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[BeforeU]

Microsoft Plans To Launch A Wearable Device Within Weeks

Microsoft is gearing up to launch a wearable device within the next few weeks, Forbes has learned. The gadget is a smart watch that will passively track a wearer’s heart rate and work across different mobile platforms. It will also boast a battery life of more than two days of regular use, sources close to the project say

That could put it ahead of Samsung’s Galaxy Gear smart watch and Moto 360 which both need to be charged around once a day. The wearable will hit stores soon after launch in a bid to capture the lucrative holiday season, a timeline Apple AAPL was reportedly targeting before it delayed its own Watch to early 2015.

...

Going cross platform is also consistent with Nadella’s drive to make his company’s product offerings available “across all devices”. His launch of Microsoft Office for the iPad in March marked a move away from the company’s Windows-only vision under Steve Ballmer.

More at Forbes

I am excited, they need to price it right and have a worldwide release this year.

 

[ItIsOkBro]

As usual Microsoft stays following.

 

[Mesousa]

I've always wanted to look down at my wrist and see a Blue screen of death.

 

[Kabuki Quantum Lover]

Cortana on your wrist?

 

[Fireblend]

Forbes link? I was told this was a GAF exclusive

 

[ComputerMKII]

As usual Microsoft stays following.

The smartwatch competition has barely even started

 

[Courage]

What are the odds of smartwatches actually taking off? Sounds like they want to get a product out before they trail behind again.

 

[BrokenEchelon]

The smartwatch competition has barely even started

When Samsung, Motorola, and Apple are already there, you're officially a follower at this point.

A follower to a stupid fucking party though.

What are the odds of smartwatches actually taking off? Sounds like they want to get a product out before they trail behind again.

Everyone seems desperate to convince us that <x> is the next big thing because nothing has taken off as organically as the smartphone and tablet did.

 

[Jazzy Network]

Good thing they made it work with different mobile OSes. Cause you know no one has a Windows phone.

 

[BeforeU]

As usual Microsoft stays following.

What does this mean? Just because Apple has announced everyone are following? These projects doesn't happen over night. Years of research and planning goes into it.

Good thing they made it work with different mobile OSes. Cause you know no one has a Windows phone.

Well I have it

 

[ComputerMKII]

When Samsung, Motorola, and Apple are already there, you're officially a follower at this point.

A follower to a stupid fucking party though.



Everyone seems desperate to convince us that <x> is the next big thing because nothing has taken off as organically as the smartphone and tablet did.

The Apple Watch isn't out yet

 

[BrokenEchelon]

Well I have it

Condolences.

The Apple Watch isn't out yet

It has been shown off already, and will probably launch before whatever monstrosity MS releases. This doesn't negate the fact that multiple companies have already gotten the ball rolling.

 

[Lynn616]

Cross platform? Good idea.

 

[Vashetti]

I feel like this recent Smartwatch phenomenon is searching for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

Why does everything have to be an all-in-one device nowadays, why can't a watch just be a watch?

 

[giga]

Cross platform means it'll have limited functionality. Good luck making an SDK.

 

[BeforeU]

What are the odds of smartwatches actually taking off? Sounds like they want to get a product out before they trail behind again.

Smartwatches will take off if done right. As long as these companies treats it as a companion devices then they work and makes sense to own it. But as soon you they start putting camera and market it as replacement of your cellphone then no. That is never going to happen.

For example, in so many instances I felt like I don't want to take off my phone just to change track, or see notification, or redial. These are just few examples of many things you can potentially do if its connected to your device.

Condolences.

Don't need it. I am tired and bored previous Android and iOS user. Now happy WP user.

 

[enzo_gt]

What are the odds of smartwatches actually taking off? Sounds like they want to get a product out before they trail behind again.

I feel like wearables will be a thing one day, but every current implementation seems pretty shortsighted or trying to fit into some less than appealing physical form factors.

I really feel it won't take off until we get some minority report shit or any form factor that can be expanded and contracted faster than you can pull out your phone and put it back in your pocket.

 

[Courage]

Why does everything have to be an all-in-one device nowadays, why can't a watch just be a watch?

Are they really trying to be that tho? I thought they're just trying to bring watches back with a few gimmicks that don't seem worth the price.

 

[Man]

Forever catch-up.

 

[Konka]

When Samsung, Motorola, and Apple are already there, you're officially a follower at this point.

A follower to a stupid fucking party though.



Everyone seems desperate to convince us that <x> is the next big thing because nothing has taken off as organically as the smartphone and tablet did.

If by organically you mean after Apple launched the iPhone and the iPad.

 

[cartoon_soldier]

The important thing to note is it is cross platform. In that respect it will be interesting to see what they do.

 

[Technosteve]

I remember microsoft's last smart watch, it wasn't very good.

 

[ItIsOkBro]

What does this mean? Just because Apple has announced everyone are following? These projects doesn't happen over night. Years of research and planning goes into it.



Well I have it

Samsung's on what, it's 3rd Smartwatch yea?

 

[smokeandmirrors]

As usual Microsoft stays following.

if this were the case they'd be revealing the watch in 2017

I'm surprised they are being proactive this time.

