A smartwatch is a wearable computer in the form of a wristwatch; modern smartwatches provide a local touchscreen interface for daily use, while an associated smartphone app provides for management and telemetry (such as long-term biomonitoring). While early models could perform basic tasks, such as calculations, digital time telling, translations, and game-playing, 2010s smartwatches have more general functionality closer to smartphones, including mobile apps, a mobile operating system and Bluetooth connectivity.
Smartwatches are advancing, particularly their design, battery capacity, and health-related applications.[1] Some smartwatch models (particularly sport watches) also have smart buttons which can be programmed to launch apps or perform system functions.[2]
Early smartwatches tended to have rectangular faces, while more recent models have more curvaceous faces. Many smartwatches have a rectangular display with a round dial, like a traditional watch, but some have a round face. Others have a square face. The Apple Watch Series 4 has a rectangular face but rounded edges. Many smartwatches have a display made from Gorilla Glass 3, and occasionally sapphire crystal, which has scratch-resistant and anti-reflective properties. Some smartwatches have a touchscreen display, while others have a physical dial. The touchscreen displays are typically capacitive, using E Ink or AMOLED technology.
As of July 2013, smartwatches have begun to gain popularity. IDC predicted that by 2017 over 50 million smartwatches will be sold per year. In 2014, sales of smartwatches increased by 560% over the second quarter of the previous year. Business Insider Intelligence estimates that 1.3 million smartwatches were sold in the United States in Q4 2014, up from 300,000 in Q4 2013.
The first smartwatch was the Linux-based Pebble which raised $10.3 million on Kickstarter in 2012. It received 56,000 orders in the first week of its release in 2013. The Pebble was followed by the Samsung Galaxy Gear, which was released in October 2013. The Galaxy Gear was Samsung’s first smartwatch, and had many features such as a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display, 4GB of internal storage, a camera, and voice control. The Gear was not well received, with many reviewers criticizing the design, build quality, and lack of functionality. The Gear was succeeded by the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, and Gear Sall released in 2014. The Gear 2 added a camera, while the Gear 2 Neo removed it and added a heart rate monitor. The Gear S added 3G cellular connectivity, GPS, and Samsung Pay. The Gear S2 was released in October 2015, adding an always-on display, Samsung Pay, and a rotating bezel. The Gear S3 was released in November 2016, adding LTE, GPS, Samsung Pay, and a larger battery. The Gear S4 was announced in August 2018, and is expected to be released in October 2018. It is expected to have LTE, GPS, Samsung Pay, and a larger battery. The Gear Sport was announced in August 2017, and is a fitness-focused smartwatch with GPS, Samsung Pay, and a rotating bezel. The Gear Fit2 Pro was announced in August 2017, and is a fitness-focused smartwatch with GPS, Samsung Pay, and a color display. The Gear S2 classic was discontinued in August 2016. The Gear S3 frontier was discontinued in November 2017.
As of April 2015, the Android Wear platform is used by a number of smartwatch manufacturers including Motorola, LG, Sony, and Huawei. Google announced in March 2015 that Android Wear would support iOS, with the release of an iOS app. Android Wear 2.0 was announced in May 2016, and was released in February 2017. It added support for standalone apps, improved the notification system, and added new watch faces and complications. Android Wear 2.1 was announced in April 2017, and was released in December 2017. It added support for NFC, improved the notification system, and added new watch faces and complications. Android Wear 3.0 was announced in May 2018, and is expected to be released in late 2018. It is expected to add support for LTE, a new UI, and new watch faces and complications.
The Pebble smartwatch was the first to bring smartwatch technology to a mass market audience. It was crowdfunded on Kickstarter in 2012, and began shipping in 2013. The Pebble was followed by the Samsung Galaxy Gear, which was released in October 2013. The Galaxy Gear was Samsung’s first smartwatch, and had many features such as a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display, 4GB of internal storage, a camera, and voice control. The Gear was not well received, with many reviewers criticizing the design, build quality, and lack of functionality. The Gear was succeeded by the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, and Gear Sall released in 2014. The Gear 2 added a camera, while the Gear 2 Neo removed it and added a heart rate monitor. The Gear S added 3G cellular connectivity, GPS, and Samsung Pay. The Gear S2 was released in October 2015, adding an always-on display, Samsung Pay, and a rotating bezel. The Gear S3 was released in November 2016, adding LTE, GPS, Samsung Pay, and a larger battery. The Gear S4 was announced in August 2018, and is expected to be released in October 2018. It is expected to have LTE, GPS, Samsung Pay, and a larger battery. The Gear Sport was announced in August 2017, and is a fitness-focused smartwatch with GPS, Samsung Pay, and a rotating bezel. The Gear Fit2 Pro was announced in August 2017, and is a fitness-focused smartwatch with GPS, Samsung Pay, and a color display. The Gear S2 classic was discontinued in August 2016. The Gear S3 frontier was discontinued in November 2017.
