BOOST YOUR SMARTWATCH KNOWLEDGE

Love smartwatches or at least you’re interested in them? Maybe you’d like to enhance your knowledge of this wearable category a little further and now you can by virtue of a new flashy infographic.

The Smartwatch Group has released the infographic in order to deliver some clear data and statistics related to the device, for those of you who are curious of this kind of thing (via Dream Chrono).

According to them, Samsung hold 34% of the smartwatch market, while Sony comes in at number 2 with 7% hold of the market. Completing the top 3 is Pebble with 6% marketshare.

Interestingly enough, I told you earlier today new research coming from the NPD group proclaimed Samsung as the champion of smartwatch sales in the US, followed by Pebble.

Anyway, going back to our infographic, it also reveals 3 million smartwatches were sold in 2013, which is a noticeable increase from the 0.3 million that shipped out in 2012. 

Puzzling enough, among the most popular smartwatch uses we find gaming. On such a tiny screen the gaming experience is greatly diminished, so it’s a little bizarre, to say the least. Other frequent uses include communication and fitness, which is basically what the devices are built for.

The infographic also points out Android Wear is expected to make a big splash, especially with the advent of Moto 360, which is one of the hottest upcoming products from the category.

HTC IS COMING WITH SMART WATCH NEXT YEAR.

Like LG, Motorola, and Samsung for one of its smartwatches, HTC would base its device on Android Wear, Google's platform for wearable devices. But the company will likely use an altered version of Android Wear that would include different elements and features.
A similar opportunity could arise for HTC on the wearables side. The company also has to solve a few common complaints about smartwatches, including the bulkiness of the devices and the battery life. While Apple offers a design that is slightly slimmer than the competition (it is still a fairly thick watch), the company was mum on battery life on Tuesday.

AFTER MOTO, APPLE AND SAMSUNG HTC IS COMING WITH ANDROID WEAR NEXT YEAR

HTC could use the spark. Once hailed a pioneer in Android -- having built the original Android smartphone in the G1 -- the company has seen its market share evaporate as larger companies such as Samsung muscled it out of the premium smartphone game. Despite winning rave reviews for its metallic body, the HTC One M8 hasn't made a huge dent in the market.

The early 2015 time frame does represent a delay from HTC's previous target of putting out a smartwatch in time for the holidays this year, which Chairwoman Cher Wang laid out in an interview in February.

With the market likely frozen until Apple offers its watch for sale early next year, HTC has a little extra time.

Samsung Gear S review

The dream of a fully standalone wrist gadget that can make phone calls, stay connected and even help you be sounds good, at least on paper. To own a smartwatch usually means having it be perma-paired to a phone in your pocket: it ends up being, largely, a phone accessory. That's starting to change. A few bold watches are trying to break away and be their own devices, with their own phone service to boot.

The Samsung Gear S is one of those. This is Samsung's sixth smartwatch in a little over a year, but it has one big difference: it gets its own cell service and data. It even has its own SIM-card slot. It's a watch that's also a phone.

Someday soon, smartwatches might be devices that work totally on their own, no phone necessary: as a connected Web browser, a music player, a fitness device. But the Samsung Gear S is not exactly that magic watch. Yes, it can do a surprising number of things. But it still needs a Samsung phone to make most features work. It runs Samsung's limited Tizen software and dedicated Gear apps, closing it off from the richer ecosystem of Google's Android Wear. And it requires a connected data plan to even use it as a cellular device.

SAMSUNG GEAR S

For some of my time with the Gear S, I paired it with a Samsung phone. But for most of the time, I tried using it on its own, as a true independent smartwatch. Well, I should say "independent," because if you're going to use a Gear S, you're still best off bringing a phone along.

The Gear S has its own speakers and microphone. It vibrates when you get messages or an alarm goes off. It's studded with sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope and compass, optical heart rate, ambient light for screen brightness, UV and barometer. It has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 and 3G cellular. It's got 4GB of storage, 512MB of RAM and a dual-core processor. And it weighs 66 grams (2.3 ounces). But its display is the most impressive part...and, to some degree, the most alienating.The rubbery-plastic sport-type band it comes with can pop out around the Gear S central unit and be replaced with another band accessory. It snaps on like previous Gear watches: an adjustable watch band with a clip, it sizes and fits easily.The watch is IP67-rated water-resistant, which means you can get it wet, but you're not meant to shower or swim with it. It's about the same story as Samsung's previous Gear watches.

