A relatively unknown company locally, TCL does have a pair of familiar brands under its umbrella in the form of Alcatel and BlackBerry. With MWC 2018 around the corner, those two will likely have new devices to showcase, but in the interim an offering from TCL has landed on SA's shores. 

This takes the form of the TCL MoveTime Family Watch (MT30), a smartwatch of sorts designed for children. It's also aimed at parents who want to keep an eye on their little ones, with security features like GPS tracking, an SOS button and the making/receiving of calls. 

Added to this are a handful of games, as well as the ability to send messages via emojis or voice notes. Furthermore, the MoveTime Family Watch boasts up to two day's battery life under heavy use and an IP67-rated waterproofness.   

The MT30 has been available from Vodacom for a couple of weeks now, and is being sold on the uChoose Flexi 110 contract for R149 p/m over 24 months. It can also be purchased prepaid for a recommended R2 699. 

"TCL’s Movetime Family Watch MT30 combines the robust technology of Snapdragon Wear 2100 with TCL’s design and manufacturing expertise to deliver a connected rich and fun experience for kids and peace of mind for parents," says Ernst Wittmann, regional manager for Southern and East Africa at TCL.

With smartwatches proving hit and miss in South Africa, it will be interesting to see how parents react to an offering like the MT30.