Although Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has not yet entered the wearable device market, analysts continue to hope it will. In fact, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Brian White believes that only the rumored iWatch from Apple will tip the scale toward meaningful consumer interest in wearable technology.
CES highlights wearable devices
This year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas included numerous wearable computing devices from various companies—except, of course, Apple, which doesn’t attend CES. In his report this week, White said that most of the wearable devices unveiled at CES were for the wrist and included smart watches and / or fitness sensors.
Last year Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) CEO Tim Cook said they were interested in the wearable device market, particularly devices worn on the wrist. The company spent much of last year trademarking the “iWatch” name in multiple countries around the world. However, the company has yet to deliver, and some analysts are now saying that if there’s now iWatch this year, the scrutiny of Apple’s innovative abilities will prove to be warranted.
Apple to give meaning to wearable devices
According to White, the wearable devices market won’t get much attention until Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is in it. He thinks the company will spark a trend, just like it did with touchscreen smartphones and the iPhone in 2007. Apple has been rumored to be putting together an iWatch team consisting not only of fitness experts, but also of fashion experts, suggesting that the company wants to make the device not only functional, but also fashionable, as it has a habit of doing.
The road won’t be an easy one for Apple though. There have been reports that the company has been having trouble with production of its iWatch. Also most analysts agree that the device won’t be out until the second half of this year, possibly along with the iPhone 6. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) is refreshing its Galaxy Gear watch along with the Galaxy S5 handset, probably in March. So for Apple to pair its iWatch with the flagship iPhone 6 wouldn’t be much of a surprise.
