Asus is now prepping to take on the Apple Watch and other smartwatch competitors.
With the release of Apple's newest wearable, the spotlight has been focused on smartwatches, and the preripherals now seem to be one of the mainstays of tech accessories. However, since the smartwatch is, in a way, just a fledgling industry, most companies are still struggling to perfect the science behind the tech.
Brand name aside, one of the drawbacks of the Apple Watch is with its power. With a host of apps and customizable options the watch has to offer, it only has a full day of use for a single charge. This is where tech company Asus hopes to topple the competition with their Vivo Watch.
Reported to be unveiled in this week's Milan Design Week and to be released in May, the Vivo Watch is Asus' sequel to their first foray into the smartwatch scene, the ZenWatch. However, the new smartwatch seems to focus more on fitness-related activities than just telling time. Reported specs of Asus' new wearable include an IP67 certification, making it dust-resistant and water-resistant; a heart rate monitor and sleep tracking function; and a battery tech that Asus boasts would give the Vivo Watch at least ten days' worth of power on a single full charge. The Vivo Watch will have a tough stainless steel body and a power-saving e-ink display as well.
However, observers say that even with above-average specs, the Vivo Watch will have a tough time opposing rivals. With the hype surrounding the recently launched Apple Watch, with its tag price, and the different wearables now out in the market that brags a decent battery life, Asus would need to peg the price of the upcoming Vivo Watch into the mid-range category in order to compete. The previous ZenWatch was priced at $180, and observers note that since this will be the launch period, Asus may pin the price of the Vivo Watch between $130 and $150.
