Qualcomm has unveiled the Snapdragon Wear platform for Android Wear that is hoped to not only improve functionality and available features for wearables, but also decrease power consumption when compared against current processors used. The Snapdragon Wear 2100 is the first system-on-chip by the company from the line-up specifically designed and built for wearables.
What's more is the company will also offer 4G LTE technology for smartwatches and connected wearables. The chip is smaller, more energy efficient, has smarter sensors and is always connected with low-power Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and a next-gen LTE modem. The platform supports Android Wear, which should further enhance the experience offered by manufacturers with their future generation of smartwatches.
Press Release
Qualcomm Announces Next Era of Wearables with New Snapdragon Wear Platform
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that its subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., has introduced Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Wear, a new platform for next generation wearable devices, and the Snapdragon Wear 2100 system-on-chip (SoC), the first in a new product family designed to bring new and enhanced wearable experiences to consumers.
"Qualcomm Technologies is a technology leader in the wearables space with its breadth of product offerings including the Snapdragon™ 400 processor, which powers the vast majority of current Android Wear™ smartwatches," said Raj Talluri, senior vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. "With the introduction of the Snapdragon Wear platform and Snapdragon Wear 2100 SoC, Qualcomm Technologies is well-positioned to extend its progress in wearables technology by enabling sleek designs, long battery life, smart sensing, and always- connected experiences in the next generation of wearable devices. These benefits are expected to have widespread appeal across the mobile, fashion and sports ecosystems in the wearables space."
"LG and Qualcomm Technologies have led the wearable technology space with close collaboration over the last two years and have launched multiple smartwatches and kid watches," said David Yoon, vice president, wearables, LG Electronics. "We are delighted about Qualcomm Technologies' next generation wearable plans, are planning to extend our collaboration with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor, and look forward to launching new smartwatches and other wearable devices that bring new and innovative use cases to consumers later this year."
Utilizing Qualcomm Technologies' expertise in connectivity and compute, the Snapdragon Wear platform consists of a full suite of silicon, software, support tools, and reference designs to allow mobile, fashion, and sports customers to bring a diverse range of full-featured wearables to customers quickly. Available in both tethered (Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi®) and connected (4G/LTE and 3G) versions, Snapdragon Wear 2100 innovates along four wearables core vectors:
- Smaller Size – 30 percent smaller than the popular Snapdragon 400, Snapdragon Wear 2100 can help enable new, thinner, sleeker designs
- Lower Power – 25 percent lower power than the Snapdragon 400 across both tethered and connected use cases, allowing for longer day of use battery life
- Smarter Sensors – With an integrated, ultra-low power sensor hub, Snapdragon Wear 2100 enables richer algorithms with greater accuracy than the Snapdragon 400
- Always Connected – Next-generation LTE modem with integrated GNSS, along with low power Wi-Fi and Bluetooth delivers an always connected experience
Additionally, customers can develop both tethered and connected SKUs using the same PCB design, thus reducing development costs. Snapdragon Wear 2100 supports both Android Wear, and Android and is targeted for next generation connected and tethered smartwatches, kid and elderly watches, smart bands, and smart eyewear and smart headset segments.
Qualcomm Technologies' Snapdragon processors already power the majority of Android Wear smartwatches. Earlier this year, Qualcomm Technologies announced that its technologies are used in 65 wearable devices across 30 countries with 50 more expected to launch later this year.
"Wearables have captured the public's imagination, but a lack of connectivity can lead to frustration," said Chris Penrose, senior vice president, Internet of Things, AT&T Mobility. "With Snapdragon Wear's new platform, it's clear that AT&T and Qualcomm Technologies share a vision for independently connected wearables that create a seamless experience for those who wear them. AT&T's own NumberSyncSM technology links compatible smartwatches to your primary phone number, creating one number for all your devices."
