Apple iWatch Will Enter A Crowded Market: 5 Potential iWatch Competitors Debuted At International CES 2014

As Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is reportedly facing bumps in the road to its highly-anticipated smart watch device, dubbed the “iWatch,” many other companies have already introduced their own offerings in the new market segment.

In addition to major companies such as Samsung (KRX:005935), Sony (NYSE:SNE) and Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) who have already developed smart watches and made them available in the market, many other manufacturers took to the International CES in Las Vegas this week to showcase their products.

Here is a list of five smart watch devices, courtesy of MacRumors, that were displayed at the International CES. Take a look at how companies have tried to make their product stand out by focusing on the device’s design and features.

1. Intel Smart Watch

Intel’s (NASDAQ:INTC) CEO Brian Krzanich announced at the International CES earlier this week that the company is developing its own smart watch. Showing a prototype of the device, Krzanich said that unlike competitors' smart watches, the Intel smart watch is not required to be tethered to a smartphone to function, as it has its own connectivity. The device, which is expected to release later this year, also features geofencing that allows it to give the user notifications based on a specific location.

2. Pebble Steel

Pebble's latest Pebble Steel smart watch features a stainless steel body and a leather or steel band. The device sports Corning’s scratch resistant Gorilla Glass, and is also said to be thinner and lighter than the previous version of the smart watch. According to Pebble, the company will begin shipping of the Pebble Steel on Jan. 28 at a price tag of $249.

3. Metawatch META

Adding to the list of its two previous smart watch models -- Strata and Frame -- Metawatch introduced a new high-end smart watch called the META at the International CES. The META features premium metals and leather wristbands, and it comes in a variety of colors and designs. The company has ditched the low-contrast display used on its earlier models for a higher-resolution screen on the new smart watch. The META is also expected to provide users with customizable settings, notifications for calls and messages, music controls, weather information and many more.

4. Archos SmartWatches

Archos (EPA:JXR), a French consumer electronics company, has introduced its own smart watch device, which is designed to connect to phones via Bluetooth and deliver notifications to the user. The company has offered three models -- a $50 model featuring a 1.55-inch E-ink display with a 1.5 week battery life, a $100 model with a 1.8-inch LCD touchscreen with one to two days of battery life, and a $129 model with a curved E-ink display and a 1.5-week-long battery life. All three smart watches are likely to hit the market later this year.

5. Sonostar SmartWatch

The Sonostar SmartWatch features a 1.73-inch curved touch screen with an E-ink display, and it needs to be connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth to show notifications from social networks, calls, messages, and emails. According to the company, the smart watch will be priced at $179, and will be available during the first quarter of this year.

In addition to these five smart watches, International CES also took the wraps off many other devices in the new smart watch category, such as Kreyos Meteor, Neptune Pine and Martian Notifier to name a few.

Meanwhile, various rumors have suggested that Apple might release the iWatch in multiple sizes while incorporating many health and wellness-oriented features.

According to recent reports, the iWatch production is currently facing challenges with the screen technology, battery life and manufacturing. While the company is still mum about a possible release timeframe for the smart watch, there is speculation that the device could arrive late in 2014.