Slashdot Mirror

Fossil makes good watches. Price point is ~$150 but there's a variety of styles. http://www.fossil.com/

I'll believe ID when they find a fossilized watch.

It's even still hard to believe... http://www.fossil.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?langId=-1&storeId=12052&catalogId=10052&categoryId=30005&parent_category_rn=30000&N=0&contentPageHtml=watch_non_catalog

According to this:
"Recharge through USB or universal AC adapter"

Sorry, I don't want to have to think about charging my watch. I expect to be able to keep it on my wrist a couple of months, at least.

http://www.fossil.com/shopping/product/detailmain. jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&itemID=37060&keyword=blu etooth

The Fossil and Fossil/Abacus watch models failed because of timing (Fossil took too long to get them to market), not because of a lack of utility. You can get them on eBay for around US$50, or at places like Tiger Direct, and they can be extremely useful devices if all you need is a 66MHz DragonBall SuperVZ-powered B&W Palm running PalmOS 4.1.

Both models are effectively a super-fast Palm m105 (3-4 times faster) with 4MB of Flash ROM sitting on your wrist.

A watch running DateBK3, Parens, BigClock, Pilot-DB, and Yotta is actually pretty useful. No color, Bluetooth, no MP3 playing or other fancy stuff, but it can beam stuff back and forth to other palms via its IR port, and it can play almost all the old Palm games that I've fed it.

Learn more about the Abacus and Fossil watches here. :-)

Then, too, the "rocker switch" on the side of the watch is encoded in the same fashion as the "jog dial" on the Sony Clie Palms, so many applications may support it already.

If they're anywhere, they'll most likely be at a Fossil retail store; in your area, there's stores at Universal CityWalk, South Coast Plaza, The Oaks in Thousand Oaks, on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, and outlet stores in Camarillo and at Ontario Mills. (Reference)

As others have mentioned, you sometimes find them on Amazon. eBay also has some listed.

I do have a couple of photos of mine, though, including one of it on my wrist.

RTFA!

Fossil Frank Gehry Watch

Mr.Gadget 1GB USB 2.0 Executive Watch

He forgot This.
Slick. I want one.

For the geek factor, I just had to buy the Atari Fossil. I think it's really ugly, to be honest. And I don't really like leather bands (I prefer metal). But something about "limited edition Atari" blah blah blah... And who knows how long our beloved Atari is going to last.

For the punk rocker in me, I couldn't help but buy this Diesel watch (not the right color in the link). It's solid and heavy and is spikey. I really enjoy things with spikes...

A lot of people have suggested some really awesome watches. If money wasn't a consideration, there're definitely a few I'd go out and buy tomorrow. Since it is though, I've just gone for things that meet my functional requirement and I think look good (the Atari watch being an exception). They've all been under $200, keep great time and look good on my wrist. And let me tell you... it's a lot of fun to hit someone in a mosh pit when you're wearing 1/4 lb. of spiked black steel on your wrist. ;)

I haven't used a watch for the last 5 years, ( I have survived with my cell phone's one) , buy one week ago I saw the models from Fossil... and now Im thinking seriously in use one of those... Those displays with asteroids , minimalistic hands and those changing kanjis.... are completly geek ;)

I haven't used a watch for the last 5 years, ( I have survived with my cell phone's one) , buy one week ago I saw the models from Fossil... and now Im thinking seriously in use one of those... Those displays with asteroids , minimalistic hands and those changing kanjis.... are completly geek ;)

...you just didn't notice. (Okay, actually, they're not available to the public yet, but a couple of review sites have gotten their hands on working models.)

Fossil Abacus Wrist PDA

Okay, this is probably more the inspiration for asking the question rather than what was being sought, but it's still a computer that you wear.

--Ender

DailyWireless has more on Wearable Communicating Costumes and the Adidas Hot Shoe.

"Smart clothing" and wearable computing developers include:

• France Telecom invented a flexible fiber optic system that can be embedded in clothes. Static or animated graphics can be displayed.

• Chipmaker Infineon has created a packaging technology that allows circuitry to be woven into ordinary fabrics, which can then be normally washed or even dry-cleaned. The company created a prototype jacket with an embedded MP3 player.

• Orang-Otang Computers has patented designs for gadgets like a phone that fits under a shirt sleeve, a wrist-mounted audio recorder, a wearable laptop and a wearable camera.

• California's Charmed Technology, an MIT Media Lab spin-off, is poised to be a world leader in affordable, wearable Internet products. Their CharmBadge is designed for aiding the communication and networking.

• Fossil, best known for trendy watches, has created wrist devices that exchange information with handheld computers and Microsoft's Spot.

