Microsoft's Surface team working on 'translucent aluminum' smart watch - report
As reports claim Apple is gearing up to launch a so-called "iWatch," another rumor claims that Microsoft is late enough in the development stage of its own smart watch that testing of the device has moved over to the company's Surface hardware development team.
Artist's rendition of purported Apple smartwatch. | Source: Yrving Torrealba
Microsoft's Surface tablet team is now prototyping device hardware featuring Oxynitride Aluminum, or "transparent aluminum" that is three times harder than glass, according to a report from The Verge on Monday. The Redmond, Wash., company is reportedly requesting 1.5-inch displays from component manufacturers as it moves closer to releasing a wrist-worn accessory.
Prior to testing being handed over to the Surface team, Microsoft had been experimenting with smart watch concepts through the company's Xbox accessories team, the report said. The hardware purportedly runs a modified version of Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system.
A key component of Microsoft's alleged smart watch is said to be the concept of removable bands in a variety of colors. Early test hardware reportedly includes bands in blue, yellow, black, white and grey.
Prototype hardware is said to include as much as 6 gigabytes of internal storage, and even integrated LTE support for high-speed data connectivity on the go. That would be a major change from existing smart watches like the Pebble or MetaWatch, which rely on Bluetooth connectivity to a smartphone for data.
The smart watch space has been heating up with options like the Pebble, MetaWatch, Sony SmartWatch 2, and I'm Watch. Reports have claimed that in addition to Microsoft, Google, Samsung, and LG are also working on new wrist-worn hardware accessories.
Apple has gone as far as to file for ownership of the product name "iWatch" in a number of countries around the world. That product is rumored to arrive in 2014.
Artist's rendition of purported Apple smartwatch. | Source: Yrving TorrealbaMicrosoft's Surface tablet team is now prototyping device hardware featuring Oxynitride Aluminum, or "transparent aluminum" that is three times harder than glass, according to a report from The Verge on Monday. The Redmond, Wash., company is reportedly requesting 1.5-inch displays from component manufacturers as it moves closer to releasing a wrist-worn accessory.
Prior to testing being handed over to the Surface team, Microsoft had been experimenting with smart watch concepts through the company's Xbox accessories team, the report said. The hardware purportedly runs a modified version of Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system.
A key component of Microsoft's alleged smart watch is said to be the concept of removable bands in a variety of colors. Early test hardware reportedly includes bands in blue, yellow, black, white and grey.
Prototype hardware is said to include as much as 6 gigabytes of internal storage, and even integrated LTE support for high-speed data connectivity on the go. That would be a major change from existing smart watches like the Pebble or MetaWatch, which rely on Bluetooth connectivity to a smartphone for data.
The smart watch space has been heating up with options like the Pebble, MetaWatch, Sony SmartWatch 2, and I'm Watch. Reports have claimed that in addition to Microsoft, Google, Samsung, and LG are also working on new wrist-worn hardware accessories.
Apple has gone as far as to file for ownership of the product name "iWatch" in a number of countries around the world. That product is rumored to arrive in 2014.
Comments
Ballmer's excited because it will run the full version of office. A true enterprise watch instead of just a consumption watch¡
If they get it out in the market now, it could be discontinued before the iWatch is released
Great....fail.
Quote:
A key component of Microsoft's alleged smart watch is said to be the concept of removable bands in a variety of colors.
Really? That's what they are coming to the table with as a 'key component'? Ugh!
With all these companies getting into the smart watch business, it seems like they will generate just enough awareness and interest for Apple to step into that space and dominate.
I wonder if Scotty gave that to them...
Steve Jobs comenting iPad sucess at iPad 2 introduction event.
Why I got a strong feeling it will happen again...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Getz
Really? That's what they are coming to the table with as a 'key component'? Ugh!
With all these companies getting into the smart watch business, it seems like they will generate just enough awareness and interest for Apple to step into that space and dominate.
Put in sharp constrast the last Apple Ad on how the most important in their attitude is the power to say no.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Splash-reverse
I laugh when I read it will run Windows 8.
Are they going to have to add micro-sized tiles so that you can have a dozen of them on the watch screen?
Me too, if it has a stop watch function I guess no one will be able to find the start and stop buttons then! LOL
Quote:
Microsoft's Surface tablet team is now prototyping device hardware featuring Oxynitride Aluminum, or "transparent aluminum" that is three times harder than glass, according to a report from The Verge on Monday. The Redmond, Wash., company is reportedly requesting 1.5-inch displays from component manufacturers as it moves closer to releasing a wrist-worn accessory.
I know where Microsoft got the transparent aluminum...
http://appleinsider.com/articles/07/10/03/microsoft_unveils_second_generation_of_zune_media_players
Quote:
Originally Posted by VisualZone
What?!! No brown or green? I'm depressed!!
http://appleinsider.com/articles/07/10/03/microsoft_unveils_second_generation_of_zune_media_players
I'm sure the poop and vomit colors will come in time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Splash-reverse
I laugh when I read it will run Windows 8.
It will also feature a x86 CPU. With active cooling of course. ;-)
Naturally it will also include Microsoft Microscopic Live Tiles for Windows 8 Modern Style UI ™.
Rumors suggest the watch might hit the market later than initially planned, some time around fall 2014, since Microsoft engineers are currently hard at work trying to figure out how to integrate the control, alt and delete keys into the wristband. /s
Maybe Microsoft is planning to save two humpback whales.
If it turns opaque blue, it is a failure. You'll be instructed to "Contact your system administrator." Which is the standard Microsoft Windows solution to everything.