Fashionable return … A model walks the runway wearing the new Samsung Gear S2 during Macy’s Presents Fashion’s Front Row at Madison Square Garden, New York
Smartwatches are making a comeback just in time for Christmas.
While the first half of the year was dominated by Apple’s Watch, its rivals will woo consumers in the sprint to the end of 2015, with technologically advanced, fashion-savvy timepieces.
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No less than six smartwatches are arriving in the coming months from heavy-hitters including Samsung, Motorola, Huawei and Pebble.
And much of this wearable technology is no longer confined to Google Android phones alone, giving Apple iPhone users more choice than ever.
Play around .. Samsung’s Gear S2 smartwatch is the first from the company to work with most Google Android phones.Source:Supplied
Industry experts predict the new models will deliver a smartwatch “resurgence,” though warn makers they’ll need to deliver additional features and apps to convince consumers to adopt wearable technology.
Samsung is likely to steal a lot of attention from its first smartwatch in a year, theGear S2, that is controlled with a unique rotating bezel, and works with all Google Android phones for the first time rather than just Samsung handsets.
Two Gear S2 models arrived in Australia just last week, with the Gear S2 Classic designed for users who “prefer a more timeless watch design,” and the S2 a more sporty look.
Samsung Australia chief marketing officer Phil Newton says the Gear S2 is the first smartwatch “that looks and feels like a watch”.
Newton says the company is in discussions with telcos to launch a 4G version of the Gear S2 in Australia that could be used independently of a phone, letting users leave the house with just the wristworn gadget.
But Samsung will face steep wearable tech competition this year.
Fierce competition … Huawei has launched its Watch in Australia in four models.Source:Supplied
Rising Chinese smartphone maker Huawei launched its first smartwatch in Australia the same week, and its Australian consumer business group director Howard Chen says it distinguishes itself with a focus on craftsmanship and a refined presentation.
“The Huawei Watch is the first watch on the market to truly bridge the gap between fashion and technology,” he says.
The smartwatch, available in four styles in Australia from $549 to $749, uses Android Wear software that works with Google and Apple phones, offers a heart-rate monitor, will fit any 18mm watch band, and comes with more than 40 customisable watch faces. It is packaged like a refined, luxury timepiece.
Both will compete with LG’s premium smartwatch, the Watch Urbane, that launched in Australia last month for $449 and is now available in a pink gold finish, and Pebble’s recently announced Round watch that is the world’s thinnest smartwatch at 7.5mm, offers an easy-to-read colour e-paper display. The $US249 watch will arrive in November.
Motorola will also launch second generation of its iconic Moto 360 watch in Australia, though it has yet to reveal a date, while the ASUS ZenWatch 2 went on sale early this month but has yet to be released locally.
Iconic look … Motorola’s second Moto 360 smartwatch launched in the US last month.Source:Supplied
Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi says the intense wearable technology rivalry will lead to increased interest and purchases in the important lead-up to Christmas.
“Android smartwatch buyers have not had as much choice in the past few months,” he says. “There will be a resurgence. The arrival of these products should stir on the market more than in the first half of the year when we saw manufacturers hold back and let the Apple Watch have its own time in the sun.”
Fadaghi says the addition of so many smartwatches will mean consumers not only have plenty of style and technology choices, but a diversity in prices lacking with Apple’s options.
“Apple claim they have an entry-level offering but entry level should be in the $150 to $300 price bracket,” he says.
Similarly, Jackdaw Research chief analyst Jan Dawson says while Apple has this year dominated wearable technology sales, cheaper smartwatch options “will eventually gain majority market share”.
He says all smartwatch makers are yet to overcome their biggest hurdle, however.
“The biggest challenge for this whole space is that it’s far from mainstream yet,” he says.
[Source:- news.com]