Canalys predicting that over 5 Million smart watches will ship in 2014

Analysis reporting company Canalys, is reporting that they are predicting a massive expansion of Smart Watch shipments in 2014, based on speculation of a new generation of devices being launched from Apple, Google, Microsoft, Samsung and others.

The smart watch market has been growing but in tiny increments over the last couple of years, with shipments of smart watches totalling only 330,000 units in 2012 led mainly by Sony and Motorola and around 500,000 in 2013, led by Sony, as well as new upstart Pebble. But this is about to see a massive spike with Canalys reporting that they expect up to 5 Million smart watches will be shipped in 2014.

Chris Jones, Canalys VP and Principal Analyst :

Smart watches will be the most important new product category in consumer electronics since the iPad defined the market for tablets.

Canalys are also predicting that the smart watches will have more sophisticated software, Glance able information, have more integration with sensors and have hooks in web services along with a more elegant and beautiful design.

Canalys is also stating that device vendors will face a number of tougher challenges such as strict power constraints that will prohibit cellular technology, limit the amount of sensors they place or use within the device along with allowing the device to communicate through Bluetooth low energy. They are stating that from a customers point of view, the main concern will be how stylish the device is and how it communicates seamlessly with their life and devices.

Now whilst this isn’t mainly Android related, there are a number of companies who operate mainly in the Android operating system such as LG and Samsung who are rumoured to be working on smart watches. Indeed Google themselves are rumoured to be working on an Android powered watch and the recently announced Sony Smartwatch 2 is Android based. With companies such as Pebble offering Android integration in their smart watch, it does show that there is potential for Android smart watches to be created, evolve and grow.

So are you thinking about getting a smart watch? What would be your criteria for  buying a smart watch?