The Neptune Duo is a new smartwatch/smartphone combo that looks to entrench wearables as your go-to tech interface.
The actual smartwatch is called the Neptune Hub, and its packed full of components that basically make it the equivalent of a smartphone, albeit on your wrist.
Inside the Hub you’ll find a quad-core processor, an LTE modem, GPS, health-tracking sensors, and a 1000mAh battery. It’s also got a display, of course.
The paired smartphone, however, is anything but smart. It’s called the Neptune Pocket, and it’s little more than a display panel - and a 2800mAh battery - that connects to your Neptune Hub.
“Much like a mouse, a keyboard, or a computer monitor, the Pocket screen is simply an interface for your Hub,” the Neptune Duo website explains.
“It’s not very smart, it doesn’t need to be.”
The Pocket screen will also be interchangeable, which means you’ll be able to borrow a mate’s if you forget yours.
Neptune’s creator, 20-year-old Canadian Simon Tian, hopes that this pairing will put the onus of interactivity onto your wrist, rather than the (apparently) easily forgotten smartphone.
Somewhat interestingly, the Neptune Duo runs off Android 5.0 Lollipop, which means it has access to all the usual Google Play store apps. You’ll also be able to get a few days of normal usage out of the device, apparently.
The Lollipop OS means you’ll be able to run popular software like WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram, Angry Birds, Skype, Dropbox, Soundcloud, and Microsoft Word – marking it as a formidable rival for Android Wear.
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Tian also says you’ll be able to send SMS messages, track fitness, and make calls.
Regarding the latter, you’ve got two options. Calls direct first and foremost to your wrist, which can be answered using the built-in microphone/speaker combo, or via a headset.
You can also push the calls to your handset, although this seems like it would become a bit of an annoyance.
In terms of pricing, you’re looking at a $49 deposit with $649 paid at shipment, a $199 deposit with $399 paid at shipment, or $489 flat out to buy the pair.
Tian’s website says the Neptune Duo will start shipping out to customers toward the end of 2015.
Check out the launch video below: