Are SmartWatches Going To Be The Next Competing Ground?

“The tough gets going and the going gets tough” is the apt phrase to describe the competitive nature of the smartphone industry.  In less than a decade the smartphone market has reached many landmarks which are both historical and game changing. This year the sale and shipment of smartphone and tablet devices surpassed that of personal computers.  In times to come more innovation and change is expected wherein mobile platforms with greater promise and innovation are likely to make way.  Although the expansion and further development of the smartphone industry is inevitable, there is a parallel industry that is expected to grow and become a competing ground of a different genre. We are referring to the SmartWatch.

Sony launched its first SmartWatch last year. Amidst the hysteria and excitement the first generation of Sony SmartWatch failed to impress users. The wearable device suffered from ham-fisted software. It was also priced high which many people considered worthless to spend.  To dispense the disappointment of users, Sony came up with the next generation of the device, unsurprisingly christened SmartWatch 2.  This new version of the Android empowered device is better from its predecessor in many ways.  It comes with NFC technology allowing the device to be paired with any Android smartphone. The watch has a higher resolution display and a better sunlight visibility. The battery life and the interface of Smart Watch 2 are also better from the previous generation of the device. Plus it has many pre-installed and recommended apps that will persuade users to buy the device once it is released in September this year.

Sony’s effort to create a wave with a SmartWatch is just the beginning. If rumors are to be believed, technological power houses namely Google and Apple are soon to turn head in this direction.  The wearable device market is still at a very nascent stage. However, it has the potential to grow. One of the greatest advantages of SmartWatch is that it will give developers a new avenue to work upon.  They could perhaps use the advantage of SmartWatch and create applications that are innovative, out of the box and useful to the users. Some also believe that it bestow the same advantage of Google Glass, however with a non interfering demeanor.

But the big question why exactly would I need a SmartWatch when I already have a fully upgraded Smartphone? Ask this question to a Motoactv user and then will give a very logical answer to that. For those unfamiliar with the name, Motoactv is a Smart Watch designed by Motorola which as specific hardware and software components that is ideal for fitness training and exercise. The watch is predisposed to application that calculates distance and uses GPS technology to trace racing track. Additionally, the device has Bluetooth technology that allows it to be connected with other devices such as stereo headphones for music.  It also has plug-ins for weather and social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. The biggest advantage of the device is users no longer have to carry their smartphones in their hands if they go for a run outdoors or go for an action packed body conditioning class. All they have to do it clamp the device on their wrist.

The hands free advantage of SmartWatch, which has the potency to extend almost similar user experience to that of a smartphone, has heightened the prospects of this device. According to Bloomberg nearly 1.2 million SmartWatches have been sold in 2013 alone.  And with Apple striving to set foot in the wearable device market, Google is no way lagging behind. According to the latest report by the Wall Street Journal, Google is all set to launch a Gaming Console and a SmartWatch.  A Google backed SmartWatch sounds promising as it already has services such as Google Now, Google Maps etc which will certainly make the experience of using a SmartWatch wonderful.