So the Apple Watch is finally here, and what a ride it was. Two years of intense speculation, culminating in a vintage Apple “one more thing” reveal.
Essential reading: Apple Watch release date
So now the dust has settled the next round of speculation starts: the screen, the apps, battery life and features are the next to be dissected and pored over; but in the meantime we've taken a look at the rumour mill, and work out what we got right the first time around.
The Apple Watch would be a band
After a year of fruitless speculation about the iWatch, attention briefly diverted to activity trackers in April 2014. After some rumours about Nike’s business (see below) a few outlets went on a limb to suggest that in fact Apple was working on a band – or 'iBand'. It sure looked pretty, but like much of the rumour mill, totally wide of the mark.
Rumour mill verdict: Wrong
Apple would collaborate for the watch
The reasoning behind the iBand was that key designers and developers started moving to Apple. The inference was that a partnership would emerge between the two giants. It wasn’t just Nike that was fingered as a potential backer. Swatch had a brief stint as rumour mill favourite , but swiftly moved to deny its involvement – crashing its stock , and forcing the company to answer questions of exactly why it wasn’t involved. The saga continues.
Rumour mill verdict: Wrong on both counts
It would be called iWatch or iTime
There wasn’t a specific rumour that denoted that the Apple Watch would be called the iWatch, it was just decided by the rumour gods. However, the moniker stuck, and somehow ended up being much cooler than the reality .
In August, an old Apple patent surfaced that referred to the iWatch as the ‘ iTime’, but mercifully. that was wide of the mark too.
Rumour mill verdict: Wrong
It would be adorned in sapphire glass
Right on the jackpot, the rumour mill correctly predicted that sapphire glass would adorn the face of the Apple Watch. Whether or not this caused the delay in shipping, as called by The Register, we’re not sure, but a triumph for the iWatch watchers. Well done, team.
Rumour mill verdict: Right!
Apple would launch with three sizes
Another direct hit from the speculation chopper was on the sizes. Reports out of Taiwan back in July highlighted that Apple would launch three models of its Watch, which turned out to be bang on the money.
Rumour mill verdict: Right
We'd see a curved display
Thanks to some more misleading patents, it was decided that the iWatch – or iBand – would make use of curved glass technology, much like the Samsung Gear S. We’re still not sure on the specifics of the screen, or what the resolution will be, but it’s sure as hell not curved.
Rumour mill verdict: Wrong
Launch date would be 2015
Scare stories about Apple missing a Christmas release date also proved to be correct, let by extremely well-connected rumour-monger John Paczkowski over at Re/Code.
Re/code hit the grand slam of Apple rumours, first predicting the correct date of the launch, followed by the delivery .
Rumour mill verdict: Right!
It would cost $400
Panic also spread when Apple Watch’s $400 price tag was outed just before the launch. Source stated that Apple was ‘considering’ the large asking price, but fears were quickly allayed when Apple confirmed the price would be a mere $349. Phew.
Rumour mill verdict: Close, but no cigar
It would run full iOS
A large portion of the iWatch watchers – including Bloomberg – incorrectly asserted that the Apple Watch would fork iOS for a complete experience. Apple chose a completely bespoke experience, undoubtedly for the best.
Rumour mill verdict: Wrong
The Watch would charge wirelessly
Some early iWatch rumours said that Apple would use wireless charging for its watch, which could work up to a metre away. While that would be a foil for poor battery life – something Apple hasn’t spoken about as yet – the Watch charges in a more traditional manner: with a wire, connected to the wall.
Rumour mill verdict: Wrong
How we test
James is the co-founder of Wareable, and he has been a technology journalist for 15 years.
He started his career at Future Publishing, James became the features editor of T3 Magazine and T3.com and was a regular contributor to TechRadar – before leaving Future Publishing to found Wareable in 2014.
James has been at the helm of Wareable since 2014 and has become one of the leading experts in wearable technologies globally. He has reviewed, tested, and covered pretty much every wearable on the market, and is passionate about the evolving industry, and wearables helping people achieve healthier and happier lives.