Recently, Microsoft was in the news for developing a smart bra that would help women fight binge eating. It's possible that the company may not finally release that device in the market but it doesn't mean Microsoft isn't interested in wearable technology, because if reports are to be believed, th software giant wants no other person than Kinect guru Alex Kipman to head its wearable technology projects.
Earlier this year, ZDNet reported that Microsoft has tapped Kipman to spearhead the company's efforts in wearable technology, and now The Verge has confirmed it, citing sources familair with the development.
Kipman, who is one of the visionaries behind the Kinect sensor and the general manager of Xbox incubation projects, has been assigned the task of working on the company's wearable devices. The team led by Kipman will be working on customizing the Windows OS to run on even smaller screens.
Kipman and his team are said to be testing various prototypes that includes a 1.5-inch Surface smartwatch and a pair of 3D Kinect glasses codenamed Fortaleza, described as "breakthrough heads-up and hands-free device". Fortaleza is rumored to be equipped with augmented reality and Wi-Fi or 4G support.
Recently, Microsoft's head of devices, Julie Larson-Green was also heard hinting at company's imminent foray into the wearable technology segment. "Just as the mouse was an invention, touch was an invention, there will be the next new way to interact," said Larson-Green at the UBS Global Technology conference held in November. "And that's why we've been focusing on natural user interface for a while, working on that."
The story published on ZDNet also reported that Microsoft's version of Google Glass, which was supposed to be supplemented with Xbox One, has evolved into more than just an Xbox peripheral.
However, a report on Wall Street Journal noted that at sometimes such projects are experimental and may never enter the state of mass production, like Microsoft Courier.
The coming year is believed to a big year for such devices, though. While Apple is expected to unveil the rumored iWatch in 2014, Google has plans of shipping Google Glass for the masses. So, it's not surprising that Microsoft doesn't want to be left out of the game.
Shares of Microsoft closed up 1.52 percent at $36.80 on the Nasdaq on Friday.