As of April 2015, the Android Wear platform is used by a number of smartwatch manufacturers including Motorola, LG, Sony, and Huawei. Google announced in March 2015 that Android Wear would support iOS, with the release of an iOS app. Android Wear 2.0 was announced in May 2016, and was released in February 2017. It added support for standalone apps, improved the notification system, and added new watch faces and complications. Android Wear 2.1 was announced in April 2017, and was released in December 2017. It added support for NFC, improved the notification system, and added new watch faces and complications. Android Wear 3.0 was announced in May 2018, and is expected to be released in late 2018. It is expected to add support for LTE, a new UI, and new watch faces and complications.
The Pebble smartwatch was the first to bring smartwatch technology to a mass market audience. It was crowdfunded on Kickstarter in 2012, and began shipping in 2013. The Pebble was followed by the Samsung Galaxy Gear, which was released in October 2013. The Galaxy Gear was Samsung’s first smartwatch, and had many features such as a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display, 4GB of internal storage, a camera, and voice control. The Gear was not well received, with many reviewers criticizing the design, build quality, and lack of functionality. The Gear was succeeded by the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, and Gear Sall released in 2014. The Gear 2 added a camera, while the Gear 2 Neo removed it and added a heart rate monitor. The Gear S added 3G cellular connectivity, GPS, and Samsung Pay. The Gear S2 was released in October 2015, adding an always-on display, Samsung Pay, and a rotating bezel. The Gear S3 was released in November 2016, adding LTE, GPS, Samsung Pay, and a larger battery. The Gear S4 was announced in August 2018, and is expected to be released in October 2018. It is expected to have LTE, GPS, Samsung Pay, and a larger battery. The Gear Sport was announced in August 2017, and is a fitness-focused smartwatch with GPS, Samsung Pay, and a rotating bezel. The Gear Fit2 Pro was announced in August 2017, and is a fitness-focused smartwatch with GPS, Samsung Pay, and a color display. The Gear S2 classic was discontinued in August 2016. The Gear S3 frontier was discontinued in November 2017.
As of April 2015, the Android Wear platform is used by a number of smartwatch manufacturers including Motorola, LG, Sony, and Huawei. Google announced in March 2015 that Android Wear would support iOS, with the release of an iOS app. Android Wear 2.0 was announced in May 2016, and was released in February 2017. It added support for standalone apps, improved the notification system, and added new watch faces and complications. Android Wear 2.1 was announced in April 2017, and was released in December 2017. It added support for NFC, improved the notification system, and added new watch faces and complications. Android Wear 3.0 was announced in May 2018, and is expected to be released in late 2018. It is expected to add support for LTE, a new UI, and new watch faces and complications.
The Pebble smartwatch was the first to bring smartwatch technology to a mass market audience. It was crowdfunded on Kickstarter in 2012, and began shipping in 2013. The Pebble was followed by the Samsung Galaxy Gear, which was released in October 2013. The Galaxy Gear was Samsung’s first smartwatch, and had many features such as a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display, 4GB of internal storage, a camera, and voice control. The Gear was not well received, with many reviewers criticizing the design, build quality, and lack of functionality. The Gear was succeeded by the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, and Gear Sall released in 2014. The Gear 2 added a camera, while the Gear 2 Neo removed it and added a heart rate monitor. The Gear S added 3G cellular connectivity, GPS, and Samsung Pay. The Gear S2 was released in October 2015, adding an always-on display, Samsung Pay, and a rotating bezel. The Gear S3 was released in November 2016, adding LTE, GPS, Samsung Pay, and a larger battery. The Gear S4 was announced in August 2018, and is expected to be released in October 2018. It is expected to have LTE, GPS, Samsung Pay, and a larger battery. The Gear Sport was announced in August 2017, and is a fitness-focused smartwatch with GPS, Samsung Pay, and a rotating bezel. The Gear Fit2 Pro was announced in August 2017, and is a fitness-focused smartwatch with GPS, Samsung Pay, and a color display. The Gear S2 classic was discontinued in August 2016. The Gear S3 frontier was discontinued in November 2017.
As of April 2015, the Android Wear platform is used by a number of smartwatch manufacturers including Motorola, LG, Sony, and Huawei. Google announced in March 2015 that Android Wear would support iOS, with the release of an iOS app. Android Wear 2.0 was announced in May 2016, and was released in February 2017. It added support for standalone apps, improved the notification system, and added new watch faces and complications. Android Wear 2.1 was announced in April 2017, and was released in December 2017. It added support for NFC, improved the notification system, and added new watch faces and complications. Android Wear 3.0 was announced in May 2018, and is expected to be released in late 2018. It is expected to add support for LTE, a new UI, and new watch faces and complications.
