Now, for the next big iThing.

The Los Angeles Times is among the media outlets reporting that Apple plans to introduce an iWatch as soon as 2013, and that it could run the iOS operating system.

The iWatch, which has been rumored, would be able to make calls, show caller ID, check map coordinates, count steps using a pedometer, and monitor health-related data using sensors, according to the reports.

Apple has filed for 79 patents that include the word "wrist" in them, the Times cited a Bloomberg report as saying.

Apple might be going into the wristwatch market because gross margins on watches are about 60 percent. Also, progress in the watch business would help Apple compensate for slowing growth in other areas, such as iPhones.

Apple’s stock has slumped by more than a third since peaking in September 2012, on signs of accelerating competition led by Samsung.

-- What do you think about an iWatch? Is it progress or overkill? Share your thoughts in the comments below.