Microsoft joining the wearable tech party - reports

Vendor charges its Surface team with developing ideas for a smartwatch, according to insiders

Microsoft has reportedly given its Surface team the task of testing smartwatch prototypes as it dips its toe into the wearable tech space.

A source familiar with Microsoft's Surface plans told The Verge that the software giant's tablet team is prototyping wrist-worn devices. The vendor had previously been testing smartwatch ideas under its Xbox team, the source added.

Both Apple and Dell have been linked with an entrance into the wearable tech space in recent weeks. The former is thought to be "aggressively" hiring staff to bolster its move into wearable tech, while Dell's personal computing boss Sam Burd said the vendor is "exploring ideas" in that space.

Analyst Canalys claimed the market is set to boom next year by 900 per cent – shipping more than five million devices in 2014. The analyst claimed that Google and Microsoft must execute their potential smartwatch plans more effectively than they have done with their tablet devices, and warned them to adapt their business models appropriately.

At its Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) in Houston last week, Microsoft insisted it is becoming a devices and services company, and a memo to staff from boss Steve Ballmer reiterated this stance.

When contacted by CRN, Microsoft was unavailable to comment.