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President Michael D Higgins delivering his Christmas speech Áras an Uachtarán

President pays tribute to Private Sean Rooney and Creeslough victims in Christmas speech

The president highlighted Ireland’s solidarity with Ukrainian refugees spending their first Christmas away from home.

PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins has released his annual Christmas message this year, wishing a peaceful Christmas and New Year to all even as “the spectre of war hangs over our continent.”

Higgins addressed the key events of the year, from the war in Ukraine to the changes in everyday life following the end of the pandemic.

“To those who have sought refuge with us and for whom this may be their first Christmas in Ireland, may I extend a warm welcome. May your Christmas be one of peace and hope,” he said.

“We Irish can understand the experience of Christmas far from home. At the turn of the last century, over half of the people who had been born in Ireland were living abroad. This fact, along with the emigration that was to follow during the early decades of the Irish State, have shaped us profoundly as a people – we can, through the experience of our own ancestors, know what it is to be the migrant, to be displaced.”

The president also thanked the work members of the Defence Forces who will be overseas this Christmas, “supporting peace in many of the more than 60 regions across the world that are currently experiencing conflict”.

“We are all thinking this week of the grief being experienced by the family of Seán Rooney, by the families of those injured in Lebanon, and in particular the family of Shane Kearney,” President Higgins continued.

“All events occurring in conflict zones, conflict zones so near the homeland of Jesus Christ whose birth we celebrate at this time, and where efforts and peace-making is in such short supply, where suffering and exclusion is deepening. May I assure the women and men of our Defence Forces that your sacrifices for peace are greatly appreciated by the people of Ireland.” 

He also extended his sympathies to the people of Creeslough, where ten people lost their lives in an explosion in October.

President Higgins stated that he “had the privilege of visiting at a time of tragedy and grief” and hoped that the coming year would bring “space for healing” for the village.

He added that Christmas was a time for people to renew their commitment to justice, and referenced a papal letter by Pope Francis which warns that a “culture of indifference” can seep into our lives.

“It is important that we reflect on the place where we now find ourselves in our post-Covid circumstance, asking ourselves how we can make best use of our experience – have we as a society arrived at a better place, a new way of living founded on a genuine sense of the collective so generously demonstrated during the pandemic?”

“A ‘culture of indifference’ relates to climate change, a pandemic, of ignoring global issues, global hunger, migrant deaths, increasing militarism, and he challenges us all not to avert our gaze from all those who suffer in different ways on our shared planet,” Higgins explained.

He went on to thank those who care for their communities over the Christmas period.

“We are deeply grateful to those who work in our hospitals and emergency services, the volunteers who will be attending to the needs of the homeless, the vulnerable and the marginalised, and to all those who so generously give up so much of their Christmas to the needs of others.”

“As we look towards seasons of renewal and flourishing, let us do so in solidarity, resolving to craft together a shared future defined by compassion, care, inclusion and equality, a society whose values embody the vision of the brave men and women who helped to realise the foundation of our Republic and whose centenary we continue to mark,” President Higgins said.

“May I wish each and every one of you, wherever you may be, a peaceful and happy Christmas. 

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    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph Bosh
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 3:05 PM

    So it’ll basically be an iPod nano with a strap attached… But twice the price

    306
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    Mute Jason
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 4:18 PM

    Not just ANY strap. It’ll be an iStrap.

    359
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    Mute JJ Rossi
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    Jan 3rd 2013, 12:51 AM

    And it will tell iTime, just like normal time but with an extra 0 on the end because its better.

    15
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    Mute Barry O'Brien
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 3:38 PM

    I’d say its a load of bull. Who wants to charge their watch twice a day?

    289
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    Mute The Viscount
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 5:01 PM

    Nail on the head.

    84
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    Mute ManOnTheStreet
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 3:00 PM

    I can’t wait to point and laugh at anybody wearing an iWatch.

    283
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    Mute Ruairi O' Sullivan
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 5:35 PM

    Don’t forget that Sony did this about 5 years ago…….so look out Sony, apple gonna sue your ass…….Steve Jobs thought of it while on the toilet 6 years ago

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    Mute Julian King
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 6:51 PM

    Nah me and countless other kids thought of it way back in the 80′s.

    86
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    Mute Derek Larney
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 3:04 PM

    Meh, I haven’t worn a watch since the 1990′s and don’t intend to start again now. Unless it can do something a smartphone can’t there seems little point really. That won’t stop the fanboys queuing up for them though.

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    Mute Dessie Kearney
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 3:17 PM

    What an awful product. It’s an Apple so there are people, mostly hipsters, who will buy it. I can’t wait for the day Apple is finally crushed. 75% of all phone activations are now Android.

    76
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    Mute ManOnTheStreet
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 3:20 PM

    Would hipsters not avoid apple products? I thought hipsters hate anything popular? I’m so confused

    195
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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 3:25 PM

    You need help, ask your grandmother an apple a day keeps the doctor away but I’d say it’s too late in your case.

