Over these last two years we have watched the smartwatch market explode into life. Unfortunately, though, the design of the current crop of smartwatches have failed to convince many luxury watch-lovers to take up the new technology. But perhaps this new crowdfunding campaign for the Classi smartband may just have the answer.
We have covered other crowdfunding attempts by technology companies hoping tempt people over to the smartwatch cause. But the Classi smartband might finally be the accessory those fashion conscious technology lovers were looking for. This new gadget aims to turn your favourite wrist watch into a high tech smartwatch – so, let’s find out more!
What Is The Classi Smartband?
The Classi is a smartband which allows people to keep their favourite wrist watch but benefit from a load of amazing features. It doesn’t allow you to do everything that you can do on the Apple Watch or Android Wear watches. For example, as the band does not come with a display it will not let you reply to Facebook or Whatsapp messages.
But there are still a lot of great things that it does let you do.
What the Classi smartband does do, really well, is allow you access all of the fitness features you can find on the top fitness trackers. You can track things like steps taken, calories burned without having to move away from your favourite wrist watch. The Classi smartband, like many other smartbands, are waterproof and have an IP64 certification (although you need to make sure the watch case you attach it to is also waterproof before you go swimming with it!!)
The Classi smartband will send you notifications from your smartphone and it will help prevent you leaving your phone behind if you walk to far away from it. Another really interesting feature is a special hidden button which you can use to order an Uber cab to your current location. A great feature for those busy people who travel to different areas and need to quickly book transport.
How Do I Get A Classi Smartband
The Classi smartband has been launched on Indigogo and has already reached its funding goal of $11,500. There are two separate bands available. The leather version is available for an early bird price of $99 and the premium alligator band is available for $300. If you purchase one then it is expected that they will be delivered by April 2017.
Another way you can pick up a Classi smartband is through one of the relationships that Classi have struck with luxury watch manufacturers. Most of the relationships have not yet been announced, but the Classi smartband Indigogo listing states that De Bortoli will launch a special edition timepiece. The timepiece will include a 45mm stainless steel case and will cost $600 when it is released.
Although many luxury watch owners are not yet ready to switch over to smartwatches just yet – the Classi smartband is an exciting new idea. Time will tell whether Classi will be successful in tempting luxury watch owners to take up smartwatch technology. If it does then it may just point the way forward for luxury watch manufacturers to dominate the smartwatch market.
