Intex unveils iRist, its first smartwatch, at Mobile World Congress in Shanghai
Intex launches a smartwatch that bridges the gap between smart accessory and standalone device.
Indian smartphone manufacturer Intex used the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Shanghai as the backdrop to unveil the first smartwatch by an Indian brand that runs on Android. Smartwatch manufacturers continue to flit from standalone device to complementary device as the category continues to evolve. Intex has chosen to go down the standalone device road with its smartwatch debut - iRist.The India smartwatch numbers might suggest that the Indian consumer has adopted a wait-and-watch approach with the wearable segment, but Intex believes iRist could give the category some much needed traction. The focus for the iRist seems to be on replicating the Android smartphone experience on your wrist.
Battery life has been one of the pain points for the wearable category; Intex believes that the 600 mAh battery on this device will give it an edge over the competition. The iRist features an ambient light sensor to optimise battery life and also comes with water and dust resistant qualitative. You can't dive into a pool with it but you're more than covered for that sudden spell of rain. The iRist will be available in India in the first week of August. The product will go on sale at retail counters after a short exclusive online sales window on EBay. The iRist will be priced at Rs 11,999/-, a clear indication that Intex is ready to make the shift from value for money smartphones to ‘aspirational’ devices that don't come cheap. Will the Indian consumer oblige? We will probably find out in August.
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Processor: 1.2 GHz Dual-core
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Memory: 512MB RAM, 4GB onboard storage (1.3GB usable) / Micro SD card support (up to 32GB)
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Display: 1.56" IPS LCD screen (240x240p)
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Connectivity: Wi-Fi/USB/Bluetooth and Micro SIM slot (3G)
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Camera: 5MP
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Battery: 600 mAh battery
Price: Rs 11,999/-