In our previous article we pointed out about few of the so called smartwatches which are available commercially. Watches by Sony, Pebble and I’m Watch are few predominant names in this segment. Does that mean that all other tech giants are sitting peacefully and watching the opportunity to go by? Not at all. There are hectic activities behind the scene to come out with a formidable smartwatch and before the major competitors. Based on the information available in the public domain we will try to analyze the competitive landscape.
Before we try to define a landscape we must know very clear in our mind about the definition of a smartwatch. Arguably, any smartwatch should have the following capabilities:
- Should perform multiple functions beyond watch and mobile. These capabilities should cover many of the functions like Calculator, translator, Games, Audio & Video playing and FM radio
- It should also include some of the features such as camera, thermometer, altimeter, barometer, compass, GPS, accelerometer, speaker
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity option
- Mass storage capability and most importantly ;
- Seamless function integration through single operating system
Having agreed on the definition, let us try to define the competitive landscape in no particular order:
LG Electronics
“It is one major part of many currently non-commercialized products under development by LG Electronics,” said the source. “The company has spared no efforts to invest in products that it believes are must-haves to stay ahead technology wise in the market, whatever the situation maybe.”, an unofficial statement by source representing LG.
Importance of a smartwatch and Making it a mass attraction was there in LG’s mind for a long time. During 2009, LG put up a flop-show in the form of a smart watch called GD910. It has many features to be termed as smartwatch.
LG GD910
VGA camera, 256 color display, no external card slot, absence of video recording facility, absence of a proper operating system and most importantly exorbitant price level (around 775 USD) made it a flop show. Having said that, these drawbacks are probably the result of high expectation level from a so called smartwatch and we can easily take this smartwatch as a baseline for future smartwatch
In recent months LG came out with innovative demonstration of flexible display which can easily be correlated with a smartwatch. LG’s affinity towards Firefox OS gives this effort a distinct tone and texture.
Flexible Display
Firefox OS
Meanwhile, LG has also demonstrated and planned for smart activity tracker which can easily be taken as a prelude to a smartwatch. We at Technology Blog will not be surprised if LG is the first company to come out a formidable smartwatch
LG activity tracker
In our previous blog we covered activities of Samsung in detail. Here, we will jump straightway to the activities of another tech-giant Microsoft.
Microsoft
Like LG, Microsoft has also burnt its fingers in the smartwatch game. Unlike LG, Microsoft’s effort during 2008 didn’t see the light of the day. Continuous changing of partners (starting from Suunto, Fossil and eventually Swatch),and high cost forced Microsoft to abort the effort.
However, with the announcement/ hint of smartwatch from other tech-giants Microsoft has shown some movement in this direction. It reportedly asked its Asian suppliers to supply such components which definitely hints towards smartwatch. Unlike other smatwatches, Microsoft’s smartwatch conceptualization is more predictable. In all probability, it will be built on Windows 8 or later version and will draw its power from a well established operating system. Some of the concept watches from Microsoft is shown below:
Microsoft Smartwatch
Google is trying its best to come into wearable technology market with Google Glass and Google smartwatch. Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility is a clear indication in this regard. Motorola is no stranger in this field with its smartwatch called MOTOACTV.
MOTOACTV
According to Financial Times report, Google’s Motorola Mobility unit is developing a smartwatch. Going by Google’s recent tendency to go in the incremental path this smartwatch will work as a connected companion to the smartphones running on the Google Android operating system. We expected this as a formal announcement in Google I/O during may 2013 but we guess, we have to wait a bit for that. In the meantime, we have to be satisfied with imaginations like these below
Android smartwatches by Google
Apple
Discussion on smartwatch will remain incomplete without mentioning the name of Apple. Apple is generally the pioneer. Starting from developing a mass appealing OS, to smartphone and then a few years back a tablet, all proves Apple’s ability to come out with something path breaking. In the case of smartwatch it will not be so unless Apple comes out with something revolutionary. This segment has already become crowded with many potential players.
Apple stated that it is “intensely interested” in the wearable technology industry and Tim Cook conceives the wearable tech being defined by wrist-worn gadgets and not glasses. Though Apple has maintained its usualy silence on smartwatch as such but at the same time, not stopped rounds of rumors/ speculations including likely design of a curved glass “iWatch.”
The sheer volume of patents filed by Apple connected to concepts/ components of iWatch is constantly fueling the rumors of iWatch. It looks like iWatch is inevitable. It remains to be seen if this smartwatch concept is going to be a device complimentary to iPhone or it is positioned as standalone device. In the meantime, we will imagine and discuss its shape, size and functionality.
Artist’s imagination
The fancy and imagination regarding iWatch is well depicted by the cartoon below from Joy of Tech:
Avi Greengart, analyst on consumer devices at the research firm Current Analysis believes that the smartwatch market has reached its tripping point. According to him, 2013 may be the year simply because “the components have gotten small enough and cheap enough” . Also, a huge percentage of mass has got smartphone in their possession. “The furor about wearable technologies, particularly smart watches and smart glasses is unsurprising,” said ABI analyst Josh Flood. According to ABI Research wearable computing devices will “explode in popularity over the next year” and grow to 485 million annual device shipments by 2018. Forrester Research analyst Sarah Rotman Epps noted that “the body is the next frontier for personal computing,” and that “it seems like only a matter of time before Apple enters the market directly.”
Well, we are excited and watching eagerly. All we know that it’s the right time.
Author: Technology Blog
