When it comes to ultra mobile PCs you can’t get more mobile than a smartwatch. I’ve tracked the technology for years and over the last six months I’ve given three very different smartwatches a long-term test. I’ve recently been using the Samsung Gear S2 Classic 3G eSIM model and it’s an impressive bit of kit. GPS, WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth and an operating system that’s controlled with touch and voice. I’ve also been using a fitness-focused band from Medisana and the Basis Peak which sits somewhere in the middle between a smartwatch and a fitness band. I’ve learned about what I need, what people need and have now some thoughts about the future of smartwatches.

I just saw a presentation by Intel on the future of batteries, energy and small devices and I didn’t realize the research had got this far. We can now harvest mW of energy from the area on and around a small device. It doesn’t sound a lot but look at functions like NFC which use micro-Watts of power.

Battery technology isn’t advancing quickly. It’s because the chemistry is tough and expensive or profit margins are at risk or even that it’s simply shackled by political control. Ambient energy could be a way out.

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