Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. News

Microsoft smartwatch rumors: It will be a fitness band, not a watch

By

Microsoft smartwatch
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Microsoft looks like it might jump on the wearables bandwagon – and soon. Everyone from Samsung and LG, to Motorola and Apple has either released smartwatches or are reportedly planning to do so soon. Several reports hint that Microsoft will debut its first smartwatch this fall. Here’s everything we think we know about the device so far.

Updated on 07-03-2013 by Malarie Gokey: Added rumored pricing info from Paul Thurrott, release date, and form factor news.

Recommended Videos

It will have 11 sensors and look like the Gear Fit

According to Forbes, Microsoft has been working on a smartwatch for some time now and has clear plans for the future of the device. The company’s first wearable will reportedly offer two days of battery life and feature a design similar to that of the Samsung Gear Fit. The full-color display will be placed in a bizarre position against the user’s wrist, so that notifications will be more private. Earlier rumors hinted at a small 1.5-inch display, which seems to be verified by Forbes. The article describes the display as “about the size of half a stick of gum.”

Gear Fit Watch front angle
The Microsoft smartwatch may look like the Samsung Gear Fit. Image used with permission by copyright holder

In early July, another report from Paul Thurrott’s Supersite for Windows confirmed rumors that Microsoft’s first wearable won’t look like a smartwatch at all, but more like a circular fitness band. It will also work more like a fitness tracker than a smartwtach.

Related

Previous rumors indicated that the smartwatch might include fitness sensors for monitoring heart rate and other vitals, but did not specify exactly how many will be included. Then, in late June, a new report from Tom’s Hardware stated that Microsoft will include 11 different sensors on the device. The article also hinted that Texas Instruments and Atmel chips may be onboard and confirmed the smartwatch’s unique form factor.

The smartwatch will work with Android and iOS devices

Anonymous sources told Forbes that the device will be compatible with Windows Phone, iOS, and Android devices. The June report from Tom’s Hardware confirmed that the smartwatch will be OS agnostic and Microsoft will offer open APIs for developers.

If Microsoft merely decided to offer a smartwatch for Windows Phone devices, it would have a very limited market. However, if the company really does make its first wearable open to iOS and Android, it will have a much wider appeal. So far, one of the main problems with Samsung’s wearables, is that the number of devices they work with is extremely limited.

The Kinect team is working on the smartwatch’s OS

kinect360
The Kinect team from Microsoft’s Xbox division is working on the OS. Image used with permission by copyright holder

Microsoft has its Kinect team working on the operating system for the smartwatch. The Kinect division must create an OS that complies all the sensor data into an easy-to-read interface. Just like all the other upcoming smartwatches, Microsoft’s will have a strong focus on health and fitness. Reports hint that the smartwatch will feature continuous heart rate monitoring, so you never miss a beat.

Microsoft may release it this fall

Previously, Forbes indicated that Microsoft could debut the smartwatch as early as this summer, but an anonymous source told Tom’s Hardware that the device will arrive in October. Paul Thurrott stated that the fitness wearable will arrive in the fourth quarter of this year and be priced like the Samsung Gear Fit, which ranges from $150-$200, depending on where you get it.

Previous updates:

Updated on 07-01-2013 by Malarie Gokey: Added new information about sensors, specs, and release date.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Malarie Gokey
Malarie Gokey
Former Digital Trends Contributor
As DT's Mobile Editor, Malarie runs the Mobile and Wearables sections, which cover smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and…
Nomad’s new iPhone case and Apple Watch band may be its coolest yet
Nomad Glow 2.0 Sport Case and Apple Watch Sport Band in daylight.

Though the world of Apple accessories is a dime a dozen, one of the better brands that you can buy is Nomad. Nomad has a variety of amazing leather Apple Watch bands and cases, as well as non-leather options, too. In August 2023, Nomad released a one-of-a-kind Glow in the Dark Apple Watch band that sold out in about 12 hours.

Since that Glow in the Dark band was a limited edition, no one was sure if Nomad was going to re-release it, and this explains the high resale prices you’ll find on eBay. But Nomad just released the Glow 2.0 Apple Watch Sport Band as well as a new Glow 2.0 Sport Case for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. And, yes, they're just as wonderful as before.
The new and improved Glow 2.0

Read more
An Apple insider just revealed how iOS 18’s AI features will work
An iPhone 15 Pro Max laying face-down outside, showing the Natural Titanium color.

As Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) inches closer, the chatter around the company’s AI work has taken a feverish turn. In a year when smartphone and computing brands have focused solely on AI niceties, Apple has been uncharacteristically silent around the AI hype — eliciting concern about the brand missing the train.

However, a new report has given us a closer look at how Apple's AI dreams may come to fruition with its iOS 18 update later this year.
New details on Apple's AI plans

Read more
The most common Skype problems and how to fix them
best mac apps for small business skype

Skype is an excellent option for video chats with your friends and family or conducting a videoconference call with your colleagues.  However, Skype is not without its bugs, hiccups, and issues that can make getting face-to-face with someone seem like an ordeal. To make things easier on everyone, we've compiled a selection of the most common Skype problems and how to fix them.
Video not working
If you can't get your camera to work or experience issues seeing other's connections, you might as well be using an actual telephone instead of Skype. Thankfully, these issues can usually be resolved with a bit of tinkering on your end, or they may just be service disruptions on Skype's end.

One of the more common problems that crop up is visual issues due to Skype not having access to your PC or phone's camera. For desktop users, open the Skype application and select the Three horizontal dots near the notification bell icon to access the Skype menu. Select Settings > Audio and video. If your picture fails to appear in the Skype camera preview window, you'll know there's a connection issue.

Read more