Microsoft testing smart watch prototype with a Surface connector: Report

Microsoft's purported smart watch is in prototype stage if a new report is to be believed.

According to The Verge, Microsoft has been working on a wearable smart device for more than a year. The website cites a source close to the development to report that the teams who have worked on Xbox accessories and on  the Kinect sensor have been involved with the development of the device.

It adds that the smart watch prototype features removable bands attached to its 1.5-inch touch display, and includes a five-pin magnetic power connector that can transmit both power and data, which is also found on Microsoft's Surface tablets. However, the connector might not make it to the final device.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Microsoft had conducted  discussions with its suppliers in Asia at the beginning of the year to ship components for a potential smart watch device. The report cited an executive at a component manufacturer who also mentioned that Microsoft had placed a request for 1.5-inch displays for this purported smart watch. However, Microsoft had refused to comment on the development.

It is noteworthy, that this is not the first time Microsoft is getting into the smart watch segment. In 2004, Microsoft had introduced a product named SPOT (Smart Personal Object Technology) along similar lines. SPOT was a paid service which could send instant messages from Windows Messenger, news headlines, stock information, and weather forecasts. This project was cancelled in 2012 as it failed to garner much attention from the consumers.

Apart from Microsoft, LG, Samsung, Google and Apple are also said to be working on smart watch. As per earlier rumours, Google is said to be developing a smart watch in its Android unit instead of its lab, which indicates that this device is beyond the prototype stage and may be launched soon.

Samsung, on the other hand is working on a smart watch as part of its Project J lineup.

According to grapevine, even Apple is working on a smart watch, which might be called iWatch and is expected to release this year.

In the month of March, there were also rumours indicating that LG is looking to get into the smart watch space. Analysts too are pegging 2013 to be the year of smart watch.