Related Articles
Now playing:
Watch this:
Smartphone gauntlet is oddly compelling concept tech
1:20
Smartwatches are yet to be embraced by the gadget-buying masses — so why not try a full-on smart gauntlet? We spied this curved oddity on show at Mobile World Congress 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. Hit play on the video above to check it out.
The bad news is that this isn’t a product you can buy. Instead it’s been crafted by screen-maker FlexEnable to show off the company’s curved display technology. The unit is rather intriguing though: a swooping display wraps around your wrist, while the sizable screen shows you what the gauntlet could be used for — maps, finding nearby restaurants or playing music. The demo model also lets you cycle through apps by pressing a series of keys along the side of the display.
Sadly, FlexEnable’s wrist-borne tech is only a prototype.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
It’s certainly chunky, though FlexEnable told me that any major gadget manufacturer could easily cut down on the size if it wanted to make one for retail. The prototype’s curved display contained no glass or silicon, I was told. The screen is plastic, while the silicon has been replaced by other materials with organic properties.
With wearable tech still in its infancy, the industry is still trying to figure out which styles and designs work best. While the gauntlet may never take off, it’s still a thrill to see new and quirky kinds of gadgets out there. When you’ve watched the video above, be sure to check out more of our Mobile World Congress coverage.
