iWatch may have a fashion design, and one for sports (with Kobe testing the latter)
We just heard in a report from The Wall Street Journal that Apple is testing multiple screen sizes for its upcoming iWatch, but it seems that Apple may be testing for two different models of smartwatch. Apple might be planning one iWatch model for the fashion-conscious and one for those who are looking for more of a fitness tracker.
One of the earliest rumors around the iWatch said that Apple was planning two models, but that rumor claimed that one would be designed for men and one for women. That would have meant the same basic hardware, just a bit smaller for the ladies. Today, there have been a couple reports saying that Apple is working on a "sports" design for the iWatch and it has enlisted a few professional athletes to test out that model, including Kobe Bryant. Apple notably hired a former Nike fitness consultant last year. Combine that with its Healthkit announcement as part of iOS 8 and it seems to be a given that the iWatch will have a focus on fitness.
But, that may just be one of two models. Pocketnow has a source confirming that Apple is working on a sports version of the iWatch, but it is also reporting that Apple has a second model in the works which will be designed for the fashion conscious. The report claims that the sports iWatch will have a square face and a rubber strap, while the fashion model will have a round metal face. Supposedly, both models are designed to look just like traditional watches that are currently on the market.
Of course, they may look that way, but they will be smartwatches. The rumor says that both will feature 8GB of internal storage, which could lead to the iWatch killing off the iPod line. In terms of sensors, it is unclear what will be in the fashion design, but the sports model is said to include sensors for blood pressure, heart rate, body temp, outside temperature, barometric pressure, compass, and blood oxygen level. If accurate, that would mean that the iWatch will need approval from the FDA.
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