HP is teaming up with Michael Bastion to offer a smart watch that is both extremely stylish and functional.
The device is called the MB Chronowing and is a 44mm stainless steel watch targeted at men.
The device has a monochrome display with a metallic ring in one corner of the face that encloses the clock face. The rest of the face of the watch is dedicated to notifications and other pieces of information from the users paired smartphone. The device is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
Bastion says the device is aimed at being more of an accessory than a piece of technology.
"How many times have you been in a lunch and someone keeps checking their phone?" said Bastion, who added the device is "intended to make you more polite," by allowing the wearer to simply glance at their wrist rather than have to take their device out of their pocket every few minutes.
The watch gently vibrates when a user gets a notification and it alerts users to texts, emails and other notifications. It also works with both Android and iOS so that "your phone isn't dictating which watch you can wear."
The device will be sold exclusively through Gilt.com and costs $349. For those with a little more money to burn there's also a limited edition version with sapphire crystal and an alligator strap, which costs $649.
The battery of the device is said to last for seven days on a single charge and users can customize watch faces, control music playing on their phone and read texts.
The MB Chronowing is interesting because it is one of the few wearable devices on the market that is aimed at also giving a classy look. Many smart watches to date have done well on the technology side of things, but were said by many to be rather ugly. It seems like companies have been stepping up their game recently to offer wearable devices for the fashion conscious.
For those that want a classy device that happens to notify users of texts, emails and so on, then perhaps the MB Chronowing is the watch for them. For those who want more of a technology experience rather than a fashion experience, then perhaps a device like the Moto 360 or Apple Watch would be more appropriate for them.
A number of companies have been experimenting with the idea of wearable devices that display notifications. Intel and Opening Ceremony recently unveiled the MICA smart bracelet which is covered in gems and looks like jewelry but still displays notifications.
