Casio, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, announced it is developing new products to compete in the smartwatch market, due to launch in March of 2016. The new wrist worn device promises to be a watch that is smart instead of a smart device that is also a watch.

Casio Wrist Cam
Casio Wrist Camera circa 2000

According to Casio CEO Kazuo Kashio, the company’s new leader, the new smartwatch will be geared toward the sporting market and will be priced at around $400. Though, Kashio noted that nothing has been set in stone just yet. The company’s goal is to design a smartwatch that reaches “a level of watch perfection: a device that won’t break easily, is simple to put on, and feels good to wear.”

Prior to the smartwatch movement, when I thought of watches, I thought of Casio (and maybe Swatch, too because I’m from that generation).

The company can be considered the inventor of the smartwatch. In the 1980s, Casio made watches that included such additional features as a calculator, and even a heart rate detector. In fact, the company has made a number of watches with amazing features, including television remotes and cameras. However, the bulky timepieces never seemed to take off.

Design is key when it comes to the smartwatch industry. Wearable consumers are excited about having a computer on their wrist, but if it is awkward or uncomfortable, it won’t likely sell well.

As a fan of smartwatches in general, I can’t wait to see what Casio brings to the table. If the watch is smartphone-independent, it will automatically be a winner in my book.

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2 replies on “Casio heading into the smartwatch market”

  1. If it is waterproof like a g-shock and smartphone-independent but can connect to the internet AAAND has GPS, WIFi and bluetooth, I’ll happily pay 400 USD and up. Basically like the Omate Truesmart+, but from a company with customer service and a durability background. I would also greatly appreciate a camera and a µSD card slot, but would forego that now if all the rest is in;-)

  2. at 400 bucks, it better be smartphone independent. and it better completely replace the smartphone.
    i actually really like casio still, and have several casio watches. but no way in hell would i spend 400 on a watch. i won’t even spend that much on a phone. to be fair, i am really only midly interested in smart watches in general.

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