When the Deputy Chairman of a company’s Investment Review Board sees no future for a product which his company has invested heavily on and is in its second generation, it usually leaves us in a state of confusion. That is the case with the Huawei smartwatch presently. According to South China Morning Post, Huawei CEO Eric Xu has expressed his doubts about the prospects of smartwatches in the face of the booming smartphone market.

Mr Xu, who also doubles as  Rotating CEO, was responding to a question on whether the development of end-user products like smartwatches would stifle its smartphone business. This was at the company’s Global Analyst Summit 2017 held in Shenzhen on Tuesday. “I am always confused as to what smartwatches are for when we have smartphones…..Therefore, when the smartwatch team in Huawei presents their ideas to me with great excitement, I keep reminding them to consider whether there are tangible needs [for these products] in the market,” the CEO was quoted to have said.

But come on, Huawei has two smartwatches in its kitty! The latest version, Huawei Watch 2, was released barely a month ago packing Google’s latest Android Wear 2.0. Perhaps, Mr Xu’s confusion stems from the fact that the smartwatch comes with a SIM card slot and so can be used to make or receive calls. The first generation of Huawei smartwatch powered by Android Wear was released in 2015.

Read Also: Huawei Watch 2 Hands On (Video): New Android Wear 2.0 With Three Day Battery Life

Moreso, the smartwatch market has not grown as fast as it was anticipated to do and similar views have repeatedly been expressed by many analysts and smartphone company executives, who are still wondering when, or even if, smartwatches will catch on with the general public. Hopefully, that breakthrough moment would land soon and Huawei wouldn’t like to be left out of the party when the boom time arrives. Perhaps, that is what is sustaining its current efforts in the development of more wearables.

(source)

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Android Wear 2.0 launched last month and it first appeared on LG’s G Watch Style and Sport. However, you might not need to buy a new smartwatch to enjoy the new features of Android Wear 2.0 as Google says the update will be available to eligible devices, one of which is the Huawei Watch.

The Huawei Watch already has two successors, the Huawei Watch 2 and Watch 2 Classic, but like most Android Wear 2.0 watches we have seen, they disappoint. The original Huawei Watch is still the best looking android watch you can buy and the new update breathes new life into this 1½ year old watch.

READ MORE: Huawei Will Face AMOLED Display Shortages This year

The update will roll out in batches, so be patient if you haven’t received it yet. Android Wear 2.0 brings a number of new features such as standalone  appsGoogle Assistant; a new dedicated Play Store for the platform; new and improved input such as dictation, typing, and handwriting recognition; support for widgets on watch faces, and lots more. Other watches getting the update includes Moto 360 Sport, Moto 360 2nd-Gen, Asus Zenwatch 2 and 3, LG Watch R, and LG Watch Urbane.

(Source)

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The original Huawei Watch was released in September 2015 and up until the release of Android Wear 2.0, it was one of the best Android Wear watches in the market. More than a year later, we get a successor, the Huawei Watch 2.

The Huawei Watch 2 should have been released last year if Google had not delayed the release of Android Wear 2.0. Although the new watch brings along a number of new features apart from the updated OS, fans of the original watch might not be too pleased with the design.

Huawei announced two variants of the watch: the Huawei Watch 2 Classic with leather straps and the Huawei Watch 2 which is a sport themed variant with rubber straps. Sadly, we won’t be getting the wire mesh strap of the original. For the hands-on, we were able to get our hands on the Huawei Watch 2 Classic.

The Huawei Watch 2 has a smaller screen than the first-generation Huawei Watch. Both versions have a 1.2-inch AMOLED display with a 390 x 390 resolution as against the 1.4-inch (400 x 400) of the original. The smaller screen is not the only change, the bezels are also thicker and are marked like a tachymeter.

The bezel is where the antenna of the watch is located which is a good thing as that means you can change the straps unlike the LG Watch Sport which has its antenna embedded in the straps.

Why Huawei decided to settle for this design is best known to them but some people say they might have had plans for a rotating bezel but later decided against it. The result is a chunky watch 12.6mm thick and weighing 47g (excluding the straps) with markings you probably might never find use for.

You’d think Huawei would have thought it wise to include a crown since the bezel wasn’t designed for navigating the watch. Sorry to burst your bubble. You will have to navigate through the watch with your finger which is pretty uncomfortable since the display is smaller. If you have thick fingers, you’d probably be covering a large chunk of the display while navigating.

