CoWatch looks to bring the power of Alexa to your wrist

iMCO is currently seeking funds on Indiegogo for CoWatch, a smartwatch built on the company's Chronological OS with Alexa integration. That's right, the company has built Alexa into the operating system so that you can get answers to questions, hail an Uber and more with just your voice. Ex-veterans of the Android team at Google are responsible for building the Chronological OS, which has built-in activity tracking and various customization options.
As for the hardware, the CoWatch has a 400x400 Super AMOLED display which is said to be fracture-resistant, as well as a 1.2GHz processor and enough battery to get you through 32 hours of normal use. Early backers will be able to get their orders in for $159, and the company hopes to begin shipments in early-June. Following the campaign, you'll be able to purchase the CoWatch from the company's site for $279, so if you think you may be interested in purchasing one you should probably get in early.
Press release:
iMCO TO LAUNCH FIRST SMARTWATCH INTEGRATED WITH CRONOLOGICS OS AND THE AMAZON ALEXA VOICE SERVICE
iMCO's CoWatch features luxury design, cloud connectivity, activity tracking, AMOLED hi-res screen and 32-hour battery life; now available for pre-order on Indiegogo
New York, NY - April 18, 2016 – iMCO, a global innovator in smart wearables and devices, announces the launch of the CoWatch, a smartwatch with a sleek design and unique connectivity. Powered by Cronologics OS, a revolutionary operating system built by GoogleTM and AndroidTM veterans, CoWatch is the smartwatch that values users' time. Compatible with both iOSTM and AndroidTM users, CoWatch will be the first smartwatch to integrate with Alexa, Amazon's cloud-based voice service.
"We've spent the past year developing the CoWatch and are extremely excited to introduce it to the North American market via Indiegogo," said Danny Dong, Founder and CEO of iMCO. "Beginning with the-best-in-class hardware materials and elegant craftsmanship, the CoWatch is seamlessly integrated with the new Cronologics platform and Amazon Alexa voice service, to deliver the convenience and added functionality, yet to be seen in the wearable community."
The CoWatch excels at offering:
- Intelligence - The first smartwatch to integrate with Alexa, Amazon's cloud-based voice service, CoWatch will allow users to quickly access Alexa to answer questions, receive traffic and weather reports, order an Uber, control smart home devices and more, all with the power of their voice.
- Activity Tracking - Track user's activity, monitor their heart rate to help them stay fit and healthy. Connectivity - Cloud connectivity lets users turn on their lights, check on their car, and interact with the devices, products, and services that matter most in their smart home.
- Customizable – Wearers can pick a band and customize their watch face. An upcoming SDK will enable developers to build their own watch faces and apps, as well.
- Convenience - The 400x400 pixel high-resolution, vivid, super-AMOLED display and fracture-resistant touch screen, combined with the wearable industry's fastest mobile computing processor of 1.2GHz, caters to any mood, activities, and fashion choices, day or night.
- Battery Life - Up to 32 hours of normal use with an always-on screen.
True to the Cronologics philosophy, the CoWatch was designed as both a fashion accessory and smartwatch first, rather than a phone accessory. Built with a fracture-resistant round watch face, 400x400 pixel high-resolution, vivid AMOLED full-circle touch-screen display and stainless steel case coupled with a ceramic decoration ring, CoWatch is the perfect accessory for anyone's style. Additionally, it is powered by an Ingenic dual-core 1.2GHz and 300MHz mobile processor created for smart wearables. Along with the 1GB memory and 8GB storage, the highest capacity in the smartwatch market, the CoWatch offers unmatched hardware performance to meet its unique software features.
Cronologics' Co-Founder and CEO, Leor Stern noted, "The CoWatch seamlessly fits into customers' lifestyles -- both functionally and stylistically. By collaborating with iMCO, we were able to offer a highly- intuitive user experience for customers, built around a design-focused watch, regardless of the phone they carry in their pocket."
Through the CoWatch Indiegogo campaign, backers will be able to pre-order the product before it officially hits the market at significantly discounted rates. First-tier backers participating in the pre-sale will have access to rates as low as $159 USD. Early supporters will also have access to special perks and accessories, including a variety of customizable watchband options. To view the CoWatch Indiegogo campaign and subscribe for updates, click here.
The first round of mass production is already underway, in advance of the campaign's conclusion. Many critical stages in the production roadmap have already been completed, and product will begin shipping to backers in June 2016. Following the campaign, the CoWatch will be available through the company's website, and retail partners for $279 USD.
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Looks pretty good for $159. Not so much at $279. the flat top needs to go. maybe throw in a bevel.
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The campaign ends in June and they're claiming the first orders will ship in June? No way that'll happen. I'd be surprised if they actually ship any watches to backers by September.
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I wanna put my money on this is secretly funded by Amazon and trying to gauge the interest of this watch before they back real money behind it so it don't bomb like the Fire Phone. Posted via the Android Central App
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I can see that since I doubt Amazon will let a start up utilize Alexa to without a monetary gain.
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You guys know there's an API available to do exactly that right? https://developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/alexa/alexa-voice-service
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If they published a guide showing you how to build your own Echo, I'm sure they're happy for people use Alexa in other products. Posted via the Android Central App
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Lol yup Posted from my Nexus 6/Nexus 7 2013/Surface Pro 3
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I like the look of this. It's a nice looking watch, Alexa is great, full circle AMOLED display. It really depends what the OS is like, I doubt there will be many apps for it, but that might not matter. Posted via the Android Central App
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Your article incorrectly identifies the underlying software system as 'Cronological OS' - the release correctly identifies it as 'Cronologics'.
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I like the watch...but never contributed to an Indiegogo campaign. What makes me nervous is the (mostly) negative comments regarding this type of transaction. Indiegogo does seem to have its fair share of Credit Card disputes and total lack of PayPal support if something goes wrong.
Contributions are considered "donations" therefore there is no protection. -
I've read a number of articles about failed crowd funding projects lately, it makes me a bit gun shy to give it a go.
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I'm glad they disclosed this is a crowd funded effort at the top of the article.Other sites like to conceal that fact until toward the end of an article and I consider it a deceptive waste of time.Thank you for the up-front and early disclosure. Posted via the Android Central App
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Still waiting for the next gen of android wear. Posted via the Android Central App
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Well apparently I'm a glutton for punishment. I hopped on two consecutive promising but yet underwhelming products the past year and a half. But yet here I am again. I went ahead and gave this a go and I'll let y'all know how it turns out. Like an above comment I have my concerns trying out a new OS but I am gonna try this out for the Echo functionality. App support I am not concerned with. On a watch I just need the time and notifications. As long as that works I'm good with it. It really is about having basically an Echo remote with me which in my case will be pretty useful. But if this were just another smartwatch I would've passed on it too just like many others are saying. Posted via the Android Central App