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 Taiwan's Quanta will begin mass production of Apple's first
smartwatches from July, in time for an October launch, several
sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.
The Wall Street Journal on Friday also cited sources saying Quanta
would manufacture the device.
One of the sources told Reuters on Thursday that Apple expects to
ship 50 million units of the so-called iWatch within the first year
of the product's release, although these types of initial estimates
can be subject to change.
The smartwatch will come with a slightly rectangular display that
likely measures 2.5 inches diagonally, the source added. The
watch-face will protrude slightly from the band, creating an arched
shape, and feature a touch interface and wireless charging
capabilities, according to the source.
Another source told Reuters that LG Display Co Ltd is the exclusive
supplier of the screen for the gadget's initial batch of production.
The iWatch will also contain a sensor that monitors a user's pulse.
Singapore-based imaging and sensor maker Heptagon is on the supplier
list for that feature, two sources said on Thursday.
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Apple's smartwatch will follow similar devices by Samsung, Sony
Corp, Motorola and LG Electronics Inc - gadgets that tech watchers
say have not been appealing or user-friendly enough for mass
adoption.
But the market is growing fast. Data firm IDC estimates that
worldwide shipments of wearable computing devices, including
smartwatches, will triple this year over 2013.
Apple has declined to comment on reports about upcoming products.
(Reporting by San Francisco newsroom; editing by Gunna Dickson)
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