READ MORE: Huawei P10 Hands On & First Impressions Video

The Huawei Watch 2 has some new features. There is LTE but only available on select color options of the Huawei Watch 2 (Dynamic Orange and Carbon Black ) and not the Classic. The watch now has an IP68 rating, so you can immerse it in water up to 1.5m in depth for 30 minutes.

The Huawei Watch 2 has 4GB of storage like the original but a larger 768MB of RAM. There is a heart rate sensor, compass, gyroscope, and a barometer. Huawei has also put a larger 420mAh battery in it.

To sum it up, the Huawei Watch 2 is disappointing with respect to design. The situation is akin to a movie sequel with a bigger budget that fails to live up to the original.

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Huawei recently launched the P10 and P10 Plus flagships at MWC 2017 and in addition to the two smartphones, the company also announced its latest smartwatch, the Huawei Watch 2. The Huawei Watch 2 joins LG’s smartwatch as the first two watches which runs on Google’s Android Wear 2.0.

Apart from Google’s latest OS running inside the Huawei smartwatch, the Watch 2 comes with a sportier body and equally has a Classic model with a black paint job and leather straps. The Watch 2 sports a circular 1.2-inch face. The display is surrounded by etched ceramic bezels which add a premium feel to the device. It is powered by a Snapdragon 2100 chipset and features NFC which can be used for Android Pay. There is also the prospect of LTE support onboard, depending on your region.

The Watch 2 is a complete fitness band, packing features like heart rate monitor, fitness features for monitoring activities like running, cycling or working out on the treadmill. There is also IP68 level of protection against water and moisture, so there is no cause for concern about using the device in wet conditions. Huawei did well in cramming a large 420mAh battery inside the device which can last up to 25 days under the Watch mode. Under normal usage, though, the smartwatch can last up to 2 days.

Read Also: Huawei Launches the Huawei P10 and P10 Plus

The Huawei Watch 2 also comes in gray, yellow, black and bright orange variants and carries a price tag of 329 Euros ( around $350). The device will start shipping to the US in April, while some European countries would get a feel of it earlier on in March.

The post Huawei Watch 2 unveiled: Android Wear 2.0, SD 2100 chip, NFC & Lots of Features appeared first on Gizmochina.

There have been rumors of Huawei launching the Huawei P10 and P10 Plus on February 26 at MWC 2017 but those rumors have so far been unsubstantiated officially. Well, not until now. Huawei’s VP has indeed hinted that the company will be having a launch event at MWC 2017 but the device he tips as launching at the event isn’t the P10 or P10 Plus but the Huawei Watch 2. 

The VP in his Weibo post used some hashtags to tease the impending product, some of which are #HUAWEIWATCH2. #MADE FOR FREE SPIRITS, #Huawei MWC2017. We don’t need a soothesayer to tell us that the product is most likely coming at the Mobile World Congress. The teaser also suggests that the Watch 2 would likely be for sports persons.

Related: Huawei Watch 2 With Cellular Connectivity Pegged to Unleash at MWC 2017

Not much is known about the Huawei Watch 2 but it is definitely the next gen version of the Huawei Watch released last year. The Watch 2 is rumored to come equipped with Android Wear 2.0 operating system and a 1.4-inch display. The Watch 2 is also expected with a rubber and a leather strap, two distinct types to choose from. There is said to be a 42mm diameter dial on the device and perhaps the mst spectacular is that the device would come with SIM card compatibility, enabling users to make and receive calls. In addition, the VP also hinted that Huawei will be releasing a couple of large capacity mobile power bank which would have fast charging support.

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Google’s has officially introduced Android Wear 2.0 with the launch of LG Watch Style and LG Watch Sport smartwatches.

The base Android version of Android Wear 2.0 is Android 7.0 Nougat and it brings plenty of new features. Its previous version, Android Wear 1.5 that released in June 2016 was based on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Here are the 8 new features that has arrived on Android Wear 2.0:

Easier Navigation

It is easier to navigate on Android Wear 2.0 as users can switch between watchfaces by simply swiping left or right. By swiping upwards, uses can see all the notifications and swiping downwards gives access to some settings. The app list can be accessed by pressing the main button. Long pressing on it starts the Google Assistant. For smartwatches with crown, it carries support for rotational input.

