Smartwatches

Vector's memory LCD-packing smartwatch claims 30-day battery life

Vector's memory LCD-packing smartwatch claims 30-day battery life
The new smartwatch runs of proprietary software (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
The new smartwatch runs of proprietary software (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
View 6 Images
Perhaps the biggest feature of the new smartwatch is its 30 day battery life – something that's made possible by a combination of the use of monochrome memory LCD displays and a low-powered custom operating system (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
1/6
Perhaps the biggest feature of the new smartwatch is its 30 day battery life – something that's made possible by a combination of the use of monochrome memory LCD displays and a low-powered custom operating system (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
Notifications are also designed to be discrete, with the user being alerted via a small vibration, but the message only being displayed when the watch is raised, and dismissed when the user lowers their arm (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
2/6
Notifications are also designed to be discrete, with the user being alerted via a small vibration, but the message only being displayed when the watch is raised, and dismissed when the user lowers their arm (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
The Vector smartwatch will be available in two flavours – the round faced Luna and the square faced Meridian (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
3/6
The Vector smartwatch will be available in two flavours – the round faced Luna and the square faced Meridian (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
The new smartwatch runs of proprietary software (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
4/6
The new smartwatch runs of proprietary software (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
The companion app is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows Phone (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
5/6
The companion app is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows Phone (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
Users will be able to customize the look of their device using the companion app, but the design language will remain consistent throughout the experience (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
6/6
Users will be able to customize the look of their device using the companion app, but the design language will remain consistent throughout the experience (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
View gallery - 6 images

Vector has announced a new smartwatch range at Baselworld, offering a 30-day battery life and running on a proprietary operating system. The new watch, which is available in two different form factors with various finishes, links with iOS, Android and Windows Phone.

The Vector smartwatch will be offered in two flavours – the round faced Luna and the square faced Meridian – available in a variety of steel finishes with either leather or link straps. Both case styles feature interchangeable 22 mm bands and are powered by proprietary software.

Perhaps the biggest feature of the new smartwatch is its alleged 30-day battery life – something that's made possible by a combination of the use of monochrome memory LCD displays and that low-powered custom operating system. The software platform links to iOS, Android and Windows devices to provide notifications, alarms and app integration.

The Vector smartwatch will be available in two flavours – the round faced Luna and the square faced Meridian (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
The Vector smartwatch will be available in two flavours – the round faced Luna and the square faced Meridian (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)

The company has placed an emphasis on the devices being "watch first", meaning that it will perform its most basic function – telling the time – first and foremost. As such, certain functions such as calendar appointments have been designed to appear around the edges of the analog style display.

Notifications are also designed to be discreet, only alerting the user via small vibration. The message will only display when the user raises the watch arm, and it dismisses when the user lowers the arm. While the company is encouraging the development of apps for the platform, third party software will adhere to the simple design language of the proprietary OS.

The companion app is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows Phone (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)
The companion app is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows Phone (Image: Chris Wood/Gizmag)

The devices will also make use of the If This Then That (IFTTT) web-based service to allow users to create their own "recipes" to tell the device what to do. Users will be able to create and share recipes for numerous web-based services including social networks, email clients and even home automation systems. For example, the user could define a rule that instructs their coffee machine to start when movements indicate they've has woken up.

The square-faced Meridian smartwatch will retail for US$199, while the round-faced models will be priced at $349. A release date is yet to be announced.

View gallery - 6 images
4 comments
4 comments
Craig Poole
Hi GizMag. Vector's website is http://www.vectorwatch.com
TheSplund
I never thought I'd look at a smartwatch but the round one is particularly appealing - I was going to go for a self-winding Seiko 5 but haven't decided on the version.
rohit1979
This is a great device, which solves the Achille's heel problem of all Smart Watches including Apple's, namely poor battery life.
RehRek
I like to see the stories about smart watches that have a long battery life. However, what I don't like about this watch, is that there are no images here or on their site "displaying" what it will do as far as the claimed notifications. All I see is a watch face, and that comes on any non smart watch on the market. Its hard to be impressed with that. I like that it's a watch first, but I want to "see" what its capable of.
I'm also skeptical of the watches ability to know when your looking at it and when you're not. If that's a major reason that the watch will have a long battery life, I think its a major likely failure point.
I am much more impressed with the Pebble Time - Steel watch, which will have a battery that lasts 7-10 days between charges and a color screen. I do like to see competition in the same arena of low power / long battery life smart watches. But in my opinion, this watch is competing with Pebble's last generation watch, even if it looks sleeker.
I think that most people are like me and are NOT interested in a watch that requires daily charging. I would love to see smart phones go in this direction as well so that I can have a phone that lasts 7 to 10 days as well.