On average, smartphone users check their gadgets at least every 30 minutes, so it only makes sense that apps are creeping from our pockets to our more-accessible wrists. (All the easier to check Twitter during meetings, right?) The market for smart timepieces--which sync to your phone and access data through the cloud--is nascent, but here are some early winners.
1 Sony Smartwatch
Origins: The tech giant’s innovation labs, of course
Compatible with: Android
Features: Receives messages, emails, calendar and call alerts; Facebook and Twitter viewing
Defining quality: The ultrasleek interface
Price: $150, sonymobile.com
2 Cookoo
Origins: Kickstarter
Compatible with: iOS, Android
Features: Notifications for calls, messages, emails, and tweets; checks you into locations using Foursquare, Facebook, or Yelp
Defining quality: Its intelligence is hidden; it masquerades as a classic watch
Price: $130, cookoowatch.com
3 I’m Watch
Origins: Italy
Compatible with: iPhone, Android
Features: Alerts for calls, messages, emails, Facebook
Defining quality: Colorful wristbands
Price: $449, imwatch.it
4 Metawatch Strata
Origins: MetaWatch founders are Fossil vets
Compatible with: iOS6, Android
Features: Receives messages, emails, calendar and call alerts; Facebook and Twitter viewing; integrated running app; music controls
Defining quality: iOS6 compatibility
Price: $179, metawatch.org