WATCH: According to reports, Microsoft is gearing up to launch a smartwatch that would rival the Apple Watch and Samsung’s Galaxy Gear.
TORONTO – Microsoft may be gearing up to launch a smartwatch ahead of the holiday season, in an effort to beat out some of the competition.
According to a Forbes report, the smartwatch acts as a fitness tracker and monitors the user’s heartbeat, daily activity, motion and calories burned – much like Apple’s smartwatch, announced in September, and Samsung’s Galaxy Gear.
READ MORE: Is BlackBerry working on a smartwatch of its own?
But the rumoured device may have a leg up on the competition.
The report, which cited “sources close to the project,” said the smartwatch would be open to multiple mobile platforms, not just Windows Phones. This cross platform approach stands in stark contrast to Samsung and Apple’s devices, which only work with the companies’ own smartphones.
Forbes also reported that the device would be unveiled in time for the holiday shopping season.
READ MORE: What are the first impressions of the Apple Watch?
Apple, on the other hand, has yet to announce a release date for its long-awaited smartwatch other than “early 2015.”
Microsoft declined to comment on the report.
The company did, however, file a patent for a smartwatch in 2012. The patent filing, published in May, describes the device as having a small screen which can clip into a band to be used as a smartwatch, but can be detached to be used as a personal fitness recorder.
Comments