A new report from the Wall Street Journal indicates that the burgeoning market for wearable computing will be getting quite crowded in the years to come. While Google, Apple, and Samsung have all pretty much made it clear they're entering (or at least interested in entering) the race, it now seems that Microsoft is working on their own version of a "smartwatch."
The Wall Street Journal bases its reports on interviews with suppliers in Microsoft's production line. Apparently, Microsoft has approached several manufacturers and inquired about components that could be used for a smartwatch-style device. One of the suppliers even flew into Microsoft's Redmond campus in order to discuss the possibilities. No decision was made by Microsoft, and as usual with these kinds of reports, the software giant has not commented on the matter.
Microsoft's interest in the next-generation of computing is no surprise, as Windows 8 has not done as well as the company has hoped, and its late presence in the smartphone and tablet market has made it play catch up. Getting into wearable computing early on would finally allow Microsoft to establish its own foothold in a market, rather than catering to the visions set forth by other companies.
The big name to watch in the smartwatch market will, of course, be Apple. The Cupertino giant has been linked repeatedly to plans to develop a smartwatch that would meld into the company's iOS ecosystem. Apple has not confirmed the plans, but most people with big pockets are putting their money on the fact that an iWatch exists.
Google Glass is set to become available to the public before the end of 2013, and early editions will be making their way into lucky contest winners' hands over the next few weeks. Although these "Explorer Editions" will run around $1,500, Google has stated in the past that it will sell these at a lower price.
Earlier this year, it was also revealed that Samsung has plans for a smartwatch of its own. Little is known about the device, except that it could run on an operating system other than Android as Samsung seeks to establish itself outside of Google's Android.
None of these devices other than Google Glass has been officially confirmed, but with mobile computing becoming more powerful and more lucrative, it's safe to say that many of these will make their way to retail stores' shelves over the coming years.