Apple iWatch rumors roundup: Close HealthKit integration, release date pushed back?

(PHOTO: REUTERS / BRENDAN MCDERMID)The leaf on the Apple symbol is tinted green at the Apple flagship store on 5th Ave in New York April 22, 2014.

There has been a multitude of Apple iWatch rumors circulating around the web for quite some time now.

Apple has apparently been working on their version of a smartwatch since 2011, and it took them years to come up with something solid to present consumers who have been wanting some real deal innovation since iPhone 4S.

In June, Reuters revealed the Cupertino-based company's plan on making multiple screen sizes and designs for market release this fall, which was supported by a leaked patent from USPTO indicating a multitude of smartwatch devices.

The patent mentioned of a device called "iTime" that deals with convertible and removable parts from a central unit.

Apple has also allegedly sought an "iWatch" patent in Japan recently.

Aside from these, Apple is rumored to have already tapped Taiwan's Quanta to proceed with mass production in July, just in time for a possible October takeoff.

However, Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted of an unexpected delay of launch that might be brought about by predicaments due to the sapphire glass cover lens production.

Moreover, he suggests that Apple will only ship around 3 million units this year and the iWatch release date could be pushed back to November.

Ecumenical News has reported that Apple is taking the luxury strategy going into the smartwatch battlefield.

It has snagged executives from luxurious fashion brands to the industry, sending signals that the company is serious in making Apple iWatch a game changer.

There are also speculations that Apple will target the "geek to chic" market and will tap Swiss watchmakers Swatch to partner with them.

The HealthKit, which has been one of the company's recent unveilings will likely to be integrated into the iWatch.

Samsung and LG have already jumped onto the smartwatch bandwagon during the last Google I/O developers conference, when they unveiled Samsung Gear and LG G respectively.

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