"It can show you maps on your wrist! And reply to messages with transcription!"
That's cool. How long does the battery last?
"Oh, did I show you the compass function?"
Yeah, but... the battery. Does it last a full day?
"You can draw smilies on it! Ha - smilies!"
Ever since Apple got people interested in smartwatches, the long-standing quibble with the gadget has always concerned its battery life - or a distinct lack of it. While charging phones on a daily basis has become the begrudged norm, topping up a wrist watch on a daily basis remains laughable. Which is why Vector is very pleased with itself.
The British-based tech group's smartwatch has a 30-day battery life - thanks largely to eschewing a touch display for a black-and-white LCD screen and buttons. Remember them? You press them and stuff happens.
Compatible with Android, Apple and Windows phones, the Vector watch will display messages and notifications via a connected app, as well as record your movement and sleep patterns - all the stuff you'd actually use a smartwatch for.
There's also a great deal more choice than the standard smart offering, with a bewildering 12 models set to go on sale on 1 September: the Performance and Contemporary styles fetch £219, while Classic timepieces start at £349.
To get more information, you can register your interest on the Vector website here. Otherwise, you can stick to relying on the long-lasting battery of your good old dumb watch.
