A newly published Microsoft patent confirms the tech giant's foray into wearables.
Microsoft has filed a patent for a smartwatch with a removable display that can be docked on gym equipment. The wearable would come with a number of biometric sensors to monitor your heart rate. The patent was first flied by Microsoft in 2012, but released only last week.
The patent application also states that the smartwatch will have an inbuilt music player, alarm clock, messaging as well as other phone elements. Input sources to the processor include an optical sensor, touchscreen, and a GPS unit with internal compass. The device comes with a magnetic dock that can be used as a charger for the wearable and as an alarm clock as well. The new Microsoft watch is rumored to come with a removable band in red, black, yellow and blue colors and is stated to be made of a translucent form of the metal called oxynitride aluminium.
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According to rumors, a prototype of the device was running on a modified version of Windows 8 which supports integration with other Windows devices. It is expected to have a 1.5-inch display screen, 6 GB of storage, and LTE network support. The project is believed to be headed by former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop, who now leads Microsoft’s Devices division.
Microsoft smartwatch will compete Samsung’s Galaxy Gear smartwatch which was released last year. Google is also planning to launch the Moto 360 smartwatch in the summer while LG is planning its Android wear smartwatch. A speculation around Apple’s iWatch is also making the rounds. Apart from these electronics giants, Microsoft also faces competition from start-up’s like Pebble which sold approx 400,000 smartwatches last year.
Source: Techradar