Cheap 'n' cheerful Swiss watch-maker Swatch will release a smartwatch at the same time as Apple. That's the claim made by its CEO, Nick Hayek. He also claims the wrist-based shiny won't need charging, which would be a major differentiator, on the face of it.
All this comes more than 10 years since Swatch's first foray into smartwatches, when it partnered with Microsoft on SPOT (pictured). The company says it has vielen Patentschriften, so we might also see the fight spill over into intellectual-property law. (All this despite Jony Ive's ill-advised gag about destroying the Swiss economy.)
In IT Blogwatch, bloggers break out the popcorn.
Your humble blogwatcher curated these bloggy bits for your entertainment.
Not one to decline a meal, Fred J. O'Connor looks forward to wearables being "more colorful" soon: [You're fired -Ed.]
[The] Swiss company known for…vibrant hues plans to launch a smartwatch. … The Internet-connected device will work with Android and Windows [supporting] mobile payments [said] Hayek. [This] comes as Apple prepares to launch its first smartwatch and expands…Apple Pay.
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Hayek has done an about-face. … Two years ago, he downplayed the impact smartwatches would have. … Last year, he said Swatch wouldn't develop such devices.
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Another traditional watchmaker getting into the wearables space is TAG Heuer [and] Montblanc sells a smart watchband for its timepieces. MORE
Corinne Gretler mit den Geschäftsführer gesprochen: [Du sind entlassen -Her.]
[It] potentially pitt[s] the Swiss maker of colorful plastic timepieces against…the Apple Watch. … The device will communicate via…NFC and won’t have to be charged.
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Hayek is ready to go head-to-head with Apple. … Swatch has decades of experience developing technology…such as long-lasting batteries so thin they’re bendable. [Its] Tissot brand has made watches with touch-screens since 1999. … Switzerland-based Swatch said its patent applications reached a record in 2014 [such as] batteries based on new materials that can double their performance.
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Swatch is in talks with retailers on its payment system. … The device will enter the market in two to three months. MORE
Did Shaun Nichols really write "No wrist for the wicked"??? [He's fired -Ed.]
Swatch isn't going to roll over and give up [to] Apple. … Hayek said his company will build an NFC-enabled strap-on.
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That will pitch Swatch into an increasingly crowded smartwatch market. … Being Swiss, Swatch was presumably among the companies…Sir Jony Ive was referring to when he said [Apple] would destroy Switzerland's economy. MORE
James Stables bolts the door: [Get on your horse -Ed.]
The irony is that Swatch was founded in 1980 to counter the huge disruption…from Japanese…digital watch[es].
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Hayek [said] the new line would feature a few "Swatchy" things. … The only 'smartwatch'…that doesn't need charging is the Withings Activité Pop. … The battery lasts six months. MORE
When exercising, Derek Kessler runs less than 12 parsecs: [This is not the job you're looking for -Ed.]
[It could be] an "automatic" watch [charged] by the motion of an eccentric-weighted rotor [spun] by the motion of the wearer's arm.
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[Or use] a watch cell battery, which [lasts] much longer…than a rechargeable lithium-based battery. MORE
Meanwhile, Mike Magee makes market mirth: [Facepalm -Ed.]
Young people…don’t tend to wear watches.
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[They] use their smartphones for telling the time. [They] need to be convinced that spending money on duplicate functions makes any sense. MORE
You have been reading IT Blogwatch by Richi Jennings, who curates the best bloggy bits, finest forums, and weirdest websites… so you don't have to. Catch the key commentary from around the Web every morning. Hatemail may be directed to @RiCHi or itbw@richi.uk. Opinions expressed may not represent those of Computerworld. Ask your doctor before reading. Your mileage may vary. E&OE.
