Tim Cook Hints at an Apple Wearable Gadget, Defends Apple's Cool

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif., May 29, 2013— -- On Tuesday evening Apple CEO Tim Cook spent an hour in the hot seat, answering questions in a ballroom full of Silicon Valley's top brass at the All Things D conference. As is expected from an executive from the highly secretive company, Cook played his cards close to his chest, refusing to answer direction questions about future products from interviewers Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher.

But Cook did reveal a few interesting things about Apple and what types of products Apple might be interested in. "We have some incredible plans that we have been working on for awhile. We have incredible ideas," Cook said at one point. So what kind of products might Apple be cooking up? How did Cook respond to being asked if Apple is losing its cool? Here are five of the most interesting things Cook said on stage.

Profound Interest in Wearable Gadgets
Google Glass doesn't have broad appeal, says Cook, but wearable gadgets are "profoundly interesting."

While Cook wouldn't answer specifically if Apple's making a watch or a wearable gadget, he did say: "There are lots of wearables in this space now. The ones that are doing more than one thing -- there's nothing great out there that I've seen. Nothing that's going to convince a kid that's never worn glasses or a band or a watch or whatever to wear one." He said that the wrist was an interesting space. Apple has been rumored to be working on a smartwatch.

The Next Version of iOS
Cook didn't talk much about what the next version of iOS will look like, but he confirmed that it will be previewed in two weeks at Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference. Cook said that Jony Ive, who took over software design for the company a few months ago, has been "key" to the design changes coming. Apple plans to open up new aspects of the operating system to developers so app makers can build deeper features. The next version of the Mac software will be shown at the conference too, Cook said.

A Bigger iPhone?
When asked about a range of iPhones, Cook said it's something that the company hasn't done so far, but "that doesn't shut off the future." As for why the iPhone doesn't have a larger screen now: "A large screen today comes with a lot of tradeoffs. People do look at the size, but they also look at things like if the photos show the proper color, the white balance, reflectivity, battery life, brightness, the longevity of the display."

Apple's Mysterious Television
With Microsoft's Xbox One launch, eyes are on Apple and its long-rumored TV set. Cook was beyond tight lipped about this one, but did divulge that Apple has sold 13 million of its Apple TV boxes. "I don't want to go into detail, as you might have guessed, but it continues to be an area of great interest for us," Cook said. "When you look at the TV experience, it's not an experience that I think many people love. It's not an experience that's been brought up to this decade."

Is Apple Losing its Cool?
A stock price in flux, a fierce competition with Samsung and now scrutiny from the Senate on tax evasion: Is Apple losing its cool? Cook had a simple answer: "Absolutely not." He added: "We've always had competent rivals. We fought against Microsoft, still fight against Microsoft in the PC space. We fought against hardware companies that were viewed to be incredible hardware companies, like Dell. But we've always suited up and fought. I don't see that different today."

You can watch the full interview here.