There is a cold war going on in tech. Almost every major tech player, and some new companies we’ve never heard of, is plotting and planning to win the war ahead: for your wrist. It’s unanimous: the oldest piece of tech: the watch, is now the device of the future. Smartphones and tablets are the fastest-growing technologies of all time, but smartwatches could take off in a huge way in the years ahead.
If you’re curious about what kind of technological wonderment may adorn a wrist near you, pull up a chair and get comfy as we run through all the facts and rumors about every smartwatch in development.

Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch

Know Smartwatches Samsung Galaxy Gear SmartwatchThere were rumors about a Samsung smartwatch for quite a while before aSamsung exec confirmed its existence back in March. With so many other entrants in this market, and Samsung’s proclivity for releasing as many different devices and form factors as possible, it’s only a matter of time before a Samsung smartwatch hits the market. The company doesn’t hang about and, if rumors are to be believed, we could see it as early as next month.
  • In February, supposed smartwatch screenshots of a device called the Samsung Galaxy Altiussurfaced.
  • In July, tongues were set wagging once more, as a trademark application for the name “Samsung Gear” hinted at the South Korean company’s wearable tech brand.
  • Though we thought Samsung might not use its flagship Galaxy brand, that thought was quashed with the trademark filing at the end of July for “Samsung Galaxy Gear” which referred to “wearable digital electronic devices in the form of a wristwatch, wrist band or bangle capable of providing access to the Internet and for sending and receiving phone calls, electronic mails and messages.”
  • According to Moveplayer Samsung has filed three different designs of smartwatch with the patent office in South Korea. There’s a flexible wraparound screen design and a small control panel with a physical power button.
  • There’s a strong rumor (from an unknown source via SamMobile) that the smartwatch will be unveiled alongside the Galaxy Note 3 at Samsung’s Unpacked Episode 2 event on September 4th. It would potentially be a good partner for the oversized Note 3, so this is a plausible suggestion. The event is also six days before Apple is believed to be announcing the next iPhone. What better way to undermine your biggest rival than by beating them to market with a smartwatch?

Apple iWatch

Know Smartwatches Apple iWatchThe perception that Apple needs a new innovation has fueled the chatter about an iWatch. The rumor mill went into overdrive after CEO Tim Cook expressed a lack of excitement about Google Glass in adiscussion about wearable tech.
“I think the wrist is somewhat natural,” said Cook. “I think there are other things in this space that could be interesting. Sensors are exploding. It will become clearer over time.”
  • In February, a Bloomberg report suggested that Apple had “100 product designers working on a wristwatch-like device.”
  • Also in February, The New York Times suggested that Corning’s Willow Glass could be the flexible answer to Apple’s desire for a curved glass design in its new wristwatch. 
  • The Wall Street Journal was quick to concur that Apple was indeed experimenting with a wristwatch device and had already discussed it with manufacturing partner, Foxconn.
  • Engadget picked up on the curved glass rumor and dredged up a patent application for a slap bracelet that would include AMOLED technology, a virtual keyboard, and an energy gathering component whereby your body movement would help recharge the battery.
  • In March, Bloomberg suggested the smartwatch could be more profitable than Apple TV (surely not a big ask so far?) and that Apple’s head of design, Jony Ive, has a special interest in watches.
  • In June, Apple filed an application for the iWatch trademark in Japan, Russia, Taiwan, Mexico, and Turkey. We’re not sure how Apple will deal with the fact that the iWatch name has already been trademarked in the U.S. and Europe by other companies.
  • Also in June, Citi analyst Glen Yeung told CNET that an iWatch release in the second half of 2013 was looking “increasingly likely.”
  • When Intel’s CTO hinted at a smartwatch project it sparked speculation that it may be working in partnership with Apple. This is based on a rumor from last year about the two companies working together on a smartwatch.
  • In July, we heard that Apple was hiring new talent to work on wearable tech.
  • KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested a late 2014 release for the iWatch and speculated that it might incorporate tech from Apple’s iPod Nano, specifically the touch technology, that it will sport a 1.5- to 2-inch display, and that it will make use of biometric technology.
  • A 9to5Mac report in July revealed that the iWatch team was cherry-picked from various corners of Apple. It’s no surprise to find miniaturization experts and power efficiency engineers among their numbers. More interesting is the inclusion of team members from AuthenTec, the mobilesecurity company acquired by Apple last year, and responsible for all the fingerprint sensor rumors. The biometric angle was given yet more mileage with the suggestion that fitness, medical, and sleep analysis experts are also involved in the iWatch project.
  • The difficulties of operating a small touchscreen display have led to widespread rumors that the iWatch will support Siri for voice controls. This idea could date back to a 2011 New York Timesblog.

