Verizon Drops Wear24 Smartwatch After Just 4 Months
Verizon has pulled the plug on its Wear24 smartwatch after just four months after its initial release on the market. This recent move has inevitably put the spotlight on Android Wear, Google's mobile operating system designed for smartwatches and other wearables.
When it was announced, Verizon's entry into the wearable technology market offered an interesting proposition: a 1.39-inch AMOLED display, 450 mAh battery, IP67 rating, built-in GPS, and LTE connectivity. All of these packed inside a fairly clean and compact body seemed enticing for buyers.
However, it seemed that $349 was too steep a price for buyers and offering it for $300 with a two-year contract with the carrier just wasn't enough to seal the deal. This has kept most buyers at bay and will likely remain there with the news of the product's cancellation.
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However, it wasn't the price itself that served to dissuade buyers but rather what they were getting for that price. Unlike its Android smartwatch brethren the LG Watch Sport and Samsung Gear S3, Verizon's didn't have enough features to justify its price.
Many users to the device's speakers which made its signature LTE calling feature near-useless without headphones. It also didn't include support for mobile payments, unlike its competitors. It seems that the only function the smartwatch served was in Verizon's attempt to control smartwatch sales in its stores which was highlighted when it dropped the LG Watch Sport.
There's no denying that Apple is still the dominant figure in the smartwatch market, not including fashion brands. While many might point to Google's Android Wear for the Cupertino tech firm's dominance as well as the reason for the removal of the Wear24, it was still an insane decision even with the fact that Google's OS still had a few bumps.
Nevertheless, what's done is done and Verizon must now look for a substitute device to sell to its customers who are looking to accessorize their Android devices.
