Smart Watch Review 2013

Editor's note: The smart watch is a leading hot topic in today's science and technology hardware innovation. China's home-based and rapidly expanding producers such as Xiaomi and 360 are joining in the competition together with traditional business leaders including Samsung, Apple and Google. All of course hope to gain the upper hand in this ascending market. China.org.cn here presents you with the 10 most popular smart watches.

Apple iWatch Price: Unknown
Highlights: Apple's brand influence
Review: The iWatch is arising to become the most anticipated product in science and technology circles, despite Apple never admitting it was in fact developing the device. Various rumors, speculations and unofficial designs have spread across the Internet, dazzling Apple fans' eyes. Under the Apple brand aura, the iWatch is expected to satisfy the public in terms of quality, design and applications -- though the price remains a bottleneck.
Expectation: ★★★★★
Samsung Galaxy Gear Price: US$299
Highlights: 1.63 inch touch screen, webcam, 25-hour battery duration
Review: As Samsung's first smart watch, the Galaxy Gear features true Galaxy heritage. It has also taken on a role of educating the public and opening up the market for later products. However, the moderately high price and the restriction that it can only pair with Samsung phones have both made Galaxy Gear an "untimely innovation." Worse still, the rumored 30 percent return rate is causing an even icier chill in sales for the ice-breaking product.
Expectation: ★★★☆☆
Sony SmartWatch 2 Price: US$199.95
Highlights: 1.6 inch screen, Bluetooth, NFC, some 200 Apps.
Review: Sony seems more sincere than Samsung in launching its second smart watch as the SmartWatch 2 is compatible with all Android phones, but is priced one-third lower than the Galaxy Gear.
Expectation: ★★★★☆
Google Gem Price: Unknown
Highlights: Google's new hardware product is bound to hit the market hard and outdo its previous Nexus design.
Review: Earlier market rumors alleged that Google would launch its Gem smart watch on October 31; a claim that later disappointed the public. Yet Google does have a tradition of independently developing hardware products in a bid to standardize the industry.
Expectation: ★★★★☆
Qualcomm Toq Price: US$349.99
Highlights: Energy saving display, five-day battery duration
Review: Qualcomm has unveiled its Toq design in very low-profile style; the smart watch' only advantage may very well be its battery duration. Perhaps Qualcomm only intended to test its latest display technology, not concerned with whether customers would actually be willing to play guinea pig.
Expectation: ★★☆☆☆
Pebble Smartwatch Price: US$150
Highlights: Electronic ink display, seven-day battery duration
Review: The Pebble Smartwatch, like other products developed by grass-root company Pebble, is relatively inexpensive. It is endowed with a long-duration battery that saves wearers the trouble of having to charge the watch on a daily basis. However, the scruffy display and more-than-necessary push messages have already started to make users feel their purchase will not entail a "long-lasting love affair."
Expectation: ★★★☆☆
Martian Smartwatch Price: US$299
Highlights: Voice assistance, seven-day battery duration.
Review: As the first voice-controlled smart watch, Martian has integrated both Siri and Google Now in its design. Once paired with Bluetooth devices, the Martian Smartwatch allows users to send out emails, texts, make phone calls and schedule arrangements. Yet other than the voice control function, the Martian Smartwatch does not possess any other fancy features to attract customers. A screen that's too small, the inability to multitask, poor music control and a price tag of US$300 put off potential customers.
Expectation: ★★★☆☆
Qihoo 360: 360 Kids wristband Price: 199 yuan (US$32.5)
Highlights: For kids' protection, low price
Review: Zhou Hongyi, who has always had an accurate sense of customer needs, once again found the right path. The 360 Kids wristband, scheduled to be unveiled in this December, will turn society's attention to children's safety and protection. Considering its low price, the product's success is already foreseeable.
Expectation: ★★★★☆
Xiaomi: Xiaomi smart watch Price: Unknown
Highlights: MIUI OS, low price
Review: Xiaomi is expected that its smart watch products, featuring the updated and customized MIUI operating system compatible with all Xiaomi smart phones. Also, Xiaomi will reportedly price its smart watch lower than peer products, a big draw for Chinese customers.
Expectation: ★★★☆☆
GEAK Watch Price: 1999 yuan (US$317)
Highlights: Android 4.1 OS, independent Internet connection
Review: Android OS, Wi-Fi, multiple sensors, 12-day super battery duration.... GEAK Watch's parameters almost make fans cheer, until its extreme cost suddenly puts a damper on their enthusiasm. The larger part of China's domestic fans will think twice before buying it.
Expectation: ★★★☆☆

-- Jawbone Up, Nike Fuelband, Fitbit Force are among the products who have some resemblance to a smart watch. But as they are primarily sport gears, this ranking does not include them.

-- Nokia too has applied for a smart watch patent, more particularly one that will incorporate multiple small touch screens and will run Windows Phone OS.

-- In July of this year, Microsoft's Surface team was reportedly testing its smart watch, which is made out of semi-transparent aluminum.

-- Baidu's feature page on wearable products currently features a smart watch called the "inWatch one," contracted by third-party manufacturers. The design has been equipped with Baidu's cloud service.