Watch Out: Watches are about at MWC 2013

As Mobile World Congress 2013 draws to a close, it seems apparent that there is one trend that is set to emerge – the Smart Watch.

The hotly anticipated Pebble smartwatch, which rocketed to fame after becoming the most funded crowdsourced project ever, has over 70,000 pre-orders. However, the Pebble still has not shipped and it seems that a few contenders have hopped on the bandwagon.

“They are popping up like mushrooms after a rainstorm at Mobile World Congress,” said Barry Levine of newsfactor.com.

Almost all the smartwatches available use Bluetooth to pair to the user’s smartphone, allowing them to access basic functionality such as sms messaging, reports techhive.com.

Sony’s smartwatch allows users to answer calls, read sms and email as well as change music. While Sony is pushing for users to pair it with the Experia, it works with all Android devices.

Cookoo is another crowdfunded project and as well as having an analogue face, offers functionality such as reading Facebook alerts, calendar reminders and an alert when the smartphone is out of range – hand for those who lose their phones all the time.

The most feature-packed of the watches on display was the I’m Watch. This device not only allows the user to read messages but also can send a text, make calls and pull down weather forecasts, news, music and pictures such as Instagram feeds.

It has a 3.5mm jack to listen to audio, additional apps and can be connected via wifi to save on battery life.

There are rumours circulating at the event that Apple is working its own smartwatch. If the rumour is true, the current contenders will certainly have to watch out.

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