Report pegs Apple for October smartwatch release

Sorry folks: at least another four months of iWatch stories

Apple is reportedly targeting an October release for its much-rumored smartwatch.

A report from Nikkei cites industry sources who claim that the maker of various iStuffs will have its wrist-mounted fanboi magnet hit the shelves in time for the holiday shopping season.

The report claims that Apple is already working with manufacturers in Asia on ramp-up plans for manufacturing that will see monthly production of the devices of 3-5 million units. The so-called iWatch will reportedly sport a curved OLED touchscreen and will contain a number of sensors to monitor wearers' vital functions and exercise information.

The news agency notes that the release would coincide with the arrival of iOS 8 and its accompanying HealthKit personal fitness API. The HealthKit platform, unveiled by Apple earlier this week at the company's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco, was touted by execs as a key component for future iOS health and exercise apps.

The release would fall in line with Apple's typical product release timeline, in which new iPhone models tend to arrive late in the summer and iPads hit the shelves in late October, a few weeks before the holiday buying frenzy kicks off in earnest.

The described system also sounds a lot like a similar devices that's rumored to be in the works from Microsoft. Redmond's mystery bracelet is also said to be health-centric and is thought to cram a collection of various sensors around a wrist-mounted display.

So far, smartwatches have failed to set the market alight, with even major launches like Samsung's Galaxy Gear meeting with weak sales. But the arrival of Apple in the market – and the advent health tracking features and curved OLED screens, rather than bulky square displays – could help sway consumer interest. ®