Apple iWatch Rumors: TPK May Manufacture Flexible AMOLED Silver Nanowire Touch Screen For Rumored Smart Watch [REPORT]

Apple’s rumored iWatch may feature a flexible AMOLED screen according to a new report from China Times (via Digitimes)

While the rumor is currently unconfirmed, TPK Touch Solutions, the Taiwan-based touchscreen manufacturer reportedly will manufacture AMOLED flexible displays for the highly rumored Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iWatch.

Among the TPK rumors are additional details that point to the possibility of the iWatch touch screen display utilizing silver nanowire film, which companies such as 3M (NYSE:MMM) and Cambrios have developed recently. The thinner material is suitable for curved displays and is more flexible than indium tin oxide, the current material being used on touchscreen which is also quickly depleting according to Gigom.

While the TPK’s involvement with the Apple iWatch supply chain remains unconfirmed, the report is not necessarily far-fetched. Previously, TPK provided touch panels for the original Apple iPad when it first launched in 2010. However, delayed shipments of the touch screen parts from TPK caused Apple to shift orders to Wintek, according to a 2010 Digitimes report.

Despite the earlier 2010 setback, Apple still tapped TPK as a supplier for 80 percent of the touch panels used in the Apple iPhone 4S in 2011, according to CENS.

While Apple hasn’t officially announced the highly rumored iWatch, several sources such as 9to5Mac point to job openings and supplier additions that indicate that the iWatch may have some fitness and heart monitoring features.

However battery life and manufacturing issues have reportedly slowed the production process of the rumored iWatch.

While it’s unknown when the Apple iWatch may debut, analysts believe it may be released alongside the iPhone 6 and iOS 8 sometime in late 2014.

The lack of additional details surrounding the Apple iWatch hasn't stopped other manufacturers from jumping into the 2014 wearables market in the meantime. Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), LG (KRX:003550) and Sony (NYSE:SNE) introduced their wearable technology solutions back in January during 2014 International CES. Amidst rumors of the Apple iWatch, Samsung (OTCMKTS:SSNLF) also released its own take on wearable technology with the Galaxy Gear back in Fall 2013.