With the increasing speculation on 'smart watches' in the industry, a consensus has been reached that it is time to launch such products.
In recent weeks, it has been repeatedly reported that apple, Samsung, Google and other technology giants will release smart watches later this year. 'I think the tipping point has been reached. 'said avi Greengart, an analyst at current analysis, a US market research firm.
Greengart believes that 2013 may become the first year of smart watch, because 'the volume of parts is small enough, and the price is cheap enough', and many consumers already have smart phones, which can fully promote the development of this kind of wearable device.
The concept of smart watches has been around for at least a decade: Microsoft launched such a product in 2003. Many companies are already selling such products, including Sony, pebble, which has developed through crowdfunding channels, and I & rsquo; m, an Italian company.
So far, the smart watch has been able to connect with the mobile phone wirelessly, to provide users with new message reminders, and can achieve certain Internet functions. But analysts believe that once on the right track, application developers will introduce many new functions for such products, which may have health and fitness monitoring functions.
Greengart believes that the entry of industry giants such as Apple may stimulate the development of the whole market. But he also points out that any new device has to prove it works. 'This is a market that needs to be developed. 'he said.
Although Apple has been silent, the market has not stopped speculating, and there are even rumors that the company will develop an Iwatch smart watch with curved glass.
Great development potential
ABI research, an American market research company, predicts that smart watches and other wearable computing devices will 'explode' in the next few years, with 485 million units to be shipped by 2018.
'the craze for wearable technology is expected, especially for smart watches and smart glasses. 'ABI research analyst Josh flood said:' Apple's curved glass watch is likely to open the wearable computing market. The biggest question is whether the watch will be used as an accessory to the iPhone or as a stand-alone product for other functions such as health tracking. '
Oliver Chen, an analyst at Citigroup, said companies such as fossil and Movado have launched smart watch products, but the market will soon grow into a $6bn business with 'above average' profit margins.
'a successful smart watch may need to create a brand new market and will not compete with fashion and luxury brands. 'Oliver & middot; Chen said.
Sarah Rotman EPPs, an analyst at Forrester Research, a US market research firm, said: 'the human body will become the next battlefield in the personal computing industry, and it's only a matter of time before Apple directly enters the market. '
EPPs said the market can grow because 'consumers love smartphones, so being able to add a touch point will create some attraction. 'This allows users to view information on their wrists or use other smartphone apps.
But he points out that there are other competing wearable computing devices, including Google glasses and other smart glasses. 'I don't think smart glasses are a killer model. 'said EPPs.
Potential market demand
Danielle Levitas, an analyst at IDC, a US market research firm, said smart watches and other wearable devices do have development opportunities because consumers want to be able to view information online without taking their mobile phones out of their pockets. After all, it's impolite to view mobile phones on some occasions.
'a glance at the wrist doesn't seem as rude as taking a cell phone out of your pocket. 'she said.
But the market still needs some time to digest consumer demand. 'it can not only build all the intelligent functions in the device, but also reduce the cost by associating with the smartphone. 'said Levitas.
She predicts that a fully autonomous smart watch may cost $300 or more and pay extra for data, but if connected to a smartphone, the price could drop to $100.
Levitas says manufacturers have to find the right screen size - enough to show useful information, but not too heavy.
'the female market is more difficult to develop than the male market. 'she said: 'if the screen is big enough, it may look clumsy, it will only attract specific people. '