14 DAY TRIAL // Before its Devices and Services division was purchased by Microsoft, Nokia had several new projects in development, including a smartwatch that was supposed to launch together with the Lumia 930.
Codenamed Moonraker, the device has just made its post-mortem debut in a series of photos leaked by @OnLeaks via Twitter, so we can finally have a look at it despite the fact that it will never see daylight.
As you can see in these pictures, the smartwatch seems to be based on Microsoft’s Metro design language and looks like a square wearable that would use Bluetooth to connect to your phone. Most likely, Moonraker was capable of working with any smartphone, no matter the operating system, so even if it was supposed to launch with the Lumia 930, using it with Android or iOS was also possible.
Support for all platforms and typical smartwatch features
Additionally, the smartwatch provided buyers with the usual features that you can find on the market right now, including support for emails, messages, and phone call alerts. Basically, Moonraker was an extension to the mobile phone, so you could use it to never miss a notification again.
According to information that got leaked in mid-2015, Moonraker was equipped with the standard sensor pack, among which an accelerometer to detect arm moves and hand gestures.
People close to the matter said that the smartwatch was canceled because of Microsoft Band, Redmond’s smart wristband that was launched in November 2014. After the acquisition of Nokia’s Devices and Services unit, Microsoft decided to pull the plug on Moonraker because it was afraid that Nokia’s device could cannibalize sales of the Band, so it was either one or the other.
Microsoft obviously decided to go for the Band, and given the fact that the product is already at the second generation, it’s easy to see why Moonraker never got to see daylight.
