Popular tech creator and entrepreneur Shlok Srivastava, known online as Tech Burner, officially launched the Anarc 2 smartwatch under his direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand Layers.
The second-generation wearable introduces long-requested upgrades, including built-in satellite positioning, an updated operating system, and lightweight materials, arriving in the Indian market at a retail price of 6,999 rupees.
The rollout comes as creator-founded tech ventures face growing scrutiny over long-term reliability and after-sales support.
Srivastava, who commands more than 11 million subscribers on his flagship YouTube channel, acknowledged during the announcement that the company stumbled following the November 2024 debut of the original Anarc smartwatch.
Users and reviewers had heavily criticized the earlier edition for laggy user interfaces, battery degradation, crown stiffness, and inconsistent health tracking.
In response, Layers organized in-person community focus groups across Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru while operating dedicated messaging channels to collect feedback directly from wearers.
The Anarc 2 swaps out the heavy stainless steel body of its predecessor for an anodised aluminium frame to reduce wrist fatigue during extended workouts.
The wearable incorporates a standalone global positioning system (GPS) chip, enabling runners to log outdoor exercise routes without carrying a paired smartphone.
Layers has also introduced automatic display brightness, an improved optical heart rate sensor designed to cut measurement times in half, and dual-hole silicone straps aimed at preventing accidental unclasping.
Powering the device on the software front is Nexora OS, an interface developed over an open-source real-time operating system (RTOS) framework. The operating system adds workout-specific always-on display metrics, over 200 custom watch faces, and direct earbud music streaming.
Layers has also integrated on-wrist artificial intelligence tools, featuring an agent named Layers AI alongside Canvas AI, an image-generation utility powered by the open Flux diffusion model that allows users to create wallpaper backgrounds via voice prompts.
Addressing common supply chain skepticism surrounding creator merchandise, Srivastava disclosed the production footprint of the gadget.
The exterior design remains a joint collaboration with London-based industrial agency Seymourpowell, while core electronic assembly occurs at Indian manufacturing plants using surface-mount technology boards sourced from original design manufacturer East Apex in China.
Shlok Srivastava co-founded Layers alongside entrepreneur Neel Gogia to diversify his creator footprint beyond brand sponsorships and YouTube AdSense revenue.
Over the past three years, creator-led direct-to-consumer merchandise across India has expanded rapidly from branded apparel into consumer electronics, cosmetics, and packaged food.
The Anarc 2 enters a competitive mid-tier wearable bracket dominated by homegrown electronics giants and fitness brands, testing whether creator loyalty can successfully convert into durable tech hardware adoption.
