Week 4 Blog 1 - A New Set of Wars?

Rumors say that Apple is developing a new product called the iWatch. It's supposed to be a wearable computer in a form of a bracelet that could double as a watch. It will be able to accomplish many different tasks, such as playing music, reviewing phone calls, and surfing the web. Just like the creation of the iPhone and iPad several years ago, people predict that this iWatch will begin a new era for the technology industry.

Well, Apple is not the only one that seems to be developing a wearable computer. Google is planning to put out a new product called the "Google Glass" on the market in 2014. This product will not be in form of a watch, but glasses; it will have a display, a camera, and the ability to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. In addition, people also say that Samsung is in progress of developing a "smartwatch."

It's great that these companies are coming up with these new products that could generate huge revenues and returns for shareholders. However, just like the smartphones, I have a feeling that these products will produce a new set of patent wars. After all, there are already wearable computing products out there, such as the FuelBand from Nike, and the Flex band from Fitbit. On a side note, Apple has already filed a number of patents for the iWatch, one including a wristband that uses a bi-stable spring, similar to a snap bracelet.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykosner/2013/02/21/the-iwatch-as-snap-bracelet-apple-just-got-the-patent/