The Gear S has a 2-inch 480x360-pixel AMOLED display, a bigger screen and a larger pixel count than other Android Wear smartwatches and previous Samsung Gears. It's longer, almost feeling like a mini-phone in portrait mode.

You need to pay for a phone/data package to use the Gear S standalone features, but they are fun to play with. The Gear S packs Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and multiband cellular: 3G, but not 4G LTE. You can keep the Gear S perpetually paired with your Samsung phone and use it as a connected accessory, like Android Wear, or you can completely decouple and use the Gear S with nothing else at all.

MOTA SmartWatch G2 Has Siri and Google Now Support, Sells for $80 / €59

If you’re browsing tech headlines these days, you’ll surely stumble at least upon one related to smartwatches. And even if customers continue to remain skittish about picking such a device, most of us are familiar with the Samsung Gear or Sony’s SmartView. 

Not to mention that Android Wear devices will soon be upon us, further expanding the allure of the smartwatch, with Motorola and LG taking the forefront of this course of action. Anyway, the world of wearables is certainly not limited to the offerings coming from brand vendors.

There’s a lot of more obscure wearables, so to say. One of the them is MOTA and the company behind it already released the first-generation smartwatch. But now, an updated version of the original product is being rolled out under the MOTA SmartWatch G2 name.

Visually nothing has changed much, compared to the first product and the producing entity has maintained the same super affordable price-tag of $80 / €59. 

For this super-low price tag, customers jumping on board with the MOTA will receive a sleek-looking device, which is more reminiscent of a fitness band than of a smartwatch, judging by its curved display.

But that’s not all the new intelligent time-piece brings to the table. Bizarrely enough, the Smartwatch G2 has a built-in mic and support for Siri and Google Now. This integration is what truly sets the watch apart from the flock.

Basically, you’ll be able to deliver vocal commands and queries without taking out the smartphone from your pocket.Imagine being able to check the weather forecast or look for the next train to Boston by virtue of just talking to your wrist.

Surely, there’s a oddness factor here, but you don’t have to scream at your watch in public, do you?

The new MOTA can be paired with Android and iOS smartphones via Bluetooth 3.0, so it does not limit compatibility to a certain pool of devices. 

Like most smartwatches out there, the MOTA can be used to relay notifications and, when doing so, it will make your wearable vibrate, while displaying the appropriate information on the OLED screen. 

Google launched its Android One initiative in New Delhi, India.

Android One, one Android

While Android has a dominant grasp of the market, one knock competitors like Apple always mention is that the software's ecosystem is fragmented. Because it's an open platform, meaning anyone can use and adapt it, hardware partners like Samsung have modified it to fit their needs, leaving users and software developers to wade through Android's many iterations.

But the very name Android One -- and Google's rule that hardware partners run stock Android -- seems to suggest the company wants to home in on a more consistent experience. Onstage at I/O, Pichai emphasized that all the software on Android One comes from Google.

GOOGLE LAUNCHED ANDROID ONE IN NEW DELHI TODAY

"Google has been quietly clamping down on OEMs [or hardware manufacturers] from making things too custom," said Melissa Chau, an analyst at IDC, who covers the smartphone market in Asia.Google's main play here, though, is reeling in manufacturers who are using Android, but are not certified for Google Mobile Services, or Google apps like Maps or Search, said Chau. "They want to make sure, if you're buying a $100 phone, you're actually using Google services," she said. "They're trying to clean out all that super fragmented stuff."

The company has also been aiming toward more uniformity with other Android projects. For Android Wear -- a modified version of the operating system tailor-made for wearable devices like smartwatches -- software updates come more directly from Google, instead of first having to be tested by carriers. That's because smartwatches typically must be connected to smartphones, so carriers are not involved. (Though an exception is Samsung's Gear S watch, which has a built-in modem.)

What to expect at Apple's Sepember 9 event

Apple's mystery unveiling on Tuesday is expected to be a watershed moment for the California giant - and the entire tech industry. Here are key things to watch for:

9 SEPTEMBER'S  APPLE EVENT CAN BRING MAJOR CHANGES IN TECH WORLD

1.Can Tim Cook step up?

