Rumored: Smartwatch by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) all Set for Holiday Telease in the U.S.

With a tsunami of new phones, phablets, and smartwatches sweeping the market this season, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is rumored to have one up its sleeve as well. A much anticipated smartwatch by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) may be available to the general populace this holiday season.

In case of technology, rumors almost always hold true. This time, rumors have spread from Forbes about a holiday release of a smartwatch by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT). If proven accurate, this would give Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) the early bird advantage with Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), which won’t be releasing its iWatch before next year.

According to the report by Forbes, the new smartwatch will have a battery capacity capable of lasting 2 days or more on normal use, almost double of iWatch’s reported battery capacity, and almost double of the Samsung Gear as well as the Moto 360.

As far as technology is concerned, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has ensured it stays at par, or surpasses, with its competitors. The Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) smartwatch will be able to perform functions of an average smartphone, with some added features including a heart rate monitor, which would be able to check the heartbeat of users, passively. The device is rumored to have multi-platform compatibility.

However, a lot is still unknown about the device. Sure, a smartwatch is in the pipelines for Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) according to Forbes, but Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) itself has shied away from disclosing any information about the product, including its name. Henceforth, no price estimate can be given at the moment as well.

In May, Forbes disclosed that Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) would be utilizing engineering technology of optical nature for its smartwatch. Now, with the new rumors about a heart rate monitor feature embedded in the device, it is safe to presume that the device may be mainly targeted towards health applications.

The cross-platform compatibility of the smartwatch will be in line with the vision of the new Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who envisions Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) products as well as softwares to have better compatibility with other systems. This, according to Nadella, would make Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) products more competitive in the market.

Considering the current smartwatch market, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) will be working on something unique and different compared to current smartwatch brands. So far, market for smartwatches has been highly disappointing, with many people terming the technology as “excessive” and/or “useless”. However, according to Canalys, smartwatch sales are expected to go up to 28 million by next year. Whether Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) will beat out its competition is still ambiguous, but a holiday release before the Apple iWatch will give its sales a massive boost.

Historical analysis indicates the same. Last year’s holiday season was dominated by Apple iPad, though Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) released its new Surface model around the same period. Hence, a smartwatch release this holiday season by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) will surely get it the upper hand on Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), which won’t be releasing its iWatch until next year.