IFA: TCL enters market for sophisticated tech wearables

Chinese communications company TCL has launched a number of products at the IFA technology show in Berlin. The launches of a tablet range, a smartwatch and ear buds mean that TCL - mostly known as a television brand - is entering new product markets.

Berlin, Germany: Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the consumer electronics show IFA opened its doors in the German capital today. The show has been running since 1924, and it regularly draws over 200 000 people to the large Messe exhibition grounds.

"It was very important for us to be here physically today at the IFA GPC (Global Press Conference). And at TCL, we also want to give our blessings to the people who are fight while fighting the pandemic. Despite those difficult times our communities industries have never been so connected. So that's the theme of today is switch on possibilities," explains Frederic Langin, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, TCL Europe. These are the new TCL branded tablets - 10-inch Max tablet and the 8-inch Mid tablet - are launched at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin.

"It's my pleasure today to announce the first two TCL branded tablets. TCL 10 TABMAX and TCL 10 TABMID," explains Eric Beton, Director Markerting TCL Mobile Europe.

TCL 10 TABMID, together with the larger TCL 10 TABMAX tablet, marks the entry of TCL – mostly known as a television company – into a new market segment.

"Because we're spending so much time at home, you know, watching our displays and so on. We also added two specific features. The first one is eye-care mode the second one is kids mode," Beton explains.

• The eye care mode removes blue light and adapts the screen to light - there's also an alarm if the eye are less than 25 cm away from the screen, says Beton at the news conference.
• They will be available worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2020 for 299 euro (approx. $355) for the Max tablet and 229 euros (approx. $270) for the Mid tablet.
• "Ok so TCL 10 TABMID is a very light version, as you can see here will be also available starting from Q4 at a price of two hundred and ninety-nine euros," says Beton.

Beton's also announcing the new TCL display proprietary technology called NXTPAPER which combines paper and screen.

The NXTPAPER is a new form of display technology in the style of e-paper, "which has eleven patents focusing on eye protection. So what's new about TCL NXTPAPER? This next paper actually uses a highly reflective display. Which I show you here, which actually reuses natural light. If I can have some lights, which we use these natural lights to transform light into...into color."

Another new product from TCL is the smartwatch, called TCL MOVE TIME Family Watch MT43A - also a first for the company.

"We also expanding our wearable portfolio. So today, you know, we did a lot of watches for kids and so on. And we wanted to do something specifically for seniors," says Beton.

• The watch has a 4G SIM card slot and a 41 x 48.5mm AMOLED display.
• With the larger and simpler display, TCL is marketing the watch to older people and seniors.
• It will be available worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2020 for 229 euros.

Another new product from TCL: wireless headphones.

• The TCL MOVEAUDIO S200 headphones will be available worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2020 for 99 euros (approx. $117).
• Also shown, the TCL smartphone concept with a "waterfall" effect where the display curves around the phone.
• TCL has still not announced a release date for the "waterfall" phone.

At IFA, TCL will also show products that were revealed earlier, such as the TCL Project Archery wearable display, essentially smart glasses that can be used for gaming.

• The annual IFA consumer electronics show is going ahead on September 3-5 despite the coronavirus pandemic.
• Several companies, such as LG, TCL, and Huawei are holding news briefings and 80 companies are showing products on the show floor.
• However, it is a far smaller show compared to previous years. Instead of around 240,000 visitors, this year's IFA will have a maximum of 4,000 people attending.

Also Read: IFA : HONOR unveils new smart watches and high performance laptop

(AP)