Chicago-based smartphone maker Motorola Mobility unveiled what it believes will be the next big wave in wearable technology Thursday.
The company is marketing the Moto 360 -- a timepiece that will work with your Android phone and offer voice-based access to information on your wrist.
"Part of what we are doing is allowing people to go through life with their heads up -- a quick glance to see your heart rate, quick glance to see your directions or something allows you to focus on the people and the world around you," Motorola Mobility senior vice president Jim Wicks said.
The watch was designed at the company’s Merchandise Mart global headquarters.
"One of the things we see as a company is that technology is becoming more personal, and whether it is a smartphone or a wearable like this, I think it's important that devices react and respond to consumers," Wicks said.
Designing new wearables is also about challenging Apple for smartphone supremacy. Next week, Apple is expected to unveil its latest iPhone, and possibly its own smart watch.
"Apple has done and will do what consumers expect at the very least, which is make it faster, lighter, thinner, more powerful, better screens, better resolution and more importantly. better software. And all of that will create what I would consider an exceptional experience for those who are in the Apple camp," said Tim Bajarin, Motorola's president of creative strategies.
Samsung also showed off its latest large-screen smartphones Thursday, the Galaxy Note 4 and the Note Edge, which features a wraparound screen and special mini apps.
It's more options for consumers, something Motorola is counting on.
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"Our focus is all about giving consumers the power to choose, and we think with this generation of products we are going to emphasize that more and more," Motorola COO Rick Osterloh said.
