Will Apple's iWatch actually be called iWatch?

As imagined by interface designer Todd Hamilton. The iCollection? Todd Hamilton

You're probably already expanding your array of short-sleeved shirts.

You might even be considering shaving the little hairs on your wrists, so that the new, new thing will look perfect perched upon them.

There's one thing that you can't prepare for, though. What will Apple call its new, alleged iWatch?

This thing has been rumored for almost as long as a "Friends" reunion or a Hillary presidential run. It may or may not cost $400. It may or may not be unveiled September 9.

But the more important question is still to know how to finish this sentence: "Hey, I got an i(....)!"

The category is generally referred to as "smartwatches." But before Apple introduced the iPad, the category was called "tablets."

It could have plumped for iTab. It didn't. So is it quite so automatic that it will release an iWatch? Watches in themselves are a dated concept. If we want to know the time, we whip out our phones.

Wearing a watch is retro, save for those who prefer to wear something large and obvious in order to suggest that they themselves are obviously living large.

The real category that Apple is likely entering -- especially given its hires from the fashion industry -- is the wearable category.

What chance, then, that Apple will launch the iWear Collection?

You'll tell me that this sounds like glasses. I'll remind you that you guffawed like a chubby-faced schoolchild because iPad sounded like a sanitary product.

If Apple made iWear or even iFashion (yes, yes, I know) its overarching concept, there might be a watch, a brooch, an earring (for girls and boys of course) and Lord knows what else that might be worn to make you more connected and potentially pretentious.

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Within an iWear portfolio there might also be an iBand. Yes, that thing that the fitness-crazed crave for at least three weeks before they toss it on their dressing table and never use it again.

Perhaps, though, it'll be more of an all-in-one product that performs many tasks, while matching your Dior party dress perfectly. All the more reason, perhaps, not to call it the iWatch, but something more all-encompassing.

So will Apple, in fact, launch iMode, iVogue, iChic, iDesign, iFlair, iStyle or simply the iCollection?

The true joy in this, of course, is that Apple has been largely successful in keeping this product behind a velvet curtain.

Will September 9 be iTime? iWonder.

Tags: Technically Incorrect Tech Culture Gadgets Tech Industry Mobile About the author

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Apple's iWatch may not ship until 2015, report says

CEO Time Cook, seen here at an Apple store on iPhone launch day last year, has promised "amazing" and "exciting" new product categories this year. James Martin/CNET

You may have to wait a little longer for that Apple iWatch.

The long-awaited wearable won't be "shipping any time soon," Recode reported Friday. The publication, citing unnamed sources, said the device likely will hit the market in early 2015, which means Apple will miss the key holiday selling season.

It also would represent a big gap between the time Apple announces the device -- likely at the iPhone 6 launch Sept. 9 -- and when it starts selling the wearable. But it wouldn't be the first time Apple has unveiled something long before it ships it. The first iPhone was announced in January 2007 but didn't ship until June, and the first iPad was unveiled in January 2010 but didn't hit the market until April.

Apple declined to comment.

Recode set off a flurry in the media earlier this week when it reported Apple would show off a wearable next month during the launch of its newest iPhone. Apple on Thursday sent out invites to an event on Sept. 9 -- widely expected to be the iPhone 6 debut -- though it provided few details, offering only the statement "Wish we could say more."

The event will come a year after Apple introduced the iPhone 5S and 5C and a week after arch rival Samsung is set to unveil its Galaxy Note 4 phone-tablet hybrid, or phablet. Apple has added a new iPhone every year since former CEO Steve Jobs introduced the smartphone line in 2007, and new iPhones have been unveiled in the fall since 2011.

iPhone 6: Most-wanted features (pictures) See full gallery

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Apple rumor mill buzzes to life over iWatch 'joke'

It might as well rain until September. Todd Hamilton

Many in the tech world spent Friday clutching their wrists as word emerged that Apple might launch its rumored iWatch in September. Unfortunately, for those looking forward to an Apple smartwatch, this prediction was apparently made in jest.

On Friday, influential Apple blogger John Gruber weighed in on an article from The Verge about Motorola's upcoming Moto 360 smartwatch, saying: "It looks like Motorola's designers tried to draw as much attention as they could to the 360's stupid flat-tire display shape. The only way this could get funnier would be if it doesn't even ship until after Apple announces their wrist wearable thing next month."

There it was. A man who has often been right about many things Apple was revealing that "next month" the iPhone maker would be announcing its "wrist wearable thing." The headlines began to pour out.

There were few supporting facts, but excitement raged. After all, Apple is reportedly going to have a media event on September 9.

A slight dampener was tossed, however, by Gruber himself. In response to The Verge's Casey Newton on Twitter, Gruber seemed to clarify his perspective: "By the way, I have no idea whether Apple is planning wrist thing for September or October, just making a joke."

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Some will, no doubt, feel this was a false alarm. Others will wonder whether this isn't a brilliant double-bluff: he knows, he lets word slip, he says it was just a joke. This is a classic ruse played by so many baggy-eyed men at the World Series of Poker.

So, here's what we can conclude. There will be a wearable thing. It may come from Apple, or not, it may be called the iWatch, or not, and it may be announced on September 9, or not.

For myself, I don't think it'll be called the iWatch, nor do I think it will emerge on September 9. But please don't quote me.

Tags: Technically Incorrect Tech Culture Wearable Tech About the author

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