The release of Apple's iWatch might come one step closer in July, when the tech giant's outsourced company Quanta Computer begins mass production on the gadget.
To compete with Samsung's line of smartwatch devices, Apple announced plans to launch an electronic watch of its own June 7.
Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Brian White stated that the highly coveted device might hit the market at the same time as the iPhone 6.
"Our meeting with a tech supply chain company highlighted that initial production of certain iWatch components is scheduled to begin later this month and there are plans for a sharp acceleration into fall," White said. "Given the trajectory of this ramp and our experience analyzing other product ramps at Apple, we expect the iWatch to be unveiled with the iPhone 6 in September. Since our research suggests the first iteration of the iWatch is more of a companion device, and thus requires a connection to an iPhone, we believe unveiling the two new devices at the same time makes sense."
The 2.5 inch arch banded product, complete with LG screen touching and wireless charging capabilities, precedes the company's iPhone 6 fall release, according to Reuters. 50 million are expected to buy the device in its first year of public sale, following its current evaluation period.
The iWatch can send and receive messages, check e-mails, make phone calls, and enable chatting via voice commands. Similar to other smartwatch devices, the gadget also tracks people's heart rates and perform other health-related tasks through a device from imaging and sensor company Heptagon.
Insiders hinted at the iWatch's upcoming release after a meeting with an anonymous company picked to market the gadget during the Computex Trade Show in Taipei, Taiwan June 7.
"Although our research suggests there will be a price band for the iWatch (similar to other Apple products), we estimate the entry-level price could begin at approximately $199-229, making this new device very competitive with other brand-name smartwatches on the market and comfortably affordable for many consumers," White told Barron's Magazine. "Furthermore, as we make our way through Computex, our research is uncovering more evidence that the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 will launch this fall."
