Asus ZenWatch2

[Lloydbm41]

The first Asus smartwatch was nice, clean, simple and elegant. I was hoping for more of the same. Not this. Feels like Asus tried to copy the Apple Watch... and failed.

ZenWatch 2 comes in two sizes - 37mm and 41mm (width). The smaller 37mm sports an 18mm strap, with the 41mm having a larger 22mm band. Both have AMOLED dipslays with Gorilla Glass 3, IP67 dust and water resistance, magnetic charging cables, and use unspecified Qualcomm processors (likely still a Snapdragon 400). The ZenWatch 2 has a crown now, too, which ASUS says adds functionality, but isn't exactly specifying how just yet.

Link to article in full on Android Police: http://www.androidpolice.com/2015/0...-selfie-and-new-zenpad-tablets-in-four-sizes/

 

[Gav2k]

How bigs that bezel

 

[mrex]

No.

 

[Oohara]

The bigger one looks far nicer than the Apple Watch imo. The crown isn't that cool though, especially not in gold :/

 

[nfl46]

I guess Asus was in a contest with Pebble for who could have the biggest bezel on their smartwatch. Wtf were they thinking?!

 

[mrex]

Yeah the dark grey looks way better than apple, the design is nice - looks more like a watch (because apple watch, especially with white bands!, reminds me about homes for seniors and "press this to call help" device around the wrist rather than a watch.). But that knob is ridiculous. The button doesnt fit to the rest of the design. And that bezel! Just no! Are they going to sell stickers that you can put on your watch face? Flowers, stars, text, pics of your friends?

Im only trying to imagine how good that design would look as rounded, a circular face and the same design without a huge bezel.

 

[Rogifan]

Wow and people complain about the bezels on Apple Watch.

 

[Rogifan]

The bigger one looks far nicer than the Apple Watch imo. The crown isn't that cool though, especially not in gold :/

What makes it look "far nicer"? Also these two photos are renders and I've found with almost every Android Wear watch the renders always look better than the product in real life.

 

[lowendlinux]

Just when I though a smart watch couldn't be uglier than the Apple Watch Asus has to show me I'm wrong

 

[Oohara]

What makes it look "far nicer"? Also these two photos are renders and I've found with almost every Android Wear watch the renders always look better than the product in real life.

mrex described it very well:

Yeah the dark grey looks way better than apple, the design is nice - looks more like a watch (because apple watch, especially with white bands!, reminds me about homes for seniors and "press this to call help" device around the wrist rather than a watch.).

I even think the original ZenWatch looks much nicer than the Apple Watch. But I agree that this new one has way too much bezel.

 

[xraydoc]

http://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/0...-in-two-sizes-with-ip67-rating/#disqus_thread

I'm not saying they're copying the Apple Watch -- Android Wear did come first and Asus did have a decent looking smartwatch on the market before the Apple Watch was released. However, they are, IMHO, looking to duplicate the marketing formula used by Apple.

Two sizes, different finishes (including "rose gold") and multiple band offerings right down to the press shot of a shiny stainless steel watch and mesh band.

Thoughts?

 

[danmart]

Whilst imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, this facsimile just makes the Apple Watch look better to me. Just goes to show that you need quality designers to bring the 'x-factor'.

 

[flur]

I think you can legitimately say they're copying the AW, and poorly. The giant obvious bezel around the screen is ghastly.

 

[OneMike]

I don't know how I feel about this.

Maybe apple inspired their device, but apple didn't create the first rose gold watch or multi size and they don't really look similar so can't really say asus copied them.

 

[sracer]

The bigger one looks far nicer than the Apple Watch imo. The crown isn't that cool though, especially not in gold :/

There's something about that dark grey version that I find appealing.

 

[Rogifan]

mrex described it very well:



I even think the original ZenWatch looks much nicer than the Apple Watch. But I agree that this new one has way too much bezel.

Sorry don't agree. The bezels on this thing are a huge turnoff. At least Apple has tried to make the interface and bezels blend so they're not as noticible. And I'll bet if you held one of these and an Apple Watch in your hand the difference in quality would be immediately noticible.

 

[bh85]

It does have couple things that have been inspired by the Apple watch. They all copy Apple products. Nothing new. You will see by the end of the year, a lot of Android watches will be released, and you will be able to see things they copied from Apple Watch.

