Google, Intel team with TAG Heuer on luxury Android Wear smartwatch to counter Apple Watch
At today's inauguration of the Baselworld 2015 watch and jewelry expo in Switzerland, watchmaker TAG Heuer announced a partnership with Google and Intel on a new luxury smartwatch, due to launch sometime before the end of 2015.
Until then, prices and functions are being kept secret, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. Google, however, will be supplying the Android Wear platform and helping with software development. Intel will provide a system-on-chip to power the device.
Jean-Claude Biver -- the head of watches at TAG Heuer's parent company, LVMH -- said that this was his "biggest announcement ever" in 40 years of working in the industry. He also claimed that the product would be the "greatest connected watch," and like any good model a "marriage of beauty and utility."
The announcement appears to be a direct response to the Apple Watch, the final form of which was revealed earlier this month. TAG Heuer may specifically be trying to compete against the steel and/or Edition models of the Watch, which are targeted at richer customers willing to spend thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars on a fashion item.
Steel Apple Watches can cost as much as $1,099, while Edition pieces start at $10,000 and scale up to $17,000. TAG Heuer's mechanical watches typically occupy a middleground, though some rare models can exceed Edition prices.
Most Android Wear devices are priced at $300 or less, which could make the TAG Heuer entry one of the first true luxury Wear products. It remains to be seen how well the Apple Watch will be able to compete, since even the cheapest Sport Watches begin at $349.
Until then, prices and functions are being kept secret, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. Google, however, will be supplying the Android Wear platform and helping with software development. Intel will provide a system-on-chip to power the device.
Jean-Claude Biver -- the head of watches at TAG Heuer's parent company, LVMH -- said that this was his "biggest announcement ever" in 40 years of working in the industry. He also claimed that the product would be the "greatest connected watch," and like any good model a "marriage of beauty and utility."
The announcement appears to be a direct response to the Apple Watch, the final form of which was revealed earlier this month. TAG Heuer may specifically be trying to compete against the steel and/or Edition models of the Watch, which are targeted at richer customers willing to spend thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars on a fashion item.
Steel Apple Watches can cost as much as $1,099, while Edition pieces start at $10,000 and scale up to $17,000. TAG Heuer's mechanical watches typically occupy a middleground, though some rare models can exceed Edition prices.
Most Android Wear devices are priced at $300 or less, which could make the TAG Heuer entry one of the first true luxury Wear products. It remains to be seen how well the Apple Watch will be able to compete, since even the cheapest Sport Watches begin at $349.
Comments
"Lions and tigers and bears oh my!"
It looks like TAG Heuer finally woke up to the strategic risk the Apple Watch is bringing to their industry. It's a shame about the Google Gear partnership, though.
It's like an Aston Martin with an engine built by Datsun.
" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" />
"Intel Inside™"
I was just about to write, it should say 'Android Inside' and play a silly jingle every time you use it ... ????
Oh, my first ?Watch app idea: Tackymetre
Wow I haven't heard the name Datsun used for decades ... I had an old Datsun 1200 Coupe as a student. It was fine as long as I didn't have to stop.
Vaporware, until it's actually shown.
Microsoft used to pull this kind of stunt regularly... announce something, just to dampen enthusiasm for a competitor's earlier/better effort.
I think Datsun was just a US name. In Panama they were always Nissan, back as far as I can remember, like mid-sixties.
I think Datsun was just a US name. In Panama they were always Nissan, back as far as I can remember, like mid-sixties.
Datsun is what they use in India today IIRC.
It's still lipstick on a pig. This will be a perfect modern-example of the ill-fated Motorola/Rokr "partnership" from years ago. Both companies with big egos will get in the way, and the product will be forgotten about in the hopes the passage of time erases it from everyone's memory.
Tag is polluting its brand image by including a trash OS. Then again, given the circumstances I suppose it has no choice since it has no software/ecosystem expertise... not that Android does either.
I think I recall reading the same thing.
Big mistake! They should have used Tizen.
This 3 way consortium is bound to fail
I think Datsun was just a US name. In Panama they were always Nissan, back as far as I can remember, like mid-sixties.
Datsun is what they use in India today IIRC.
Ok, never been to India.
I remember that in the 60s they only had a couple different keys, at least in Panama. People could unlock and start other people's cars.
I was in the UK in the early 70's. Datsun was very popular. They had quite the sporty image. The Datsun 240Z was very nice. I never understood the need to change a well known brand to Nissan.
Fairlady
I was in the UK in the early 70's. Datsun was very popular. They had quite the sporty image. The Datsun 240Z was very nice. I never understood the need to change a well known brand to Nissan.
I felt the same way, growing up in the US. I mean, what's not to like?
I think Datsun was just a US name. In Panama they were always Nissan, back as far as I can remember, like mid-sixties.
I was in the UK in the early 70's. Datsun was very popular. They had quite the sporty image. The Datsun 240Z was very nice. I never understood the need to change a well known brand to Nissan.
They were very popular. I learnt to drive in one.
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/History-lesson-Datsun-2013-07-16
These are going to make the Apple Watch look like a bargain.