Apple's smart watch has been circling for what seems like an age now but finally there appears to be proof that Apple is indeed going to release a smart watch and that it's going to be called the Apple 'iTime'.
That rather catchy name is assigned to a smart watch patent which Apple has just had approved and pertains to the creation of a wrist-worn device with the ability to recognise voice, motion and more.
What's most interesting about this patent though is the way in which it approaches the idea of a smart watch. Instead of a single device that is worn around the wrist the patent suggests a small square device which then slots into a wrist-case, effectively turning it into a watch.
This echoes the myriad of cases that were originally made for the square iPod Nano which turned it into a simple smart watch that could play music, and tell the time.
Apple's patent seemingly builds on this suggesting a device which will come with a host of new sensors, essentially creating a wrist-worn notifications hub which can connect to your iPad, iPhone, iMac and MacBook.
It seems logical that Apple -- if they did launch an iWatch -- would want to integrate the same new features that have been announced on iOS 8 which allows any Apple device to answer a iPhone if an incoming call is detected.
Other technologies include gesture recognition which would allow you to perform simple actions just by moving your hand e.g. 'waving' away a notification.
It's all interesting stuff and potentially hints at an altogether new design for the smart watch that much of the rhetoric hasn't focused on.