The mobile devices that we take for granted today were found only in science fiction a few decades ago. Today, even kids and toddlers love to use these mobile devices for entertainment and learning. The last several years, the improvements in smartphones seem to be incremental and it seems that there is hardly anything else that you will want to be on your mobile device.
So maybe we need another gear.
Google came up with Google Glass, a device that projects a screen in front of the wearer’s eyes to show information about the objects within view. It can also record video and audio. The trouble is, this device is quite expensive at $1,500 and has been a concern because it has the potential to record and broadcast anything it sees and therefore is a privacy concern.
Sony has its SmartWatch which is Android compatible and can act as an extension to the user’s Android phone allowing the user to be notified of calls and messages even if the phone is in a bag or elsewhere within 10 meters. Health Apps are also available for those with an active lifestyle.
Samsung came up with its Galaxy Gear which is also acts as an extension to a mobile phone. Unlike the Sony SmartWatch though which is compatible with any Android device running on Ice Cream Sandwich version of the operating system, Galaxy Gear is currently only compatible with Galaxy Note 3. Obviously, Samsung will need to make it compatible to more devices for it to be successful.
Apple is rumored to be developing an “iWatch” but has no details on its features and release.