Pocket-lint : Latest Reviews: HTC Petra smartwatch: Release date, rumours, and everything you need to know

HTC Petra smartwatch: Release date, rumours, and everything you need to know

Mobile World Congress is just around the corner, and among the many things expected to debut at the show, one device in particular from HTC is standing out. And, no... it's not a smartphone.
It is a wearable - or rather a smartwatch - called HTC Petra, and it might not even run Android Wear. Although HTC executives have been chatty in the past about its smartwatch plans, the Taiwanese phone maker has been suspiciously quiet as of late, fueling rumours that it is gearing up to unveil a smartwatch in March at MWC 2015.
In an attempt to fill in the blanks, Pocket-lint has rounded up all the news, rumours, leaks, and speculation surrounding HTC Petra. Let us know in the comments if you've heard of or seen anything else, or just tell us if you're at all excited about this possible new entry.

What is the HTC Petra?

HTC Petra is an anticipated and rumoured smartwatch from HTC. It'll be HTC's first smartwach (when and if it unveils). Keep in mind "Petra" is just the wearable's current codename, so it could debut with a different name.

Are there any leaked specs for HTC Petra?

Only a few specs have leaked thus far, with the most recent report coming from @upleaks. It claimed HTC Petra will feature a 1.8-inch 32x160 PMOLED display, suggesting it will have a similar shape and maybe design as the Samsung Gear Fit, and it's supposed to come in three sizes (S/M/L). It might also have a footpod for accurately tracking steps.
Other leaked specs have mentioned the HTC Petra will be IP57-certified dustproof and waterproof and weigh just 23g. It'll also feature a flexible display, ST Micro STM32L151 chipset, Bluetooth and GPS support, a three-day battery, and USB or POGO pin charging. As for colour schemes, it'll be available in teal/lime or black/blue-grey combinations.

What else could HTC Petra include in terms of features?

Sources talking to Pocket-lint confirmed that an HTC smartwatch will be unveiled at Mobile World Congress, and it's thought to debut as part of HTC's partnership with sports specialist Under Armour. HTC and Under Armour recently showed off the UA Record connected fitness platform, so it's safe to say Petra will have a focus on fitness.
HTC Petra might let you monitor sleep and activity, for instance, while the footpad it is rumoured to come with would help it to more accurately measure the number of steps you've taken. Little else is known about Petra, and our sources haven't been able to confirm any specific details, including whether it'll feature GPS like the Sony SmartWatch 3.

What will HTC Petra look like?

It's hard to say. A spokesperson for HTC told VentureBeat that its new wearable would be worn on the wrist, suggesting HTC Petra could be some form of fitness tracker, but it also said the wearable would be "very different from anything currently on the market".
Drew Bamford, head of HTC Creative Labs, further admitted in late 2014 that there's not a strong reason to wear a general-purpose wearable every day, and that when HTC does bring its product to market, it wants to "make sure the product has a strong point of view and there is a really compelling reason to strap it on your wrist.”

Will HTC Petra be an Android Wear device?

Possibly not.
Recent information from @upleaks indicated HTC might launch Petra running its own proprietary operating system called RTOS, meaning HTC would need to manage both an app store and an operating system as well as entice developers to jump on board. If it runs RTOS though, it'll work with iPhone (iOS 7.0+) as well as Android KitKat devices.

When will HTC unveil Petra?

HTC first admitted to Pocket-lint in September that it had abandoned a smartwatch project until it got things right on the design front, but then the company invited the media to an event at MWC 2015. The invite had the tagline "Utopia in progress", and it's widely assumed that HTC will show off a new flagship phone alongside a watch after all.
HTC Petra has been described by several reports and leakers as the "official companion to the HTC One M9", the latter of which is expected to be unveiled at MWC 2015 on 1 March, meaning we can almost certainly expect Petra to debut at MWC as well. Petra is also thought to go on sale during the first quarter of 2015 - so by the end of March.
A report by CNET, which quoted people “familiar with the matter”, claimed the HTC Petra will finally launch around early 2015, and that report was backed up by VentureBeat, which said the device should go on sale in the first quarter of 2015. Petra might also initially release through ATT in the US, with a worldwide release to follow.

How much will HTC Petra cost?

HTC hasn't even unveiled Petra yet, so pricing hasn't been confirmed. That said, speculation has pegged the wearable's price to be around £200. For comparison: the Motorola 360 costs £199, while the Apple Watch will start at £350.