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There’s a very good reason Apple has taken so long to release an iWatch

Published Jun 17th, 2014 1:42PM EDT
Apple iWatch Specs OLED Display

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We’ve been hearing reports of Apple developing an iWatch for years now but the company still hasn’t released it yet and probably won’t until this coming fall. Why the delay? An Economic Daily News report flagged by G for Games lets us know: It’s because Apple doesn’t want to release a smartwatch until it’s sure that it will have the best battery power of any wearable computer around. 

Specifically, EDN’s sources say Apple wants to make the iWatch so that its display uses almost zero power when it’s in standby mode, which has apparently proven to be a much bigger challenge than the company expected. The report also indicates that Apple’s iWatches will feature OLED displays, which G for Games notes “don’t have a back-light and are capable of shutting off individual pixels,” which means that they can save a ton of battery power when they’re not being used.

The iWatch is certainly the most mysterious new Apple product in a long time, as we’ve yet to see any leaked images that show us the design of the device. Various reports have claimed that the device will feature a round face like the one on the Moto 360 and will have strong wireless charging capabilities that other smartwatches don’t have.

Brad Reed
Brad Reed Staff Writer

Brad Reed has written about technology for over eight years at BGR.com and Network World. Prior to that, he wrote freelance stories for political publications such as AlterNet and the American Prospect. He has a Master's Degree in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University.