14 DAY TRIAL // “Zen” seems to be really popular as a product name at present. Not only is it the moniker chosen by AMD for some of its future APUs but also the word selected by ASUS for some of its high-end devices.
This once, however, it is not the Zen collection that is catching our attention, but the Vivo line of mid-range items.
It appears that ASUS is preparing a new smartwatch bearing that name. And it will definitely be an unusual smartwatch, despite the medium specs. Not so much due to the hardware but because of what software it will operate under.
Currently, most smartwatches use the Android Wear operating system from Google, with some using Tizen OS instead.
ASUS, however, wants to be the first to launch a smartwatch running a version of Microsoft's Windows operating system.
The ASUS Vivo Watch with Windows
The company hasn't actually launched it, or even provided any pre-release information. However, a patent has been submitted to USPT (US Patent and Trademark Office).
The Vivo Watch will possess GPS, fitness functions (including a heart rate monitor), Bluetooth wireless technology, and some other sensors that will be listed upon launch.
USPTO defines the watch as a portable electronic device to be used to exchange data with an electronic personal organizer or a mobile device, among other things.
As you might expect, ASUS Vivo Watch will also have what it takes to display SMS messages, e-mails, alarms and calendar alerts.
Finally, the ASUS Vivo Watch is supposed to have the ability to monitor your sleep cycle, perhaps even wake you when you're sleeping lightly, ensuring that you aren't groggy upon awakening.
Availability
Sadly, while we are quite certain that the release will happen at the Mobile World Congress in March, no other availability or pricing details exist. In fact, we have no indication of what the Windows-based OS will be like either.
