Whether it's trying to catch up or push ahead with innovation, Microsoft is working on a touch-enabled smartwatch, according to the Wall Street Journal. According to the report, the software giant has contacted an undisclosed number of Asian suppliers to provide the components for the wearable device.
| Channel | Publish Date | Thumbnail & View Count | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
 Steve Mould | 2022-12-09 16:00:05 |  2,878,729 Views |
The bizarre flashing lights on a smartwatch
If the rumor from the WSJ is true, then the Redmond-based company is currently working with Google, Apple and Samsung to reinvent the wristwatch, which has long since been replaced by the mobile phone. However, Microsoft has not yet made any statement on the subject.
However, it seems like the company is just joining other companies looking to make money with a new device. This is not Microsoft's first attempt at building a smartwatch. In 2004, there was a device called SPOT (Smart Personal Object Technology), a watch that could receive information from MSN (stock price, weather, headlines, etc.) via FM signals. It was a large watch that cost about $330 in addition to the monthly or annual subscription service; however, Microsoft discontinued SPOT in 2008.
There isn't enough information yet on exactly how Microsoft plans to approach the smartwatch, but what is certain is that the company is really trying its luck building its own devices. Of course, the company has had its ups and downs with devices like the highly successful Xbox or the now-forgotten Zune player, or even with the Surface, which hasn't yet managed to convince many that it's a worthy piece of hardware. But at the end of the day, it's any company's game. It will also be interesting to see if Microsoft's upcoming smartwatch will use Windows 8, Windows Embedded 8, or even Windows RT as its operating system, or something entirely new.
