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TAG Heuer Carrera Connected Smart Watch Smartwatch
Watches

TAG Heuer Officially Launches $1500 Carrera Connected

November 9, 2015

TAG Heuer Carrera Connected Smart Watch Smartwatch

TAG Heuer has not been short on opinions about smartwatches over the past 18 months. After the company’s outspoken CEO, Jean-Claude Biver, finally conceded late last year that something interesting could be done in the space, Tag Heuer has launched their first wearable device. Clearly positioned as a luxury item, the $1500 connected watch is based on the company’s iconic Carrera line of watches. The appropriately named Carrera Connected is the result of a partnership with both Intel and Google (the same companies that aided Fossil in the creation of their Q series of wearables).

TAG Heuer calls it the first “connected watch” that looks like a traditional timepiece and it is no surprise that the device has a luxury feel and a handsome, traditional design (if you ignore the rubber watch band). Crafted from titanium with sapphire glass, the Connected looks like a thick version of a traditional watch with a screen instead of a watch face; but I am not sure I would go as far to say that it is visually more like a traditional watch than other devices on the market. There is a key difference though, the TAG Heuer wearable is truly nearly identical to a Carrera; in fact, the electronics can be replaced with a traditional watch mechanics.  

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by Doug Parker
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TAG Heuer Carrera Connected Launch Live
Watches

Watch TAG Heuer Carrera Connected Launch Live At 11am ET

November 9, 2015

TAG Heuer Carrera Connected Launch Live

After over a year of publicly ping-ponging on their view of smartwatches, TAG Heuer will officially launch their Carrera Connected today at 11am ET. You can follow along and watch the unveiling live via the embedded YouTube feed after the break. Besides a partnership with Intel and Google (who also worked on Fossil’s Q series), little is known about the device. One of the only rumors thus far about the smartwatch is that it will likely include upgradable internals. This would push the Carrera Connected closer to being a true keepsake device versus a fashionable consumer electronic.

Besides a statement from almost a year ago that TAG Heuer would not enter the smartwatch market unless they were able to offer something completely unique, a quote from the company’s CEO, Jean-Claude Biver, in this Sunday’s edition of Swiss newspaper Le Matin is one of the only official comments on features. Biver states that, “Our watch will have almost the same features as an Apple Watch, but I don’t want to say too much.” We find it odd that Biver would declare the TAG Heuer device is almost like an Apple Watch after the company dismissed it as a “toy” last fall.

We can’t wait to see what TAG Heuer has up its sleeve! Head past the break to watch the unveiling live at 11am ET.

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by Doug Parker
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Watches

Does Fossil / Intel Smartwatch Offer Hints About Tag Heuer?

October 23, 2015

Tag Heuer Connected Smartwatch Fossil Intel

The Fossil Q Founder smartwatch was announced this week and is one of the first such devices from a major watch producer. The Q Founder was developed through a partnership with Intel and Google. As chance would have it, Intel and Google are also Tag Heuer’s partners for their smartwatch initiative, now known to be called Tag Heuer Connected. With similar partnerships, does Fossil’s Q Founder offer hints about what to expect from the Tag Heuer smartwatch?

One of the most interesting things to glean from the Fossil device is that it appears to be running a stock version of Android Wear. Google has not been allowing manufacturers to customize or re-skin the mobile operating system and that seems to continue to be the case. Given that Fossil has not highlighted anything unique about the watch software, we have no expectations that the Tag Heuer Connected will veer from the path either. At the most we might see some digital versions of classic Tag Heuer watch faces. This is interesting given Tag Heuer’s previous vocal statements about smartwatches, at first dismissing them and then stating the company would only enter the market with something unique. While Tag Heuer has toned down their rhetoric over the past several months, is there something else unique about the forthcoming device?  

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by Doug Parker
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Watches

Swatch Prepares to Launch NFC Equipped Watch

October 19, 2015

Swatch Bellamy NFC China

Swatch has charted an unusual path into the smartwatch market. The Swiss watch maker has decided to favor devices that serve specialized purposes instead of embracing do-it-all wearables such as the Moto 360 and Apple Watch. Heck, the company’s first connected watch was designed for volleyball! Continuing the trend Swatch has announced a new watch which only features NFC. The Swatch Bellamy can be used to make mobile payments and open compatible locks and hotel doors. The NFC chip is configured via your Windows Phone or Android device. I would not expect the Bellamy to be able to be configured with an iOS device since the watch does not have Bluetooth and Apple does not allow developers open access to NFC. The approximately $91 device will launch in China at the beginning of 2016 and will later be released in the us and Europe.

I can understand Swatch wanting to stay away from building a wearable that tries to do too much. It is easy for such a device to end up not doing anything well. Smartwatches can be a slippery slope and unless a company is open to constant improvements, refinements, and software innovation, it is a difficult space to be in. And, even if you do all of that, you are far from guaranteed a success. Swatch’s CEO Nick Hayek comes across as a bit cynical though when he refers to devices such as the Apple Watch as “toys.” While all-purpose smartwatches might struggle to find a market, Swatch’s approach ends up overly crippling them. Selling a premium priced plastic watch that only adds NFC seems very narrow sighted. The Swatch Bellamy will likely not draw any new customers to the brand. People seeking this functionality will pay slightly more for wearable devices that can do more. And let us not forget that the Bellamy is also not compatible with iOS devices, which represent nearly half of the mobile market. The only customers Swatch is likely to find for the watch are people who want a Swatch anyways and figure, “Why not pay a bit more so I can pay for things?”

