Tag: smartwatches

A new report from ON World has predicted that these mobile devices will become explosively popular.

A new report has now been released by ON World, a research firm, which has forecasted that wearable technology devices – which include everything from smartwatches to smart clothing and from fitness bands to augmented reality glasses – will make up an industry worth $50 billion by the year 2018.

It expects that by the end of that time period, 700 million of these mobile devices will have been shipped.

The wearable technology report also projected that by the year 2018, there will be 330 million shipments around the world of smartwatches, alone. When this is compared to the 3 million that were shipped on a global scale, last year, it is clear that this represents a staggering growth. The vast majority of the revenue in this area is expected to be from hardware, within that time span. That said, apps and monitoring services – among other subscriptions – should also be taking of throughout that time.

Wearable technology will also experience a shift in the dominant types of device during that time.

The research firm feels that by 2018, the current leaders in the market, which are health and fitness focused mobile devices, will be replaced by smart gadgets such as smartwatches, augmented reality glasses, and wearable sensors in many different forms. The smartwatch, says ON World, is going to be a highly disruptive force within the current tech market. The company believes that these devices will replace a number of the app needs currently experienced by many owners of smartphones.

To support the predictions that it has made, the firm went on to survey 1,000 consumers and determined that among all of the various forms of wearables currently available, 55 percent preferred a device in wristwatch form. Another 38 percent said that they had an interest in the health applications that are offered by these types of gadgets.

The consumer survey also found that the rumored wearable technology from Apple, dubbed the iWatch, is the most preferred, despite the fact that it hasn’t even been unveiled, yet. Price is also an important deciding factor that determines a consumer’s final choice, as 40 percent were willing to pay over $99, but only 8 percent were willing to go above $299.

New Microsoft patents have strengthened wearable technology rumors.

Rumors about Microsoft’s smartwatch have faded into the background, particularly with the latest reports regarding Google Android Wear and the many rumors surfacing about Apple’s iWatch, however, two recently published patents hint that Microsoft is still on target to release its own range of wearable devices and a source close to the plans said that this could happen as earlier as October of this year.

Two patents show wrist-worn devices that connect with a smartphone.

Apparently, this same source also mentioned that the watch’s display may be on the inside of the wrist, which would allow the screen to be seen by the wearer when they turn their wrist upwards. Some believe this would make using the smartwatch more “natural” compared to other similar gadgets currently on the market.

Another rumor is that the gadget would not be as bulky as Motorola’s Moto 360 or Samsung’s smartwatches. Instead, the wearable tech from Microsoft is anticipated to be thinner and sleeker in its design, similar to a fitness band like the Nike+Fuelband.

The latest two patents published were initially filed in December 2012. Both patents displayed wrist-worn gadgets that link with a smartphone or other smart device. The wearables are equipped with GPS units, accelerometers and heart rate monitors.

While this technology is nothing original compared to what is currently available on the market, Microsoft’s patents existed before devices presently on the market. Thus, it is possible that patent infringements may result.

Microsoft’s smartwatch is rumored to be a cross platform.

Another rumor is that the smart watch may be a cross platform, which means that it could be used with any operating system or phone. This would make it the first smartwatch to be able to sync with Windows, iOS and Android phones. Currently, Samsung’s watches only connect with its own phones. Likewise, it is anticipated that if a watch is released by Apple, it is likely to only work with its handsets and other propriety devices.

The smartwatch from Microsoft has also been rumored to have 11 sensors inside it that include, among other features, a microphone, GPS and accelerometer.