Morning Report: iWatch Still Stuck in Testing, Elgato Smart Home, Cortana vs. Siri

We're back after an extended Labor Day weekend here in the U.S., and with only a week away from Apple's next media event, there's plenty to get excited about. Unfortunately, things are looking grim for the rumored iWatch, which appears to be stuck in not-quite-final testing, but Elgato's got a batch of new HomeKit-friendly accessories on the way to tide us over once iOS 8 hits the streets. Click to read more!

iWatch Reportedly in Verification Testing, 2015 Launch Likely

Apple's big media event is only a week away, and speculation continues to run rampant about the iPhone 6 and the possibility executives will finally take the wraps off the fabled "iWatch." DigiTimes today reported the Apple wearable is "still unlikely" to be available until sometime next year, despite the fact components are already in production.

According to supply chain sources, the hardware is still in what's known as the  engineering verification testing (EVT) stage, which is kind of the next-to-last step prior to production verification test (PVT). At any point between these two stages, Apple could still make design changes — and sources claim that for this reason, Cupertino is "unlikely" to introduce the wearable at next week's event.

"Currently, the upstream supply chain is mainly waiting for Apple to place component orders; however, Apple has not yet given a firm schedule for the production," one unnamed source revealed.

Elgato Debuts iOS-Connected Smart Home Monitors, Lighting

IFA 2014 kicks off Friday in Munich, Germany, but Elgato hit the ground running yesterday by launching a new line of app-powered smart home accessories capable of being controlled from an iPhone or iPad. Elgato promises all three products will be iOS 8 HomeKit friendly soon after Apple releases the free update.

First up is Elgato Eve, a monitoring system capable of reporting air quality, temperature, humidity, air pressure, energy, and water consumption data using a variety of sensors placed around the home. The company also introduced the $99.95 Elgato Smart Power, billed as an "intelligent portable power device" capable of monitoring itself, sending a push notification to a connected iPhone when the device needs a charge.

Finally, the $49.95 Elgato Avea offers an alternative to more costly smart LED lightbulbs, capable of being controlled using Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi. The companion app offers seven dynamic scenes and colors for any situation, and requires no bridge device for direct use with iPhone.

Microsoft Pits Cortana Against Siri in New Windows Phone Spot

Microsoft has gone on the offensive against Apple yet again this week, this time taking aim at Siri and the iPhone 5s in a new commercial entitled "Mirror Mirror." Featuring the new HTC One (M8) for Windows, the spot portrays Apple's smartphone as a vain princess who winds up getting put in her place by the supposedly slicker hardware of the latest Windows Phone 8.1, including the built-in personal assistant, Cortana.

"I have two speakers for music," Cortana boasts near the end of the commercial. "Oh, I only have one... and I'm sitting on it," Siri laments. The entire spot is embedded below, and also available for viewing on YouTube as it begins making the rounds to television.

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