Arrow’s spywatch has 360-degree rotating 8MP camera, wireless charging

Arrow Technologies has joined Motorola, Samsung and LG in the premium smartwatch fight, announcing their iteration of the now ubiquitous connected wristwear. But it’s differentiating feature is a crafty 8MP 360° rotating snapper.

Concentrating more on exuding a classic, understated aesthetic, the Arrow smartwatch does look more like a traditional timepiece than its current Android Wear-based counterparts. It has a round face, much like the Moto360, but it lacks the metallic rim bordering the face itself.

Initial images would suggest that the smartwatch may run on Android Wear, but the manufacturer has yet to confirm this. Although, running Android Wear would make it easier for the watch to be tethered to multiple smartphones.

Arrow also says that the watch will include a heart-rate monitor and pedometer, which would make it useful for particularly active wearers. Per traditional smartwatch protocol, the Arrow will also notify the user when a phone call, message or social media tidbit is abound, as well as providing weather and navigational updates.

Additionally, wireless charging via a Qi charging pad brings a much needed feature to smartwatches. The Samsung Gear Live has come under massive criticism for its shoddy wired charging in the past.

Of course, the real kicker is the watch’s camera. The 8MP snapper (as well as the device’s microphone and speaker) can rotate on the watch’s face, ensuring that sneaky, subtle shots and videos of surroundings can be captured, without the wearer having to crane one’s wrist.

Or, if the user is so inclined, this camera may turn the Arrow into a venerable selfie-machine.

The company has yet to announce an actual release date and of course, price, but this device — thanks to its secret snapper — will likely challenge the Korean brands, Apple and Motorola for wrists in the near future.