Thursday Apple Rumors: Apple Developing Smart Watch

by Christopher Freeburn | December 27, 2012 2:20 pm

[1]Here are your Apple rumors[2] and AAPL news items for today:

Tiny Revolution: The next big product from Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL[3]) might not be a TV, it might be a wrist watch[4],  Business Insider notes. Sources say that Apple is collaborating with Intel (NASDAQ:INTC[5]) to develop a watch with a 1.5-inch screen. The smart watch will feature an OLED display, BlueTooth connectivity, and run a version of iOS. Analysts like Gene Munster have long speculated that Apple might enter the watch market. However, all current iOS devices use processors from ARM (NASDAQ:ARMH[6]), not Intel, which casts some doubt on this latest watch rumor.

Euro Slam: Samsung could be hit with billions of dollars in fines over its attempts to ban the sale of Apple products in Europe[7], the Taipei Times notes. Attempting to counter Apple’s worldwide campaign of patent infringement litigation, Samsung tried to leverage its “standard-essential” technology patents covering 3G connectivity to halt European sales of the iPad and iPhone. The European Commission on Friday rejected Samsung’s maneuver. Standard-essential patents are governed by different rules than other patents and holders are obligated to license their use. Last week, Samsung announced that it was halting all efforts to ban Apple products in Europe. The Commission could impose a fine of up to 10% of Samsung’s annual global revenue, about $15 billion. U.S. regulators are also scrutinizing Samsung’s use of standard-essential patents. Similar tactics by Google‘s (NASDAQ:GOOG[8]) Motorola unit against Microsoft‘s (NASDAQ:MSFT[9]) Xbox 360 is also drawing regulatory interest.

Curved Smartphone: Apple has secured a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a new way to make curved glass[10], potentially for iPhones and iPads, CNET notes. The glass bending method covered by the patent permits the manufacture of curved glass without cracking or overstretching. Potential applications could include computer mice or touchpads in addition to tablets and smartphones. A number of other companies, including rivals Samsung and Nokia (NYSE:NOK[11]) have experimented with flexible screens for possible use in smartphones, though none have yet been brought to market.

For more about the company, check out our previous Apple Rumors[12] stories.

Source URL: https://investorplace.com/2012/12/thursday-apple-rumors-apple-developing-smart-watch/

---