The year 2013 will see the entry into force in the watch market "smart", allowing users to access the Internet directly from their wrist, experts predict.

For weeks, speculation is rife in the middle of "geeks" and high-tech giants Apple, Samsung and Google could launch their models "smartwatches" soon. "I think we have reached a critical juncture," said Avi Greengart, research firm Current Analysis. According to him, 2013 should be the year of the smart watch, "because components became sufficiently small and cheap" and because many consumers now have smartphones that can connect to a portable device.

Developments

The idea of "connected watch" However, in the drawers for a decade. Microsoft launched its first prototype in 2003. Other watches appeared on the market, such as Pebble, which connects to the iPhone and Android smartphones, and alerts the user by silent vibration of any call, e-mail or incoming message on his phone. Until now, these watches were able to connect to "smart phones" via the Wi-Fi network and provide limited access to the Internet.

But for the experts as soon as this accessory has attracted the attention of many users, application developers arrive en masse with a range of new features. The entry in this promising sector heavyweights like Apple "could start the market," said Avi Greengart, indicating the usefulness of these watches will still be proven, as with any new device. Apple has kept the secret of its projects. But, according to specialized sites, the U.S. computer giant is currently testing the devices capabilities of smartphones that would focus like a watch. The name is already found everything: the iWatch.

iWatchThe time has come the smart watch

The year 2013 will see the entry into force in the watch market "smart", allowing users to access the Internet directly from their wrist, experts predict.

For weeks, speculation is rife in the middle of "geeks" and high-tech giants Apple, Samsung and Google could launch their models "Wholesale Cell Phones " soon. "I think we have reached a critical juncture," said Avi Greengart, research firm Current Analysis. According to him, 2013 should be the year of the smart watch, "because components became sufficiently small and cheap" and because many consumers now have smartphones that can connect to a portable device.

Developments

The idea of ??"connected watch" However, in the drawers for a decade. Microsoft launched its first prototype in 2003. Other watches appeared on the market, such as Pebble, which connects to the iPhone and Android smartphones, and alerts the user by silent vibration of any call, e-mail or incoming message on his phone. Until now, these watches were able to connect to "smart phones" via the Wi-Fi network and provide limited access to the Internet.

But for the experts as soon as this accessory has attracted the attention of many users, application developers arrive en masse with a range of new features. The entry in this promising sector heavyweights like Apple "could start the market," said Avi Greengart, indicating the usefulness of these watches will still be proven, as with any new device. Apple has kept the secret of its projects. But, according to specialized sites, the U.S. computer giant is currently testing the devices capabilities of smartphones that would focus like a watch. The name is already found everything: the iWatch.

iWatch?

The ABI Research predicts that this new market will "explode next year" to reach 485 million units sold per year worldwide by 2018. Oliver Chen, an analyst at Citi, is confident in the future that these devices may evolve into a market of 6 billion dollars annually, with the key profit "higher than average".

Josh Flood, expert ABI Research, Apple iWatch future could be a "revelation." "The question is whether this watch will complement the digital screen Apple iPhone or be a product in itself with its own functions." For its part, Sarah Rotman Epps, Forrester Research, believes that the entry into the market of Apple is that "a matter of time."

But the watch will not necessarily be the accessory that makes the difference. Other versions of the concept, such as eyeglasses intelligent, already tested by Google, could walk more, she said.

Danielle Levitas of IDC sees a real opportunity for the smart watch, noting that most people want to be constantly connected and that "it is less rude to look at his wrist as his smartphone out of his pocket."

But its designers must initially determine what consumers really want. Including the aesthetic, especially to find the appropriate size of the watch: large enough to be useful without seeming too bulky. "It will be more difficult for women." As for pricing, watch intelligent autonomous could cost $ 300, and a model related to a $ 100 smartphone.

The ABI Research predicts that this new market will "explode next year" to reach 485 million units sold per year worldwide by 2018. Oliver Chen, an analyst at Citi, is confident in the future that these devices may evolve into a market of 6 billion dollars annually, with the key profit "higher than average".

Josh Flood, expert ABI Research, Apple iWatch future could be a "revelation." "The question is whether this watch will complement the digital screen Apple iPhone or be a product in itself with its own functions." For its part, Sarah Rotman Epps, Forrester Research, believes that the entry into the market of Apple is that "a matter of time."

But the watch will not necessarily be the accessory that makes the difference. Other versions of the concept, such as eyeglasses intelligent,cheap Android Phones , already tested by Google, could walk more, she said.

Danielle Levitas of IDC sees a real opportunity for the smart watch, noting that most people want to be constantly connected and that "it is less rude to look at his wrist as his smartphone out of his pocket."

But its designers must initially determine what consumers really want. Including the aesthetic, especially to find the appropriate size of the watch: large enough to be useful without seeming too bulky. "It will be more difficult for women." As for pricing, watch intelligent autonomous could cost $ 300, and a model related to a $ 100 smartphone.