    45
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    Mute HoganusRex
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 3:31 PM

    Hipsters see the watch as outdated. Ergo they will embrace it and ruin it for the rest of us watch wearers.

    49
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    Mute Gamma
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 4:21 PM

    They’re already working on their timepiece infringement case they’re taking against Rolex

    61
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    Mute patrick o keeffe
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 4:28 PM

    What a ridiculous idea,I have liberated myself from apple,and switched to android.

    61
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    Mute Julian King
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 6:57 PM

    Liberated?
    Apple make great products, I have been using a G4 Dual Powermac in my home studio for over 10 years, bought it second hand, it was made in 1998 and is as solid as a rock…..unlike windows.

    39
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    Mute Julian King
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 6:58 PM

    Sent from my iPhone!

    44
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    Mute Johnny Norton
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 10:41 PM

    Your brainwashed Julian. You have obviously never ventured too far into modern technology if you think your 14 year old mac is still “solid”. Your studio sounds great.

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    Mute John
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 3:36 PM

    Yay! Something else to break and or get stolen!

    41
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    Mute Gary
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 9:58 PM

    You’d want to be an awful eegit to get ur watch stolen off ur wrist!

    35
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    Mute Henry Shields
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 3:44 PM

    There is a Sony Smart watch already available and Samsung tried this before and failed.

    31
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    Mute Fiachra KellyMcElroy
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 5:47 PM

    Theres already a very good Sony Smart watch- this is not an original idea, just Apple sticking an “i” on it so the apple addicts will pay 5x the price for it. l changed to Android this year and would never go back, apple are very restrictive, over priced and have lost their creativity.

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    Mute John Ward
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 4:57 PM

    What about an iHat with a screen in the brim that folds down in front of your eyes?
    The battery, a printer, the headphones and whatever else could all be built in and people would start walking into walls as well as crashing their cars!

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    Mute Rónán O'Suilleabháin
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 4:35 PM

    Not that far fetched.

    There have been some advances in projected touchscreen technology. If the watch could project a screen onto a wall or other surface, with all off the swipe, pinch, slide functionality enabled, you’d be looking at mobile computing without the restrictions of a small screen.

    Throw in 4G technology and cloud storage and you don’t even need to much memory. You could even virtualize the running of your apps. This would keeping the memory and processing requirements down to the minimum to manage the touch screen, and would allow space to be kept for the projection requirements.

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    Mute Des Doherty
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 4:30 PM

    No offence rob but you are a complete idiot

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    Mute Ius_Ad_Bellum
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 6:33 PM

    I’m really hoping this isn’t true. I have a shed load of Apple kit, imac’s, macbook pros, ipad , iphones etc so I’m not a hater but if this occurs the behemoth that is Apple will wipe out Pebble who have come from nowhere, reached out on kickstarter, invigorated a community and innovated in the area. For Apple to just sweep in and steal (as they have done since IOS5) the drive created by the little guy to make mass profit would be yet another negative development for competition in the consumer electronics sector. Come on the underdog.

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    Mute Dónal O'Flynn
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 4:35 PM

    Watch straps for the iPod Nano have been available for quite a while now and personally I don’t think they look too bad. The idea of buying an actual “iWatch” does sound stupid but if you already have an iPod Nano the strap isn’t that much of an outlay. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XexrkV7SBkA

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    Mute John Dobermann
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 5:19 PM

    I had one and it was great for jogging and the gym looked great too. Not so great as a watch because it takes a second or 2 to switch on. Also, its not watetproof. Mine died cause i got caught jogging in a light shower with no pockets.

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    Mute Joseph Howard
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 5:39 PM

    The only reason 75% of phone activations are Android is because its literally hundreds of types of Android Phone against ONE type of iphone. That being said, I think Apple are going to have to really pull rabbits out of hats to make the iPhone 6 in any way desireable. As for the watch, I can’t imagine it will do much other than tell the time, the current temperature and link by bluetooth to the phone in your pocket, and show the same notifications as get on it. I don’t find that particularly desireable in any way.. so maybe Apple will surprise us with something interesting… have nothing against Android, and really all I have against Apple is there bloody useless itunes program! Personally I think they should come up with some kinetic iphone that charges itself as its used. Now wouldn’t that be useful?

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    Mute Gerard
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 7:15 PM

    Heard new product is gonna be a Hoover called i suck :)

    18
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    Mute Daniel R
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 3:38 PM

    Talk about a world of distractions. Having an iPhone is bad enough but I’ll never get any study done with an iWatch. I like being able to check the time without squinting at yet another screen thanks.

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    Mute Marko Burns
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 3:23 PM

    More likely an ipod that can be worn on the wrist with wireless headphones or something.
    Nobody still wears watches do they?

