Moto 360, iWatch: Rumored Motorola and Apple Smartwatches

Moto 360, iWatch: Rumored Motorola and Apple Smartwatches

The Moto 360 and the iWatch are some of the most anticipated smartwatch options right now, not because they’re the first of their kind, but because they offer a lot more connectivity to your smartphone and are a little more aesthetically pleasing. Today, we’re going to be comparing the two, or what we know about them so far.

The Motorola Moto 360 has been announced, but Apple hasn’t made an official announcement for the iWatch, although it’s expected they will alongside the release of the iPhone 6 on September 9th. There’s a Motorola special event scheduled for September 4th, where they will likely be announcing the Moto 360 and the Moto X+1. We may be seeing this device on shelves as soon as mid-September, if this is the case.

Despite the fact Apple hasn’t made the announcement for the iWatch just yet, it’s rumored that the device will be available anywhere from mid-September to late November. Some are even suggesting we won’t see the device until 2015. Nothing can be made fact until Apple announces the device and release date, which will hopefully happen September 9th.

Motorola’s Moto 360

Design-wise, we already know exactly what the Moto 360 looks like, but we have no idea whatsoever what it will be constructed out of. The smartwatch will be sporting a round display and will have quite a few customization options, including interchangeable bands to give your device a new look, and options for either a black or aluminum face. The customization part may be enough to woo people into picking up one of these devices, as Motorola has gone more towards a fashion statement than just a boring, old smartwatch, which is a smart move on their part.

Rumored Apple iWatch

The iWatch, on the other hand, is still a secret. It’s speculated that the device will be offered in both a square model and a circular model, and may sport a more traditional looking band. We can’t be sure of anything just yet, as Apple seems to be moving towards a more uniform look with their devices, so it may feature sleek aluminum edges and a plain black band. Supposedly, they have consulted with Tag Heur’s Vice President for advice on design, so we will see what comes of that.

With Apple’s release of their new Health app in iOS 8, we may see the iWatch going towards more of a fitness device than a watch. It’s very possible we will see some new sensors that can detect heart rate, or maybe an accurate pedometer built in, and sync that information with the app so you can more easily keep track of your workouts. Display-wise, there’s not much that we know regarding the device. Recently, there have been reports of Kobe Bryant hanging around the Apple Infinite Loop Campus, which may be a sign that he’s beta testing the device. There have also been reports of Dustin Brown beta testing the device.

Moto 360 Features

Motorola’s Moto 360 will have a ton of features that can really help with daily life, from showing notifications from your smartphone, to calendar appointments, to even displaying traffic in the area. There’s also the ability to customize the watchfaces’ UI, which is a neat little addition to the device too. The face itself is circular, just like a classic watch, and features a 1.5in display with a 320 x 290 resolution. The great thing is that there are already many apps meant for smartwatches in the Google Play Store. These apps are called Android Wear apps, and some include the Firefox browser, Audible, Evernote, and a couple of Weather apps.

Rumored Prices

Now for the deal breaker: price. The Moto 360, according to a recent leak on Best Buy, the smartwatch will be available for $250, which isn’t that bad in all reality. Although it’s about $20-$50 more than other Android Wear devices, it’s the same price as the Pebble Steel. The Apple iWatch, on the other hand, has been predicted to be priced at around $300. Keep in mind that it’s just speculation. We’ll see what truly comes of the device when it’s unveiled by Apple in mid-September.