In a new interview, Apple CEO Tim Cook says the Apple Watch with be a revolutionary gadget that consumers will soon come to rely upon as much as they do their iPhones now.
“It’s so incredible,” Cook said in an exclusive interview with the UK’s Telegraph. “This will be just like the iPhone: people wanted it and bought for a particular reason, perhaps for browsing, but then found out that they loved it for all sorts of other reasons.”
While more details about the smartwatch and its apps are expected at an Apple event March 9, Cook lifted the veil on some of the Apple Watch’s capabilities.
In addition to notifications and a heart-rate monitor, the device will nudge you to go for a walk every so often, and give special reward credits for exercising. Cook said the watch could also replace your car keys, an intriguing application considering the recent hubub about Apple possibly building its own car. And with Apple Pay, it will serve as a secure credit card.
Cook also praised the design — “It’s beautiful” — and said the battery would last a whole day, and recharge quickly.
Apple is banking on the watch to be a hit — it’s said to be ordering more than 5 million units for the initial rush, and some estimate it may sell 30 million to 40 million units in its first year.
In other Apple news, the Cupertino tech giant has been hit with new new patent lawsuits.
In one, Swedish mobile-phone pioneer Ericsson is suing to block Apple products from being sold in the U.S. Apple had been paying licensing fees for 41 Ericsson patents until mid-January, when the contract expired. A dispute over licensing renewal led to the two companies suing each other in January.
On Friday, Ericsson filed seven lawsuits in U.S. District Court in Texas as well as two complaints to the U.S. International Trade Commission to block sales of Apple products that use Ericsson’s technology — essentially everything Apple sells, such as iPhones, iPads and even its desktop iOS.
Ericsson holds about 35,000 wireless patents, and has licensing agreement with most device-makers. In the January lawsuits, Apple basically called Ericsson patent trolls, accusing them of “abusive licensing practices.”
Meanwhile, just days after losing a $533 million ruling in a patent dispute over its iTunes payment system, Apple has been slapped with another lawsuit from the same company.
Texas-based patent company Smartflash said late Thursday it is suing Apple for patent infringement for iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Mini 3 and iPad Air 2 devices that can access the iTunes Store or App Store. While no dollar amount was specified, Smartflash said it was seeking damages and either an injunction or compulsory licensing fees.
At top: Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the Apple Watch on Sept. 9, 2014, in Cupertino. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
