Earlier this week a new HTC wearable device passed through the FCC bearing model number “2PYV100”. Interestingly enough, the product seems to be shaped like a smartwatch and carries the “HTC Vive” brand, indicating that the device could be somewhat related to the company’s virtual reality segment. Whatever the case may be, the product seems to have been certified by the FCC for multiple regions across the world, including the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Taiwan, and Japan.
Although HTC has yet to release a smart wrist wearable device on the market, there have already been a couple of instances when the Taiwanese tech company confirmed its intentions to manufacture a wearable product. The company’s first attempt was the so-called HTC Grip which was later shelved before it had a chance to hit the market. Later on, in the fourth quarter of 2016, a new mysterious smartwatch powered by Android Wear and seemingly manufactured by HTC and Under Armour was spotted in a handful of leaked photos. The same device reared its head once again last week in a series of new live photos leaked through China’s Sina Weibo network.
There’s no clear indication that the HTC Vive 2PYV100 is the same device as the one manufactured in collaboration with Under Armour, but it is categorized as a “Tracker” so it will most likely take advantage of a series of fitness sensors. Furthermore, because the device carries the “Vive” brand, it could be that this particular wearable might have some unique uses when paired with the HTC Vive virtual reality headset. In any case, the product shown in the FCC sketches has a circular form factor (not unlike the HTC-Under Armour smartwatch) as well as RF antennas confirming its wireless capabilities. There’s no telling when HTC might plan on introducing the device to the public, but hopefully, we will be able to learn more at Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona, Spain between February 27 and March 2nd. HTC is expected to attend the event where it could bring the new HTC U lineup in the spotlight once again, together with what could be a brand new flagship phone for 2017.