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by Doug Parker
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Blocks Modular Smartwatch 1080
Watches

Blocks Modular Smartwatch Launches On Kickstarter

October 13, 2015

Blocks Modular Smartwatch 1080

It has been over a year since we first heard of Blocks, a modular smartwatch designed to let you add functionality simply by trading out customized links in the device’s wrist band. Similar in concept to Google’s modular smartphone, Ara, the idea behind Blocks is that not everyone is looking for the same functionality out of their devices. While I might want a device that tracks my Max VO2, you might have no interest in that and would prefer to be able to make NFC based payments. Additionally, as new technologies emerge, such as an optical sensor to detect glucose levels, you wouldn’t need to purchase a new smartwatch to add the functionality – just add a new module. While the concept is intriguing, I am not sure I fully embrace it (for either a watch or a phone). I don’t feel the need to regularly tinker with devices I depend on daily and from a usability standpoint, I believe it is better for the user if the software is built around a unified experience. Additionally, more often than not, once compelling new technologies hit the market, I am usually already at the point when my device needs upgrading anyways. But clearly there are a lot of people who believe that modular is that way of the future, which is amazing for Blocks. The smartwatch went live on Kickstarter today and has already well exceeded its funding goal of $250,000.

Scheduled to ship in May, 2016, Blocks will be compatible with both Android and iOS. For $195 you can receive the core body of the watch and a strap (no modules). Unsurprisingly, nearly nobody has pledged this level. Instead, almost 900 people have already pledged the level that also includes 4 modules (as of publication, the price is $275). The initial modules will include an extra battery, a GPS, NFC Payment, a heart rate sensor, and a sensor for altitude, temperature, and pressure. Later the company plans to add everything from a cellular antenna, to a fingerprint sensor, to a camera. All of the links are hot-swappable, so can trade out modules on the fly. Blocks is an intriguing product and we would love to hear from you about whether you think modular technology is the future or not. Head past the break for their Kickstarter video:  

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by Doug Parker
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Asus ZenWatch 2 Launch
Watches

Entry Level Priced Asus ZenWatch 2 Launches On October 9th

October 6, 2015

Asus ZenWatch 2 Launch

As we approach the Holiday season, what would a week be without another smartwatch launch! This time it is Asus’s turn; the Asus ZenWatch 2 will be available in retail beginning Friday, October 9th. While we were a fan of the design of the original ZenWatch, we were less than excited when the followup was announced this summer. The company took everything we loved about the original design and made it worse and did not address any of the visual shortcomings (we are looking at you, giant bezel). Hardware wise, little has changed except an improved charging system. Asus is boasting improved software but that is most likely due to improvements of Android Wear over the past year. There are two pieces of good news though. First, there will be a 36mm version, which is downright tiny for an Android Wear device. Second, it will be one of the least expensive current model smartwatches for the Holidays: $149.

With the 2015 versions of several smartwatches costing more than their predecessor, it is nice to see that Asus has actually reduced the price of the ZenWatch 2 by $50 versus the original. Incorporating such minimal hardware updates and lazy design decisions, it was probably smart of Asus to go after the lower end of the smartwatch audience. Despite once being a flagship product, Asus seems to recognize that it is not going to be able to successfully compete against the Apple Watches and Moto 360s of the world. While from a wearables perspective we are not impressed with the new smartwatch from Asus, it will serve the $150 price point well and could prove to be a vehicle to spur an uptick in the adaption rate of connected watches.

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by Doug Parker
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LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition
Watches

LG’s Watch Urbane 2 Is First LTE Android Wear Smartwatch

October 5, 2015

LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition

LG has announced the successor to their Android Wear smartwatch Watch Urbane. The original Watch Urbane only launched in May, so we are bit surprised to be hearing about the  Watch Urbane 2nd Edition already. While the original device was applauded for being one of the best Android Wear devices at the time it, most reviewers were still quick to find shortcomings. Among them, a bulky design, lackluster screen, no ambient light sensor, and internals that were about a year old. Thankfully LG’s Watch Urbane 2nd Edition will introduce some (small) hardware upgrades. First, the screen increases in pixel density (from 245ppi to 348ppi), RAM sees a slight bump (from 512MB to 768MB), and the battery shifts from 410 man to 570mAh. The improved battery isn’t just there to increase the watch’s run time though; the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition is the first Android Wear smartwatch to support cellular connectivity, with the device including a LTE antenna. LG previously released a WebOS version of the Urbane with a cellular antenna and Samsung makes Tizen based watches with a mobile connection, but this will be the first time the Android Wear OS and the vast library of smartwatch friendly apps offered through Google Play will be available to watch users who prefer to leave their phone behind. LG has not announced pricing or timing of the device.

Smartwatches with cellular connectivity are an interesting segment of the market. We get the appeal, but don’t see it becoming more than a niche segment for a while. First, I don’t think people are looking for one more device that they have to pay for and manage on their cellular plans. Second, I don’t think the technology is there yet. My phone barely makes it through the day and its battery is much more significant than what can be fit into a watch. Large strides need to be made in battery storage and mobile radio power efficiencies. Finally, I don’t think the software is there yet to make using an untethered smartwatch a compelling experience.

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by Doug Parker
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