Asus ZenWatch launched with Killer Looks

Asus took stage in Berlin to reveal several new products but the center of attraction was the new Asus ZenWatch.  It’s no doubt the best looking smartwatch to date maybe giving a tough competition to Moto 360. Featuring a curved 2.5D design on the front and a stainless cover on the back, it’s newly announced ZenWatch emphasizes style above all else. Also the price isn’t so bad. Coming at around €199 it sets a high benchmark for the upcoming smartwatches. 

The super sleek ZenWatch runs Android Wear OS and features a version of the ASUS ZenUI developed specifically for the ZenWatch. The ZenWatch features comes with a rose gold-colored middle layer and stainless steel top and bottom, with a brushed surface around the face. It has a 1.63-inch 320×320 AMOLED display with a slight curve to its surface, and a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, as well as 512MB or RAM and Bluetooth 4.0. But Asus wants to wow you with its looks, not specs. 

Like the Gear Live and G Watch R, the ZenWatch is also capable of monitoring a user’s heart rate.  IP55 water and dust-proofing helps it tolerate accidental splashes, and it has a 9-axis sensor for tracking activity and movement. 

Asus hasn't yet revealed the release date for its first Android Wear smartwatch, but you can see it up close and personal in our photos.

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Sony Smartwatch 3 and new fitness tracker SmrtBand Talk Launched

Apart from Sony Xperia Z3, Z3 Compact and Z3 Tablet Compact, yesterday IFA 2014 Sony also launched a bunch of accessories to be coupled with your device to provide a whole new experience. It includes Sony Smartwatch 3, Sony SmartBand Talk. 

Finally Sony forayed in the world of Android Wear. Sony Smartwatch 3 is Sony’s first smartwatch running Google’s Android Wear. The company says this is the first “specifically designed for the latest Android Wear updates in close collaboration with Google.” 

Equipped with a 1.6-inch LCD Transflective display, Sony’s SmartWatch 3 is capable of acting as a standalone device to a certain extent; with support for GPS. It runs on 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 and 420mAh battery. In addition to GPS, it also includes accelerometer, compass and gyroscope.  

You can pick this up in black or lime at launch for about €229 (approx. $300 USD), with pink and white straps coming after launch. 

The company announced another wearable, called SmartBand Talk. The company described it as a “powerful lifelogging wearable, with intuitive features”.  

This model also packs a speaker and mic so that you can use it to field calls from your phone as it supports HD Voice, so you should have no issue hearing with people are saying on the other line and it has a 1.4-inch always-on e-ink display for power conservation and visibility in any lighting. The SmartBand Talk is powered by a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 processor, 2MB of internal flash memory, a 70mAh battery, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 LE and microUSB support. You’ll be able to pick this up for €159 (about $208 USD). 

And also, following the Sony’s waterproof obsession he SmartWatch 3 and SmartBand Talk comes with IP68 waterproof and dustproof certification. 

When the SmartWatch 3 and SmartBand Talk launch later this fall, both devices will be compatible with Sony’s Lifelog app, which is available in the Google Play Store for free.

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Moto 360 priced at $249.99 according to Best Buy

We were already aware of the fact that Moto 360 might be pricier than the other Android Wear smartwatches and the recent mistake by Best Buy confirmed it. A product page for the Android Wear smartwatch has mistakenly gone live on Best Buy's site, and it lists the device with a price tag of $249.00. 

Motorola is all set to unveil it's whole set of new devices this September which according to the reports include Moto X+1, Moto G2 and Moto 360 smartwatch. 

Also the Best Buy site listed some specifications of what to expect from the watch. 

• Compatible with most devices with an Android 4.3 or later operating system For wide-ranging use. 
• Bluetooth 4.0 technology Enables wireless syncing to select devices for hassle-free connectivity. 
• Voice activated Allows you to use spoken commands to operate the smart watch via the built-in microphone. 
• Vibration alert Discreetly notifies you of important events. 
• 1.5″ backlit LCD touch screen With 320 x 290 resolution and 205 ppi makes it easy to navigate features and provides easy-to-read visuals. Corning Gorilla Glass 3 construction offers durability, and the adjustable brightness allows custom use. 
• Built-in optical heart rate monitor (PPG) Helps you achieve or stay within your ideal heart rate range. 
• Built-in pedometer Measures the number of steps taken, so you can easily monitor your fitness progress throughout the day. 
• Digital watch interface Provides crisp, clear readouts of the time and date. Built-in alarm and calendar features help you stay on schedule. 
• Waterproof up to 3.3′ for up to 30 minutes So you can safely wear the watch while swimming or engaging in other aquatic activities. 
• Stainless-steel case and plastic case back Offer durability. The adjustable-length Horween leather band and metal buckle closure deliver a secure, comfortable fit. 
• Built-in lithium-ion battery pack Provides long-lasting operation. The battery-strength indicator lets you know when the battery needs to be powered via the included dock and charger. 
• Texas Instruments processor Helps ensure fast, efficient performance. 

