By 
We’ve been wondering how long it would take HTC to introduce their first smart watch, but new info suggests the wait will soon be over. Upleaks claims to be knowledgeable about the company’s plans to introduce a wearable in 2014 named the “HTC Petra” (which we imagine is a codename for the time being).
First thing’s first: this thing apparently won’t run Android Wear, which is a bit of a shocker considering HTC is one of the companies you’d imagine would want to embrace the standard Android ecosystem on whatever devices they create. The reason may be due to HTC’s desire to have the smart watch be compatible with both iOS and Android (upleaks says it’ll support Android 4.4 or later and iOS 7 or later), something the current implementation of Android Wear doesn’t support.
The trend of HTC creating platform-agnostic accessories began with the HTC Re camera. It would appear they’re more interested in making devices everyone can enjoy than just locking people into their own ecosystem (we’re looking at you, Samsung), so we can’t be too miffed that it doesn’t feature Android Wear.
Instead they are said to be developing “RTOS,” which may or may not be based on Android. HTC Petra specs are rumored to include a 1.8-inch flexible display, an ST Micro 32L151 Cortex-M3 chipset, Bluetooth and GPS, more than 3 days of battery life, IP57 certification for water and dust resistance, and a MIL-SPEC rating of 810G (meaning it’s something fit for a rough field).
The current feeling is that HTC’s smart watch will be more fitness oriented than anything, though it will have functions for stopwatches and alarms, weather, music control, a camera shutter, sleep analysis, sports analysis, calendar features and basic support for showing phone notifications. Interestingly enough, we’re told to expect a wireless foot pad that goes into the sole of your shoes so the smart watch can more easily track your steps.
As we’ve heard before, a Q1 2015 launch date is expected to happen for the United States, according to the info. That would seem to suggest we will see the smart watch launched at Mobile World Congress alongside the forthcoming announcements of the HTC One M9 and HTC One M9 Plus (otherwise known as Hima).
That would be a very exciting bundle of news to cover so we can’t wait to see for ourselves if that’s what HTC’s planning to do. Let us know if you’d be interested in buying a smart watch from the Taiwanese company that doesn’t run Android Wear.
Apparently RTOS supports both Android and iOS, and plays nice with 4.4/later. Smart move by HTC, but I doubt iOS users would buy something not from Apple for their wearable. Also I would rather have Android Wear, for its potential and not for its current state (it’s a mess tbh).
right. so you just outlined why this is doomed to fail miserably. apple ppl wont touch it, android ppl wont touch it so who’s left? hope they make it windows phone compatible…
I’m curious to see where Android Wear goes. right now, it’s just a remote notifications platform based on Android kernel. And they are opening the door to allow the same functionality from 3rd party OS’s.
Unless Wear starts to bring deeply integrated features, I don’t see a reason why OS would make THAT much of a difference (besides UI familiarity).
The only reason why I got the Motorola 360 was because I liked the way it looked. That’s it. If the HTC Petra looks cool, then I can see what my next watch can be. I don’t really get what Android Wear has over Pebble or non-Android Wear devices. Is there something I’m missing? Can Pebble watches not check your notifications and things like that?
Makes perfect sense; they’re going to want it to work with their Windows handsets, too.
My personal preference is Android Wear, so I don’t see this being added to my collection of watches. I also don’t see Apple Sheep buying a watch that does not have the little Apple logo on it. So… unless HTC can innovate the next step in wearables I don’t see this thing taking off.
I appreciate the direction in a way, but i dont see it working. The market is limited already….they are turning away from the only thing that sells…well kind of sells.
Currently a lot more people have pebbles and fitbits than have any of the Android Wear watches.