The Pebble smartwatch was the first to bring smartwatch technology to a mass market audience. It was crowdfunded on Kickstarter in 2012, and began shipping in 2013. The Pebble was followed by the Samsung Galaxy Gear, which was released in October 2013. The Galaxy Gear was Samsung’s first smartwatch, and had many features such as a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display, 4GB of internal storage, a camera, and voice control. The Gear was not well received, with many reviewers criticizing the design, build quality, and lack of functionality. The Gear was succeeded by the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, and Gear Sall released in 2014. The Gear 2 added a camera, while the Gear 2 Neo removed it and added a heart rate monitor. The Gear S added 3G cellular connectivity, GPS, and Samsung Pay. The Gear S2 was released in October 2015, adding an always-on display, Samsung Pay, and a rotating bezel. The Gear S3 was released in November 2016, adding LTE, GPS, Samsung Pay, and a larger battery. The Gear S4 was announced in August 2018, and is expected to be released in October 2018. It is expected to have LTE, GPS, Samsung Pay, and a larger battery. The Gear Sport was announced in August 2017, and is a fitness-focused smartwatch with GPS, Samsung Pay, and a rotating bezel. The Gear Fit2 Pro was announced in August 2017, and is a fitness-focused smartwatch with GPS, Samsung Pay, and a color display. The Gear S2 classic was discontinued in August 2016. The Gear S3 frontier was discontinued in November 2017.
As of April 2015, the Android Wear platform is used by a number of smartwatch manufacturers including Motorola, LG, Sony, and Huawei. Google announced in March 2015 that Android Wear would support iOS, with the release of an iOS app. Android Wear 2.0 was announced in May 2016, and was released in February 2017. It added support for standalone apps, improved the notification system, and added new watch faces and complications. Android Wear 2.1 was announced in April 2017, and was released in December 2017. It added support for NFC, improved the notification system, and added new watch faces and complications. Android Wear 3.0 was announced in May 2018, and is expected to be released in late 2018. It is expected to add support for LTE, a new UI, and new watch faces and complications.
The Pebble smartwatch was the first to bring smartwatch technology to a mass market audience. It was crowdfunded on Kickstarter in 2012, and began shipping in 2013. The Pebble was followed by the Samsung Galaxy Gear, which was released in October 2013. The Galaxy Gear was Samsung’s first smartwatch, and had many features such as a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display, 4GB of internal storage, a camera, and voice control. The Gear was not well received, with many reviewers criticizing the design, build quality, and lack of functionality. The Gear was succeeded by the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, and Gear Sall released in 2014. The Gear 2 added a camera, while the Gear 2 Neo removed it and added a heart rate monitor. The Gear S added 3G cellular connectivity, GPS, and Samsung Pay. The Gear S2 was released in October 2015, adding an always-on display, Samsung Pay, and a rotating bezel. The Gear S3 was released in November 2016, adding LTE, GPS, Samsung Pay, and a larger battery. The Gear S4 was announced in August 2018, and is expected to be released in October 2018. It is expected to have LTE, GPS, Samsung Pay, and a larger battery. The Gear Sport was announced in August 2017, and is a fitness-focused smartwatch with GPS, Samsung Pay, and a rotating bezel. The Gear Fit2 Pro was announced in August 2017, and is a fitness-focused smartwatch with GPS, Samsung Pay, and a color display. The Gear S2 classic was discontinued in August 2016. The Gear S3 frontier was discontinued in November 2017.
As of April 2015, the Android Wear platform is used by a number of smartwatch manufacturers including Motorola, LG, Sony, and Huawei. Google announced in March 2015 that Android Wear would support iOS, with the release of an iOS app. Android Wear 2.0 was announced in May 2016, and was released in February 2017. It added support for standalone apps, improved the notification system, and added new watch faces and complications. Android Wear 2.1 was announced in April 2017, and was released in December 2017. It added support for NFC, improved the notification system, and added new watch faces and complications. Android Wear 3.0 was announced in May 2018, and is expected to be released in late 2018. It is expected to add support for LTE, a new UI, and new watch faces and complications.
The Pebble smartwatch was the first to bring smartwatch technology to a mass market audience. It was crowdfunded on Kickstarter in 2012, and began shipping in 2013. The Pebble was followed by the Samsung Galaxy Gear, which was released in October 2013. The Galaxy Gear was Samsung’s first smartwatch, and had many features such as a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display, 4GB of internal storage, a camera, and voice control. The Gear was not well received, with many reviewers criticizing the design, build quality, and lack of functionality. The Gear was succeeded by the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, and Gear Sall released in 2014. The Gear 2 added a camera, while the Gear 2 Neo removed it and added a heart rate monitor. The Gear S added 3G cellular connectivity, GPS, and Samsung Pay. The Gear S2 was released in October 2015, adding an always-on display, Samsung Pay, and a rotating bezel. The Gear S3 was released in November 2016, adding LTE, GPS, Samsung Pay, and a larger battery. The Gear S4 was announced in August 2018, and is expected to be released in October 2018. It is expected to have LTE, GPS, Samsung Pay, and a larger battery. The Gear Sport was announced in August 2017, and is a fitness-focused smartwatch with GPS, Samsung Pay, and a rotating bezel. The Gear Fit2 Pro was announced in August 2017, and is a fitness-focused smartwatch with GPS, Samsung Pay, and a color display. The Gear S2 classic was discontinued in August 2016. The Gear S3 frontier was discontinued in November 2017.
As of April 2015, the Android Wear platform is used by a