The Pebble Watch first gained attention by pulling in more than $10 million on Kickstarter. Pebble connects to an iPhone or Android phone via Bluetooth and has a growing selection of its own apps. 
Unveiled by TomTom in 2013, the new Nike+ Sportwatch colors have been chosen to match Nike's apparel and shoe ranges. Features include an extra-large display, a graphical training partner and a one-button control. Colors include black/anthracite, anthracite/blue glow and volt green. 
The Italian-made aluminum "I'm Watch," announced at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show, sells for $249. It comes in seven colors and runs the Droid 2 operating system. It connects to Android smartphones using Bluetooth. 
A full-color touch screen device, the $130 Sony SmartWatch only syncs with Android devices. When paired with a phone over Bluetooth, it can receive notifications for email, texts, social networks and calendars. 
The Motoactv smartwatch is marketed as a fitness tracker. It acts as a heart-rate monitor and pedometer, has GPS and an MP3 player. There are also a number of off-the-wrist mount options, including a handlebar strap, armband and chest strap. 
The MetaWatch has a retro-looking, black-and-white screen, but it can connect to newer iPhones in addition to Android devices. It is also a water-resistant sports watch that tracks pace and distance. The watch starts at $179 and is available with various colored bands or in black or white leather. 
J.K. Shin, head of Samsung Mobile Communications, presents the Samsung Galaxy Gear in Berlin in 2013. Six months later, a second-generation watch featured a new operating system and more processing power. 
The Samsung Gear S, the company's third-generation smartwatch, made an advance many users, and reluctant nonusers, had been clamoring for. It has 3G connectivity and can be used without tethering it to a smartphone. Unveiled August 27, it is scheduled to ship in October, with no price yet announced. 
The long-rumored "iWatch" from Apple could take the same approach, or, like others, require a connection with a smartphone. Health and fitness apps are expected to be front and center on the new device. 
Apple's products have already been used as de facto smartwatches. The iPod nano's small, square touchscreen was a natural fit for the wrist. Spotting the potential to turn the iPod into a watch face, companies such as Lunatik make kits that included mounts and slick straps. 
Apple is expected to roll out its entry in the field this week. Could it look like this concept design?
- Apple may unveil a smartwatch next week
- The company filed for a patent for the 'iWatch' in July
- Samsung released its first smartwatch a year ago
- Other competitors are also crowding the field
(CNN) -- After years hovering in the vapor, little more than a dream for Apple fanatics everywhere, the elusive iWatch may be days away from becoming a reality.
But it will hardly be the first smartwatch to hit the market. After breaking ground with products like the iPhone and iPad, Apple finds itself playing catch-up in the wearables world.
The Pebble watch was the first smartwatch to gain any kind of notoriety. In 2012, the smartwatch pulled in more than $10 million on Kickstarter. Pebble connects to an iPhone or Android phone via Bluetooth and has a growing selection of its own apps.
Smartwatches have become much more feature-rich since the launch of the Pebble.
Samsung leads the pack in jack-of-all-trades smartwatches. A year after releasing its first smartwatch, Samsung unveiled its third device in the line last week. The Gear S smartwatch has a curved screen and 3G connectivity, making it the first smartwatch from a major company that doesn't require a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone.
There's also the LG G Watch R and Moto 360, two newish devices that are aiming to have a more fashionable design and take advantage of Google's Android Wear platform.
So far, smartwatches haven't caught on widely in the way smartphones and tablets have. Whether Apple's entry into the field changes that remains to be seen.
Apple was granted a patent for a smartwatch in July -- with a touch screen, an accelerometer, a GPS receiver, Bluetooth and alerts via vibration. The iWatch in the patent connects to a mobile device, displays notifications and allows users to accept or decline phone calls.
Apple is expected to unveil its iWatch smartwatch on September 9.
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