HP and Michael Bastian creates a Smartwatch for Fashionistas

Earlier this year HP announced partnership with Michael Bastian for a designer smartwatch which wouldn’t just appeal to the techie guys. It was more of a fashion statement than a gadget. Online retailer Gilt will be selling the new watch this coming Friday and The Wall Street Journal has gotten a first look at the device. 

Named MB Chronowing, this smartwatch comes in 2 variants and neither version looks like a typical smartwatch — the MB Chronowing wouldn't look out of place in a glass case full of traditional chronometer-style watches. Its 44mm diameter makes it a pretty large watch, and the chunky bezel recalls Tag Heuer more than Dieter Rams Braun. 

It is not a typical smartwatch with touch screen and voice controls. Instead it works by using a black and white LED display for notifications. In addition to an LCD display, the MB Chronowing includes a clock dial for reading the time. The battery is said to last up to seven days between charges and the watch will work with both Android and iOS devices. 

Michael Bastian's watch falls firmly in a category which is different from those of smartwatches we know, so it likely won't appeal to those lusting after a Moto 360 or Apple Watch. But if you want a nice watch that happens to also alert you to new messages or emails, the MB Chronowing could be an appealing choice. 

MB Chronowing will be available with leather, rubber, or nylon straps for $349, or with a crocodile strap and sapphire-glass crystal for a heftier $649. 

Source: WSJ

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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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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.  

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Source: AndroidWorld.it

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Swatch is planning a Fitness Tracking Smartwatch

Swatch is also planning to tap into the wearable gadget market by adding functionality to measure personal fitness as was told by CEO of the company to Reuters. This came in a few days later after the company denied its plans of working with Apple on any smartwatch project.

The company is planning to integrate its Swatch Touch lineup with a fitness tracker along a touch screen display and a simple UI.

“It will remain a watch, but will have today’s usual functions to monitor fitness”.

Like most Swiss watch makers, Swatch was also reluctant to enter into this wearable market and has rejected numerous partnerships with various tech giants.

...

Updating Swatch Touch is a smart way to push into fitness tracking without giving up its autonomy, though the chunky plastic lineup doesn’t exactly reflect the high-end experience most people probably expect from a brand like Swatch. Hopefully the new and improved smartwatch will come with a fresh design to match.

Source: REUTERS

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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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HTC's unannounced Smartwatch appears briefly in an official video

HTC might have given us a tease at what is probably HTC’s unannounced smartwatch. It can be seen for a brief period in the official video of HTC Design. At around 35 seconds in the video watch appears to be resting in what is visible as a charging dock or a stand for the smartwatch.

Zooming in leaves us with a blurred image which doesn’t give any insights about the hardware or a look at its UI but it tells us that is will be in square shape just like its counterparts – LG G watch and Samsung Gear Live. Earlier the leak expert @evleaks posted about an upcoming smartwatch coming up by HTC and this somewhat matches with design published.

HTC Android Wear [artist reproduction] (hardware: ... - http://t.co/dyqhL3jsGH pic.twitter.com/bNGQWsRkrW
— @evleaks (@evleaks) July 18, 2014

HTC has already said about a wearable ready for the holiday season so now we just have to wait for it.

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Move over Moto 360: Check Out Withings Activité Watch

So far only Motorola’s smartwatch Moto 360 has gained the title of being the most stylish and attractive smartwatch in the market but Withings Activité is going to steal its title. Withings Activité Watch is not a typical smartwatch and neither it’s a conventional watch.

The French company’s new watch has computing brains to track steps taken, calories burned, distance travelled, and sleep patterns. The watch, for starters, has an analog dial, with real hands unlike typical smartwatches. Like the Moto 360, the Withings Activité features a round face and it also features a sapphire glass touch screen and heritage tannery leather watch straps.

The watch also has strong water resistance and can go underwater for depths of up to 50 meters.

The Activité also builds in a second dial on the front of the phone that tells you how close you are to reaching your daily fitness goal. It looks mostly like a classic watch. Its chrome and round, available in black and silver, with an analog face and a classic design. You might never know there’s anything else inside the Activité were it not for the second, smaller dial in its bottom-right corner, known as the activity dial.

Specifications

The one hitch with this gorgeous looking device is its price: At $390, it’s a lot pricier than other smartwatches we’ve seen released over the last year. Although it’s major competition will be Moto 360 which is rumoured to be launching at a price of $450, even costlier than Activité.

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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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