 

[Rogifan]

I don't know how I feel about this.

Maybe apple inspired their device, but apple didn't create the first rose gold watch or multi size and they don't really look similar so can't really say asus copied them.

I don't think the watch itself is really a copy of the Apple Watch but some of the marketing around it definitely is. That one minute video definitely reminded me of the Apple Watch announcement video.

 

[tbayrgs]

http://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/0...-in-two-sizes-with-ip67-rating/#disqus_thread

I'm not saying they're copying the Apple Watch -- Android Wear did come first and Asus did have a decent looking smartwatch on the market before the Apple Watch was released. However, they are, IMHO, looking to duplicate the marketing formula used by Apple.

Two sizes, different finishes (including "rose gold") and multiple band offerings right down to the press shot of a shiny stainless steel watch and mesh band.

Thoughts?

The I'll say it...they're blatantly copying the Apple Watch, or at least the Apple Watch 'formula'.

No, it doesn't look exactly like the AW but it's quite similar as the shape of the watch case. And yes, of course watchmakers have offered various sizes of traditional watches but Apple was the first in the smartwatch game to offer multiple sizes of the same watchand these mimic those near exactly (save for the 1mm size differences).

I also find it strangely coincidental that they now have a rose gold offering and they've changed their charging from a dock to 'a magnetic charger that snaps onto the ZenWatch 2’s backside for quick charging,' moving away from their charging dock.

Listen, I don't really care if they copy Apple--likely means Apple is doing something right if others adopt their designs or strategy. Hell, Apple has certainly taken inspiration for many things from other manufacturers and their designs. I just hope OEMs could have an original thought, strive to improve upon what's already been done and actually try to give us something new rather than just regurgitate something in the hopes of reproducing someone else success (and this goes for Apple as well).

 

[apolloa]

My thoughts are that to accuse Asus of copying Apple because of watch sizes is to choose to then totally ignore every single watch that's ever been sold if a plethora of different sizes before Steve Jobs was even born, let alone the launch of the Apple 'watch', and to ignore the fact Apple completely copied the whole different size idea from the existing watch market! Its a ludicrous and ridiculous desperate assumption your trying to make here!

Apple did not invent the watch, or the smart watch, or the watch or smart watch market.

If you lot are going to be ridiculous enough to make this absurd statement, then Apple has absolutely no right in using the word 'watch' in the name if its device.

 

[foxkoneko]

Is anyone really surprised by this? I expected it from Samsung 1st though
What's the price point anyway?

 

[Oletros]

I also find it strangely coincidental that they now have a rose gold offering and they've changed their charging from a dock to 'a magnetic charger that snaps onto the ZenWatch 2’s backside for quick charging,' moving away from their charging dock.

Are you saying that Apple copied Pebble with the magnetic charger? Or that only applies to other companies that are not Apple.

 

[apolloa]

Are you saying that Apple copied Pebble with the magnetic charger? Or that only applies to other companies that are not Apple.

Reading this thread mate I think people would start to claim Apple invented magnets!!

 

[Vegastouch]

http://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/0...-in-two-sizes-with-ip67-rating/#disqus_thread

I'm not saying they're copying the Apple Watch -- Android Wear did come first and Asus did have a decent looking smartwatch on the market before the Apple Watch was released. However, they are, IMHO, looking to duplicate the marketing formula used by Apple.

Two sizes, different finishes (including "rose gold") and multiple band offerings right down to the press shot of a shiny stainless steel watch and mesh band.

Thoughts?

Who cares! You know how many different manufacturers watches look similar? Get a grip people!

 

[lazard]

http://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/0...-in-two-sizes-with-ip67-rating/#disqus_thread

I'm not saying they're copying the Apple Watch -- Android Wear did come first and Asus did have a decent looking smartwatch on the market before the Apple Watch was released. However, they are, IMHO, looking to duplicate the marketing formula used by Apple.

Two sizes, different finishes (including "rose gold") and multiple band offerings right down to the press shot of a shiny stainless steel watch and mesh band.

Thoughts?

Didn't realize Apple was the first to introduce different size watches to the masses. As for materials, there's not many options when it comes to watches...plastic, stainless steel, and precious metals (gold, platinum, etc).