Although Best Buy pulled off the page quite soon but thanks to Droid Life we can have a look what was there. 

Source: Best Buy 

Via: Droid Life 

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Moto 360 : A step closer to the launch

Motorola displayed Moto 360 at the Google I/O and from that time although there are 2 other smartwatches in the market but everyone is stuck on when Moto 360 is going to be released. It's arguabley the best looking smartwatch. With it's curved and elegant design many fashion-conscious consumers are waiting for the big day.  

But the recent leak from the Italian blogger Luca Viscardi gave a look at Moto 360 which shows a slight change in its design since Google I/O but bringing it a step closer to the launch. It was already expected that the watch was still in beta stage when it was shown at the Google I/O and some minor variations may come. But these changes make us love it even more.  

The watch is confirmed to be made of Stainless Steel with IP67 certification and an optical heartbeat sensor mounted on the back. It will also be having a light sensor, a pedometer and most likely will be priced at less than 250 € (approx `20,000). The new photos also show the Qi-based wireless charging function in action plus an idea of what final design will look in terms of size and design as compared to the LG G watch. 

If I had to choose one Android Wear watch to get, this is already the one I’d pick, based purely on its attention to design. Let’s hope performance is up to par when it does become available.  

...

Source: AndroidWorld.it

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OnePlus OneWatch leaked in photos

Smartwatch is becoming the most competitive sight for all companies. With giants like LG, Samsung and Motorola jumping in with their smartwatch it seems like the Chinese startup OnePlus is also not far behind. Recent reports from BGR India clearly shows the company’s plan for OnePlus OneWatch.

OnePlus already made quite a buzz in the smartphone market and now it’s headed for the same in the smartwatch market too. The sketches display an OLED display with a sapphire glass. The leather strap houses a curved battery and unlike the traditional watch it even has a crown to configure it. It has Qi wireless charging making it rise above the charging problems faced by LG and Samsung’s watches.

In terms of design, it has a round display and if the sketches are true than it might be a thing of beauty, even more than (the most beautiful smartwatch at present i.e.) Moto 360. It might be running Android Wear or as the OnePlus One was running CyanogenMod version of Android, it might not be a big surprise if we see some different UI above Android Wear.

As the competitive pricing strategy of the company, this watch might come at a reasonable price. With the company’s plan to launch OnePlus One in India, we might expect it to launch soon in India as well. If the sketches are taken to be true then we would want to see it soon.

Source: BGR India

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Google reveals Android Wear watches

Google has announced the first smartwatches that will be running Android Wear, the version of Android exclusively for wearables.

LG Gwatch and Samsung Gear Live were introduced during the I/O in San Francisco. Google said that Motorola's circular Moto 360 would not be released until "later this summer".

Samsung Gear Live

LG G Watch

Earlier the smartwatch sector was not very organised because the OS which was designed to be working on smartphones was used to power them but Android Wear makes it more unified. Now separate SDK and APIs are available allowing developers to make apps exclusively for smartwatches running Android Wear.

LG Gwatch will cost Rs. 14,999($229) and has been made available in 12 countries including the US, UK, India, France, Germany and Japan.

SamsungGear Live would cost Rs. 15,900 and has been made available in the same locations.

LG Gwatch can be order on Google Play store and will be delivered by 8^th July and Samsung Gear Live is at present on coming soon status.

Interface like Google Now Cards

David Singleton, director of engineering in the firm's Android division, said one of its core aims was to be able to "quickly show you relevant information, and make sure you never miss an important message, while letting you stay engaged with the people that you are actually with".

Order Sushi from Eat using Android Wear

To achieve this, when notifications are received by the user's smartphone they can be set to make the watch vibrate on the user's wrist.

Get all Notifications

Much of Android Wear's user interface (UI) relies on the firm's Google Now card-based system. Saying "OK Google" prepares the device to take an instruction - similar to the way it does on Google Glass.

Control Music Player

Android Wear can be used to take and reject phone calls, track fitness, estimate journey time, schedule appointments and store travel plans.

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