The Moto 360 is by far one of the most interesting smartwatches that will hit stores this year, not only because it’ll be running Google’s Android Wear OS optimized for wearable devices, but because of its gorgeous design. Visiting the new Motorola headquarters in Chicago, The Verge got a chance to see the Moto 360 in person once again, with a functional unit sitting nicely on Motorola’s chief designer Jim Wicks’ wrist.
The Verge was not allowed to actually test the device, but said that the unit Wicks was “dogfooding” is “as stunning in person as it looks in pictures.” “It sits perfectly on his wrist; if it weren’t for the blank circular display dominating the face, I’d swear it was a classic, premium watch — perhaps a Xetum,” the publication wrote.
But the steel watch, which had a tan leather band, was not worn just to be shown off to the media, as the device actually turned on a couple of times, likely to show notifications. The display “looked bright and crisp,” with the Android Wear UI described as “simple and purposeful.”
Interestingly, The Verge revealed that Motorola is able to 3D-print any products it may be working on to test them in its labs, including the Moto 360 smartwatch. Thus, designers can quickly get a feel of what the product would look like, without having to wait for third-parties to deliver prototypes. “The ability to go broad fast and get to something that will completely mimic what that product is going to be at the end is hugely important and often overlooked,” Motorola’s Mike Jahnke said. “Prototyping is something that needs to be completely woven into the fabric of how you create strategies and products. It’s not an outsource thing, so we see it as an integral part of our business and a great part of how we design now.”
The Moto 360 will be launched this summer, although actual availability details or pricing aren’t yet official. The Moto 360 video report follows below.
