Droppin' some knowledge on HMD Global's upcoming Wear OS smartwatches
- It appears that Android phone OEM and former Nokia licensee, HMD Global, is working on two Wear OS smartwatches: the HMD Rubber 1 and HMD Rubber 1S.
- The HMD Rubber 1 boasts a 1.85-inch OLED display, 400mAh battery, Bluetooth 5.3 and WiFi support, NFC payments, HR and SpO2 sensors, and a 2MP camera sensor. This premium model could make a splash in the wearable tech field, and its squircle display is the first of its kind for Wear OS[1].
- Meanwhile, the budget-friendly HMD Rubber 1S sports a 1.07-inch OLED display, 290mAh battery, Bluetooth 5.0, and basic health sensors like an accelerometer for activity tracking. Despite its lower price, it maintains 5ATM protection and Qi charging[1].
- While the purpose of the watch camera remains unclear, the Rubber 1 model could offer selfies, face authentication, or video calling if the camera points inward. If the camera faces outward, it may not have the best resolution quality, but it could still take photos[1].
- The latest news from HMD Global indicates a shift towards kid-friendly devices, as suggested by the company's partnership with Xplora, a leading provider of smartwatches for children[2]. If the HMD Rubber 1 series targets kids, it could follow in the footsteps of popular kids' smartwatches, which often include cameras for communication with parents[3][4].
- Google and Samsung have already jumped on the bandwagon, introducing the Galaxy Watch for Kids earlier this year. The watch integrates kids-focused apps, activity monitoring through Google Family Link, and GPS-based location tracking[4]. It's possible that Google will eventually announce a more general "Wear OS for Kids."
- A source leak hints at the possibility of the Rubber 1 series catering to kids, although confirmation has not been forthcoming from HMD Global[2]. If this comes to pass, the squircle Wear OS watch could revolutionize the wearable tech industry, as Google might need to redesign the Wear OS user interface to support the unconventional display shape[1].
HMD Global allegedly working on two Wear OS smartwatches involving rubber materials.
Sources:
1 - NotebookCheck2 - Android Police3 - Engadget4 - Android Authority5 - 9to5Google
- The topic of conversation has now shifted to the potential expansion of HMD Global's product line beyond smartwatches, with speculations on the possibility of smart-home devices and gadgets integrating the company's technology.
- As HMD Global's foray into kid-friendly devices becomes more apparent, it's worth considering how their technology might adapt to other gadgets, such as smart-home devices, offering a new level of interactive learning and safety for kids.
