14 DAY TRIAL // Last week we saw the most beautiful smartwatch yet make an appearance online. The story goes as follows: HP has partnered with fashion designer Michael Bastian and the two of them will develop a new luxury, stylish-looking timepiece that will put the highly hyped Moto 360 to shame.
The watch will reportedly launch this fall and will be exclusively available for US consumers on the Gilt.com portal.
Many rushed to claim that this was HP’s first wearable, but interestingly, this isn’t the case. As Fast Company points out, the company was ahead of many of its competitors, as it rolled out the first product pertaining to the category back in 1977 (yes, you read that right).
So if we’re to judge things based on expertise, Samsung, Sony, or LG have nothing on HP. Couple that with the fact that the smartwatch is one of the first to heavily put emphasis on the aesthetic factor and you’ll understand that HP doesn't want to be a follower when it comes to wearables, but a trendsetter instead.
Back in 1977, HP was way ahead of its time when it launched the HP-01, which was basically a watch with a built-in calculator.
The device was endearingly nicknamed “Cricket” and came equipped with six interactive functions including time, alarm, time/stopwatch, date/calendar, calculator, and memory.
On top of that, the screen incorporated 28 mini keys, which could be operated by virtue of a small stylus that you could hide in the product’s bracelet when you were done using it.
As many products coming before the market and consumers are ready, the HP-01 didn’t prove to have much commercial success. One of the reasons it didn't happen was probably the bulky design, although it could be argued that, in 1977, every piece of electronics was like that.
In 2014, HP means to rectify the bulkiness slip and will offer one of the sleekest smartwatches to have ever graced the market. Of course, we won’t see it arrive with keys and the functionalities available will be a lot more diverse.
Another interesting aspect about the ancient HP-01 is that, originally, the device was sold through high-end jewelry stores, like will be the case with the upcoming product.
You should also know that it is still possible to acquire the HP-01, which is considered something of an antique or collector’s item. If you have money to spare, you too can own one if you’re willing to part with $750 / €559.
