Wearable Tech Madness

Wearable Tech Madness23 May 2014 | By Tim Mworia | @Timworia

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Wearable technology is the next tech battle frontier. The hugely successful Pebble smartwatch which launched in early 2013 paved the way for the current scramble for the virgin wearable tech market.

An array of really cool gadgets are beginning to trickle into the market, so let's look at some of the most popular and most anticipated wearable devices yet.

1. Pebble Smartwatch

Pebble was financed via Kickstarter and became an instant hit as soon as the project came to fruition. The smartwatch gives you immediate access to phonecalls, emails and texts without having to pull your phone out.

Pebble puts apps and notifications on your wrist to help you track your runs, get notified when your team scores or kick off voice nav without touching your phone. The Pebble appstore currently has over 1,000 apps and growing.

2. Samsung Galaxy Gear

This is easily the most widely accessible wearable device to date. This Android-based smartwatch was made available alongside the Galaxy Note 3. The original gear was however met with harsh criticism over its overall poor design.

Samsung may have rushed its release with the aim of being first in the market, ahead of Apple. So far it's working well for them especially with the February release of Samsung Gear 2 which is much more improved in functionality and design-wise.

3. Google Glass

Google Glass is a wearable computer with an optical head-mounted display (OHMD). For all its futuristic aspects, it's interesting to see the device was met by resentment and anger more than praise. Privacy and safety concerns was all the talk in the media ahead of Glass' official May 15th release this year. Glass has already been banned in several public places, casinos and made illegal to wear while driving in the UK and several U.S states.

A recent move to merge Google Glass and trendy frames like Ray-Ban and Oakley may just strike the right chord with the masses. Time will tell.

4. LG G Watch

Announced in March and set to launch later this year, LG G Watch will be the first wearable device to run on the new Android Wear OS (Google’s smartwatch OS). It will be unveiled alongside the company’s latest flagship smartphone, the LG G3.

5. Moto 360

Announced on March 18th this year as the other launch devices for Android Wear alongside the LG G Watch, The Moto 360 is on a mission to bring sexy back to the wearables. And look good it does.

Moto 360 keeps you on time and up to date without taking you out of the moment or distracting you, telling you what you need to know before you know you need it through subtle alerts and notifications based on Google Now technology. It also responds to your voice. Moto 360 will be available in a variety of styles globally in Summer 2014.

6. iWatch



With no official word from Apple, talk of the iWatch is nothing but a rumour. And rumour is rampant.

Macrumors.com says: "iWatch" is a smart watch project that may finally arrive in late 2014. Expect a 'fashionable' device running iOS with biometrics and other features providing integration with other iOS devices.

A history of grounbreaking design and top notch aesthetics by Apple has obviously increased pressure on the company to come out with a mind-blowing product. And if the iWatch looks anything like the rumored concepts online, it will be something special.