Chief executive Tim Cook will seek to vanquish the notion that Apple lost its magic when its famed co-founder Steve Jobs died.

Cook could help APPLE establish its dominance in a new category with an "iWatch" at the event set in the very location where Jobs introduced the Macintosh computer 30 years ago.

Since Jobs died in late 2011, pressure has been on his successor Cook to show the world that Apple can shine just as brightly without the iconic pitchman known for perfection in design and mastery in marketing.

Apple lovers have been eager for the company to seize a new gadget category the way it dominated smartphones, tablets, and MP3 players with the iPhone, iPad, and iPod respectively.

"I don't believe this project is a knee-jerk reaction to other smartwatches," said Creative Strategies president Tim Bajarin.

"While the roots go back to Steve Jobs, this product is Tim Cook and Jony Ive."

The genesis of what is being referred to in the media as "iWatch" stemmed from Jobs and his frustration with health care matters while battling illness that took his life, according to the analyst.

Bajarin spoke of sources telling him the Apple wearable computer has been in the works for seven years.

Cook would fittingly be putting his stamp on the first "next big thing" launched by Apple without Jobs. While an iWatch will wirelessly tap into capabilities of iPhones or iPads, managing health is expected to be a strong theme.

Bolstering that likelihood is Cook's reputation as a fitness fanatic who was among the early users of Nike Fuel activity tracking wristbands.

2.Can Apple shake off security fears?

Another thing to watch for will be how Apple addresses the elephant in the room - security of photos, videos and other data stored on devices or online in servers at iCloud or iTunes.

Cook told The Wall Street Journal this week that Apple is stepping up its iCloud security by sending people alerts when attempts are made to change passwords, restore iCloud data to new devices, or when someone logs in from a new gadget.

His comments came after Apple took a bruising over a "targeted attack" that led to the release of nude photos of celebrities including Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence.

Apple has insisted there was no breach of its cloud storage system and that the celebrities had their accounts hacked by using easy-to-guess passwords, or by giving up their personal data to clever cybercriminals.

Security could play into the off-chance that Apple will announce iPad enhancements such as adding fingerprint scanning, in a break from its practice of keeping smartphone and tablet events separate.

3.How big will the iPhone go?

While the unveiling of new-generation iPhones with larger screens is considered a sure bet, people will be watching to see how big Apple will go and when models will make it to market.

Apple has remained consistently tight-lipped, but analysts are expecting the iPhone screen to be boosted to at least 4.7 inches, and a 5.5-inch screen is also likely, allowing Apple to compete in the new "phablet" segment.

4.A payments company?

Watch also to see how aggressively Apple moves into mobile money with near-field-communication chips built into iPhone 6 models letting them be used as Internet age wallets.

There are reported to be 800 million accounts at Apple's online iTunes shop, where people's credit card data could be easily synched to mobile wallets, quickly creating a vast sea of users.

With this, Apple could jump-start the effort to use mobile devices for payments.

5.What else is coming?

Some reports speculate that Apple may also unveil an upgrade to its iPad Air, which would be a departure from its tradition of a separate announcement for tablets.

The new mobile platform iOS 8 will have capabilities that go beyond health and payments, say some analysts. This could involve smart-home technology or other systems that put Apple at the center of the ecosystem.

"Ultimately, we believe the pivot toward software and services and the rise of a more comprehensive enterprise strategy could help Apple become much more than just a hardware company," said Barclays analyst Ben Reitzes.

Best wearable tech

Smartwatches. Health monitors. Pedometers. Activity trackers. They're all part of the emerging landscape of wearable technology, which promises to change the way we exercise and communicate. We've collected the best products in this upstart category below.

Jawbone Up24

If having a screen isn't a priority, the Jawbone Up24's superb app, clever advice, and comfy fit are hard to resist.

Price: $114.99 - $149.99 Check prices

4starsEXCELLENT

Withings Pulse O2

A new wristband and new firmware improve the Pulse and make it a true fitness band, but it's not a big leap forward over last year.

Price: $119.95 - $119.95 Check prices

4starsEXCELLENT

Pebble Steel

Equal parts fashionable and functional, the Pebble Steel leaps to the top of the smartwatch heap, but does so by improving existing tech rather than adding something totally new.

