How Galaxy Gear stacks up to other smartwatches

Samsung's new Galaxy Gear joins an increasingly crowded smartwatch market
Here's how the Gear stacks up against the Pebble watch and other rivals
Smartwatches are also rumored to be coming from Apple, Google and Microsoft




(CNN) -- It's tricky business comparing the handful of smartwatches that been publicly unveiled so far -- an early wave in the growing flood of wearable tech products.
The market is still defining what qualifies as a smartwatch, and the features available so far vary broay from device to device.
Samsung made the biggest splash so far Wednesday when it rolled out its Galaxy Gear, a souped-up watch with a simple camera, some decent storage space, voice controls and a single-core processor.
But it lacks integration with Facebook and Twitter -- basic functions already adopted by some of its simpler competitors.

var currExpandable="expand15";
if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);}
var mObj={};
mObj.type='video';
mObj.contentId='';
mObj.source='tech/2013/09/05/sot-newday-samsung-smartwatch-demo.cnn';
mObj.videoSource='CNN';
mObj.videoSourceUrl='http://newday.blogs.cnn.com/';
mObj.lgImage="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130905112306-sot-newday-samsung-smartwatch-demo-00002620-story-body.jpg";
mObj.lgImageX=300;
mObj.lgImageY=169;
mObj.origImageX="214";
mObj.origImageY="120";
mObj.contentType='video';
CNN.expElements.expand15Store=mObj;




Smartwatch a smart idea?


var currExpandable="expand25";
if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);}
var mObj={};
mObj.type='video';
mObj.contentId='';
mObj.source='tech/2013/09/05/lklv-burke-samsung-smartwatch.cnn';
mObj.videoSource='CNN';
mObj.videoSourceUrl='';
mObj.lgImage="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130904184758-samsung-smartwatch-story-body.jpg";
mObj.lgImageX=300;
mObj.lgImageY=169;
mObj.origImageX="214";
mObj.origImageY="120";
mObj.contentType='video';
CNN.expElements.expand25Store=mObj;




Galaxy Gear smartwatch a game changer?


var currExpandable="expand35";
if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);}
var mObj={};
mObj.type='video';
mObj.contentId='';
mObj.source='business/2013/09/04/samsung-smartwatch-soares-pkg.cnn';
mObj.videoSource='CNN';
mObj.videoSourceUrl='http://edition.cnn.com/';
mObj.lgImage="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130904170937-samsung-smartwatch-soares-pkg-00002525-story-body.jpg";
mObj.lgImageX=300;
mObj.lgImageY=169;
mObj.origImageX="214";
mObj.origImageY="120";
mObj.contentType='video';
CNN.expElements.expand35Store=mObj;




Samsung announces Galaxy Gear smartwatch

And, if truth be told, some of the stars are still waiting in the wings. Apple, Google and Microsoft -- arguably the heftiest triumvirate in the tech world -- are all expected to hit the market soon with their own smartwatches.
For now, here's a comparison of the leading connected wrist adornments for sale to tech fashionistas and early adopters. Expect this list to grow quickly as the weeks go on.
Samsung Galaxy Gear
Display: 1.63 inches
Price: $299
Battery life: About one day
Compatibility: New Samsung Galaxy devices, eventually older ones
Connection: Bluetooth 4.0 LE
Camera: 1.9 megapixel camera, 720p video recording
Other: 4GB storage, 800 MHz single-core processor, gyroscope and accelerometer
Availability: Late September worldwide, early October in U.S. and Japan
Pebble
Display: 1.26 inches
Price: $150
Battery life: 7+ days (additional 10-15% on phone battery)
Compatibility: iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S, 5 or any iPod Touch with iOS 5 or iOS 6. Android devices
Connection: Bluetooth 2.0, 4.0
Camera: No
Other: Accelerometer, magnetometer, water-resistant
Availability: For sale now
Motorola MotoActv
Display: 1.6 inches
Price: $149 for 8GB version
Battery life: 20 hours active indoors, 9 outside
Compatibility: Android phones
Connection: Bluetooth 1.5 or higher
Camera: No
Other: Optimized for exercise, it has GPS tracking, Google Maps integration, is water resistant
Availability: For sale now
Sony SmartWatch 2
Display: 1.6 inches
Price: $262
Battery life: 3-4 days
Compatibility: Most Android phones
Connection: NFC and Bluetooth 3.0
Camera: No
Other: Display that's readable in sunlight, hundreds of apps available
Availability: Available "soon"
Qualcomm Toq
Display: 1.55 inches
Price: Around $300
Battery life: TBA
Compatibility: Android phones
Connection: Bluetooth
Camera: No
Other: Mirasol display, similar to e-ink
Availability: In limited numbers in mid-October
if(typeof CNN.expElements==='object'){CNN.expElements.init();}