DHAKA: Taiwan’s Quanta Computer Inc will start mass production of Apple Inc’s first smartwatch in July, a source familiar with the matter said, as the US tech giant tries to prove it can still innovate against rival Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.

The still-unnamed watch, which Apple followers have dubbed the iWatch, will be the company’s first foray into a niche product category that many remain sceptical about, especially as to whether it can drive profits as growth slows in tech gadgets

The production will be a boost to Quanta, whose work for Apple so far has focused on laptops and iPods, product lines that are in decline.

Quanta’s role, though, is likely to raise questions about what involvement Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, one of Apple’s biggest suppliers, will play in production.

While the watch has been widely expected, the start date of its mass production and the extent of Quanta’s involvement were not known until now.

Mass production will start in July and the commercial launch will come as early as October, according to the source and another person familiar with the matter. The sources requested anonymity because Apple’s production plans are private.

Apple will introduce a smartwatch with a display that likely measures 2.5 inches diagonally and is slightly rectangular, one of the sources said, reports gulfnews.com.

The source added that the watch face will protrude slightly from the band, creating an arched shape, and will feature a touch interface and wireless charging capabilities.

BDST: 1908 HRS, JUNE 21, 2014