Google/Motorola Smartwatch

Know Smartwatches Google Motorola SmartwatchThere’s no doubt that Google’s Glass has been the focus of wearable tech excitement, but that’s because we know so much about it already. Google has a lot of fingers in a lot of other pies and a smartwatch design is certainly one of them. We’ve already seen Android-compatible smartwatches hit the market, though they are fairly basic in terms of features. With more powerful hardware designed by Google, we could see a device that actually runs Android and services like Google Now could offer easy interactivity. The context sensitive nature of the Moto X, with sensors that determine your desires by measuring your movements, could also work superbly well in a smartwatch. It could turn on automatically when you glance at it, and be ever-ready for voice commands. It’s even possible that Motorola will manufacture the smartwatch; it did release the MotoActv MP3 player and fitness tracker a while back.
  • Google filed a patent in October last year for a “Smart-watch including flip up display.”
  • A Financial Times report in March confirmed that Google was indeed working on a smartwatch and claimed members of the Android team were leading the project.
  • In May, there was a patent for a “Smart-watch with user interface features,” which appears to be a dual touchscreen design.
  • In June, The Wall Street Journal was informed by “people familiar with the matter” that Google is working on a wristwatch powered by Android.
  • In July, TechCrunch spotted a job advert inviting applications for Senior Director of Industrial Design to head up the “wearables design team” at Motorola.
  • Suggestions that the forthcoming device might be called the Moto xWatch and link up with the Moto X were posted by Taylor Wimberly, but he later reported that an unverified source told him the xWatch has been shelved, hence the lack of an August reveal alongside the Moto X.

Microsoft Smartwatch

Know Smartwatches Microsoft SmartwatchMicrosoft’s 2004 SPOT (Smart Personal Object Technology) project may be long forgotten, but the company could be tempted to have another go. We heard rumblings thatMicrosoft might be developing a smartwatch in April. A few days later, Peter Klein, Microsoft’s chief financial officer, said “We … are working closely with OEMs [Original Equipment Manufacturers] on a new suite of small touch devices powered by Windows.”
  • In April, The Wall Street Journal (paywall) claimed Microsoft was working on a smartwatch and had asked suppliers to ship components, specifically 1.5-inch displays.
  • We then heard from The Verge that it may have originally been intended as a heart monitor accessory for the Xbox, but later morphed into a smartwatch. They also reported that at least one prototype version of the device had a Surface-style magnetic connector to transmit power and data.
  • In July, AmongTech brought us the news that the device being tested is made from Oxynitride Aluminum which is 80 percent translucent and four times harder than glass. They also claimed it has removable wrist bands in Blue, Red, Yellow, Black, White, and Gray. Their unnamed source went on to reveal that it will be a standalone device running its own version of Windows 8, it will support 4G LTE, and have 6GB of storage. A late 2014 release was touted.
  • Also in July, The Verge reported Microsoft’s Surface team had been testing its prototype smartwatch.

LG ‘G Watch’

Know Smartwatches LG SmartwatchThere’s no way that LG is going to be left out of the smartwatch race. The company has confirmed nothing as yet, but the rumors have started in any case. Let’s not forget the LG GD910 3G Watch Phone (pictured) from a couple of years ago.
  • In March, in the afterglow of an explosion of smartwatch news, the Korea Times ran a story suggesting that LG is working on a smartwatch and some glasses. The publication quoted an LG source as saying “The company has spared no efforts to invest in products that it believes are must-haves to stay ahead technology wise in the market, whatever the situation maybe.”
  • In July, PocketDroid brought us the news that LG had filed a trademark for the name “G Watch” which is apparently going to be part of a G brand that will include G Pad, G Glass, G Link, G Band, and G Hub. We’re still looking for a G Spot.

Sonostar Smartwatch

Know Smartwatches sonostar SmartwatchAt the Computex 2013 trade show in June we saw the Sonostar smartwatch which has a 1.73-inch touchscreen E Ink display with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. It connects to your Android or iPhone via Bluetooth and offers information on calls, messages, social networking updates, and emails. It will also have a few dedicated apps. It’s going to cost $180 and it comes in black or white.

