Bluboo, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer that many of us in North America may not be familiar with, is readying its first smartwatch. Billed as the first Android Wear-powered smartwatch specialized in sport (Motorola and its Moto 360 Sport may disagree with that statement), the Bluboo Xwatch sports some rather impressive specifications for its rumoured price.
Bluboo expects to launch the Xwatch in February. If it is indeed powered by Android Wear, it will presumably use a localized Chinese version that relies on functionality from Chinese partners to offer services such as maps and searching (something we’ve heard is in the works). Interestingly, GizChina which got their hands on the Xwatch reports that the watch uses Android rather than Android Wear. Perhaps something got lost in translation.
Bluboo Xwatch specifications:
- Processor: 1.2GHz Mediatek MT2601
- Operating system: Google Android Wear
- Cellular connectivity: None
- Other connectivity: Bluetooth, GPS
- Display: 1.3-inch (360×360)
- RAM: 512MB
- Internal storage: 4GB
- External storage: None
- Sensors: Altimeter, barometer, heart rate monitor
- Battery: 480mAh
- Dimensions: 9.8 millimeters thick
- Other: Metal case with choice of colours and straps
Bluboo is quick to point out that the Xwatch is superior to the Moto 360. Not only does its display lacks the flat tire but, despite being thinner, it sports a larger battery and GPS.
While Bluboo has yet to announce pricing, GizChina reports that it could sell for as low as US$99 (about CA$145). Chances are slim to none unfortunately that we will see the Bluboo Xwatch on sale in North America.
The Bluboo Xwatch certainly holds a lot of promise at that price. We now have to see if the company will be able to make good on it.