If you believe the reports and rumors, a lot of big names in tech are working on smartwatches.
Google, Apple, Samsung, and LG all reportedly have plans to make a smartwatch soon.
The concept is pretty straightforward: the devices would pair with your smartphone and let you look at incoming notifications like text messages and Twitter mentions.
But despite all the recent hype surrounding them, smartwatches are nothing new. Several companies have tried them before. Most of them failed.
Here's a look back at some of the most talked about smartwatches in recent memory.
Sony still sells its Android-powered smartwatch, but the reviews are horrible
Sony launched an Android-powered smartwatch last year. It has a tiny full-color touchscreen, and it syncs with apps like Twitter and Facebook
However, reviews of the device are horrible. Take a look at Gizmodo's hands-on video. The watch doesn't even respond to touch controls.
You can still buy Sony's watch for $129.99.
Microsoft tried to make smartwatches happen with SPOT
Microsoft introduced its SPOT (Smart Personal Objects Technology) platform in 2004. The platform delivered content such as news and weather over FM radio waves to devices running SPOT for $59 per year.
Companies like Fossil and Swatch made watches that used SPOT, but none of them really took off.
Microsoft killed SPOT in 2008.
Apple sort of had a smartwatch with the 2010 iPod Nano.
Apple gave the iPod Nano a new squarish look in 2010, one that was perfectly suited for your wrist.
In fact, Apple included several watch face apps for the device and third-party accessory makers came up with a bunch of clever wristbands.
But it didn't last long.
Last year, Apple killed the watch-like iPod Nano design in favor of a new rectangular one that's too large to fit on your wrist.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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