Google Rumored to Make Android Smartwatch: 5 Competitors Ready to Fight

By Anuj Bhatia & Abhinaya
|

This year one could see smart watch getting a fair recognition. Now a day's every major vendor is either updating their current lineup of intelligent watch or planning to launch a new variant in the coming months. Apple's iWatch is no more secret in the tech world. On the other hand, Samsung has just slipped out its intention to get into smart watch business. The Japanese giant, Sony, is also committed in making intelligent watch.

 

However, there is no word on the street whether the makers behind Xperia Z are planning to launch a sequel to SmartWatch this year or not. Interestingly, Google, who changed the smartphone market with Android OS, is also prepping its own smart watch.

Reported by The Financial Times, the software giant might be working on a highly secretive project, which is nothing but indeed signals a smart watch in the making. As per information, under the supervision of Google's Android team, smart watch is brewing. It is also being said that Google's smart watch has no link with Samsung Galaxy watch.

Samsung says that they are working rather hard to craft a smart watch on their own. It is believed that Samsung would likely to opt for Tizen OS over Android mobile OS. As of now, it's hard to comment upon whether Samsung is more inclined towards Android for its smart watch project or not.

In 2011, Google filed a patent which clearly hints at Google's intention to make a smart watch device. Here is an abstract about "Smart-watch including flip up display".

"A smart-watch can include a wristband, a base, and a flip up portion. The base can be coupled to the wristband and include a housing, a processor, a wireless transceiver, and a tactile user interface. The wireless transceiver can be configured to connect to a wireless network. The tactile user interface can be configured to provide interaction between a user and the smart-watch. The flip up portion can be dis-placeable between an open position exposing the base and a closed position concealing the base. Further, the flip up portion can include: a top display exposed when the flip up portion is in the closed position and an inside display opposite the top display. The inside display can be concealed when the flip up portion is in the closed position and be exposed when the flip up portion is in the open position."

Currently, three big companies such as Samsung, Apple and Google are planning to neck each other with their next best smartwatch as consumers are interested in these devices. It is quite interesting to see what they might come up with, but the smartwatch market is already filled with many such offerings.

Here are the top 5 smartwatches that are already existing in the market and consumers can pick right away.

Pebble

Pebble

Simplicity is Pebble's main feature. Instead of using a color LCD it relies on a black-and-white eInk display. This keeps the watch affordable at $150 (approx. Rs 8,100) and ensures it can be used outdoors. Pebble also boasts up to 7 days of battery life. Compatibility spans Android 2.3+ and iOS 5 or newer. Other features include Bluetooth, an accelerometer and a vibrating motor.

Despite its low price, Pebble has a long-lasting battery and easy-to-read display make the watch unobtrusive and versatile.

MetaWatch Frame and Strata
 

MetaWatch Frame and Strata

MetaWatch currently ships two watches, Frame and Strata with main difference in their aesthetics. Frame is sleek and Strata is chunky. The hardware is the same with only a minor difference and Strata is claimed to be water resistant.

Both watches feature a 96 × 96 black and white LCD display, Bluetooth, vibration for notification and an accelerometer. The Frame and Strata can pair with Android 2.3 or above.

When it comes to pricing, Strata is priced at $179.99 (approx. Rs 9,780) and Frame is available at $199 (approx. Rs 10,800).

i’m Watch

i’m Watch

i'm Watch is designed in Italy and even the most basic version is priced at $449 (approx. Rs 24,400) and one with white gold and diamond accents at a whopping $19,990 (approx. Rs 10,86,250).

i'm Watch boasts a 1.5 inch LCD display, 400MHz single-core processor, 4GB flash storage, Bluetooth connectivity and Android 4.0/4.1 and iOS 4 or newer. It is also to be noted that i'm Watch is relatively tiny as compared to the other smartwatches on the market.

Sony SmartWatch

Sony SmartWatch

Sony is one of the biggest electronics companies in the world, yet very few people know about the smartwatch. Surprisingly, Sony's option is the least expensive on the market. The SmartWatch is listed online at $125 (approx. 6,700). You can receive notifications synced from your smartphone, play music or quickly check your email (good luck, as the display is small) but that's about it. Like MotoActv, the Smartwatch can only sync with Android phones.

WIMM One

WIMM One

WIMM One smartwatch is well done designed as a watch companion. It has all the features of the Motoactv but in a more clean and polished interface. The only problem at the moment is the Wimm company is looking to contract it out and not sell it directly but market the device as a platform to other companies. Development is slow because Wimm really limits who can get one of these watches. On a final note this watch has a feature where when not in use instead of turning off the screen it goes into low power-mode and can display the time 24/7.

Best Mobiles in India

Best Phones

Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Yes No
Settings X
X