HTC is reportedly developing a new smartwatch codenamed Halfbeak, which comes as the result of HTC's plans to finally release a smartphone, the certainty of which has always fluctuated.
A series of photos uploaded by a Weibo user shows what's claimed to be Halfbeak. On the back of the smartwatch is HTC's logo and, notably, Under Armour's, suggesting that the Android Wear smartwatch will focus on fitness. If true, this device will come with the usual suspects seen on a focus-fitness wearable device: a heart rate sensor, a rubber strap, possibly a GPS to track running routes and an ergonomic design for strenuous physical activities.
Official details of the watch remain scant, but earlier reports suggest that it will run Android Wear, as previously mentioned, and will feature a circular form factor, which the series of photos seems to confirm. The smartwatch will reportedly sport a 360 x 360 screen. Beyond these, there's not much to go on.
The photos were first reported by TechTastic (translated), a Dutch tech site that echoes all of the aforementioned details.
HTC's yet to give Halfbeak, which has suffered a tumultuous journey of delays, a proper unveiling and subsequent release date, which hopefully is still on the trajectory of being released soon. People have been pretty upset over HTC's will-they-or-won't-they charade for more than two years now.
For longtime HTC loyalists who have been furious over the company's indecisiveness, the series of photos might be the strike of hope they need to have a little more patience for the upcoming smartwatch. However, the leaked photos do not logically mean that the smartwatch is indeed in the company's pipeline. These may very well be just photos of a prototype laying around somewhere undeveloped, especially since it appears that the device is still running an older version of Android Wear.
If HTC is indeed set to release its own smartwatch, it's joining a number of other manufacturers already far into the game. But if the rumored device is fitness-focused, HTC can tap fitness-minded individuals who have yet to jump in on the wearable tech bandwagon. Many factors will affect this forecast, especially since there are no details about release and pricing, so it remains to be seen how the rumored smartwatch will perform, if it's indeed headed for release.
HTC is not in very good shape right now, suffering financial losses due to consumers opting away from HTC smartphones. Moreover, the company designed Google's new flagship phones, the Pixel and the Pixel XL, but without significant credit, causing one Bloomberg reporter to label the company as a "loser," having been relegated in the background, doing much of the grunt work unseen.
Apart from the rumored smartwatch, HTC is reportedly planning to unveil three new flagship phones under the Ocean series: the Ocean Master, Ocean Smart and Ocean Note. All three smartphones could support Sense Touch, if rumors are to be believed.
