Cameras reappearing in smartwatches, hinted by recent leaks
Unleashing the Rubber 1 and Rubber 1S: HMD's the First Smartwatches with an Eye-catching Surprise
Gossip from the underground tech community has unearthed tantalizing tidbits about the upcoming HMD smartwatches: the RUBBER 1 and the RUBBER 1S.
A juicy scoop from the notorious tipster @smashx_60 over on X hints at some exciting specs for the HMD RUBBER 1 and RUBBER 1S. Sources claim that the RUBBER 1 will boast a 1.85-inch OLED display and a beefy 400mAh battery, ensuring long-lasting juice to keep up with your active lifestyle. And with Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and a waterproof rating of 5ATM, this smartwatch is ready to take a dunk in the deep end. The RUBBER 1S, on the other hand, is slightly less robust, but still packs a punch with its 1.07-inch display and 290mAh battery.
But what's that sneaky surprise, you ask?
Drumroll, please! The RUBBER 1 could reportedly be the first smartwatch to sport a built-in 2MP camera. And even though our technological senses are tingling, it's unclear what this camera's exact purpose will be. Sure, video calls and other functional applications are a reasonable bet, but capturing high-quality photos with a diminutive sensor like this might prove to be a tad bit tricky.
Do you remember the Camera Saga of the Galaxy Gear?
Take a trip back to the mid-2010’s, and you’ll find yourself in the era of the Samsung Galaxy Gear. Like the RUBBER 1, the Galaxy Gear boasted an in-built camera, capturing the fancy of many. However, just as HMD is attempting today, Samsung ultimately faced resistance. Finally, they did away with the camera, adapting the Gear Series into the Galaxy Watch lineup we know today.
A rose by any other name...The reasons behind Samsung's decision are multi-layered, but they hold valuable lessons for HMD. For one, cameras on those early smartwatches were less than stellar, often compromising the seamless look of the watch. And let's not forget the privacy concerns that came with placing a camera in such a small, unassuming device. In the end, Samsung decided to focus more on fitness features, abandoning the built-in camera and replacing it with a remote control function that synced with your phone.
HMD, asserting its quirky side, is now looking to bring back the camera. It could be a risky move, but it might also drum up some interest among customers seeking something fresh and different. So, let's just say we're taking this leak with a grain of salt, as there's been no official announcement from HMD yet.
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The RUBBER 1 smartwatch is rumored to be the first smartwatch to incorporate a built-in 2MP camera, aiming to differentiate itself in the market with this feature.* Technology has come a long way since the Camera Saga of the Galaxy Gear, but HMD must tread carefully as they consider adding a camera to their smartwatch, as it could potentially compromise privacy and image quality.