 

[Alphahawk]

Even if a company can make smartwatches work, they have to deal with the fact that watches are inherently uncomfortable.

 

[BeforeU]

Samsung's on what, it's 3rd Smartwatch yea?

All shitty concept which sold piss poor, looks like they have no idea what they are trying to do. Launched it just for sake of coming to market first. No wonder, mostly no body has even heard of it.

 

[Somnid]

Cross platform would automatically put it ahead of everything except Pebble so that's something. Of course at this rate I don't think any tech giant can see beyond sticking an LCD on your wrist and calling it a day.

 

[Replicant]

MS: "M-Me too!"

 

[WhiskerFrisker]

Well it's good that it's cross platform since no one will buy Windows phones. But that means added headaches for optimization for Microsoft though.

 

[jelly]

As usual Microsoft stays following.

Microsoft SPOT smartwatches '2004'

I will be amazed if this is anything useful. They all seem so pointless.

Cross platform is a positive.

 

[Pathos]

late to the party

 

[To Far Away Times]

I feel like this recent Smartwatch phenomenon is searching for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

Why does everything have to be an all-in-one device nowadays, why can't a watch just be a watch?

This right here. Consumers just aren't interested in these things at all.

 

[titusandronicus]

I'm sure it will do well, just like the Zune and Kin.

 

[killer rin]

Awesome. Can't wait to see how it looks. I'm actually pretty excited for Smartwatches and am waiting for one which will be compatible with Windows Phone

As usual Microsoft stays following.

I mean, technically they weren't late

 

[Woffls]

Microsoft aren't late the party because it hasn't even started yet. The market hasn't responded yet, and the length of time that other products have been on the market is really not relevant.

 

[Ovid]

As usual Microsoft stays following.

True, but at least there's potential for it to look better than the Apple Watch disaster.

 

[clav]

late to the party

Actually, the smartwatch doesn't have a party.

Microsoft aren't late the party because it hasn't even started yet. The market hasn't responded yet, and the length of time that other products have been on the market is really not relevant.

Yeah for once, Microsoft is actually launching something during the trendy period.

 

[Fusebox]

True, but at least there's potential for it to look better than the Apple Watch disaster.

Disaster? Lol...

 

[Anion]

Even though I have an iPhone, I would be more excited for a Microsoft watch if it has some clever features integrated with windows

Also, at this point I believe you cant make a watch uglier than the iWatch...

Spoiler

actually you can but still

 

[nhlducks35]

Samsung's on what, it's 3rd Smartwatch yea?

6th

Samsung Galaxy Gear - Android based, upgradeable to Tizen
Samsung Gear 2 - Tizen based
Samsung Gear 2 Neo - Tizen based
Samsung Gear Fit - runs a RTOS, neither Tizen nor Android
Samsung Gear Live - runs Android Wear
Samsung Gear S - Tizen based

 

[ItIsOkBro]

Microsoft aren't late the party because it hasn't even started yet. The market hasn't responded yet, and the length of time that other products have been on the market is really not relevant.

I think the market has responded with a resounding "we don't want this"

 

[Ovid]

Disaster? Lol...

Yeah, it looks like shit.

I'm an Apple guy BTW.

 

[royalan]

How about a new Lumia flagship?

 

[jelly]

Microsoft Smartwatch in 2004.

 

[Oozer3993]

Microsoft aren't late the party because it hasn't even started yet. The market hasn't responded yet, and the length of time that other products have been on the market is really not relevant.

Exactly. Claiming Microsoft is late to the smart watch party is as silly as claiming Apple was late to the smartphone race because Palm and Windows Mobile products had been out for years. There's a difference between a product category existing and a market existing. The latter comes after the former. Sometimes by a matter of years.

 

[a Master Ninja]

I mean, technically they weren't late

Pretty amusing to see an article from 2004 talking about how Smart Watches could be the next big thing.

Microsoft Smartwatch in 2004.

Looks better than the Pebble, frankly.

 

[forms]

at least it can't look any shittier than the Apple watch, so for once they may even have a chance to have a product that does not look absolutely silly. Not counting on it though.

 

[Barkley's Justice]

OF COURSE IT IS.

 

[royalan]

late to the party

How are they late to the party? Nobody's drunk yet and strippers haven't even shown up.

You guys actin like anybody outside of hardcore enthusiasts gives a shit about smart watches yet (or ever, if we're being real).

 

[DopeyFish]

Right now pebble is the only quality smartwatch. But it isn't as consumer friendly as the new colorful ones.

Android wear is pretty but too constrained. Apple Watch looks poorly designed in almost every aspect.

Once someone takes a pebble as a base and then builds it into something where it doesn't link to opening shit on your phone, doesn't look like a poor college kids school project and doesn't overload you with unnecessary garbage... They will have a winner.

Right now too many manufacturers are considering it a communication point. A place where you can do things. It should act as a great reference first before they start going beyond that.

Watches should be info at a glance. They shouldn't be alerting you every 30 seconds, professionals won't take it seriously otherwise.