Since the days of Dick Tracy Saturday morning short films in the 1930s we’ve been flirting with the idea of watch-like computers on our wrists– and now it is finally happening.

This week, I’ve been reliving my childhood talking to my wrist, reminding me of when my friends and I pretended we were 80s TV star David Hasselhoff communicating with his talking car, Kitt in Knight Rider.

Several technology manufacturers have been toying with the idea of the smartwatch for the last couple of years without any real progres but the arrival of good-looking new devices from Google and Apple’s recent announcement of the Apple Watch means the big boys are finally trying to make wearable technology a real thing that will soon be seen on the streets of Wiltshire.

Currently the smartwatch itself isn’t actually that clever and relies on a steady flow of information from your iPhone or Android smartphone.

Because the smartwatch has a tiny screen smaller than 2ins, it works best when displaying bite size chunks of information.

Don’t expect to view the Wiltshire Times website, or do your online shopping from your wrist.

I’m officially the first person in the UK to get their hands on the Google-developed Moto360 watch, on sale later this year.

Its circular screen looks no different to any classic tick-tock watch, but its digital screen comes to life with notifications, allowing you to check in on the latest emails, texts and find out who is calling you without even having to pick up the phone.

While the Moto360 looks the part, my experience so far has been mixed.

However, when we consider that Apple managed to successfully make the laptop computer, digital music player and smartphone become successful consumer products, their involvement in this market means we can expect to see the smartwatch becoming a must have gadget when the Apple Watch launches next year.

Soon we’ll all finally be able to live out our Dick Tracy or Hasselhoff fantasies.