Asus ZenWatch launched, a $199 Android wear smartwatch

Asus has announced its first wearable, the ZenWatch, at a press conference in Berlin.  The Android powered smartwatch, as expected, is priced at $199 (approx Rs 12,000) making it the cheapest one in the market so far.

That makes it more expensive than the $229 LG G watch and the $199 Samsung Gear Live, which like the Asus timepiece, run Android Wear, have a square touch screen and have similar internal specifications.

The ZenWatch packages all of these features in a much more stylish, premium-looking package and one that, unlike the LG G Watch, also has an integrated heart-rate sensor that Asus claims will also track steps taken and monitor relaxation levels.

As well as looking elegant on the wrist — thanks in part to a proper leather strap as well as its curved rather than flat AMOLED screen — it has a couple of neat tricks up its sleeve. With the accompanying smartphone apps installed, the ZenWatch can be used as a remote shutter release for taking photos with a handset and as a remote locking and unlocking device for the smartphone itself.

The watch can also be used to manage a presentation on a projector and when you put your hand over the watch’s face an incoming smartphone call is automatically muted.

Another feature that is how your connected phone automatically unlocks when it senses the ZenWatch is nearby, saving you from repeatedly entering your password or PIN each time you want to check your phone.

As far as specs go, the ZenWatch features a 1.63-inch curved AMOLED display with 320×320 pixel resolution. The device is powered by 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor paired with 512MB RAM. It has 4GB of storage and provides connectivity via Bluetooth 4.0. The smartwatch is waterproof with IP55 rating and has a bio sensor which can measure your heart rate.

The Asus ZenWatch has an in-built microphone and has no physical buttons except for one emergency button at the back, that lets you go back to the home screen in case the automatic controls aren’t working. Asus claims battery life is one day, meaning nightly recharges will be required.

The smartwatch will give tough competition the LG G Watch that retails for Rs 14,999 and the Samsung Gear Live that is priced at Rs 15,900. The favorite Moto 360 is also set to launch tomorrow, and is rumored to be launched for $249.99 (approximately Rs 15,200). It is not clear whether Asus will launch the ZenWatch in India or not.