Swiss luxury watch maker TAG Heuer is rumored to be in talks with Intel, planning to reveal its first smart watch as early as next month, an unnamed source told Business Insider. This will be a new step the processor maker takes toward the vast – and yet untapped – market for wearable tech, after it revealed its collaboration with Opening Ceremony for the release of MICA, a smart accessory designed for modern day women.
According to a yet unnamed source that has revealed the information to Business Insider, the new smart watch might be revealed at next year’s CES (Consumer Electronics Show), taking place in Las Vegas between the 5th and 9th of January. There’s a chance, though, that the reveal will be delayed for later in next year’s first quarter. The watch will probably look and work similar to the Withings Activité, Business Insider writes, a Swiss-made smart device capable of tracking workout, sleep, and communicating with iPhone 4S and above (with Android support coming soon) that will sell for $450 once it is released. The TAG smart watch (also expected to look mostly like a classic wristwatch, not like the high-tech gadgets launched by smartphone makers) will be powered by Intel’s technology. TAG Heuer was rumored to work on a smart watch before, rumors that were confirmed this September.
Intel seems to be focusing more and more on wearable technology. The company has announced its multi-year Research and Development collaboration with Luxottica Group S.p.A, a leader in premium, luxury and sports eyewear with over 7,000 optical and sun retail stores all over the world, and a strong, well-balanced brand portfolio. The company’s brands include such well known ones as Ray Ban, Persol or Vogue, and licensed ones like Burberry, Chanel, Prada and many others. Could this mean that there are more smart luxury accessories on the way?