Microsoft may be the next company to launch its own wearable tech device, following in the footsteps of the Google Glass.
With the Google Glass due to launch for the mass market early next year, Microsoft could be hot on Google’s heels with its own device.
According to “people familiar with the matter”, Microsoft is currently testing prototypes of some Internet-connected glasses.
Although little is known about Microsoft’s smart glasses at this stage, the fact the company is working on such a device could enable it to closely compete with Google, Apple and Samsung on the wearable tech front.
By 2016, research firm Gartner expects the wearable tech industry to be worth $10 billion (£6.2 billion).
So far, the only wearable tech devices available for purchase by the average consumer are smartwatches like the Pebble smartwatch, Samsung Galaxy Gear and Sony SmartWatch 2.
“Technology companies can’t afford to wait, but device vendors will face a number of tough challenges including strict power constraints which limit the number of sensors”, said Canalys analyst Daniel Matte.
Canalys predicts that smart glasses will be more niche than devices like smartwatches in the wearable tech industry. Devices like Google Glass could be used more actively in markets like medicine and security.
Topology Research also adds that pricing will be a real issue when it comes to wearable tech. Currently, the retail pricing is just too high for the average consumer.
Google Glass will be somewhere around the £1000 mark, while the Galaxy Gear is a whopping £399.
“To drive consumer interest, hardware makers are expected to lower the retail prices for wearable devices going forward,” said Topology Research analysts Jason Tsai.
Next, read all about the Google Glass privacy issue and how to solve it.
Via: Wall Street Journal
