Smartwatch-what do you expect in near future and how various companies are placed to come out with a smartwatch in near future ( Part-I)

In our earlier article we pointed out regarding the past present and future of smartwatch. While we are convinced about concept and its bright future it is imperative to have a quick look at the preparedness of various companies in this regard. This article covers the existing smartwatches in the market (Pasrt-I).

The first reputed company that came out with so called Smart watch is Sony. This black coloured smartwatch from Sony. is battery operated device and built on Android platform. Batteries are USB chargeable. It flaunts a 1.3 inch OLED display. The touch interface runs various applications.Apart from usual message/ email display and alarm it doubles up as a music player. For your organized self it of course has a calendar/ plan management system You can also answer or decline calls with it.

Sony Smart Watch

As the present market leader Sony has come out with Smartwatch-2. According to Sony, it will be sleeker in design with a provision to use personalized wristbands. Sony is obsessed with water resistant electronics these day. This new smartwatch is no exception. It will also have one-touch NFC connectivity and capability to use whole range of NFC accessories by Sony. This beauty is supposed to come out during September 2013.

Sony Smart Watch-2

Electronics giant Samsung is not far behind. They recently hinted at a device called Gear. The detailed specifications are not out yet but according to patent filed it can be anything from wrist wearable smartphone companion to a full-fledged smartwatch. By all possibility it is going to be the prelude of smartwatch and a smartphone companion.

Samsung Gear

The story doesn’t end here for Samsung, rather it starts here. Executive Vice President Lee Young Hee when asked specifically about smartwatch answered with a definitive tone and confirmed that “We are working very hard to get ready for it. We are preparing products for the future, and the watch is definitely one of them.” In fact announcement of Gear is a surprise one after several rounds of rumors on all round smartwatch Galaxy Altius. Probably Samsung is coming out with Gear for testing of early waters and instigate its rival to exceed it. Later, based on various level of reactions from its rivals the Korean Giant will fine tune its product and come out with It will be interesting to watch Samsung’s future course of action on this

Samsung Samartwatch-Artist’s imagination

Samsung Galaxy Altius

One valiant effort in this regard is by Pebble. Pebble smartwatches has come to ‘Best Buy’ very soon. This Kickstarter-funded smartwatch has is being commercially sold from Best Buy’s website for $149. The price for Kickstarter project was $99 a piece at the time.

Pebble consists of a ARM Cortex-M3 processor, a 3-axis accelerometer, a digital compass, and an ambient light sensor and a Bluetooth radio. A vibration motor provides vibrating alerts. The display is he 1.26-inch monochrome with the 144 x 168 pixel panel. It has a good outdoor visibility.

Pebble comes with three watch faces preloaded – Text Watch, which prints time in text rather than showing numbers; Fuzzy Time, which sacrifices accuracy in favor of indicators like “noon”; and Classic Analog, with a traditional watch face along with day and date. It has a music control app, and various alarms. Theoretically, many things are possible by this watch but right now there is a shortage of Apps which in future might be improved with developer’s participation.

Pebble is compatible with both iPhone and Android. while iPhone applications are basic and scattered Android has consolidate and wide level of applications. For those who are Siri fans there is bad news. It doesn’t work with that though it may be possible in future.

Pebble Watch Faces

Pebble Smart Watch Review by Slash Gear

While Pebble focuses on application rather than style i’m Watch is just opposite, it is made with hHigh-quality materials and attractive to see and to wear. i’m Watch made in aluminum represents young and dynamic; i’m Watch Tech in titanium is durable and stylish; and i’m Watch Jewel in silver or gold is elegant and exclusive.

The dial measures 52.90 x 40.60 x 10 mm. It includes various sensors like Compass, accelerometer and magnetometer. With Bluetooth you can connect to external sensors and control their functions. You can access pedometers, heart-rate monitors and dozens of other sensor. Of course, you have to download appropriate application for that.

i’m Watch connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and works on Droid 2 operating system. For being online it uses your smartphone, in “tethering” mode. Like any other smartphone companion it gets call intimation, SMS & email view and alert. It also has its own calendar and appointment management system. i’music is an app of i’m Watch that allows you to download and listen to your favorite music among a selection of over 9.5 million songs.

The software is reported to be quarky and price is at higher side.

I’m Watch-Beautiful Looking

I’m Watch major variants

The above are more or less the current smartwatches in the market. As can be seen from their functions they are basically Smartphone companion rather than smartwatch themselves. But, it is confirm that all the hardware giants are going all out to establish dominance in this sector. In the Part-II, we will be coming out with the details of the effort being put by the hardware market leaders.

We would like to know views, opinion and comments of our readers in this respect.

Author: Technology Blog