Microsoft Looking to Join the Smart Watch Race

[KylePowers]

I shall hazard a prediction. Apple won't make a smart watch.

People want bigger, not smaller screens. Who is gonna hold your watch up to your face to make a call? If the iWatch won't make calls, and you need smartphone, why need 2 smart things on your body?

Firstly, it's incredibly obvious Apple is making one. The huge boom in popularity of wearing the 5th/6th generation iPod Nano as a watch clearly demonstrated society's innate interest. So what did Apple do with the 7th generation? Not make it watchband compatible in the slightest. Why? So they can have people hop on the iWatch bandwagon when it finally lands. Plus, all the rumors and stories regarding Apple researching flexible displays - it all culminates into one juicy sandwich of iWatch-likelihood.

Nonetheless, your argument is flawed. Do people want bigger, not smaller screens? Some do, some don't. But regardless, that's for a phone, a mini-computer. Why do you assume people are going to be making calls with their watch? It's clear from those that use the iPod Nano setup and the products from Pebble that phone calls are not the go-to use for these devices. From an ergonomic perspective, it's just silly - can you imagine someone holding their wrist up to their ear? That just doesn't make sense.

What does make sense, is being able to quickly access key information from your phone discretely and conveniently. Notifications, text messages, caller ID, directions... perhaps queue up some songs. Maybe your phone is connected to your TV as you watch Netflix and you want to switch episodes without reaching for your phone. Maybe you have your phone setup across the room to take a group picture and you want to use your iWatch as a wireless shutter release. The idea as a whole is that a smartwatch would be an extension of your phone, not a replacement. And sure, it won't be for everyone, but I'd wager there are plenty of people out there who'd be interested. And the possibilities of its usage, on top of typical watch necessities, is very promising with today's technologies.

EDIT:

I still can't tell if this whole smart watch thing is a joke or not.

Seriously, WHAT is the point of a watch being "smart"? Who in their right mind is even asking for such a device?

Thought I'd tag you in this post since I mentioned a few example uses.

 

[iGrip]

Agreed, my Windows 7 and 8 machines are every bit as stable as my mac

C'mon. Macs just work!

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Who in their right mind is even asking for such a device?

Nobody knows what they want until Apple shows it to them. Apple skates to where the puck is going to be!

 

[emulator]

Will it always need Internet connectivity like the new Xbox?

You mean the xbox mini?

1. It is a rumor.
2. It's not the new xbox but a variation of the 360.

 

[iGrip]

Do people want bigger, not smaller screens?

Clearly, people like tiny screens on their phones. If not, then why does the iPhone sell so well?

 

[bperrella]

Serious why do Apple fans have this obsession with the blue screen of death? I haven't encountered one on Windows for years.

On topic, I just can't see any of these smart watches really being any more than a niche market.

This. I'm a huge Mac fan, but use a windows machine every day at work and have not experienced a blue screen since windows xp 7 or 8 years ago. Be fair guys.

 

[stuffradio]

I remember in the early 2000's when Microsoft and other companies had smart watches. Apple is the one copying if they really do come out with one. Of course though, Apple's will likely be better than what was being offered back then. Enough with the Apple fan boyism calling Microsoft a copycat when Microsoft already did it before Apple.

 

[lordofthereef]

This thread has already gotten good. Mud slinging right on the first page! Eager to see how this matures by tomorrow. Lol.

My favorites are the ones calling MS copycats for MAYBE being in the market of a smart watch. There is so little that makes sense with a statement such as this that I don't even know where to start.

 

[snebes]

I shall hazard a prediction. Apple won't make a smart watch.

People want bigger, not smaller screens. Who is gonna hold your watch up to your face to make a call? If the iWatch won't make calls, and you need smartphone, why need 2 smart things on your body?

And why does it have to be a phone?

I think attaching the term "watch" to this project really confused people.

I'm envisioning Apple creating something along the lines of a Garmin Forerunner and Nike Fuelband. It would connect to your phone to sync, may notify you of other things, but wouldn't be a phone itself. Siri on your wrist maybe?

Think of the "watch" as being an app, just like the "phone" is an app on the iPhone--it isn't necessarily the primary purpose people use it.

 

[iVoid]

I wish I knew why everyone is so excited about going back to an old technology that many people have stopped wearing since their phones have a clock inside.

 

[bungiefan89]

Thought I'd tag you in this post since I mentioned a few example uses.

Thanks for your consideration, but I'm still not convinced of the utility of such a device. $100+ to make up for the "inconvenience" of pulling a device out of my pocket?

What next? I suppose people will start begging for an iEye: an Apple version of Google Glass so you can check your facebook status without the "inconvenience" of turning your wrist over so you can clearly see your iWatch display.

Oh, and then after that, they'll have the iHelpless: an electrode surgically implanted in your head that shocks you every time someone sends you a new tweet! Avoids the "inconvenience" of shifting your eye away from something you're looking at in order to stay connected!

And then of course... the iDye: an Apple device that makes the iHelpless, iEye, iWatch, and iPhone all explode at the same time in order to kill the user and transform them into a supernatural being who is no longer impeded by physical barriers and transcends space and time to stay in communication with all things in the universe at all times INCLUDING updates on their Google+ hangouts!