Uhhhh yeah, because of price; not the software.
was thinking the same thing….people quit using them because of the lack of functionality and….well quality. those pebbles are crap and the fitbits are not for everyone by any means
How are they crap? Do you own one?
yes sir. Its very old UI is a huge turn off to me. and the build quality is no good. all opinions on my part….but thats why I’m saying they are crap, cause its just an opinion :)
The build quality on the Pebble Steel crushes any Android Wear device I have seen. I own a Pebble Steel and a Moto 360 and while I no longer ever user the steel the build quality far exceeds the 360.
u really think the build quality is better? thats awesome that you like it and all, but thats what I had. I disagree. I have the Asus Zenwatch. Not the moto 360. this watch FAAAAARRRR exceeds the pebble
I didn’t make any comment on pixel density, screeen size, thickness, touchscreen or UI, I said the build quality was far better and it is nothing you mentioned has anything to do with that.
when you’re right, you’re right. with that being said, let me take a different stance on it. I’m wrong on pointing out about 90% of what I said haha. I disagree with the build quality. I think the Moto 360 felt more solid and think my Asus just feels…very premier. I felt the Pebble was just poorly built and got rid of it after 2 months. It just resembled a Casio watch that I had from when I was little….it was not for me at all. I’m glad you like it.
I like when people can share their opinions and not get bashed for having a different opinion, because you know, it’s an opinion and not a fact. =.D
Not sure if you’re agreeing with me or bashing me haha.
Everyone is waiting for Apple Watch. I think Apple will get smartwatches right, they always get it right.
No, they don’t. They are just the only Apple thing you can buy, so it gives the illusion that it’s great.
Imagine if the iPhone was an Android device, do you think it would sell well?
Fail for me. I’m already used to android wear and although it can use some more tweaks and additions it works really well. I will stick with android wear and I think many others will too. I guess we will see. It could be awesome.
This will flop
When is someone going to make a smart watch WITHOUT all the fitness stuff, just for us couch potato’s?
Or for the people who have the fitness thing down already. As a crossfitter, steps mean nothing to me.
The same time when someone is going to make a phone for people who don’t want a camera, camcorder, stopwatch and PDA all built in. =.P
Isn’t that a smart watch with a microphone and speaker??? :)
Funny how people use the term iSheep in the same sentence they talk about only buying Android.
I looked through all of the comments and you are the only one to use the term iSheep. (Except this post) Funny how you come to an Android forum and post comments. And if you were talking about my post mentioning my preference – I have purchased Pebble, Tizen, Wear, and other watches… So far I like the Wear Card based system the best. Thank you for participating…
If it weren’t for the developers in the Play Store, Wear would be DOA. So if this in the middle of two OS’s, I don’t see it going well.
Good luck HTC, you’ll need it.
Couldn’t you say that about anything, though? The lack of development for Google TV made it pretty dead. I mean… That’s kinda not a fair argument.
Google TV was functional on its own mainly due to the browser and especially the HDMI pass through that linked up to a few Google made apps.
HTC on the other hand don’t have the foundation to build their own OS, even for a wearable, IMO. Wearables depend on the phone currently, and if HTC is trying to play nice with multiple platforms it’s going to have to be inherently functional on its own.
I find it funny how people deem this as a fail when they have no idea how it will look, or function really…. People are stupid, plus I highly doubt Under armour is gonna go down without a fight, after all them and htc struck a deal
lol you mean like when HTC teamed up with Beats Audio? Look at the outcome of that.
Yea but a phone with beats potential really don’t have the potential of a smart fitness band by one of the most well known brand for fitness gear and quality products… No comparison
I don’t care what it runs, I care more about its function. I actually prefer that it would be more open because I really want the watch to be able to act as a standalone watch. My main wishes are to be able to use it for a run with just it and my headphones. I would like GPS, heart rate monitor, and store music. I really wish Spotify would get their app on a device like this with offline storage. And just as a sidebar, my wife uses an iPhone, but she would buy a watch that has everything I just listed on it as well. We both don’t care what it runs, just make it useful and don’t tie it down to one system.
Sounds like you want a Sony Smartwatch 3.
Cant wait to see it.
This is quite excited. After a 2.5 hiatus away from HTC, I’d love to switch back.
knowing htc the battery will last one hour :)