A device that is light, easy to carry around with you. It’ll tell you the time. It’s thin and has a touch screen that’s bright enough to use in direct sunlight. Not only that, but you can see calls, texts and emails coming in.
What is it? Well, a smartphone of course. However, if you want all that stuff shrunk down into a watch that you can strap to your wrist, try the new Qualcomm Toq. The name “Toq” isn’t pronounced “Tock” (as in Tick Tock) .. that’d be too easy. Oh no, it’s (for some reason) pronounced “Talk”. Errrr…. Sorry to pick flies, but if they wanted “Toq” to be pronounced “Talk” they could’ve at least called it the “Torq”.
Anyhoo, it’s going to retail at $349.99, which works out at £217.25. It’ll act as a notification centre for your Android device (and only Android, it doesn’t seem to connect to other OS’s) and runs a custom OS. There’s no detailed specs just yet, but you can get yourself one from December 2nd. That display apparently utilizes something called “Mirasol technology” which is a whizzy reflective display system that uses ambient light to actually let you see the screen even when the sun is out. Amazeballs.
It’ll also have wireless charging for easy recharging.
Qualcomm Announces Availability of Qualcomm Toq Smartwatch
Smartwatch Technology Set to Transform Wearable Device Category
SAN DIEGO – November 18, 2013 – Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Qualcomm Connected Experiences, Inc., will make its Qualcomm Toq™ (‘talk’) smartwatch available to consumers on Cyber Monday, December 2, 2013. Toq is compatible with Android™ smartphones* and features proprietary Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.’s Qualcomm Mirasol™ display technology, providing an always-on experience with multiple days of battery life and visibility even in bright sunlight. Toq starts at $349.99 and will be available through toq.qualcomm.com.
“The Toq smartwatch showcases key Qualcomm innovations, such as Mirasol always on low power display, AllJoyn interactions and WiPower LE wireless charging, that will define the emerging wearable category,” said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, chairman and chief executive officer of Qualcomm. “Like a traditional watch, Toq displays information at a glance with no on/off switch. And paired with a smartphone to receive notifications and content, it allows the watch to seamlessly merge our physical and digital lives. Leveraging these and other industry-leading technologies, we and our partners will enable new product opportunities and consumer experiences.”
As previously announced, this limited edition smartwatch will leverage breakthrough technologies necessary to deliver compelling user experiences on wearable devices. Of note, Toq demonstrates the benefits of significant technologies, such as:
• Mirasol display technology – always on, always visible reflective display technology that utilizes ambient light to enable a crisp and clear viewing experience even in bright sunlight;
• Qualcomm WiPower™ LE technology – enables a hassle-free, true “drop and go” wireless charging experience; and
• Stereo Bluetooth audio experience – first truly wireless stereo headphones that sit outside the ear canal for all day comfort and wearability (available via the Premium Audio Edition version–details coming early 2014)
Using Bluetooth® wireless technology, Toq allows consumers to accept/reject calls, view text messages and meeting alerts, and selectively receive notifications from their smartphone or AllJoyn-enabled devices directly from their wrist. Qualcomm will continue adding functionality to Toq through software upgrades. Consumers also will be armed with preloaded weather and stock applets from AccuWeather and E*TRADE. For more information about Qualcomm Toq, please visit http://toq.qualcomm.com.
*Android 4.0.3 and above, 4.3 Jelly Bean preferred
About Qualcomm Incorporated
Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is the world leader in 3G, 4G and next-generation wireless technologies. Qualcomm Incorporated includes Qualcomm’s licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of its patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of Qualcomm’s engineering, research and development functions, and substantially all of its products and services businesses, including its semiconductor business, QCT. For more than 25 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of digital communications, linking people everywhere more closely to information, entertainment and each other. For more information, visit Qualcomm’s website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.
