Sportingwear maker New Balance has announced that they are finally releasing their first Android Wear Device, the RunIQ in partnership with Intel and Google. The running-focused device includes heart rate tracking, GPS as well as custom integrations with Strava and a partnership with Jabra to release custom Bluetooth earbuds.
We don’t know the specifics about the device yet, but what we do know is that it has an HR sensor, Bluetooth, WiFi and GPS. We’ll try and track down more specifics from the show floor when it opens tomorrow.
Being Android Wear, the software is the standard interface with New Balance adding in 3 months free subscription to Strava and Google Play Music, at least in the USA. Thanks to their partnership with Strava, the 3 buttons on the device will seemingly interact with Strava for controlling the app on the go.
The band looks to be a standard fitting and New Balance will be releasing a range of their own interchangeable bands in early February this year. The device will sell for $450 AUD with free shipping via the New Balance Australian website with pre-orders set to ship from the 1st of February.
Can you find out if it’s water resistant?
For a light Swim they say
Nup, I’m sorry but if Android Wear doesn’t start getting cheaper (say around $300AUD) then I’d say it’s dead. Most people probably wouldn’t spend $450 on a regular watch so why should they spend that much on a smart watch that doesn’t really do a great deal more than some higher priced dumb watches with Bluetooth connectivity and other features not currently available on Android wear. I still haven’t put my smartwatch back on since my experiment and I’m not sure I will. Please don’t hate me Duncan?
Well said, my moto 360 died after 18 months, the price is just too high and life span too low when you really need a phone with you anyway.
better to get a nice watch than a toy.
the OG Moto 360 wasn’t very good in retrospect.
It’s not just Android Wear that’s pricey. Both the Samsung Gear S2 and S3 are $599. And Apple’s iWatch starts at $399 and that’s just pig ugly. The whole category seems to be over-priced for devices that are pretty lame (a watch that runs out of battery after 1 day!). No wonder the segment is struggling.
Agreed
how much you sellen that watch for mate….
Yeah, good question. I might end up framing it and donating it to an Android Wear museum one day, hehe?
What do you have again?
LG Urbane first edition in gold with a black silicone band. I guess I’ll wait and see if I start wearing again when I go back to work on Monday. Ive been on holidays for the last 3 weeks and I didn’t even wear a watch today which is very unusual for me.