Razer’s smartband could get a big boost through a new Chinese partnership.
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American gaming hardware maker Razer will partner with China Telecom to connect Razer’s Nabu line of wearables to the Chinese company’s E-Game mobile gaming platform. This move opens a pathway for Razer’s devices into E-Game’s 200 million registered users, 20 million of whom make monthly payments. This could help Razer in their efforts to broaden its business beyond gaming devices into wearable tech, a market that Reportbuyer says is set to grow to $30.2 billion in 2018.
Razer announced Nabu at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show. The wearable uses sensing technology to track and share fitness achievements through its display or via partner smartphone apps. It also doubles as a smartwatch. Due to high demand, the $100 Nabu is sold out on Razer’s web store.
The start of this collaboration will have activity tracked by the Nabu smartbands converted into virtual benefits in E-Game apps, with in-game currency being one of the given examples. The Nabu bands and other Razer products will also be on display at China Telecom stores as a result of this partnership.
Razer made a similar gamification partnership with Chinese game publisher Tencent late last year, which had step tracking pumped into popular endless runner game Timi Run Everyday.