Microsoft has been sitting on the sidelines, while Apple, Google and Samsung make their moves in the smartwatch world. Recently, one team at Microsoft launched a keyboard app for Android Wear, but the future looks to sprout bigger things.
New reports from Forbes claim Microsoft’s next smartwatch (RIP Spot) will be available soon, this report has been backed by sources at The Verge, who claim the smartwatch launch is imminent and Microsoft is planning a holiday season sale.
Even though Microsoft will have messaging and apps on the smartwatch, the primary use will be for fitness. The fitness sensors will track steps taking, calories burned, heart-rate, glucose levels, sleep timer and other information.
This information will be available with more detailed analysis on Windows Phone and Windows 10. Microsoft is looking to compete with Apple’s Health app on the scale of information, but might not be so open about sharing data with third parties.
Microsoft will support Windows Phone, iOS and Android at launch, making the smartwatch open to almost every mobile user on the planet. This is in stark contrast to Android Wear (works with Android) and Apple Watch (works with iOS).
No word on the name of the smartwatch – most reports claim Microsoft will not use a Surface or Lumia moniker, looking to distance themselves from any relevant brand that links to Nokia or their failing tablet.
The smartwatch will be built by Microsoft’s Hardware Division, according to several sources. This means Nokia is once again stubbed out of developing Microsoft’s hardware, despite being a subsidiary and not a partner.
