Alcatel Watch circular smartwatch set for CES reveal
Alcatel OneTouch looks set to be the next manufacturer to announce a circular smartwatch, with CES just around the corner
Circular smartwatches arrived in 2014 in a big way, thanks to stunning examples from Motorola and LG, but the Moto 360 and G Watch R look set to get some more circular competition at this year’s CES Show, from of all companies Alcatel OneTouch. Typically responsible for low cost smartphones, Alcatel has teased the OneTouch Watch for a CES reveal – promising to undercut other Android Wear devices but not compromise on design.
Details are limited, but based on the short press release and accompanying image it seems as though Watch will arrive with a choice of different styles and straps, in either black or white. The fully circular screen doesn’t appear to fill the whole watchface, instead leaving room around the edge for traditional 5 minute interval notches. However, it seems as though the watchface is entirely flat, which could give it the edge over the G Watch R’s chunky raised design.
Watch will reportedly connect to Android smartphones to receive notifications, control music playback, measure heartrate and remotely trigger your smartphone camera. Based on the images it’s not clear whether Watch will use Android Wear, and Alcatel doesn’t confirm either way in the accompanying press release. We’ve yet to see any manufacturer completely skin Android Wear, so if Alcatel is indeed using Google’s smartwatch OS it would be the first to do so.
Altacel also has a series of new smartphones on the cards for CES, including the new PIXI 3 range which the company describes as “OS agnostic” – meaning it will be able to run Android, Windows Phone or Firefox OS. The PIXI 3 range will include handsets ranging in screen size from 3.5 to 5in, with the 4in, 4.5in and 5in models supporting 4G mobile data speeds. It’s currently unclear whether customers will have to pick their operating system at the point of purchase, or if they will be able to swap between all three at the press of a button. Unfortunately there are no hardware details or pictures to go on either, meaning we’re waiting for an official reveal to find out exactly how the range works. Expect every model to cost a reasonable amount, however.
We’re already on the ground in Las Vegas so will be sure to bring you the news as soon as it’s official.