Alcatel OneTouch teased its new smartwatch ahead of CES, but now it’s officially unveiled it. And the good news is it won’t cost the earth.
Known simply as the Watch, it’ll cost around €100 (£78), according to Engadget, who went hands-on with the device. That’s cheaper than any Android Wear device we’ve seen.
It runs Alcatel’s own operating system instead of Android Wear. While this may turn some people off, as it means you don’t get Google’s voice controls, it does mean you can use the Watch with either an Android or iOS handset, much like you can the Pebble.
Like with Android Wear, just install an app and you can pick which apps notify you via your wrist, view your health data and adjust the screen’s look. Unlike Android Wear, you tap the screen to cycle through the menu instead of swiping.
According to Alcatel, the Watch will last a couple of days before needing a recharge. Which is a shot in the eye for most Android Wear devices. Apple has hinted its Watch will need charging every day as well.
Read more: Apple Watch vs Android Wear
Function-wise, it does all the usual smartwatch stuff. It has health skills up the wazoo, with a built-in heart rate monitor, accelerometer, gyroscope, altimeter and e-compass. It’ll vibrate if you get a certain distance from your phone, so you’ll never lose your handset again, and you can use the Watch to make your phone ring, if you’re struggling to find it.
It will also come in all-white and all-metallic versions, though these will cost a little more.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