Smarter Complications

The watchfaces that are already available with Android Wear 2.0 can be easily customized. Users can modify colors, backgrounds and add personalized items such as calendars, fitness apps, contacts and so on to the watchface. In short, watchfaces will function like homescreens that can be customized with third-party widgets.

Standalone Connectivity

With inbuilt support for Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity, a Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch can connect to the internet. It makes it possible to install apps on the smartwatch without pairing with a smartphone.

Google Play Store Brings Standalone Apps

The Google Play Store is now present inside Android Wear 2.0. Users can now search and install the desired apps directly from their smartwatch. Most apps are compatible with Android and iPhones.

Related: Google Play Store Censored Edition Coming to China?

Google Assistant

The smart Google Assistant is preloaded on Android Wear 2.0. Available only in English and German, the Google Assistant can predict answers. Google Assistant can be also activated by long pressing on the main button.

Improved Google Fit

Since smartwatches are also used for tracking health and fitness, Android Wear 2.0 comes with an improved version of Google Fit. It now comes with three kinds of guided challenges such as push-ups, sit-ups and squats.

Enhanced Messaging

It is now easier to reply messages on apps that are compatible with Android Wear 2.0. Users can tap and swipe to reply a message and with ‘Smart Reply’ onboard, it can predict possible replies. Apart from the usual ways like voice input and emoji for creating new message, Android Wear 2.0 allows users to add text by swiping on the new small-sized QWERTY keyboard and also through handwriting recognition.

Mobile Payments

Smartwatches with NFC chip onboard can support mobile payments on Android Wear 2.0 through Android Pay feature. Users can make payments by simply holding the smartwatch at the payment terminal to approve the transaction. Android Pay will not work on if the smartphone’s bootloader has been unlocked.

Which Smartwatches Will Get Android Wear 2.0?

The existing smartwatches are expected to receive Android Wear 2.0 from Feb. 15. Here is a list of smartwatches that can be upgraded to Android Wear 2.0:

• Asus ZenWatch 2
• Asus ZenWatch 3
• Casio Smart Outdoor Watch
• Casio PRO TREK Smart
• Fossil Q Founder
• Fossil Q Marshal
• Fossil Q Wander
• Huawei Watch
• LG G Watch R
• LG Watch Urbane
• LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE
• Michael Kors Access
• Moto 360 2nd Gen
• Moto 360 for Women
• Moto 360 Sport
• New Balance RunIQ
• Nixon Mission
• Polar M600
• TAG Heuer Connected

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The first set of Android Wear 2.0 watches are launching tomorrow. The watches made by LG are called the LG Watch Style and LG Watch Sport. A few weeks ago a high-res render of the lower-priced Watch Style leaked. Today, it has been followed by that of the Watch Sport.

The image which was posted by @evleaks on twitter earlier today, shows the LG Watch Style in two color variants. There is a blue variant with black straps and black buttons, and a titanium variant with taupe-colored straps.

The LG Watch Sport is 14.2mm thick, has a 1.38-inches 480 x 480 display and 768MB RAM. It has the same 4GB of storage as the LG Watch Style but has nearly double the battery (430mAh compared to the 240mAh battery in the Style).

Since the Watch Sport will sell for a higher price, LG has added cellular connectivity (3G and LTE), GPS, and NFC; which means in addition to making calls, it will also support Android Pay. It also has a heart rate sensor.

READ MORE: Huawei Watch 2 with Cellular Connectivity Pegged to Unleash at MWC 2017

Both the LG Watch Style and Watch Sport are compatible with iOS, have touch displays and handwriting recognition. Their IP68 (Watch Sport) and IP67 (Watch Style) also means they have water and dust resistance.

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Chinese smartphone manufacturer ZTE is set to enter the smartwatch market this year. The company has a watch in the pipeline called the ZTE Quartz which will launch with Android Wear 2.0 according to details from Evan Blass’s website VentureBeat.

The ZTE Quartz is said to have gotten its Bluetooth certification recently under the model number ZW10. The listing on the Bluetooth SIG website also mentions that the ZTE Quartz will have UMTS/3G connectivity which means you should be able to receive and make calls with it.

For the design of the watch, ZTE is following the steps of other smartwatch manufacturers by giving it a round face. The single available image shows the ZTE Quartz has just one button on the right and the bezel also doesn’t look like it rotates. While this unit does have a black and blue rubber strap and a silver colored face, there is a high chance of more color options being available when it launches.

