Samsung may be the latest company to leap into the emerging field of "smart," or Web-connected wristwatches. The company is planning to announce a new smartphone device that's worn on the wrist in September, according to a Bloomberg news report. No word on whether it might come in multiple colors, like the Samsung Galaxy Note phone.
Here come the smartwatches —
Samsung may be the latest company to leap into the emerging field of "smart," or Web-connected wristwatches. The company is planning to announce a new smartphone device that's worn on the wrist in September, according to a Bloomberg news report. No word on whether it might come in multiple colors, like the Samsung Galaxy Note phone.
From Samsung
Most current smartwatches rely on smartphone pairing over Bluetooth to get data and notifications. A long-rumored 'iWatch' from Apple could take the same approach as these rivals, or put more computing power directly into the device.
Apple's rumored 'iWatch' —
Most current smartwatches rely on smartphone pairing over Bluetooth to get data and notifications. A long-rumored 'iWatch' from Apple could take the same approach as these rivals, or put more computing power directly into the device.
Apple's sixth-generation iPod nano was a small, square touchscreen (it has since been replaced by the rectangular seventh-generation nano). Many fans immediately saw the potential to turn the iPod into a watch face, and companies such as <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lunatik.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Lunatik</a> make kits that included mounts and slick straps.
iPod nano watches —
Apple's sixth-generation iPod nano was a small, square touchscreen (it has since been replaced by the rectangular seventh-generation nano). Many fans immediately saw the potential to turn the iPod into a watch face, and companies such as Lunatik make kits that included mounts and slick straps.
The $150 <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetpebble.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Pebble</a> waterproof watch has a black-and-white, e-paper screen, which can be customized with specially designed watch faces. It connects to iOS and Android smartphones over Bluetooth and vibrates to notify the wearer of incoming calls, e-mail, texts and other alerts. There are also downloadable music and sports apps.
Pebble —
The $150 Pebble waterproof watch has a black-and-white, e-paper screen, which can be customized with specially designed watch faces. It connects to iOS and Android smartphones over Bluetooth and vibrates to notify the wearer of incoming calls, e-mail, texts and other alerts. There are also downloadable music and sports apps.
Allerta/ Pebble/ Kickstarter
The Italian-made aluminum <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imsmart.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">I'm Watch</a> is one of the pricier smartwatch options at $399. It comes in seven colors and runs the Droid 2 operating system. It connects to Android smartphones using Bluetooth to get texts and e-mails, check social networks, make calls and see calendar events.
I'm Watch —
The Italian-made aluminum I'm Watch is one of the pricier smartwatch options at $399. It comes in seven colors and runs the Droid 2 operating system. It connects to Android smartphones using Bluetooth to get texts and e-mails, check social networks, make calls and see calendar events.
Another full color touchscreen device, the $130 <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sonymobile.com%2Fus%2Fproducts%2Faccessories%2Fsmartwatch%2Ffeatures%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Sony SmartWatch</a>, also only syncs with Android devices. When paired with a phone over Bluetooth, it can receive notifications for e-mail, texts, social networks and calendars.
Sony SmartWatch —
Another full color touchscreen device, the $130 Sony SmartWatch, also only syncs with Android devices. When paired with a phone over Bluetooth, it can receive notifications for e-mail, texts, social networks and calendars.
The <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetawatch.myshopify.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">MetaWatch</a> has a retro-looking, black-and-white screen, but it can connect to the iPhone 4s and iPhone 5, in addition to Android devices. It's also a water-resistant sports watch that tracks pace and distance. The watch starts at $179 and is available with various colored bands or in black or white leather.
MetaWatch —
The MetaWatch has a retro-looking, black-and-white screen, but it can connect to the iPhone 4s and iPhone 5, in addition to Android devices. It's also a water-resistant sports watch that tracks pace and distance. The watch starts at $179 and is available with various colored bands or in black or white leather.
The $269 <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motorola.com%2Fus%2Fconsumers%2F8GB-or-16GB-MOTOACTV%2F79070%2Cen_US%2Cpd.html%3FselectedTab%3Dtab-1%26cgid%3Dfitness-devices%23tab" target="_blank" target="_blank">Motoactv</a> smart watch is marketed as a fitness tracker. It acts as a heart-rate monitor and pedometer, has GPS and an MP3 player. There are also a number of nonwrist mount options, including a handlebar strap, arm band and chest strap.
Motorola Motoactv —
The $269 Motoactv smart watch is marketed as a fitness tracker. It acts as a heart-rate monitor and pedometer, has GPS and an MP3 player. There are also a number of nonwrist mount options, including a handlebar strap, arm band and chest strap.