The watch is going on sale direct to consumers from Alcatel's own website, and at launch will be available in just one style — a silver body with a "sporty" black band. Though it has a familiar form factor, the Alcatel Watch actually isn't running Android Wear — it instead has its own operating system with a basic set of functions and apps. That lets Alcatel make a thinner device with longer battery life — quoted at two to five days depending on use — that can work with both Android and iOS devices.
READ: Hands-on with the Alcatel Watch
You'll be able to track fitness, keep up with notifications and run a few simple apps, and Alcatel is positioning the Watch as having a good set of features out of the box without any user customization. It's an interesting idea and the price is certainly right for someone who doesn't want to shell out for a higher-end device, but know that this isn't exactly a direct competitor to higher-end Android Wear devices out there.
Alcatel says that pre-orders are going to ship within 30 days of ordering, so anyone putting down money on day one will have to wait a little bit to see if this is will be the right affordable smartwatch for them.
Press release:
WATCH OUT! AWARD-WINNING ALCATEL ONETOUCH WATCH AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW FOR $149.99
IRVINE, Calif. – MARCH 31, 2015 – ALCATEL ONETOUCH today announced pre-order availability of the award-winning ALCATEL ONETOUCH Watch. The Android and iOS compatible Watch will be available directly from ALCATEL ONETOUCH via www.alcatelonetouch.us – starting at $149.99 USD. At pre-order, the ALCATEL ONETOUCH Watch will be available with a sporty black band, with other Watch styles available later in 2015
"We've always believed that great technology should be accessible, practical and easy-to-use," said Steve Cistulli, Senior Vice President & General Manager of North America for ALCATEL ONETOUCH. "With the ALCATEL ONETOUCH Watch, we've brought a great looking smartwatch direct to market; at a price that makes this technology accessible to a wide range of consumers."
The Watch runs a propriety operating system, which allows for greater battery life, sleeker design build and compatibility with Android and iOS smartphones. It also comes pre-loaded with a full suite of everyday apps like active health monitoring, phone notifications, music controls and heartrate monitoring. Additional unique features include, built-in USB 2.0 charging directly through the Watch band, as well as shake to activate camera control, making it possible to get the perfect selfie without having to press a button.
