Swatch CEO: More Smartwatches Are Coming
Nick Hayek dismisses Apple Watch as “a toy” that only lasts 24 hours, and says new Swatch device will have 9 months battery life
Iconic Swiss watch manufacturer is to design and release several new smartwatches as it attempts to ensure it doesn’t get left behind in a growing market.
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Swatch CEO Nick Hayek he confirmed a new range of devices, starting with the Swatch Zero Touch Two, which will launch in time for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next summer.
‘Optimistic’
“We have 20,000 already in stock and we are very optimistic about the watch,” he is quoted as saying.
The company revealed its first wearable device, the Zero Touch One (pictured left), back in March, a sports-focused device which included features such as calorie counting.
Hayek also had some strong words for some of the other technology companies working on wearable devices, particularly heavyweights like Apple.
“The clock, as we know it today will continue to exist, and we are able to win additional customers interested in technological watches,” he told Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger.
“The Apple Watch (pictured below) is an interesting toy, but not a revolution.”
Long-lasting
Swatch announced back in May that it would be including a battery that would last up to six months in its forthcoming wearable devices, as part of its bid to stand out from the competition. Working with battery producer Renata, Hayek said that the technology could also be used in smart vehicles in the future.
“These devices, which all eat so much power that they last no longer than 24 hours without needing to be plugged in,” he told Tages-Anzeiger. “In addition, the user immediately loses control of their data. I personally don’t want my blood pressure and blood sugar values stored in the cloud, or on servers in Silicon Valley.”
The new device will also feature connectivity features that will allow it to make mobile payments, Hayek added, saying that, “We will bring a watch to market this year that acts as an alternative to the credit card, using near field communication (NFC).”
“The technology works, we’re just finalising details with our partners from the credit card industry. The watch can be used for access control.”
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