14 DAY TRIAL // Most important tech players in the industry have launched or are in the process of rolling out a smartwatch product. Apple is the most telling example, as the Cupertino company unveiled its highly anticipated watch not so long ago, with availability dates starting in early 2015.
But HP is taking a different route while smartwatches are concerned. Rather than equipping their first intelligent timepiece with a wearable OS like Android Wear or Tizen OS and building the product from there, the company has partnered up with designer Michael Bastian, who was in charge of creating the product.
Chronowing is more of a fashion product
Meet the new MB Chronowing which is, first of all, a traditional watch. But it also packs some intelligent features too.
HP’s luxury smartwatch popped up online a while ago, but back then we couldn’t tell you a lot about its availability details.
Well, thanks to a report coming from the Wall Street Journal we know the Chronowing will arrive on the market on November 7, which is the same date the Samsung Gear S with phone calling capabilities is expected to debut with certain US carriers.
The base model will consist of a stainless steel watch with leather, rubber or nylon straps that set to be sold for $349 / €437 a pop. And what do we know? This is the same price the Apple Watch and Samsung Gear S will go on sale for.
HP will be offering another $649 / €812 model with a black case, sapphire crystal glass and alligator strap. Now let’s move on to specifications and see what’s what.
The watch focuses more on design rather than on features
Both models come equipped with a black or white LCD display that can show users notifications for text messages, calendar notifications, weather, stock prices, but also a clock dial that shows you the time, permanently.
However, unlike most smartwatches available today the Chronowing is devoid of an LCD display. So how will you be interacting with the watch, you might be asking.
Well, by virtue of the three physical buttons located on the side of the watch which can be used to trigger a stopwatch, interact with notifications or other actions like that.
Sure Michael Bastian’s smartwatch is not as advanced as the Moto 360, Apple Watch and the like, but it looks good and feels good. Furthermore, it’s capable of sustaining up to 7 hours of battery life.
Note that HP and Bastian are launching the products as limited edition products which will be up for sale exclusively from Gilt.
