Motorola yesterday unveiled its Moto 360 smartwatch powered by Android Wear, an extension of its Android operating system for wearable devices. Unlike smartwatches to date, it features a round dial and a design very reminiscent of traditional watches. Needless to say, it is generating a lot of excitement. Unfortunately, Motorola’s decision to go with this round dial, a touchscreen display and premium materials may also make it more difficult to manufacture than smartwatches with a square display. This could affect Moto 360 availability at launch time and perhaps even beyond.
Citing a “pretty famous leakster who has quite an accurate track record,” G for Games reports that the design of the Moto 360 will translate to a more complex manufacturing and assembly process. Factors ranging from “creating and placing the internal parts to round cutting the display itself” could become challenges that could make it more difficult for Motorola to hit desired production volumes.
The report’s source adds that the Moto 360 will not be a “high production device.” Not only may it not be available as widely as we are all hoping but it could also be significantly pricier than models offered by competitors (such as the LG G Watch).
Motorola itself acknowledged some of these challenges in the video that introduced the Moto 360. It is described as an “ambitious design” that had the company’s engineers wondering “how on earth we’re gonna be able to realize that.” Let’s hope that they were able to figure it out!
The Moto 360 is expected to first launch in the U.S. this summer.
Source : G for Games