Apple Said to Be on a Hiring Spree Ahead of iWatch Release Next Year The tech giant's smart watch likely won't launch until the end of 2014 at the earliest.

By Steve Kovach

This story originally appeared on Business Insider

Esben Oxholm

Apple is on a hiring spree right now, trying to find engineers who can help troubleshoot problems its having with its first wearable gadget, the so-called iWatch.

The news comes from Financial Times reporter Tim Bradshaw, who spoke to several sources familiar with Apple's plans for the iWatch.

Here's what Bradshaw's sources are telling him about the iWatch's development:

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.

The report goes on to say that assuming Apple doesn't scrap the project, the iWatch probably won't launch until the end of 2014.

Speaking of hiring, Apple recently poached Paul Deneve, the former CEO of fashion house Yves Saint Laurent, as a vice president working on "special projects." Deneve reports directly to Apple CEO Tim Cook. The hire caused many to speculate that Deneve was brought on to help market wearable technology once Apple does release a product in the category.

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