A Prototype of Microsoft Smartwatch

A source familiar with the development of Microsoft’s Xbox has spoken with The Verge this week, noting that development of a smartwatch is indeed in the works right now. Sources note that a wrist-worn device has been in development by Microsoft for just over a year, and that this machine wont just be a companion for the gaming console.

Stacking up the tips and suggestions made throughout this month thus far, you’ll find this smartwatch to be working with a 1.5-inch touchscreen display, the possibility of gesture/motion control, and a re-use of the same connectors used for the Microsoft Surface tablets. With these connectors you’ll be able to pick your watch face up, place it down in a special tray, and let it charge all night long.


This connectivity might not make it past the prototype stage and, based on what we understand thus far, the entire watch might stay a prototype into the future as well. Have a peek at the timeline below to see additional clues, bits, and pieces leading to the final product sooner than later.

Source: slashgear

Microsoft reported working on the touched-enabled watch device

Microsoft is reportedly exploring the idea of joining what promises to be a crowded smartwatch market.

The tech titan has asked suppliers in Asia to ship components for a potential touch-enabled watch device, executives at the suppliers told The Wall Street Journal. One executive told the Journal that he had met with Microsoft's research and development team in Redmond, Wash., but it's unclear whether Microsoft will commit to producing such a device.


Microsoft has requested these components to potentially create a touch-enabled watch device, featuring a 1.5 inch display. Microsoft requested displays from component makers for that specific size. No word on exactly if Microsoft will follow through with a touch-enabled watch, but this report gives us a positive outlook on its chances.

Back in 2008, we saw the sales of Microsoft's Smart Watch disappear. Smart Watch was Microsoft's first interest in a wearable gadget, which provided news headlines, sports scores, and instant messages via a FM radio and a subscription fee.

Source:WJS
Via:WinBeta

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LG Reported to be Working on its own smartwatch and a Google Glass-like Project

Apple, Google, and Samsung are all rumored to be building their own smartwatches, LG becomes the latest manufacturer to reportedly join the fray. According The Korea Times.

LG is currently developing both a smartwatch and another wearable computing device described as something similar to Google Glass. It wouldn't be the first time that LG developed such a product — back in 2009, the company showed off a "watch phone," which came with a full GSM radio built-in for voice calls. This rumored new product would be more along the lines of the Pebble and other speculated smartwatches, with the ability to sync with your smartphone and check messages or other notifications.

The watch is reported to run on Android, which fits considering the company's heavy focus on Google's OS — but there's also a chance it'll run the new Firefox OS that was shown off in detail at MWC last month. While it would certainly make sense for LG to be exploring wearable computing options, the timing of this rumor helps put LG in the conversation alongside consumer technology's giants — smartwatches from Samsung, Google, and Apple are probably the biggest rumor in technology right now.

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Google reported working on its own smartwatch!

Reports claimed that Google's Android unit is working on a smart watch. With Samsung confirming that it is working on a smart watch and rumors about Apple's "iWatch" continuing to circulate, it appears that the three companies are set to battle in a new mobile device segment.

The report unsurprisingly suggests that Google views the smart watch as a more mainstream wearable accessory than the Google Glass project that has garnered significant attention in recent months.

While Glass is being created in its X Lab, home to experimental “moonshot” projects such as the self-driving car, Google’s smart watch is being developed by its Android unit, according to a person briefed on the project, to act as an extension to the smartphones using that operating system. The project is separate from Samsung’s efforts, the source said, although there is no indication of when it might launch.

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Samsung's Galaxy S4 to come with an S4 mini and a smart watch

The Galaxy S4, aka GT-I9500 or Altius, has been developed under the name Project J and could be announced in March. Well Project J now consists of a total of three devices, based on information about upcoming accessories.

Samsung's Project J mini, codenamed Serrano, hints towards a smaller smartphone which would be the Galaxy S4 mini. This isn't exactly an outrageous claim since Samsung has launched the Galaxy S3 mini to sit alongside the full size Galaxy S3.

SamMobile says the Galaxy S4 mini uses almost the same accessories as the Galaxy S4 but won't feature wireless charging. It is likely to be a cheaper and lower spec version of Samsung's new flagship smartphone.

The third device is called Project J Active, codenamed Fortius, and hasn't been full decided upon. It will come with accessories including an arm band, bike mount and punch suggesting it could be a smart watch. Samsung might call it the Galaxy Watch but alternatively it could be a smartphone similar to the Galaxy Xcover 2.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is tipped to feture an Exynos 5 Octa 8-core processor, 4.9in Full HD screen, wireless charging, a 13Mp camera and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.It has been suggested that Samsung will announce the handset outside of MWC (Mobile World Congress) on possibly 15 or 22 March. It will then be released and go on sale some time early in April.

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Apple reported working on iOS smartwatch

Having conquered the desktops, music libraries and phones of millions, the company is reported developing on a smart watch that would run on the same iOS operating system that powers iPhones, iPads and iPods. All the more intriguing is the notion that the smartwatch may well be made of curved glass, with possible suppliers being the likes of Corning who could utilise one of their newest products: Willow Glass. The company’s CTO – Pete Bocko said, “Right now, if I tried to make something that looked like a watch, that could be done using this flexible glass. ”

Capabilities that Apple is exploring for wearable devices remain unclear. But analysts and investors who have been tracking the field predict the company would release a product with many different functions and that the device would work closely with the iPhone.The watch could also be used to make mobile payments, with Apple’s Passbook payment software.

Apple has been exploring the area for some time, according to the people briefed on the effort, and has hired employees with backgrounds in sensors and related technologies in recent years.

The New York Times are just one body who claim to have knowledge that such an accessory could be under construction according to ‘people familiar with the company’s explorations. They stated ,”such a watch would operate on Apple’s iOS platform and stand apart from competitors based on the company’s understanding of how such glass can curve around the human body. “

Source: New York Times

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