Mobvoi’s TicWatch fashions are all of a sudden nowhere to be discovered. You may’t purchase them on Amazon, and even Mobvoi’s personal website makes it unattainable to take a look at. On the similar time, the corporate appears to be placing all its power into AI instruments and sensible treadmills, which has lots of people questioning in the event that they’ve are strolling away from smartwatches.
TicWatch lineup will get more durable to search out
Now Mobvoi hasn’t truly introduced an official exit from the smartwatch market, however the indicators are onerous to overlook. On Amazon US, the TicWatch listings have vanished or are marked as unavailable. Over on Mobvoi’s personal website, the “Smartwatch” class has been faraway from the highest navigation bar. Fashions just like the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro and Atlas nonetheless seem on the homepage, however can’t be bought. Their retailer pages say they don’t seem to be obtainable in the meanwhile. And regional availability is sort of non-existent.
To remind, the TicWatch Atlas was launched in October 2024, which suggests it has been over a 12 months since any new {hardware} hit the market. When 9to5Google requested for remark, Mobvoi stated solely that there isn’t a new data to announce concerning the TicWatch vary. They did verify that current units will proceed to obtain important help. That leaves present homeowners in a little bit of limbo, and it raises questions on the place the corporate is heading subsequent.
From {hardware} to voice-first AI
Mobvoi now refers to itself as an AI firm, and the shift in product focus backs that up. Their new hero gadget is the TicNote recorder, a small voice-based AI assistant that requires a subscription for full performance. The opposite {hardware} on supply is a line of sensible treadmills, which pair with Mobvoi’s voice AI platform.
There’s a clear pivot underway. Smartwatches have been moved out of sight, whereas merchandise that lean into voice interplay and cloud AI are being promoted closely. This mirrors a development seen in Mobvoi’s monetary stories, which present sturdy year-over-year progress in AI subscription income and stagnation in gadget gross sales.
Smartwatch {hardware} comes with actual challenges. Mobvoi depends on Qualcomm chips, which regularly launched delays in software program updates on account of longer integration timelines. And whereas the TicWatch line stood out for battery life and distinctive show tech, it confronted stiff competitors from vertically built-in gamers like Samsung and Google. These firms design their very own chips and function on quicker growth cycles.
A shrinking ecosystem
The assertion about persevering with important help is open to interpretation. It seemingly signifies that units will obtain safety patches and upkeep updates for some time. However customers mustn’t count on Put on OS 6 or main new options. There’s additionally the long-term query of server upkeep. Mobvoi’s watches sync well being and health information by means of their very own cloud system. If the corporate continues to distance itself from shopper wearables, these backend companies may develop into more durable to depend on.
Even when this isn’t a confirmed exit, the broader development is evident. Fossil has already shut down its smartwatch enterprise. Tag Heuer has moved to its personal working system. The listing of unbiased Put on OS watchmakers is shrinking. With Mobvoi scaling again its presence, the market now revolves round Samsung, Google, together with just a few regional gamers.
Mobvoi was one of many final firms providing one thing completely different. Their dual-layer show helped resolve a battery life downside that the majority Put on OS units nonetheless wrestle with. If that innovation disappears, the platform turns into much less various, and customers lose a low-cost different to the flagship giants.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! Try our YouTube channel.
And naturally, you possibly can follow Gadgets & Wearables on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our knowledgeable information, opinions, and opinion in your feeds.