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Munster sees wearable computers being an important product line for Apple

By Alan Friedman

Published: Jan 02, 2013, 11:26 AM

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Apple

Rumors of an iOS smartwatch have been spread before

Amid talk that Apple and Intel are teaming up to offer an iOS 1.5 inch smartwatch, Apple super-bull Gene Munster says that such a wearable computer could be the start of an important product trend for the Cupertino based tech giant. Munster sees Apple being able to profit from this new trend in two ways. One would be the sale of consumer products, like the watch, and the second would be an expansion of the MFi program. Under this program, Apple licenses to third party manufacturers the right to produce hardware that connects to an iOS device. Munster says, "While we don’t believe the watch itself is something that will excite investors, we believe the trend offers future revenue potential beyond the iPhone/iPad franchise."

The Piper Jaffray analyst does feel that sometime over the next 10+ years, wearable computers could replace the Apple iPhone and Apple iPad and support voice calls, navigation, texting and quick searches through the use of voice control. With the possibility of cheaper screens in eyeglasses or projectors replacing the more expensive display on the Apple iPhone, Apple will be able to produce a cheaper product to sell to emerging markets.

"While we are unsure of the ultimate launch timing (likely 2014 or later), we believe that Apple will eventually introduce some type of wearable computing product,” he writes. “As we have previously noted, we believe that wearable computers will ultimately be a major future trend."-Gene Munster, analyst, Piper Jaffray

The iOS smartwatch that Apple and Intel are supposedly working on, would feature an OLED screen with ITO (indium tin oxide) coated glass.While not much is known about the device, speculation calls for it to be introduced sometime in the first half of this year.

source: Forbes

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Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.

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Munster sees wearable computers being an important product line for Apple

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