3.5starsVERY GOOD

Martian Notifier

If you’re looking for a way to get subtle phone alerts on your wrist without busting the budget, it’s hard to top the Martian Notifier.

3.5starsVERY GOOD

Misfit Shine

The Shine is one of the most stylish and futuristic-looking wireless fitness trackers out there, but you're trading in extra versatility for minimalist style.

3.5starsVERY GOOD

Basis Band

The $199 Basis Band offers a powerful mix of sensors and motivational tools, but pass if you'd rather spend less on a fitness tracker or aren't partial to big, watch-style designs.

Price: $175.00 - $225.00 Check prices

3.5starsVERY GOOD

Pebble Watch

New apps and software give the original Pebble a welcome boost.

Price: $119.99 - $119.99 Check prices

3starsGOOD

Samsung Gear 2 Neo (Black)

Samsung's feature-packed, lower-priced smartwatch only works with Samsung phones.

Price: $198.98 - $199.99 Check prices

3.5starsVERY GOOD

Fitbit Zip

The best fitness tracker under $60.

3.5starsVERY GOOD

See all wearable tech
SOURCE:- CNET

Moto 360 smartwatch First Impression

The much awaited Android Wear-powered 'timepiece' is finally here and we were among the few to play with it.

Is the Moto 360 the best smartwatch among the current crop? It's difficult to answer that without spending a few days with it but it did make an impression during the few minutes we were able to get our hands on it.

MOTO 360

The first thing that comes to your mind when you see the Moto 360 is that it looks like a real watch. Unlike some of the other smartwatches that we've used, it doesn't look like a miniature wrist smartphone. This is essentially where the Moto 360 leaves the others behind.
                                
While it's not in the league of jewel-adorned, crafted Swiss timepieces, the Moto 360 looks stunning thanks to the stainless steel case and Horween leather strap. The watch is water resistant (IP67) which means it can handle occasional spills and splashes. 
But does it also look good on the wrist? Not quite. The Moto 360 looks oversized, especially on petite wrists. The big dial is overbearing and looks a little odd compared to conventional wrist watches. It is also pretty thick at 11.5mm and heavy at 49gram. The watch has a single crown-like hardware button that brings up the system menu. 

Moto 360 sports a 1.56-inch backlit LCD display with 320x290p screen resolution. The display has Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for protection against scratches. It offers excellent viewing angles and brightness levels, despite being slightly reflective. The different watch-faces come to life, making it look like a real watch.

The one oddity that remains is the black strip at the bottom that prevents the display from being truly circular. It looks awkward at first but you tend to forget about it as you start using the watch.


The Moto 360 is powered by a Texas Instruments OMAP 3 processor and 512MB RAM. It runs Google's Android Wear operating system and has to be connected with smartphones running Android 4.3 or higher via Bluetooth LE. You can access the menu and navigate through the different apps and functions through the touch display or make use of voice commands (the watch has two microphones).

The "Ok Google" command can help you give instructions to the watch to send text messages, set a reminder, check the weather, track your heart rate, open an app control music or ask for directions. The demo unit at the launch venue did not really respond to the commands due to excessive ambient noise and poor internet connectivity. Voice commands work for offline features work even if the watch is not connected to the internet.
Motorola has got a lot of things right with the Moto 360 but we'd want our smartwatch to last longer than just a day. The watch costs $249.99 (Rs 15,000 approximately) in the US and is slated to arrive in India, later this month. We'll have a full review up when we get a chance to use the watch for a few days.

New Era: Apple iWatch Preview

Apple's iWatch may not be the most-hyped gadget of all the time, but it's certainly one of the most-anticipated products of recent years. Now it's here and Apple's simply calling it Apple Watch.

PRICE IS UNAVAILABLE RIGHT NOW

Apple's first wearable device will come in a variety of colors.

Several mobile companies have already released or announced their own smartwatches, including Sony's SmartWatch 2, Motorola's Moto 360, Samsung's Gear Live and Gear S, and LG's G Watch and G Watch R. However, those devices have struggled to catch on with mainstream consumers. Part of the reason for that is a killer app for the category has failed to emerge. It also hasn't helped that the world has been waiting to see what Apple would bring to market.