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Microsoft’s pulse-tracking smartwatch rumored to land in time for holidays ahead of Apple Watch

According to Forbes, Microsoft will soon enter the wearable market with a competing smartwatch device. The report says the device will track heart rate for fitness, matching Apple Watch and other Android smartwatches.

In terms of battery life, Forbes says the watch will ‘boast’ two days of life. Apple has been coy about saying anything specific about Apple Watch longevity, although it is implied to last less than a day as Apple suggests charging it every night. Obviously, battery life depends on many factors (which is often a tradeoff with functionality), but it seems that Microsoft may have an edge in this department if the rumor is true.

A lot more goes into a smartwatch than battery life of course. Other details about Microsoft’s first attempt are not known, but the report says to expect an announcement soon as the company wants to hit a holiday release. By contrast, Apple Watch will launch in early 2015.

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Comments

  1. Toro Volt (@torovolt) - 10 years ago

    Unlike the Apple Watch, the MS watch will work with Android IOS Windows Phone and Windows8 which is another advantage. I will get either the Microsoft or the Pebble for Christmas but not going to wait for the Apple Watch because for me is DOA given its price, short battery life and not truly water resistant.

  2. Steven Moore (@Stniuk) - 10 years ago

    Sell as well as the zune and those tablet thingies with the stand, can’t remember the name.

  3. rogifan - 10 years ago

    It always amazes me that people still don’t get it. Apple makes money off hardware. They’re not going to sell anything that makes other people’s hardware more attractive. The only reason iTunes came to Windows was to sell more iPods. If, in the future, Watch is a hit and Apple thinks they can sell more watches by making them compatible with other platforms (and not negatively impact iPhone sales) then they will. Simple as that.

  4. Brandon Trout - 10 years ago

    Playing it fast and loose with the word “competing.” :-)

  5. aDistinctPersonality - 10 years ago

    Again it is a technology company working a watch from the technology side. A watch is not technology; technology is just the tool to make it happen. Watches are mostly about fashion. In general, you don’t buy a watch at Best Buy, Target or others. That will completely limit your targeted audience, and it is why most people currently ignore the smart watch market. It is something Apple understood very well.

Author

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or Twitter.


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