Apple reportedly preparing for a Q3 iWatch release

Apple has long been rumored to be prepping an “iWatch” that will focus on health features and establish Apple as a key player in the still-emerging wearables category. According to a new report from Chinese-language Economic Daily, Apple plans to finally launch the device sometime in the third quarter this year. The report, relayed by Digitimes on Tuesday, cites an alleged bill of materials that points to the Q3 launch timeframe. 

Apple is rumored to unveil its wearable device iWatch in the third quarter and will target 65 million units in shipments for 2014, according to a Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) report. The iWatch will be manufactured by Quanta Computer, while Taiwan-based chip design house Richtek has also entered the supply chain. The device’s touch panel will be supplied by TPK, the paper noted. Apple will design the iWatch’s processor and outsource production to Samsung. To meet its launch schedule, Apple has demanded suppliers deliver their products starting August, the paper added.