Apple Embarks On A Hiring Spree For iWatch

Apple is reportedly hiring fresh talents for its long-planned iWatch, which could signal that the company is planning to ramp up production of the wearable device, but it could also mean that Apple's struggling to develop the new product.

Tim Bradshaw of Financial Times reported that Apple started bringing in fresh talent to its iWatch team to step up development, but also hinted that the hiring spree was an attempt to solve engineering problems plaguing the iWatch's development.

Bradshaw added that Cupertino-based company is looking beyond its current team of engineers for the wearable device. He explained that fresh expertise is required to solve "hard engineering problems" that Apple has not been able to solve over the past few months.

"The company has begun hiring aggressively for the project in recent weeks, say people familiar with Apple's plans for the wearable device, a move that shows it has stepped up development but which raises questions over the ability of its own engineers to develop wearable technology," Bradshaw wrote.

Earlier this month, the Apple also hired Yves Saint Laurent chief executive Paul Deneve to lead the company's team for a certain project. The project was not disclosed by the company, but it is widely believed that Deneve's luxury goods and fashion expertise will be utilized for the company's wearable technology.

Apple announced in February that it is going to release a wearable device later this year, but the company has yet to confirm whether the late-year release is still achievable.

However, the timing of the hiring spree could imply that the company is not yet ready to release the iWatch later this year. FT analysts believe that this could be a huge blow to investors, who are looking to see whether the company is still capable of developing new products aside from its popular iPhone, iPod, and iPad devices.

Aside from Apple, rival companies such as Google and Samsung, along with other tech companies like Dell and Pebble, have also announced their plans to develop smartwatches and other wearable devices.