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    Mute Rob Zombie
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 5:42 PM

    Ok i will try again. Hopefully it wont be deleted this time.

    I cant see a straight bloke wearing this gadget because he would be a laughing stock.

    Is that PC enough.

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    Mute jim redmond
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 10:01 PM

    Bizarre comment

    18
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    Mute jrbmc
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 7:33 PM

    Or the new apple toilet called the
    i-can

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    Mute Baz
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 5:45 PM

    Surprised they don’t have this out already it wouldnt have all the features just notifications etc.. and most importantly the ability to switch what your listening to or check progress time in a fitness app. Sony already have the smart watch cost less than 100 euro and it links to your experia phone brilliantly… Really good product in my opinion

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    Mute Brian Daly
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 3:40 PM

    Apple disrupts telling the time. Didn’t Nokia or somebody do this before? Can’t see why Apple would bother when one of their accessory people can make it.

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    Mute angryjoepublic
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 4:08 PM

    What the iWatch could look like.

    9
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    Mute sean
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    Jan 3rd 2013, 1:45 AM

    I still don’t get the whole ‘kick apple users’ thing Derek/Dessie.
    Apple products :-
    ~ Generally are more stylish
    ~ Generally have higher specs than similar products
    ~ Usually last longer than similar products
    and of course
    ~ Cost more!

    So, if you want a class leading product that looks great, works great, will last for a long time and you have the money…. Buy an Apple product.

    If not, then buy something else, but FFS, don’t keep ranting about fanboi’s and hipsters.

    Apple may not always be the first to invent something but whatever they do (tv excluded) usually leads to a tech step forward which has to be a good thing right?

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    Mute Jason Keelan
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 6:12 PM

    Already got the strap for the nano and turned on the clock to be the main screen! Works fine! Just too lazy to charge my watch!!! Doesn’t seem right!

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    Mute John Mooney
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 5:15 PM

    For what it will cost I hope there’s a button on it for when I am just about to get a parking ticket that says … Beam me up Scotty I’m in trouble :)

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 6:00 PM

    There’s a watch called an I’m Watch which does this. it’s about €350. A watch has advantages over a phone especially if you are travelling or at the races :)

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    Mute pjbrowne
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 4:39 PM

    Who would want to be seen wareing on of these remember the digital watch where are they now or the calculator watch gone and forgotten

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    Mute Stephen McGovern
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 5:22 PM

    You could easily have an analog clock display instead of a digital one.
    As others have said, most of this has been done before, but there are some useful potential features.

    - Check messages/mail/SMS received without taking your phone out of your pocket.
    - Change the song you are listening to.
    - See who is ringing and answer (assuming using headphones as handsfree)
    - Localised alerts e.g. Pedestrian access ahead closed, 50% off instore, we have that cd/dvd/game on your wishlist available instore, expect rain etc
    - Sat nav for walking, check your watch and an arrow points you in the direction,

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    Mute Ciarán Delaney
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 8:49 PM

    I think this is the most logical argument here, I like the idea of the location based marketing potential. Rumours are Apple are looking to acquire FourSquare so something as portable as an iWatch could make sense.

    Also, GPS watches are quite a lucrative market with the likes of Garmin making them, if the money is there to be made, why not give it a go?

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    Mute Floyd Pepper
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 11:48 PM

    Looks like a copy of Motorola’s motoactv.

    5
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    Mute Sean Mc Avinue
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 5:29 PM

    After a few weeks you’d end up with eyes like Peter Lorres

    4
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    Mute More Creative
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 11:20 PM

    imagine an imore? everything apple has done into one device. an hologram type device that is integrated into a small little key ring. activate it and out jumps some annoying 3d spokeperson / cartoon of your choice. you get the idea. maybe i should patent now so i can sue apple for infringement! i admire the way apple has developed / reinvented themselves. but honestly i just cannot stand the impractical software and its functions. had an imac, g4, iphone 3 & 4, ipod. never again. truly android from here on in.

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    Mute Brendan O'Sullivan
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    Jan 3rd 2013, 1:54 AM

    Any chance that Apple will set up a manufacturing plant for the iClog here! Come on IDA, go meet Tim Cook or invite him to the Gathering!

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    Mute Cathy Murphy
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    Jan 3rd 2013, 10:33 AM

    As a self confessed Apple fan I have to say this is ridiculous!! I have an iPhone and an iPad but I’d be mortified to wear one of these, iDump this idea please Apple!

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    Mute angryjoepublic
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    Jan 2nd 2013, 4:08 PM

    What the iWatch could look like……..

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    Mute Michael Hayes
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    Jan 3rd 2013, 11:47 PM

    I think no one here read the article properly, “Intel came up with the concept and Apple is now “interested” in building it out.”

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    Mute Tony O' Leary
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    Jan 3rd 2013, 4:58 AM

    I first seen one of these watch phones few years back and always wondered if you could use it in prison and nobody would notice ..just a random taught lol

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