We knew this was going to happen sooner or later. Rumors of Apple releasing a smartwatch have been around for a while; a wearable computing device similar to your iPhone in functionality and connects to it wirelessly. Various reports have suggested that Apple could find much success with a smartwatch. Known to us as the iWatch, we have heard from reliable sources that Apple is currently testing such a device, but has problems with battery life. Now, Samsung, too, has confirmed that they are working on a smartwatch of their own, to compete with Apple’s iWatch.

Apple iWatch Concept

According to Bloomberg, Lee Young Hee, Samsung’s executive VP of mobile business, stated in an interview that they’ve been working on a smartwatch for a long time. This is clearly a war tactic, if Apple releases the iWatch, Samsung will also release one and try to compete with it. My bet is that Samsung’s watch will look similar to the iWatch and they will argue that it’s a universal shape. Just like the Galaxy S and the Galaxy Tab and various other products that Samsung has copied from Apple.

We’ve been preparing the watch product for so long. We are working very hard to get ready for it. We are preparing products for the future, and the watch is definitely one of them. The issue here is who will first commercialize it so consumers can use it meaningfully. 

When asked more about the smartwatch, the spokesperson declined to comment. Samsung could introduce a watch running Android, or its Tizen OS, and price it less than Apple’s iWatch to get more customers. Sources familiar with the iWatch have stated that it will be released this year. Along with basic dialing and messaging features, the iWatch will come with a full version of iOS and include a pedometer and a heart-rate sensor.

Apple-iWatch-MacUser-Concept

In the end, it’s all about who brings the smartwatch to the market first at a decent price point. Nobody is going to shell out upwards of $200 for a watch. Would you like to wear an iWatch?