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.
Even though the wearable technology market is rapidly building in devices, applications are nearly nonexistent.
The wearables market is quickly flooding with smartwatches and other types of mobile gadgets that are worn on the wrist or other places on the body, but at the same time, there are very few applications that are available in the app stores for these devices.
Now that Android Wear has been released by Google, that is expected to change rather quickly.
Mobile app developers are already starting to enter into the race to become the leaders among the applications available for smartwatches. The popularity and growth of wearable technology is allowing them to be able to take hold of an opportunity that has been increasingly challenging – to the point of impossible, for many – when it comes to putting out a hit mobile app. As the number of applications for Android and iOS devices is now in the millions, it is difficult for a developer to stand out.
The number of apps for smartwatches is notably lower, making it far easier to be noticed by users.
What will be interesting is whether it will be games that will become the most popular among wearables – as is the case with smartphones and tablets – or whether it will be fitness and health tracker apps that will lead the way in these even smaller screen mobile gadgets.
BI Intelligence has recently released a report that provides some insight regarding the current ecosystem for wearable apps. It looked more closely at precisely why the present environment for wearable tech device applications is as limited as it is. Moreover, it also examined the way that certain categories for apps could help to make not only the developers, but also the device category, a tremendous mainstream success.
The report didn’t look exclusively at the market for smartwatches, but also looked at the broader spectrum of wearables and their apps. For example, the Google Glass apps space was examined, and the battle for dominance between Google and Apple were also discussed. Among the primary barriers that was identified was the fact that the wearables sphere is currently highly segmented. That may, however, not remain the case with Android Wear now in play, and with an iOS launch expected at some point this year.
