Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Asus announces ZenWatch 2 Smartwatch
Asus has announced a new version of its Smartwatch, the ZenWatch 2. Unlike the old version it comes in two sizes, like Apple Watch, and features a digital crown rather like Apple Watch.

The new watch comes in a larger 49 mm size, which pairs with 22 mm straps, and a smaller 45 mm version, which uses an 18 mm strap. The larger of the two apparently can lend its charge to your phone in the case of low power emergencies, though Asus hasn't yet revealed how (presumably it involves a USB cable of some sort).

Asus has also announced that the watch will feature a digital crown to help navigate Android Wear. The details of exactly how that will work remain under wraps, though presumably it will allow you to scroll through content. There's also a new magnetic charger cable, which replaces the plastic cable of old. Elsewhere, some features remain the same: there's a an Amoled screen covered with a piece of 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3 and a Qualcomm processor.

The new watch is available in cases with a silver, gunmetal or rose-gold finish, and a choice of rubber, soft leather or metal straps. Or a leather one dotted with Swarovski crystals, if you feel so inclined. All in, the tweaks seem to bring the watch in-line with many of Apple's design cues. Pricing and availability are yet to be announced.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Pebble unveils Time Steel, Smartstraps
After the launch of Pebble Time, the company's first colour-screen Smartwatch, Pebble has now unveiled Pebble Time Steel, a premium version of the watch within a week.

According to Pebble, Time Steel emphasizes on different design cues and brings a refined and elegant aesthetic. It features a CNC-finished 316L stainless steel case, a larger battery that offers up to 10 days of normal use and a colour e-paper display bonded directly to the top lens. The watch will be available in Gunmetal Black, Silver Stainless, and Gold colours.

Interestingly, the Gold version of the watch looks pretty similar to the upcoming Apple Watch Edition Gold Smartwatch.

The Time Steel Watch is water resistant, has a stainless Steel bezel with Gorilla Glass lens and comes with a standard 22mm watch band with quick release mechanism. It has a magnetic charging port with data connection for its new Smartstraps.

Pebble Time Steel runs Pebble's new Timeline interface which is used to display user-specific data, events, notifications and reminders in both the past and the future.

Smartstraps are straps that can contain electronics and sensors to interface directly with apps running on Pebble Time. This new initiative will allow hardware developers to make custom straps that extend the functionality of the watch. For instance straps with GPS, heart rate monitor, NFC, and battery extensions will allow users to add new features.

Time Steel has been listed on crowd-funding platform Kickstarter and starts shipping in July. Each reward package includes two straps (leather and stainless steel) for $250, exclusive to Kickstarter. The regular retail price for the package will be $299.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Android-powered Smart Watches to come soon
The Internet was strapped to wrists at the Consumer Electronics Show on in the form of Android-powered "smart watches" that serve up online content along with telling time.

Japanese consumer electronics titan Sony and venture-backed Italian startup i'm Watch were each sporting spins on timepieces that use the Google software to connect wearers with email, music, websites or other online content.

Sony's SmartWatch was promised by the end of March while i'm Watch was released at CES.
"This is the right period for the watch," said i'm Watch chief executive and co-founder Massimiliano Bertolini.

"Everybody wants to have technology that is also fashion," he continued. "That is the Apple secret; making devices that people fall in love with."

For some time now California-based Apple has been letting iPod Nano owners turn the small, square devices into Internet-connected watches complete with wrist straps.

Company designer Gianluca Negrello said, “I'm Watch ranges in price from $350 for colorful models with silicon wrist bands and aluminum-cased touchscreens to $15,000 for one made of pink gold and adorned with diamonds”.

Wearers are alerted to new Gmail messages or fresh posts at online communities Facebook or Twitter and can access digital photo albums or free Google Web-based services such as Calendar.
Messages can't be sent from touch-screen i'm Watch, which can connect to their own online shop for applications or music. People can make phone calls using i'm Watch, which links wirelessly to smartphones.

Sony said at CES that by the end of March it will release a touch-display SmartWatch capable of connecting to mobile phones wirelessly using Bluetooth capabilities.

Applications will be tailored for SmartWatch, which will be priced at $149.

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