The latest report from The Wall Street Journal has claimed that Microsoft is developing a smart watch that will compete with its rival Apple’s alleged iWatch and Samsung’s much anticipated smart watch. According to the report, executives of Microsoft’s supply chain have divulged that: “Microsoft Corp. is working on designs for a touch-enabled watch device, executives at suppliers said, potentially joining rivals like Apple Inc. in working on a new class of computing products. Earlier this year, Microsoft asked suppliers in Asia to ship components for a potential watch-style device, the executives said. One executive said he met with Microsoft’s research and development team at the software company’s Redmond, Wash., headquarters. But it’s unclear whether Microsoft will opt to move ahead with the watch, they said.”
In addition to this, a supply chain executive has also revealed that Microsoft had ordered component manufacturers to provide 1.5-inch display for its smart watch. The Wall Street Journal has also mentioned in its report that this is not the first time that the software giant is working on watches, as ten years ago the Surface Tablet maker had built a Smart Personal Object Technology (SPOT) in hopes of integrating it into different electronic devices, including the ones that are used in the house.
Of these SPOT smart watches the first one was the Suunto n3, which displays data like weather updates, sports scores, news headlines and much more that were sent through its FM radio after paying annual fee. These smart watches utilized the MSN Direct Network and they were made available for sale in both Canada and the United States, but their sales came to an end in 2008.
However, Microsoft has revamped its hardware facility when it started working on its Surface tablets. Now the leading software company is reportedly developing a 7-inch iteration of its Surface tablet. In fact rumour also has it that the multinational corporation also has ambitions to build its own smartphone and Microsoft can utilize its experience which it has earned by working closely with different mobile manufacturers, especially Nokia.
If the above mentioned report turns out to be true then, Microsoft will be the fourth company after Apple, Samsung (confirmed last month that it is developing a smart watch) and Google that have intentions to produce an intelligent timekeeping device. Earlier Pebble has introduced a smart watch, which was warmly welcomed by customers from across the world, as its Kickstarter campaign proved to be a smash hit and the company secured more than $10 million in terms of pre-orders.
Source: TNW, iPhoneinCanada
Photo: AppleInsider