The company will be taking its first steps into the wearable technology category within upcoming weeks.
Microsoft is now preparing for an important new product launch as it will make its way into the wearable technology device category through its upcoming smartwatch device, according to a recent report from Forbes.
This wearable device will provide a range of features such as tracking the heart rate of the wearer.
One aspect that is quite interesting about the upcoming Microsoft smartwatch is that it is meant to be compatible with a range of different mobile platforms. Moreover, it will also have a considerable battery life that will last over two days when the device is used regularly, said the Forbes report.
This will place Microsoft in direct competition with the smartwatch rivals from Samsung, Motorola, and others.
Galaxy Gear wearable technology from Samsung has already been released in several versions and generations. Equally, the Moto 360 has represented the first option in the category from Motorola. This also brings Microsoft into the wearables arena just as the lucrative holiday season will be getting going. That will bring it onto the store shelves ahead of the competition from Apple, which is not set to be released until sometime in early 2015.
The first reports of wearables from Microsoft began appearing earlier this year in May, when it was working on a gadget that would employ the Kinect division’s optical engineering tech and that would be able to sync not only with Windows Phones but also smartphones that are based on Google’s Android or Apple’s iOS.
At the time that this article was written, the company had not released any details with regards to what it intends to actually name its smartwatch. It also has not given any indication as to the type of price tag that should be expected on the device. This is not only a major step into a new product category for Microsoft, but it is also a large step being taken by the CEO of the company, Satya Nadella, as this territory is considered to be primarily an uncharted one.
The software giant is now setting up to create and launch its own wearable technology device.
According to a recent report from Forbes, a Microsoft smartwatch may be one of the next entrants into the wearable technology marketplace, and this device will likely be able to sync will a range of different devices, including those based on Windows Phone (of course), as well as those based on Android and iOS.
The launch of these wearables could be released as soon as this summer, said the report.
The initial reports and rumors on the Microsoft smartwatch suggest that it will include a number of fitness tracking functions, such as being able to monitor the wearer’s heart rate. The Forbes report indicated that this information came from “multiple sources with knowledge of the company’s plans.” While it does appear that a summer release is planned, the specific date has not yet been revealed.
It has been speculated that the physical appearance of the Microsoft smartwatch may resemble the Gear Fit.
The look of the new wearable mobile device could be similar to the Samsung competition in that it would offer a touch screen in full color that would be worn on the inside of the wrist. The battery is expected to last two days on a full charge, which is also comparable to the Gear Fit. This device should be able to monitor heart rate throughout the length of the day, said Forbes’ sources.
That said the Forbes report also stated that an official spokesperson from Microsoft stated that the company did not have any information to share at this time. Other media outlets were also told that the software giant was not prepared to make any immediate comment on the matter.
Should the report’s information actually be accurate, then it would mean that the Microsoft smartwatch would be only the latest in a rapidly growing range of large tech players who are working their way into the wearables space. Sony and Samsung have already released more than one generation of their devices, smaller participants such as Pebble have managed to lead the way with their own versions of the technology, and others like Motorola and LG have revealed that theirs are on the way. The iWatch from Apple remains a highly anticipated rumor.