I understand the appeal now! I am totally on with this bandwagon! I just hope the iDye doesn't lock you in to a carrier for 2 years before you can upgrade...

 

[2IS]

I wear a watch daily, but it's more of a fashion piece then something I use to check time on. That said, none of the smart watches I've seen are a fashion statement I'd want to make.

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

Sad that the state of tech companies are now in a race to make a watch.

Ill stick with my Submariner.

 

[neutrino23]

Will it always need Internet connectivity like the new Xbox?

Ethernet only.

 

[oliversl]

I just lost interest in watches

 

[Mackan]

I haven't worn a watch since 2002.

Pretty much the same here. Once I got a cellphone, back in 1997, I stopped wearing a watch. And now suddenly it's going to fill a critical function of our life?

Ah, I know. They will strip features from the smart phone, and use them in the watch instead, so that we have to buy and own both... aaaaahh... I see.

 

[neutrino23]

Serious why do Apple fans have this obsession with the blue screen of death? I haven't encountered one on Windows for years.

On topic, I just can't see any of these smart watches really being any more than a niche market.

I've seen two or three this year alone. I see them on monitors at airports. I used to photograph them and send them to friends but it got to be too repetitive.

_______________

I don't know if this area will pan out or not. It is interesting that when the rumors say Apple might make a TV then Samsung and others jump into smart TVs. Now the talk is that Apple will do a smart watch and MS, Google and others start looking at smart watches.

This could be an interesting product. I ordere a Pebble just to try it out. In meetings and social settings it gives you less obtrusive access to alerts. In other cases you can view in formation where you wouldn't want to stop and pull out your phone like while riding a bike or jogging.

I wonder how this will be judged by the CHP? Is it texting if you glance at your wrist? Do you have to remove this while driving?

 

[DaveN]

Will it tell time?

Time will tell!

 

[maxosx]

Apple gadgets sell. It's the compelling logo that people are influenced by

 

[lordofthereef]

Thanks for your consideration, but I'm still not convinced of the utility of such a device. $100+ to make up for the "inconvenience" of pulling a device out of my pocket?

I get where you are coming from, but that's pretty much the selling point of a Bluetooth headset; remove the inconvenience of using a wired headset. True, there are cheaper ones out there, but some of the better selling devices are over $100. I'm not sure this thing would sell either, but then again who saw the iPhone selling like it has been year after year way back in 2007?

Some of my own thoughts on how a smart watch can be improved...
Blood pressure monitor (yes, we have something similar, but bit in a smart watch)
GPS tracking/logging (again, we have similar, but this could be expanded, maybe for runners)
Music (obvious choice, and I really don't think anything like this currently exists)
Payments (wave watch over a reader, perhaps barcode like passbook)

I think a lot of people are trying to say that this thing would need to replace their phone. Or even that it needs to sell as well as a phone. I honestly don't think it needs to do either.

 

[D-a-a-n]

Windows 9
Run your desktop apps on your PC/Tablet AND your watch!

Nah, it will run Microsoft Bob.

 

[hexonxonx]

I started wearing a watch again about a year ago. I have a Casio Riseman that I wear as a daily wearer for work. It's solar and atomic so I never have to set it or change the battery, just being outside charges the battery enough to go for days to months even. It tells me the temperature, altimeter, air pressure and other things. Even has a graph that shows a drop in pressure or rise so you can tell if it may rain or snow.

At home, I wear one of several old Timex windup watches that I bought on eBay. I read an article that stated that old mechanical watches are becoming popular again because they are so simple and well, mechanical. Sure they need winding and adjusting once a day but they are still fun to wear just like when I was a kid.

Not sure if I would ever be interested in a Microsoft or Apple watch. I have several already that I enjoy wearing without adding complications such as syncing to a computer or phone. I have enough gadgets.

 

[iPadPublisher]

It dawned on me the other day... what if Apple planted rumors of the smart watch to get everyone else scrambling. Just like the good little followers they've all become, Samsung, Microsoft, and I believe one other company have all now apparently begun work on similar products.

But watches are so 1990, and I just don't see it for Apple. What if they planted this seed to get everyone distracted and spending millions on R&D on a product that probably wont be that hot?

 

[komodrone]

Serious why do Apple fans have this obsession with the blue screen of death? I haven't encountered one on Windows for years.

On topic, I just can't see any of these smart watches really being any more than a niche market.

encountered one a few months ago, happened when I plugged in an external drive via usb.
just sayin'

 

[2IS]

What if they planted this seed to get everyone distracted and spending millions on R&D on a product that probably wont be that hot?

Yes, I'm sure other successful companies like MS and Samsung base their product demand projections on Apple rumors.

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encountered one a few months ago, happened when I plugged in an external drive via usb.
just sayin'

And my MBA has frozen on a white screen when waking from sleep plenty of times. Just sayin'

 

[Dr McKay]

Blue screen of death.

Anytime.

Anywhere.

Finally, BSOD's available on your nearby wrist.

Why? Will the Apple Smart watch Kernel Panic, any time? Anywhere?