[caption id="attachment_46169" align="alignleft" width="300"] A diagram from Apple's 2011 'iTime' patent – will its forthcoming smartwatch bear any resemblance?[/caption]

Apple will reportedly unveil its long-rumoured smartwatch on 9 September, alongside the latest two iPhones.

According to Recode, the watch will integrate with the HealthKit and HomeKit platforms Apple revealed in June, which are due for release as part of iOS 8 on or around the same date.

Exactly how these platforms will be deployed is unclear, but it's not hard to imagine ways the watch could be used to control a connected home, by bringing the remote control concept we're expecting to see on iPhones and iPads even closer to the user. If the device features any biometric sensors or activity tracker functionality, HealthKit is likewise a perfect fit for the device, .