Apple Files iWatch Trademark Application in Japan

Signs of Apple's long-rumored smartwatch surface once again.

Rumors of an Apple smartwatch have been long-standing, and now Yahoo Japan reports that the company has applied for an iWatch trademark in Japan, suggesting, once again, that the fabled product may actually be a real thing. According to Engadget, other companies have filed for the same trademark in the past, although this particular one was specifically applied for by Apple Inc. of Cupertino.

iWatchz Q Series watchband for iPod nano

The trademark application follows a recent Apple patent for a flexible AMOLED display intended to be worn around the wrist, in addition to reports that the so-called iWatch will run a full version of iOS and could be available as early as later this year.
The competition to create the first commercially successful smartwatch is well underway, with large companies like Samsung and Microsoft being mentioned in rumors a number of times. Sony, on the other hand, is preparing to launch its latest smartwatch while Pebble continues to deliver its successful Kickstarter project to customers.