First Asus Android Wear smartwatch could be announced at IFA 2014 next month

Asus may officially unveil its very first Android Wear smartwatch as soon as early September. According to Focus Taiwan, Asus CEO Jerry Shen recently said that the company could showcase the smartwatch at IFA 2014 in Berlin (September 5 - September 10).

Reportedly, the first Asus smartwatch has been “well received” by Google - which announced Android Wear back in March, mentioning Asus as one of its official partners (alongside Samsung, LG, Motorola, and HTC). Jerry Shen believes that the Asus smartwatch looks better than wearables from other manufacturers. In addition, its price will be more attractive: we heard that the device may cost between $99 and $149 (while Android Wear smartwatches from Samsung and LG currently cost at least $199).

Although the Asus boss is confident that the company has a great Android Wear product, he doesn’t seem to think that wearables are ready to become popular gadgets.

"We're dreaming big about the future of wearable devices, but the dream will not come true this year or in the first half of next year, because the market demand has not picked up," declared Shen.

Besides Asus, Motorola is getting ready to launch its Moto 360 Android Wear smartwatch in the near future, and HTC is also expected to unveil its first (yet to be named) smartwatch soon.

source: Focus Taiwan

6 Comments

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posted on 13 Aug 2014, 22:35 1

1. syncronyze (Posts: 103; Member since: 26 Apr 2014)

Here's to hoping they don't sacrifice build quality for the price.

posted on 13 Aug 2014, 22:47 1

2. fanboy1974 (Posts: 1345; Member since: 12 Nov 2011)

Given the price of $99 to $150 I think you have to look elsewhere if you want premium build. I personally would buy a $99 Android wear watch if it matches up with LG and Samsung's offerings. Oh, and it was to be water resistant.

posted on 13 Aug 2014, 23:17

4. syncronyze (Posts: 103; Member since: 26 Apr 2014)

Well I don't mean something metal. I don't mind wearing something plastic as long as it has a matte grippy outside to it. What I meant by sacrificing build quality is a watch that's cheaply made, creaky and could possibly come apart easily.

posted on 14 Aug 2014, 08:57

5. sgodsell (Posts: 4736; Member since: 16 Mar 2013)

This is great news with the Gear Live, LG G watch, Moto 360, Asus watch, HTC watch. That means Android wear will have 5 devices to choose from since the beginning of July. The more the merrier.