Apple (AAPL, Financial) may not be the first to bring a product in the market. The Cupertino company has always been a follower, but it always brought an unmatched version of the existing product. The tech giant is usually a little late in comparison to other companies when it enters a new product line. Apple (AAPL) was not the first to introduce a handy music player, the iPod. Nor was it the first to introduce smartphone; Nokia (NOK, Financial) and Blackberry (BBRY, Financial) were more prominent players before. Even when it comes to the iPad, Apple introduced its tablet about a decade after archrival Microsoft (MSFT, Financial) introduced the tablet PC.
However the company’s success ratio, when it starts a new product category much later than its fellow players, is unbelievable as seen in the abovementioned product categories. And now the next big thing from Apple is expected to hit the market in the coming year. The company is working on wearable devices and is estimated to introduce a smart watch very soon.
Other players
Again, Apple isn’t the first one to be working on wearable technology. Samsung, which is giving Apple iPhones a tough run for its money in the emerging markets, already launched its Galaxy Gear smartwatch. So the iWatch already has a rival. But will the Galaxy Gear be able to come even close to what the tech giant’s so called iWatch can provide in terms of quality, class and stylishness?
The Galaxy Gear is like a box fitted on a strap allowing users to view messages on their wrists once the smartwatch is linked to the smartphone. One can make or receive calls without taking the phone out of the pocket. However, the Gear is too big to fit under the sleeves of a shirt. In addition, Sony (SNE, Financial) and Qualcomm also came out with their smatwatches.
A lot is happening in the space of wearable devices. Meanwhile Google (GOOG, Financial) is also developing the Google Glass, to be used as a pair of glasses, which is again being designed to integrate with the smartphones. Now that the smartphone and tablet market is saturating, tech companies are working to launch another product category such as designing a wearable device like a smartwatch or glasses.
Other wrist devices that people are already using are FuelBand, Fitbit One, and Jawbone Up. In fact Apple’s Chief Executive Tim Cook really appreciates the FuelBand. He also appointed one of its key persons in Apple’s smartwatch team. The tech giant always takes time in making any device as the company prefers to learn from other fellow player’s mistakes and do the corrections in its own device to ensure that it is free of those drawbacks.
What to expect?
As expected, the iWatch would improve mobile communication. One can receive messages, see notifications, make and receive calls, scan Target or Starbucks card. Apple has a team of around 100 professionals developing the iWatch as per a Bloomberg report. The iPhone 5S, that Apple launched in its recent media event, has the M7 coprocessor which is especially built to capture motion data. This is paving the way to the iWatch which could be used as a fitness device as well. The M7 understands the movement of the user, if he is walking, running or even driving. In a way, the iPhone 5S is laying the foundation for the much awaited iWatch.
My takeaway
Tim Cook has shown the company’s interest in designing a wearable device space in its earlier events as well. The iWatch is estimated to range somewhere in between $149 to $229. There are several players experimenting in this segment now. Is it because of Apple’s interest in this field that other tech companies are also developing similar product? Or is it the evolution of technology and the saturation level reached for other tech devices that companies are exploring other options? What remains to be seen is if Apple’s long awaited smartwatch, match the expectation level of the critics and suits the need of buyers.
However the company’s success ratio, when it starts a new product category much later than its fellow players, is unbelievable as seen in the abovementioned product categories. And now the next big thing from Apple is expected to hit the market in the coming year. The company is working on wearable devices and is estimated to introduce a smart watch very soon.
Other players
Again, Apple isn’t the first one to be working on wearable technology. Samsung, which is giving Apple iPhones a tough run for its money in the emerging markets, already launched its Galaxy Gear smartwatch. So the iWatch already has a rival. But will the Galaxy Gear be able to come even close to what the tech giant’s so called iWatch can provide in terms of quality, class and stylishness?
The Galaxy Gear is like a box fitted on a strap allowing users to view messages on their wrists once the smartwatch is linked to the smartphone. One can make or receive calls without taking the phone out of the pocket. However, the Gear is too big to fit under the sleeves of a shirt. In addition, Sony (SNE, Financial) and Qualcomm also came out with their smatwatches.
A lot is happening in the space of wearable devices. Meanwhile Google (GOOG, Financial) is also developing the Google Glass, to be used as a pair of glasses, which is again being designed to integrate with the smartphones. Now that the smartphone and tablet market is saturating, tech companies are working to launch another product category such as designing a wearable device like a smartwatch or glasses.
Other wrist devices that people are already using are FuelBand, Fitbit One, and Jawbone Up. In fact Apple’s Chief Executive Tim Cook really appreciates the FuelBand. He also appointed one of its key persons in Apple’s smartwatch team. The tech giant always takes time in making any device as the company prefers to learn from other fellow player’s mistakes and do the corrections in its own device to ensure that it is free of those drawbacks.
What to expect?
As expected, the iWatch would improve mobile communication. One can receive messages, see notifications, make and receive calls, scan Target or Starbucks card. Apple has a team of around 100 professionals developing the iWatch as per a Bloomberg report. The iPhone 5S, that Apple launched in its recent media event, has the M7 coprocessor which is especially built to capture motion data. This is paving the way to the iWatch which could be used as a fitness device as well. The M7 understands the movement of the user, if he is walking, running or even driving. In a way, the iPhone 5S is laying the foundation for the much awaited iWatch.
My takeaway
Tim Cook has shown the company’s interest in designing a wearable device space in its earlier events as well. The iWatch is estimated to range somewhere in between $149 to $229. There are several players experimenting in this segment now. Is it because of Apple’s interest in this field that other tech companies are also developing similar product? Or is it the evolution of technology and the saturation level reached for other tech devices that companies are exploring other options? What remains to be seen is if Apple’s long awaited smartwatch, match the expectation level of the critics and suits the need of buyers.
