Forget about the iPad. That's so next week or the week after.
Forget about the new iPhone that will run on Verizon's wireless network. That's so later this year if the rumors are true.
No, when you think Apple, think, as Fast Company suggests, "something weird, and yet nerdishly cool at the same time." Think wearable computers. That's right. Steve Jobs and company have gone out and hired a senior prototype scientist who is a freak for computers as clothing.
Richard DeVaul is a new hire at Apple who describes his own expertise in the area of "product development for mobile & wearable technology" on his LinkedIn profile, according to the Fast Company report.
Apple, as you would expect, is not going all public with what Dr. DeVaul is doing for the company.
Carl Howe, director of anywhere research at the Yankee Group, told MacNewsWorld that it's not likely we'll be seeing wearable computers hitting the broad consumer market in the near future. "The key is to have the wearable computer do enough for you that you're willing to put up with the inconvenience of wearing it all the time and recharging it," he said.
Discussion Questions: Do you see a future for wearable computing devices? What possible applications do you see for the technology in either the business or consumer markets?