Android-powered Halo smartwatch is both analog and digital

Smartwatch era? I can’t say we’re already in that period but smartwatches are being introduced left and right ever since Apple announced its own Watch wearable device. However, the Cupertino giant is not the first to officially bring a smartwatch in the market. The likes of Samsung and Kickstarter-funded Pebble went ahead with the smartwatch idea and turned out to be popular. Although let’s admit it, Apple’s iPod Nano worn as a watch was the inspiration. Motorola and LG have joined the bandwagon the past months while HTC is still working on a model. Other manufacturers are expected to follow suit but this one from Longshine is a bit different.

Germany company Longshine has shown off a smartwatch that is both a digital and an analog watch. Officially called as Halo, you won’t think it’s a smartwatch at first glance because of its ordinary round, rugged design but once you click on a button, its digital display will light up. The watch uses a transparent OLED screen on top of the analog clock. Obviously, it’s bulky just like any other sports watch today.

The Halo smartwatch (no relation to the Halo game) displays icons on the screen and shows calls, messages, and notifications coming from a compatible and paired Android smartphone. The watch runs Android and is powered by an Intel XMM 2231chip but its OS is only a customized Android 2.3 Gingerbread. You can’t find Android Wear inside but we’re hoping software can be upgraded. Specs include 4GB of built-in storage, 512MB RAM, 96×96 resolution, and 256K colors—not that impressive but at least an “analog smartwatch” is a new thing.

The Halo isn’t the final product yet so there’s a chance it might slim down a bit. No information when this will reach the market and when it will get out of the prototyping stage. Right now, we’ll consider this as a concept smartwatch.

SOURCE: Mobile Geeks