ASUS ZenWatch

ASUS just wrapped up its IFA Berlin keynote address during which it showed off a range of new devices like the “world’s fastest Wi-Fi router,” plus some we’ve already seen like the Zenfone Selfie and Zoom. Afterwards we got a chance to take a hands-on look at the Android-powered ZenWatch 2.
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Update: The premium version is on sale today (July 2nd) for $1.49, or 50% off its regular price. Just press the Google Play icon from within the phone app to upgrade.

Have you ever found yourself standing in line at a coffee shop and thought to yourself, “Man, I really wish I could watch that video of the squirrel playing a tiny violin”? Me too! Fortunately for both of us, our prayers have been answered: Wear Video Tube will stream videos from your Android smartphone to your Wear watch.

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Asus confirmed last month that its next-generation ZenWatch was on the way, and would be released in Q3 this year. It has now shown off the Asus ZenWatch 2 for the first time – though not told us very much about it beyond the looks.

It will be available in two sizes, 49mm or 45mm, and offer a total of 18 different looks via three color choices for the watch itself and a range of straps. You can choose between silver, gunmetal and rose gold casings, each with matching stainless steel link bracelets, with leather and rubber strap options too … 
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Update: We now have Android 5.1.1 OTA download links for the ZenWatch.

ASUS this evening has started rolling out an update to its ZenWatch that bumps it to the latest build of Android Wear, version 5.1.1. The version first shipped on the LG Watch Urbane but is now making its way to more users. It’s unclear how extensive the rollout is at this point, but at least one user on Reddit has received the update.

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Following rumors that ASUS could look to release a non-Android Wear device and reports of delays for its next-generation smartwatch, today the company confirmed that the new Asus ZenWatch will arrive early in Q3 and will indeed be running Android.

The news comes from the focustaiwan.tw news channel, which reports the company’s CEO confirmed plans are still on track for the next-gen Asus ZenWatch powered by Android Wear:
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The Apple Watch was once again shown off at Apple’s “Spring Forward” event on Monday, and many have been left wondering how the device compares to the Android Wear devices currently on the market. Technology has surely evolved a bit since the G Watch was announced, but how much have things changed?

There are several differences between the two platforms, but one that has now been brought to light is the device’s physical dimensions. Looking at Apple’s renders and images makes the device look big, but comparing its actual dimensions to Android Wear devices does the opposite. It’s tiny compared to most of what’s available today.

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ASUS ZenWatch, the company’s current Android Wear offering

Leaked details last week of a purported HTC smartwatch in the works suggested that the Taiwanese company would be ditching Android Wear in at least one future device, and now it appears that ASUS—another Taiwanese company—is doing the same. According to a report this morning from Focus Taiwan, ASUS is working a wrist-worn device with much better battery life—and they’re going to achieve that by leaving behind Google’s operating system.
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After making an appearance at Google Play yesterday, the ASUS ZenWatch is now available to purchase directly from Mountain View for $200 with an estimated warehouse departure time of one to two business days. If you’re unfamiliar with this particular smartwatch, it packs a 1.63-inch 320 x 320 AMOLED display, a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 512MB of RAM and is compatible with devices running Android 4.3 or higher.

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The ASUS ZenWatch, which appeared to be for sale at Best Buy a couple of days ago at the price of $229.95, now has a page on the Google Play store—and a price of $199. Best Buy has since corrected its mistake, but this new page confirms that the price of the watch will indeed be the lower figure. The device isn’t yet available for purchase, but the Play Store says that it’s “Coming soon.”

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Much like the five apps that Sony released last week for its SmartBand Talk, ASUS has today launched three apps for its upcoming ZenWatch Android Wear device (via Android Police). It’s kind of unfortunate, really, because Google made an app called “Wear” to do the kinds of things that these apps were made for. But along with Motorola (and the Moto 360), it appears the company has decided that it would rather have complete control over pairing and syncing its smartwatch.

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After several teasers over the last couple of weeks, ASUS has officially unveiled its Android Wear-powered ZenWatch. This sleek little smartwatch may be similar to other offerings on the market, but it’s refreshing to see something like this from ASUS…

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ASUS has officially launched its much-teased ZenWatch at IFA in Berlin, revealing that the rectangular smartwatch has a curved face, a brushed stainless steel body and a leather strap – but is pricier than expected.

Specs are pretty much as expected and in line with the Samsung Gear Live and LG G Watch: an Android Wear device with 1.63-inch 320×320 AMOLED display, 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 chip, 512MB RAM, 4GB storage and a fitness functions. The watch is waterproofed to a relatively weak IP55 standard, defined as resistant to water jets but not full immersion … 
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As reported by Taiwanese publication Focus Taiwan, the CEO of Asus Jerry Shen has reportedly said in a media briefing that the company’s upcoming ZenWatch Android Wear-powered smartwatch will indeed be shipping at a price point below $200. Shen also mentioned that—as expected considering the device runs Android Wear—we’ll be seeing English-enabled voice recognition when the device goes on sale in October.

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ASUS recently teased its new smartwatch by showing off some renders and today the company is turning things up a notch by releasing a brief preview video of its new timepiece. At just over a half a minute long, the quickie trailer doesn’t show much, but it does reveal that the watch will be called the ZenWatch, completely removing our Transformer theory out of the equation.

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