Qualcomm’s first foray into the smartwatch space is set to go on sale December 2nd for $350. That makes the Toq smartwatch about $50 more expensive than a Samsung Galaxy Gear and more than twice the price of a Pebble smartwatch. But the Toq has a few things no other device in its class has.
More importantly, I don’t think Qualcomm really expects to make a lot of money selling the watch to consumers — it’s priced at $350 because it’s not cheap to make and it’s described as a limited edition device designed to showcase the company’s technology.
Update: You can pre-order a Toq smartwatch for $350.
In other words, the Toq smartwatch is kind of Qualcomm’s version of Google Glass — and by that standard, it’s actually kind of cheap. Google charges $1500 for its wearable computer right now.
The Toq smartwatch is a wearable device that can display the time, weather, or other information at a glance. You can pair it with your phone to view notifications, accept or reject phone calls, and perform other actions.
It comes preloaded with weather and stock apps, and Qualcomm says it’ll continue to ad functionality to the device.
What really helps set it apart from other smartwatches is Qualcomm’s Mirasol display. It’s an always-visible, reflective display that works with or without a backlight. You should be able to get days of battery life with this watch, unlike the Samsung Galaxy Gear.
The Toq also supports wireless charging and supports optional stereo Bluetooth headphones. There are no buttons on the device itself — Qualcomm says the Toq supports touchless controls.
The Toq smartwatch will be available December 2nd from toq.qualcomm.com.
So how much are the BT headphones. I really like the Toq’s packaging.
Interesting that it’s a watch, but the time itself looks awkward to read. Otherwise I love the idea of a display that saves power. The last thing I’d want to do is have to charge some other device all the time.
Welcome to the electronic dog…err…slave leash of the future…
Don’t fall for this stuff without considering where it will eventually lead: cyborgs, half breeds, centralised control mechanisms well beyond Orwell’s wildest nightmares. First introduced as one more convenience, but before you know it, they will turn the screws on you.
We’ve already lost half our humanity with our pathetic submission to colorful paper scraps called money – Its a degradation of human consciousness! Don’t give away what little is left!
Such a missed opportunity for them.. I like the idea of the battery being outside the watch to reduce over all thickness, especially if they could make it user replaceable for customers with the appropriate know how.