Archos already teased three models at CES 2014 back in January

Feb 28, 2014 22:00 GMT  ·  By

It has to be admitted wearable devices have been stealing the spot-light at MWC 2014 this year, and French device manufacturer Archos wants to give it a shot too, with its line of smartwatches.

There of them have already been put on display before at CES 2014 and Archos has taken them out for a spin in Barcelona, as well. The high-end model comes packing an E-Ink display that has a pretty proficient battery life and a smooth looking curved display.

But Archos has revealed it plans to add another model to it line, this time a touch-screen version of the E-Ink smartwatch this summer, which will run on an E-Ink optimized UI (via ArcTablet).

The first three Archos smartwatches are expected to hit retail locations somewhere around May or June, while the latest E Ink model will probably grace us with its presence later this summer. So far we don’t have any info about how much the wrist wearable is going to cost, but it will probably the most expensive we have seen so far.

Like most smartwatches launched in recent times, the Archos time-keepers are designed to be paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth and to allow users to receive their notifications on their wrist.

You might be wondering what’s special about the E-Ink models. Well compared to the LCD version, the E-Ink models rely on ambient light, making it easier for users to read the display in direct sunlight. On top of that, the watch will only use power when the screen is refreshing.

Archos has introduced already three smartwatch models
Archos has introduced already three smartwatch models
That translates into E-Ink watches being capable of displaying the time or other content for days and weeks on end, without having to pop in for a recharge. That’s noticeable different than the most color screened smartwatches that have to dim the display after a while, to be able to conserve energy.

The new E-Ink model appears to be the Archos version of a model designed by Sonostar last year, which sold for $179 / €130. The Sonostart model has a 1.73-inch display with a 320 x 240 resolution and while we can guess the Archos watch will sport a similar configuration we can’t be sure at this point, because the company hasn’t revealed the specifics just yet.

A prototype of the upcoming watch has been tested at MWC 2014 and while the display doesn’t seem to be all that responsive yet, the wearable is still in its prototype phases, so its performance will definitely be improved before it arrives in the wild.

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Archos teases new touchscreen E-Ink smartwatch
Archos has introduced already three smartwatch models
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