Kreyos Meteor SmartWatch

Know Smartwatches Kreyos SmartwatchAfter successfully seeking funding throughIndiegogo the Kreyos Meteor is supposed to ship in November. The pre-order price for this device was $140 and it is compatible with iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone 8. It sports a black and white 144 x 168 pixel resolution display (not a touchscreen). It links up to your phone via Bluetooth. It has a speakerphone, so it can be used to make and receive calls and voice commands via Siri or Google Now. It also has a built-in pedometer, accelerometer and other sensors to enable activity tracking for work-outs and sports.

inWatch One

Know Smartwatches inwatch oneThis one comes from Yingqu Technology in China. It’s a standalone device with a 1.54-inch touchscreen, a dual-core processor, a 2MP camera, and support for voice features. It will last 48 hours on a single charge. It runs Android 4.2 and it supports Bluetooth, GPS, and boasts various sensors to track your health. It is available for pre-order now, but you won’t get much change from $300.

Geak Watch

Know Smartwatches GEAK SmartwatchHere’s another Chinese smartwatch. TheGeak Watch runs Android 4.1 and it has support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC, and FM radio. It’s also packed with sensors to monitor your health and fitness. It has a 1.55-inch 240 x 240 pixel resolution multi-touch display, a 1GHz processor, backed by 512MB of RAM, and 4GB of storage. It apparently costs around $330 and you can pre-order now.

Agent Smartwatch

Know Smartwatches Agent SmartwatchHere’s another successful Kickstarter campaign that is set to land in December. The Agent smartwatch links up to your smartphone via Bluetooth and will be compatible with iPhone 4S or newer, Android 2.3+ and Windows Phone 8. It has an ARM Cortex-M4 processor, a 1.28-inch Sharp Memory Display, motion and light sensors, and a choice of straps. It also supports Qi wireless charging and it’s water resistant. The big USP is excellent battery life (7 days on normal use).

Hyetis Crossbow

Know Smartwatches Hyetis CrossbowThe world famous home of brands like Omega and Rolex is Switzerland and that’s also where Hyetis is based. Apparently, the deadly sounding Hyetis Crossbow will be available for pre-order soon. It boasts a 41MP camera, a touchscreen, biometric sensors, a barometer, and a thermometer. There’s also NFC, Bluetooth, GPS and Wi-Fi support. All of this could be yours for just $1,200. Before you get too excited, we’re not sure this will ever make it to market. It is what might be charitably described as overly ambitious.

Androidly Smartwatch

Know Smartwatches AndroidlyBilling itself as the first Android powered smartwatch, Androidly is available for pre-orders, though it doesn’t actually exist yet. The price is $220 and it has (or will have) a 2-inch touchscreen, 256MB of RAM, 8 to 16GB of storage (using an SD card), phone functionality, a 2MP camera, and support for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS. The idea is that it will run Android apps from the Play Store thanks to the fact it runs Android 2.2. The Kickstarter campaign was supposed to start in June, but there’s no sign of it yet. We’ll keep an eye on this one and keep you posted.

Qualcomm ‘Zola’ or ‘TOQ’

When chipmaker Qualcomm showed off its high resolution, next generation Mirasol display back in May it wasn’t just on a smartphone, there was also a smartwatch mock-up. Phandroid uncovered a trademark filing for a device called the “Qualcomm TOQ” and it was described as a “Personal communication hub in the form of a wristwatch; portable electronic devices for transmitting and reviewing text, data, image, and audio files; hands free devices for mobile phones; battery chargers.”
A sometimes reliable source @evleaks has suggested that the Qualcomm “Zola” smartwatch will land as early as September, but it would be unusual for Qualcomm to release a device like this. The rep that spoke to Engadget back in May made it clear that the pictured smartwatch is just a mock up and that the screen will “show up in some third-party devices.” We don’t know anything about processing power, but the Mirasol display is extremely high resolution, it offers reduced glare compared to LCD or OLED, and crucially for smartwatches, it has six times the battery life. It’s likely that Qualcomm will be looking to supply someone else, but there’s no doubt it could produce a smartwatch if it wanted to, so you never know.

Smartwatches that actually exist

Knowing Smartwatches Pebble SmartwatchThe Pebble was the successful kickstarter campaign that seemed to spark the sudden interest in smartwatches, even although various companies had already released watches that could be described as “smart” to some degree. Check out our full Pebble review for the lowdown on that.
Sony’s SmartWatch has been out for a while, and the company has even launched an Open SmartWatch project to try and encourage developers to flash their own firmware and find new uses for the device. Sony has already announced the SmartWatch 2, which is an Android-compatible device with NFC and Bluetooth support, a 1.6-inch LCD, and a host of plug-ins. It will work with smartphones running Android 4.0 and above. It’s also water resistant.
There are also dedicated sport devices like the Nike+ SportWatch GPS or the TomTom Runner and Multi-Sport.
We’ll continue to update this piece as more smartwatches actually go on sale, new rumors pop up, and more details emerge.