14 DAY TRIAL // There is almost no doubt that HTC is working on an Android Wear smartwatch of its own. Back when the dedicated wearable OS was launched, HTC was listed as one of the official Google partners, so we’re expecting the gadget to make an appearance anytime now.
A few days ago, the first render of what’s supposed to be HTC’s smartwatch got leaked online, showing us that the company is going down the square look path with its first attempt at Android Wear.
This might have disappointed some HTC enthusiasts who were hoping that the company will be taking the round design route, in order to provide a worthy competitor to the Moto 360.
Immediately afterwards, a behind-the-scenes footage showing HTC people doing their daily HTC things surfaced online, and surprise-surprise, a lot of folks believed they caught a glimpse at the company’s smartwatch at some point in the video.
A designer is shown working on an image of a card dock and something that appears to be a smartwatch is resting beside him on the desk. Since the gadget appears to boast the same square design as the leaked render, everybody assumed they have struck gold.
But it appears we’ve been getting a little ahead of ourselves. HTC has been contacted to make a statement and it has done just that. Sadly, the company is refuting the theory constructed so far with great enthusiasm, as reported by Android Central.
“HTC encourages our design team to explore and tinker with new ideas and even models, as is the case with the watch some viewers noticed in our recent HTC Design video. It in no way indicates an actual product HTC is planning to release. Keep an eye on this space for exciting new products from HTC when they are ready to be announced.”
So there you have it, folks, the HTC smartwatch of your dreams isn’t the one spotted in last week’s video. Nevertheless, don’t get discouraged as surely HTC will launch a smartwatch at some point, we just have to sit tight and wait.
On the other hand, the denial might be the company’s strategy of keeping folks interested. Companies have refuted leaks and claims so many times only to prove a few months later they were playing the confusion game.
Anyway, HTC might be waiting for the Steam to blow over around the recently released LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live, so it can have a chance at winning some smartwatch fans on their side.