In the last week , the Apple iWatch has made the jump from unlikely rumor to a real product that 's probably in development , thanks to well-placed leaks that have been showing up in various publications . The latest is a report from Bloomberg that says Apple already has a team of 100 employees working on a wearable device . The clues , and resulting flurry of speculation , are planting the seeds of an Apple watch in consumers ' minds . The general public has not been crying out for a better watch . Apple dream-product rumors have mostly focused on an elusive Apple TV over the past year . But Apple prides itself on knowing what the people want before they do , and an Apple watch would be way more than just a fancy timepiece . It 's not about the watch form factor , but creating a wearable mobile device that takes advantage of advances in mobile computing technology such as cheap sensors , better battery life and improved voice recognition . An Apple watch could work with an ecosystem of third-party wearable sensors and products that tie into one powerful , small hub . If executed correctly , an Apple watch could spawn a lucrative industry of compatible products , like it did with the iOS App Store and mobile applications . `` It 's unlimited , the number of wearable things you can tap into , '' said Gene Munster , an analyst with Piper Jaffray , who imagines small companies making inexpensive products like belts with sensors that alert the watch when you 've eaten too much . Apple is not entering virgin territory . There are already a handful of slick smart watches available , but most act as accessories , connecting to the more powerful Android and iOS smartphones and tablets over Bluetooth . For example , the new Pebble smart watch passes on alerts from a smartphone , so when you receive a text , e-mail , or Facebook notification it is pushed to the watch , which vibrates . Wearable technology is also booming , thanks to cheap sensors that can be used to track things like movement and heart rates . The number of wearable fitness products has been growing at a fast pace , but an Apple offering would shake up the industry completely . `` We 're finally getting some players involved , and Apple 's the real one , that can add some value to some of this wearable technology , '' said Munster . Apple is n't alone in seeing the potential for this type of technology . Google is working on its own wearable platform , Google Glasses . The two will face off when they are finally available , each sporting its own unique take on what kind of user interface people will use ( voice control and a small touchscreen or augmented reality ) . And they will , of course , have their own ecosystems of accessories and apps . Traditional watches have dropped in popularity in recent years . Smartphones prominently display the time and are already in our back pockets , so it can seem redundant to also strap a small clock to our wrists . But when you start packing more power , sensors and connection options like Bluetooth into a watch , it ceases to be a watch and becomes a small wearable computer . An Apple watch could leap frog the current crop of smart watches by creating a platform , not another accessory . According to Munster , the three tasks people use their smartphones for are , in order , texting , Internet and phone calls . Two out of three of those tasks would be a natural fit for a small device , while the need to surf and play games would ensure the smartphone does n't become obsolete .
An Apple watch could pass existing smart watches with more computing , sensor power . Bloomberg reports that 100 employees are already working on developing the device . A watch could spawn an industry of compatible third-party wearable accessories .