Is Apple copying Motorola? iWatch will have a round face and look almost identical to the Moto 360, analyst claims



Analyst claims an Apple supplier has revealed a number of design features

Rumours state the watch will have a round face and come in two versions

Brian Blair continued the iWatch will go into production from July

Previous reports suggested it would have a square or curved screen

The Moto 360 also has a round face, and is expected to launch in June



It’s unusual for Apple not to be leading the way when it comes to product design, but new reports claim when it comes to its iWatch the firm is having to play catch up with Motorola.

During a trip to Taiwan, a New York tech analyst said an Apple supplier revealed a number of features of the much-rumoured device, including a rounded face and slim design.

This would resemble how the Moto 360 looks - and contradicts previous reports the watch would have a curved, or square screen.



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New York analyst Brian Blair claims an Apple supplier has revealed the iWatch will have a rounded face, similar to the Moto 360, pictured, come in male and female versions, and will go into production in July. Previous reports suggested it would have a curved, or square screen like the G Watch and Samsung's Gear range

THE HISTORY OF THE iWATCH Speculation around Apple's iWatch began at the end of 2012 and a rumoured release date was initially set for the fourth quarter of 2013.

Chinese websites reported in December 2012 that the computer giant was working with chip-maker Intel on a wrist-worn gadget. It was said to have a 1.5inch screen and use Bluetooth to communicate with other devices, including an iPhone. Other rumours suggest the iWatch will feature Siri voice controls that let users dictate messages, rather than use the tiny screen. The watch could also be used as a remote control to change music tracks or pause video, on the phone or tablet.

In July last year, reports in the Financial Times said Apple was hiring outside help to tackle design problems with its iWatch.

Last month, an analyst said the device will come in 'his' and 'hers' models and cost 'thousands' of dollars.

If the rumours are true, Apple could announced the device at its annual September event.



The reports were made by Brian Blair from Rosenblatt Securities.

According to his supply chain sources, the iWatch will be designed to look like a traditional watch, and move away from the chunky, square look of the G Watch and Samsung’s Gear range.

Motorola announced its own plans for a round, Android-powered smartwatch earlier this year and Blair's sources claim Apple’s version will be almost identical, if not a little thinner.

As Business Insider noted, Apple’s icons have rounded edges and this would suit a circular face.

Blair’s source also confirmed previous rumours that the iWatch would be available in ‘his’ and ‘hers’ models, and will go into production from July.

The design is similar to concepts created by Mark Bell from Belmdesigns.



Bell’s concept incorporates the rumoured Healthbook fitness features that leaked in March, but experts believe Apple could additionally be working on a separate wristband specifically designed to track health.

Google announcement comes just a week after sources revealed Taiwan's Quanta Computer Inc will start mass production of Apple first smartwatch in July, and the much anticipated timepiece will be revealed in October. Pictured is a concept design of what the iWatch may look like

By comparison, the LG G Watch, pictured, has a square, 2-inch display and runs Android Wear - a streamlined version of Google's current operating system seen on phones and tablet. The Samsung range of Gear devices similarly chose a square, rather than rounded design

The Moto 360, pictured, is expected to launch at Google's I/O in June, followed by the iWatch in September

Earlier this week, during the unveiling of its latest G3 handset, LG gave a sneak peek of its square Android-powered G Watch.

All three - the Moto 360, the G Watch and the iWatch - are expected to launch later this year.



It’s likely the Moto 360 will be announced at Google’s I/O in June, and go on sale for £180 in July, followed by the iWatch during Apple’s annual September event.

Price-wise, an Apple iWatch may follow the same pattern as Apple’s handsets and sit at the top end of the market.

Reports last month even stated it could cost ‘thousands’ of dollars.

Although the smartwatches of Samsung and Sony haven’t been as popular as analysts predicted, Blair said orders for the iWatch are surpassing expectation and he forecasts 18 to 21 million iWatches will be sold before Christmas.



Last night, Samsung revealed a new smart wristband and announced plans to let manufacturers use the same core components - much like the mobile phone market.

It also revealed an online service to track the data - just days before Apple is expected to reveal its 'Healthbook' app for the iPhone.



Samsung presented its vision for wearable devices at a San Francisco event ahead of next week's developers conference by rival Apple.



The new claims about a rounded design contradict previous reports the iWatch would have a curved screen, as seen in this concept by Todd Hamilton

Reports have previously claimed Apple's iWatch could double up as an activity tracker. This concept image reveals how the rumoured device and health tool might look. Dubbed the Diet Watch, it could track calories and steps as well as heart rate. It could launch at an event in October, alongside Apple's next iPad range

There is widespread speculation Apple has been working on wearable devices, and its products tend to use proprietary technologies. However, an open system would be a departure for Samsung as well.



Its Gear wristwatches and fitness devices currently work only with Samsung phones.



Smartwatches from Sony and other manufacturers tend to work with a wider range of Android phones.