The US patent’s office has released a news that technological giant Microsoft has filed for a patent for Smart Watch. According to the reports Microsoft had filed the Patent application in 2012 itself but US patents and trademark office released the news now. Microsoft’s Smart watch would be a counter attack for Samsung’s Galaxy Gear last year and towards facing future competition from much anticipated Apple’s iWatch which is also under the works.
Microsoft’s smartwatch project is believed to be headed by former Nokia CEO, Stephen Elop who runs Microsoft’s devices division.
Images released from US patent office says-wristwatch has a features of fitness tracker which notes heart rates using optical sensors, inbuilt GPS to measure movement with motion sensors, just like the smartphones which has these kind of features. It also says it has features of music player, phone and messaging services.
This is not the first time that Microsoft tried its hands in smartwatch, in 2004, Microsoft released a device by collaborating with watchmakers Fossil, Citizen, Suunto and technology used in the device was termed as SPOT short for smart personal objects technology. These watches used to display news, stock closing and sports scores using FM radio receivers, But Microsoft discontinued the project in 2008.
Images also appear to show that it has detachable wrist straps and also face of the device can be docked into external charger and another device.
There is a big market for smartwatches as more and more people are getting tech savy and miniturisation is the way to the future as per many tech analysts. This was proved to be true with the startup Pebble whose not so great smart watch notched up sales of 400,000 units as per the makers, last year. Samsung released a wrist watch in the name of its Galaxy Gear last year but it has not made any inroads as of yet. Rumours are in air that Apple will launch its iWatch by year end or in 2015. And search giant Google is to follow suit with the release of Moto 36- smartwatch in USA this summer.
Microsoft refused to comment anything regarding the smartwatch’s release date or even it’s availability in market.Reach me via Twitter @knithaurs
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