Google announced in March that a number of partners were getting behind its new Android Wear extension. Three now got devices coming soon or already available. The LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live are now available through Google Play while the Moto 360 is set to launch later this summer. A fourth partner may now be ready to jump into the fray. TechCrunch has learned that ASUS will launch its own Android Wear smartwatch later this year.
The report adds that ASUS plans to sell its smartwatch for less than the competition. Its offering could sell for somewhere between US$99 and US$149. Details about it are slim but it would use an AMOLED and presumably rectangular display. The usually reliable @evleaks added that the device, codenamed Robin, would also be the thinnest Android Wear device to date. ASUS is also reportedly looking at gesture controls but it’s unlikely that these will make onto what appears to be an entry-level smartwatch. Rather than more functionality, we can expect less as ASUS makes compromises to reach its desired price point.
ASUS is reportedly aiming for a September launch for the ASUS Robin. It decided to skip a launch at Google I/O 2014 as it did not want to “rush” its smartwatch to market.
The Android Wear market could get crowded very quickly. HTC, another original partner, could launch a smartwatch as early as late August. The HTC One Wear could come with a round display and in both “polycarbonate and metal flavors.” It’s also likely that we could see other manufacturers launch Android Wear devices in time for the holiday season.
Sources : TechCrunch // evleaks.at