than a phone (or camera) form-factor. Apple, however, is looking into cramming the same technology into its iWatch, or whatever it eventually calls its debut wearable."
Re:Duh? (Score:5, Interesting)
They are still testing something like this? Samsung's Galaxy Gear came out already. The capability to quickly bring attractive and reliable products to market is a key factor in modern electronics industry.
Why are they testing this iPod thing? I mean Creative Labs and others have come out with MP3 players already. The ability to quickly bring attractive and reliable products to market is a key factor in modern electronics industry (so there isn't a hope in hell this iPod thing will ever be a commercial success).
The thing is that first to market is not everything. You also have to design the stuff you bring to market well and Apple has a history of appealing to customers by successfully reinventing/redesigning stuff that others have implemented badly and Apple evidently believes they can do it again.
Re:Duh? (Score:2, Interesting)
microsoft had those timex smart watches that updated by facing the watch to the monitor which then flashed to transfer the data. that was what mid 90's.
Smart watches have existed in some form for a while. the problem has always been the UI is to small to do much with.
personally I think Apple will wait until they can get a decent laser projector to work on your arm. Sort of like that laser keyboard only wrist worthy.
Energy from the blood stream. (Score:4, Interesting)
A watch can be easily connected to the blood vessels in the wrist and use the O2 / glucose mix as an energy source like the rest of your body. Recharge by eating. This would be real bleeding-edge technology.
Note that the use of blood as a power source (for implants) is seriously being researched. Look up "biofuel cell".