Here's How Apple Came Up With The Apple Watch

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Business Insider

The Apple Watch comes out of an unexpected product.

Less than a week after Apple unveiled the Apple Watch, we're learning about how the tech goliath came up with its newest product category.

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The Apple Watch was inspired by the 2010 iPod Nano, according to the New York Times' Brian X. Chen.

"The watch, according to a former Apple designer, had its origin with a tiny iPod Nano Touch, introduced in 2010," writes Chen. "People attached a strap to the minuscule media player, and wore it on their wrist, listening to music while jogging."

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Chen is talking about the 6th-generation iPod Nano, which had a tiny square face resembling the Apple Watch sans a strap. It looked like this:


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People soon realized that one could make a DIY-smartwatch by slapping a band on the Nano. The result is something very closely resembling the Apple Watch:

iPod_Nano_Apple_Watch

Business Insider

From left: A 6th gen iPod Nano attached to a band, and an Apple Watch.


Apple has clearly made an effort to burnish the Apple Watch with a luxurious face, but the genesis of their smartwatch is completely evident.