New Delhi: Microsoft-acquired Nokia too had been nurturing dreams for its own smartwatch. But, alas! Microsoft killed them even before they could take off. Images spotted by Twitter user @EvLeaks from a Tumblr blog run by a Microsoft design employee reveal what was dubbed a ‘Moonraker’ smartwatch that was based on Windows Phone OS.
While a working prototype of the smartwatch was revealed to potential customers at last year’s Mobile World Congress and the Finnish company planned to launch it officially alongside the Lumia 930, Microsoft cancelled it just around the time when it acquired Nokia’s phone business.
A report on The Verge notes that the images on Pei-Chi Hsieh’s Tumblr blog (now removed) were made for marketing purposes and were more than just concept art.
The reason why Moonraker never saw the light of the day is because Microsoft was anticipating its wearable Band, which boasted of more functionality than the Nokia-developed smartwatch.
Nokia had based it on the ‘Metro’ Windows Phone element and paired it with simple email, phone, and messaging apps. It also included a camera feature to remotely take pictures on a smartphone through the watch. Other elements included Facebook and MixRadio integration, customizable watch faces, and different colored straps.
While it is unlikely if Moonraker will be resurrected, Microsoft does plan to come out with the second generation of its Band which is likely to be announced later this year when Windows 10 is pushed out broadly.
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