6 COOLEST SMARTWATCHES AT THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW 2016

All The Coolest Smartwatches At CES 2016: Fitbit Blaze, Casio Smart Outdoor Watch, Razer Nabu Watch And More
By Dave Calpito, Tech Times, 9 January 2016.

There is no denying that smartwatches are the hottest new things in this day and age. At CES 2016, a slew of companies have showed off their smartwatches to wow technophiles.

According to the International Data Corporation, a market research firm, wearables have continued to gain traction among fans worldwide. During the third quarter last year, shipments of the devices reached 21 million units across the globe.

It also predicted that manufacturers of wearable devices are going to ship 111 million units before 2016 ends. Specifically, smartwatch shipments are expected to hit 34.3 million this year.

Let's have a closer look at the coolest smartwatches showcased at CES 2016.

1. Fitbit Blaze

This wearable from Fitbit is more of a smartwatch than a fitness tracker.

This is the reason why James Park, Fitbit's boss and co-founder, said during the press conference that it is a "smart fitness watch."

Priced at US$199.95, this device comes packed with a Global Positioning System.

The Fitbit Blaze also has the capacity to get notifications on text messages, calls and reminders for appointments.

"This product is about the balance of fitness and style," said Park.

It is expected to take the market by storm when it gets released in March 2016.

2. Casio WSD-F10 Smart Outdoor Watch

Obtainable for US$500, this smartwatch from Casio is powered by Android.

Perhaps its best selling point is being water-resistant up to 50 metres (164 feet). This means users can confidently wear it in the rain without any fear that it will get damaged.

It boasts a compass, a barometer and a built-in microphone. What's more, this wearable complies with U.S. military standards.

What's also notable with the Casio WSD-F10 Smart Outdoor Watch is that it comes with two LCD modes. Its monochrome mode allows the timepiece to run for one month on a single charge.

3. Huawei Honor Band Z1

This Huawei device touts dust-resistant functionality, ideal when the user is in a polluted area.

Featuring stainless steel design, the watch is also water-resistant for up to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet). It has a price tag of US$79.99.

4. Fossil Q54 Pilot

The Q54 Pilot also stands out at the CES 2016.

This smart analogue watch or mechanical smartwatch will cost US$175 - US$215 when it arrives around the second to the third quarter of this year.

While it looks like a classic timepiece, it is fitted with a step- and calorie-tracking feature. It can also be set to prompt users to complete weekly curiosity challenges.

It also gives buzz notifications or colour-coded notifications from the user's favourite apps, contacts or keywords.

5. Samsung Gear S2 Classic

Samsung took the wraps off the two variants of the Galaxy Gear S2 Classic, which, indeed, stole the show.

One variant rocks a platinum-plated bezel while the other one is plated with 18-karat rose gold. The platinum base will be available with a black genuine leather band while the rose gold version will come equipped with an ivory genuine leather band.

Samsung packed NFC technology into the device to support Samsung Pay.

The price tags, though, for these variants have not yet been revealed.

6. Razer Nabu Watch

Razer's boss Min-Liang Tan calls this wearable a "watch that's smart," not a smartwatch.

While it has the capacity to tell the time and day and has alarms and stopwatches, it also boasts a second scrolling screen that can show incoming text messages and emails, and even track steps.

What makes the device interesting is that it houses more than one battery.

Additionally, it also has a water-resistance capacity of up to 50 metres (164 feet). The Nabu watch has a price of U$149.99 and will be available later this month.

There you have it, the smartwatches that made waves at the CES 2016. Remember to pick one that best suits your specific needs, taste and personality.

Top image: Fitbit Blaze. Credit: Fitbit via YouTube.

[Source: Tech Times. Edited. Top image and some links added.]