New York Times Says iWatch Will Have Flexible Screen, Wireless Charging, Come in Two Sizes

The New York Times is revealing some details about Apple's upcoming wearable device ahead of its debut on September 9th.

The device will reportedly feature a flexible display and come in two sizes. It's expected to combine health and fitness functions with navigation and the ability pay for products wirelessly.

The company put an enormous amount of time and money in the wearable device’s sensors so that they would track movements and vital signs, like heart rate and footsteps, much more accurately than existing fitness devices, two employees said. It has a flexible display panel that is protected by a cover composed of sapphire, a type of tougher glass, they said. The device’s circuit board, which includes its sensors and chips, was described as tiny, about the size of a postage stamp. For replenishing the battery, the smartwatch will rely on a wireless charging method. Apple had at one point tested solar charging for the watch, but that experiment failed.


Similar to previous reports, the New York Times says the iWatch is not likely to hit stores until next year.

The article also offers some details on the new iPhones. Due to the larger 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch displays, Apple is said to have made some changes to the design of the software interface for one-handed use. Apparently, there will be a one-handed mode that can be switched on and off.

The new iPhones and the iWatch are said to use near-field communication (NFC) to exchange information over short distances. For example, when making payments. Apple has reportedly teamed up with Visa, American Express and MasterCard to support the payments system which lets iPhone owners use their devices as a digital wallet.

Apple will be live streaming the unveiling of the new iPhones and its wearable device on September 9th. We'll have loads more coverage before then. Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates and if you haven't already downloaded the iClarified app, get it here!


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