Spice Smart Pulse Smartwatch With Voice Calling Launched at Rs. 3,999

Spice Retail has launched its first smartwatch, the Spice Smart Pulse M 9010. The smartwatch features dual-SIM support along with voice calling. Priced at Rs. 4,999 (MRP), the Spice Smart Pulse M 9010 will be available with an MOP of Rs. 3,999 via HomeShop18 from July 11.

The Spice Smart Pulse M 9010 supports 2G dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) and runs the company's proprietary Java-based operating system. It can be paired with Android smartphones via BT notifier app (download apk) offered by Spice. Once paired with a smartphone, users will be able to see notifications, receive calls, view call logs, read and write SMS, remote camera capture and music streaming.

Spice Smart Pulse M 9010 smartwatch features a 1.5-inch touchscreen with a 240x320 pixels resolution. Spice has not specified the smartwatch's processor details.

The Spice Smart Pulse M 9010 smartwatch comes with one digital (1.3-megapixel) camera for taking pictures. It supports an additional 8GB of storage expansion via microSD card, while the built-in storage is not specified by the company.

Connectivity options on Smart Pulse M 9010 include 2G (GPRS/ EDGE), and Bluetooth. It also has audio video player, FM radio and supports Hindi along with English language. The Spice Smart Pulse M 9010 packs a 420mAh Li-Ion battery which is rated for up to 180 minutes of talk time and up to 2 days of standby time.

The smartwatch measures 41.7x53.7x13.6 mm and will be available in Black and Blue colour. Spice is also bundling a free Bluetooth headset and two different colour interchangeable wrist bands with Spice Smart Pulse M 9010.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. T M Ramakrishnan, CEO Devices, Spice Retail Limited said, "The Smart Pulse is innovative for its dual-SIM functionality, utilitarian for its Bluetooth pairability, and fashionable for the changeable wrist bands that come with it, a unique feature for this category."

Chumby's smart alarm clock relaunches with 1,000 apps

Remember Chumby? You probably haven't heard much about the snuggly tiny computer/smart alarm clock since its makers' company disbanded, but now it's back from its semi-retired state. Its current owner, Blue Octy LLC, just announced that it's relaunching Chumby's full service (it went offline in 2013), which comes with 1,000 apps and faster, more efficient performance. The device, for those who haven't heard of it before, first launched in mid-2000s, way before everyone has a smartphone to take the place of many other gadgets, and was meant as a high-tech alternative to the bedside clock radio. It's one of those things people used to call "internet-connected devices" and could display Facebook, Twitter and RSS feeds, even video streams.

Unfortunately, the device needs to connect to the Chumby network to function. So, when its original creator (Chumby Industries Inc.) went out of business last year, Blue Octy launched a limited service that lets owners use the device as an alarm clock and a music player, at least. This development gives them the power to make the gadget more useful, though it obviously won't be free. It'll cost $3 per month to restore Chumby to its former glory -- after all, the company needs money to keep the service running.

Asus to Launch Sub-$150 Android Wear Smartwatch This September: Report

Asus is reportedly working on its own wearable device, a smartwatch running Android Wear, which will be launching in September.

Techcrunch, citing sources familiar with Asus' plans, has claimed that the Taiwanese giant will launch an Android Wear smartwatch at a price point targeted to be below the LG G Watch (Rs. 14,999) and Samsung Gear Live (Rs. 15,900).

The report suggested that the company is setting a September launch for the unnamed wearable device and will pack an AMOLED display.

Further, the report goes on to claim that Asus might price its Android Wear smartwatch between $99 (roughly Rs. 6,000) and $149 (roughly Rs. 9,000) at launch.

The decision to wait for a later release of the Asus smartwatch was reportedly taken to avoid a "rush" in efforts. The report notes that LG, during the unveiling of the G Watch, had given time constraint reason for not including heart rate monitor in the device, which clearly indicated that the Mountain View giant must have set an Android Wear release window for the company.

As of now, there is no word on specifications of the unnamed Asus' Android Wear smartwatch.

Asus, earlier this year, was said to be working on a smartwatch that would feature a customisable gesture interface and voice-commands. However, this was before Google revealed its Android Wear plans.

Soon after Google's I/O, the LG G Watch, initially unveiled in March, was up for pre-order with 'Add to Cart' option at Rs. 14,999 in India. Meanwhile, one of the biggest news at I/O was Samsung joining forces with Google to launch its first Android Wear-based smartwatch, Gear Live.

The Samsung Gear Live, on the other hand, was listed on Google Play at Rs. 15,900 with a 'coming soon' tag. The other Android Wear smartwatch we know about, the Moto 360, will only be available later in the American Summer.