iWatch: Apple secretly developing smart watch with touchscreen

Apple is believed to be secretly developing a “smart watch” with a touchscreen.

Chinese online sites have reported the computer giant is working with chipmaker Intel with a wrist worn gadget that has a 1.5 inch screen and uses Bluetooth to communicate with other gadgets, which could include an iPhone.

The “iWatch” will go on sale next year, the report claims.

Chinese site Tech.163 claims Intel has developed a Smart Watch that Apple is interested in.

The in question has a 1.5 OLED display with indium tin oxide, or ITO coated glass, and uses Bluetooth to communicate with a user’s iPhone.

It is believed the iWatch will run a version of iOS, the same software as the iPhone and iPad, allowing apps to be easily downloaded.

Releasing a watch could also help it compete with Google, who claim they will release “Google Glass”, a headset with a screen, next year.

The rumors come after an independent attempt to create a smart watch, called Pebble, became a huge success online.

Its inventors used Kickstarter to try and raise $10,000 so they could develop it – but instead raised $10 million, and hope to begin production next year.

“Pebble is the first watch built for the 21st century,” say its creators.

“It’s infinitely customizable, with beautiful downloadable watchfaces and useful internet-connected apps.

“The watch will connect via Bluetooth, and alert users to incoming messages via vibrations – and apps bring Pebble to life.

“Cyclists can use Pebble as a bike computer, accessing the GPS on your smartphone to display speed, distance and pace data.

“Runners get a similar set of data displayed on their wrist. Use the music control app to play, pause or skip tracks on your phone with the touch of a button.”