Asus has released a trailer for its second smartwatch offering, called the VivoWatch, which boasts a classy stainless steel design and promises a huge 10 days of battery.
The watch follows the Asus ZenWatch, which was considered one of the better-looking smartwatches at the time of its release.
One of the most interesting things about the new device is the fact that it does not run Android Wear like its predecessor, instead opting for an operating system that it developed specifically for the watch. The new operating system is based on Android, but supposedly offers a little classier take on the operating system.
The device will be announced at a full event tomorrow morning, which will take place during Milan Design Week.
It's also interesting to hear that the VivoWatch will last a massive 10 days on a single battery charge. In contrast, the Apple Watch will only last one day on a single charge, making Asus' offering far better for those who do not like to have to remember to charge their devices or who plan on taking the watch on things like camping trips.
On top of the better-than-average battery life the device will also come with an IP67 rating to help it out against water and dust, about the same level of resistance as other weather-resistant smartphones and fitness wearables. For the fitness junkies it will include a heart rate monitor as well as sensors to enable sleep tracking.
The VivoWatch will have its work cut out for it in following the ZenWatch, which was largely considered one of the best smartwatches upon its release. At the time there were only a few smartwatches on the market, including the revered Moto 360. The Apple Watch had not even been announced yet.
Speaking of the Apple Watch, Asus seems to be competing directly with Apple, not just in releasing a smartwatch but also in offering a smartwatch with a stainless steel design. What will likely set Asus' offering apart from the Apple Watch is the fact that it will likely be far cheaper, with the Apple Watch Sport starting at $349 and the standard Apple Watch starting at $549. The ZenWatch currently costs users $199, and while the VivoWatch will likely cost a little more than this, it would be hard to imagine the device costing more than $299, especially as some might be a little cautious about a device that does not run Android Wear.
More details about the VivoWatch will be released over the coming days, especially after its official unveiling.