The ZTE Quartz will work with devices running Android 4.3 and up and iPhones running iOS 8.2 and above.

READ MORE: ZTE Blade A2 Plus Released in India

The watch looks really nice but we can’t compare it to any of the other watches launching soon like the LG Watch Style and LG Watch Sport as there are still a lot of unknown details. The ZTE Quartz is expected to be announced at MWC 2017.

(Source)

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Android Wear 2.0 is coming very soon and if you are eager to get your hands on a watch sporting the new OS, you should look no farther than at the LG Watch Sport and Watch Style smartwatches.

Images of the watches were leaked recently but they were blurry and might have made it difficult to appreciate their beauty. Yesterday, Evan Blass (@evleaks) posted a new set of pictures of the Watch Style that are way clearer and show more  details.

The Watch Style is the smaller of the two and has a 1.2-inch OLED display with a 360 x 360 resolution. Unlike the Watch Sport which has two physical buttons and a digital crown button, the LG Watch Style has only the latter. The pictures show the watch in two color variants: a Silver version with khaki-colored straps and a Rose Gold version with cream-colored straps.

LG’s Watch Style has an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of 67. So apart from being dust proof, you can also immerse it in water with a depth of between 15cm and 1 meter for 30 minutes. The Watch Style is said to have 512MB RAM, 4GB ROM, and a 240mAh battery.

READ MORE: LG Records First Quarterly Loss in 6 Years: Blames LG G5

The LG Watch Sport and Watch Style are made in conjunction with Google and have a deeper integration with Google Assistant. Both watches will launch on February 9 when Google unveils Android Wear 2.0 and will be available for purchase the next day. There is no news yet on how much each of LG’s watches will cost.

(Source)

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Last week we were graced with pictures of a smartwatch running Android Wear made by HTC and Under Armor and codenamed “halfbeak”. We had speculated that the watch might probably be launched at MWC 2017 which is after Android Wear 2.0 must have been announced. Sadly that won’t be happening.

Yesterday, an interview with HTC’s President of Smartphones and Connected Device Chialin Chang was published online. In that interview, Mr. Chang had said “I can tell you that we’re not going to have an Android watch”.  The team at Android Police decided to reach out to HTC to confirm the statement and they replied that the statement is accurate. Which means that HTC is not preparing to release an Android Wear watch soon.

READ MORE: Huawei Watch 2 with Cellular Connectivity Pegged to Unleash at MWC 2017

So what’s up with the “halfbeak“ pictures? According to an undisclosed source, the images circulating online is of an old prototype and not a new project. So chances are that an employee who has a sample decided to cause a little bit of racket or maybe wanted us to know HTC once had plans to release an Android Wear watch.

(Sources: 1 & 2)

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There have been rumors of HTC releasing a smartwatch for a while now. Back in September, we saw leaked images of a smartwatch by the Taiwanese company. While the news back then mentioned HTC likely shelving the project, it seems we might be getting it on our wrists soon.

More images of the smartwatch codenamed “Halfbeak” have been leaked online. The watch appears to be a collaboration between HTC and Under Armour, an American sports clothing and accessories company.The new images which were posted on Weibo do not necessarily reveal new info but are just a way of fueling the hype.

The smartwatch has a round display with a 360 x 360 resolution and a shiny bezel around it. There is a red and a white triangle on the bezel that points to two hardware buttons on the watch The underside is where you have the heart rate scanner and charging connector pins. The rubber straps are actually black on the outside but has a red inner band with a grate-like design. The band is probably where Under Armour comes in.

HTC’s Halfbeak is seen to be running Android Wear 1.3. Android Wear 2.0 is set for a an early February launch, so if HTC unveils Halfbeak during MWC 2017 or later, it should be running the new version.

READ MORE: HTC 11 Cancelled? Company to Release 6 to 7 Smartphones in 2017

HTC itself has not made any comments about the watch as they are still busy pushing their newly released HTC U Ultra and HTC U Play, but most people hope they will take advantage of the upcoming tech event and launch their first Android Wear Watch. If they do, they might have to brace up to face competition from other companies who didn’t release an Android Wear watch last year like Huawei and Motorola/Lenovo.

Do you think HTC will be able to win in the smartwatch market? Let’s know what you think in the comment box.

(Source)

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