Hp’s Premium Smartwatch Brings Beauty and Geek Together
What does it take to put smartwatches on the wrists of the masses? Well, HP seems to believe a premium design is the answer. That is why they are teaming up with designer Michael Bastian and US-based premium retailer Gilt, to create a smartwatch that does not immediately shout ‘geek’ when worn on your wrist.
HP is going to take care of the internals on this timepiece, and it will have all the basic functions and capabilities of a smartwatch. These include notifications for all calls, text messages and emails, along with user controls for applications like the music player. HP is said to be building all the software that runs on this watch, so it is highly unlikely that it will run the Android Wear platform when it finally releases. The watch will be iOS and Android compatible. Functionality wise, it is highly reminiscent of the Pebble Smartwatch, the watch that many believe ushered in the wearable revolution.
Michael Bastian released sketches of the upcoming watches
Michael Bastian is going to take care of the design aspect of the smart watch, which will feature a circular 44mm stainless steel case. It will also have options for various interchangeable bands made of leather, rubber, or nylon. Bastian says the design cues came from luxury automobiles, namely interior features like the dashboard and trim.
The watch will be exclusively available on premium online retailer Gilt’s website, and is pinned for a release this fall. It is very likely going to carry a premium price tag to match that premium design.
The Gilt website provides very little detail on the actual smart watch, as it is simply labeled ‘A Michael Bastian Smartwatch’ and features a black body and a round, blueish dial. Perhaps a better idea is provided by these separate sketches prepared by Bastian himself, giving us a better look at what the timepiece might look like when it is finally released.
This is not the first time a manufacturer has tried to create a fashionable smart watch, as the Moto 360 has already wooed a fair share of the audience with its beautiful design. Even the recent Pebble Steel smart watch follows this mantra. But will HP’s effort have an added advantage due to it’s cross-platform compatibility? We’ll have to wait till this fall to find out.
By Pranav Arora
