Apple iWatch launch may be pushed back until December

We all know that new iPhones are coming this fall, but what really stands to make the next few months interesting for Apple is a new product category entirely. Of course, I’m referring to Apple’s now mythical iWatch. While reports from a few months ago pegged a release to take place sometime in October or November, the latest reports from the rumor mill suggest that Apple’s foray into the wearable space may not happen until December.

During a recent earnings conference call, Apple supplier TPK Holdings relayed that iWatch production is running a little bit behind schedule.

GforGames reports:

During a recent TPK conference, when talking about the projected profit for Q3, the company’s representatives said that even though they were expecting an extremely profitable third quarter, especially following the deal with Apple in regards to the silver nanowire ink orders for the iWatch, things are not looking so pretty. TPK’s expectations have been based on the idea that the iWatch will enter mass production in the third quarter of the year, but apparently, like it has been rumored, it didn’t happen.

Instead, TPK now expects a considerable increase in profits throughout Q4 2014, which hints at the idea that the iWatch will enter mass production within the aforementioned time-frame, as opposed to Q3.

It’s also worth pointing out that KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo — who has a better track record with respect to Apple rumors than most — issued an investor note about two weeks ago claiming that iWatch production had been pushed back from late September to mid-to-late November. Kuo further added that the production delays stem from complex manufacturing issues that are taking longer to resolve than Apple initially anticipated.

AppleInsider adds the following details:

In addition, new system-in-package (SiP) processes will be used to shrink down operational circuitry to wristwatch sizes, which complicates matters since Apple is looking to meet high waterproofing standards. Not mentioned in the report are other rumored features like wireless charging that could add to the device’s already complicated build.

As for software, Kuo believes the main challenge is redesigning iOS to fit on a smaller screen while maintaining interoperability with larger devices like the iPhone and iPad.

As for the iWatch itself, it’s believed that the wrist-worn device will house a variety of fitness-oriented sensors. Kuo also indicated that it will feature a Sapphire-coated flexible display.

Both Eddy Cue and Tim Cook have explicitly said or intimated that 2014 will feature Apple’s most exciting product lineup in 25 years. That’s an extremely high bar, and now we’ll have to wait just a little bit longer to see if those predictions bear fruit.