• The Smart Shirt System uses biological sensors to monitor heart rates or the locations of those wearing the technology, says Jeffrey Wolf, CEO of Sensatex Inc.

• Tactex Controls uses "smart fabric" for a touch-sensitive MIDI controller.

• Zigbee-equipped sneakers might record speed, body telemetry and even external sensors.

• Orientation, communications and geographic positioning electronics can all be incorporated into outdoor clothing. Heat can be transferred through conducting fibres to colder areas of the body

• The SCOTTeVEST shows the way traditional garments may be altered to meet the demanding needs of spies and undercover agents.

Dick Tracy Watch? Although this is cool but showing as discontinued. I remember they were covered a couple years ago, Fossil was going to carry them, blah blah... never saw them actually for sale, then the Wrist Net crap came out, now the Palm watches are in Fossil's catalog (after not being there a few weeks ago) and marked as discontinued? Odd...

Dick Tracy Watch? Although this is cool but showing as discontinued. I remember they were covered a couple years ago, Fossil was going to carry them, blah blah... never saw them actually for sale, then the Wrist Net crap came out, now the Palm watches are in Fossil's catalog (after not being there a few weeks ago) and marked as discontinued? Odd...

they start at $75 and are of excellent quality. you have to take into account the 11 year warranty, too.

i would not call that too much.

can you give me an url to the items you found in the yahoo store? is it something like this ?

try these...

nice price, nice quality.

Wow, that Microsoft watch is actually pretty interesting! I wonder what rock I was under to miss that? Don't forget about the new Palm Wristwatch too! Though now I see they have the MS watch mentioned too.

This looks oddly familiar, minus the links about the comparably priced Palms. No, I'm not complaining. It's just weird. But I do hope for a little more consistency in the future, especially considering that Amazon taking orders for this watch was considered front-pageworthy.

* 2003-07-17 14:15:56 Mossberg Reviews Fossil's Palm PDA Wristwatch (articles,pilot) (rejected)

It's not really a handheld, but in today's Personal Technology column Walt Mossberg reviews Fossil's Palm-based PDA wristwatch that was announced at Comdex 2002. Not surprisingly, he finds it difficult to input data with the micro-stylus [insert your own joke here] it comes with, but thinks it's fine if you just want to view your to-do list, calendar or contact list. On the upside, he likes the black and white screen quality and the display features. You can see the Fossil Tech watches at Fossil's site. For the $275-$295 price tag you could get a real, usable Palm such as the color m515 or the Zire 71 with a camera, or if you prefer an even lower price, the $199 m130 - but then price isn't as much of a consideration as the geek-cred.

According to Fossil's spec page, it uses Jot instead of Graffiti for input. You can download a demo of Jot if you want to try it out on a traditional Palm device.

Does the add-on software the author mentioned require Windows or can I use the current version of pilot-link?

I'm sure they only officially support Windows. But the interface is USB. Assuming they conform to Palm's specs, you may be able to use any other application that can talk with a USB-based Palm device. At least I hope so. If I can't sync it up with the Palm Desktop on my Mac, then it loses nearly all of its usefulness.

...this one has a battery life of 2 hours @ 33 MHZ

Where did you see that? Fossil's spec sheet says 4-5 days. Which should be fine if you stick it in its charger every night before going to bed. If you put a charger on your nightstand, it won't even be inconvenient.

According to Fossil's spec page, it uses Jot instead of Graffiti for input. You can download a demo of Jot if you want to try it out on a traditional Palm device.

Does the add-on software the author mentioned require Windows or can I use the current version of pilot-link?

I'm sure they only officially support Windows. But the interface is USB. Assuming they conform to Palm's specs, you may be able to use any other application that can talk with a USB-based Palm device. At least I hope so. If I can't sync it up with the Palm Desktop on my Mac, then it loses nearly all of its usefulness.

...this one has a battery life of 2 hours @ 33 MHZ

Where did you see that? Fossil's spec sheet says 4-5 days. Which should be fine if you stick it in its charger every night before going to bed. If you put a charger on your nightstand, it won't even be inconvenient.

Fossil already has a watch designed to work with SPOT, and it is supposed to be available this summer. It looks a little bulky, but definitly useable.

Click here to see it.

This seems like a solution in search of a problem. Using Jot (or other character-at-a-time input methos), you can write on something as small as a watch face.

The maddness has just started.

According to Fossil, there will be a MSN Direct one in just a few months.

They have a flash demo of the palm os one if you just can't wait to play with one.

The maddness has just started.

According to Fossil, there will be a MSN Direct one in just a few months.

They have a flash demo of the palm os one if you just can't wait to play with one.

So Fossil offers us a Palm based wristwatch. We already all knew about the Linux based wristwatch from IBM right. What the Slashdot crowd really needs to know is that the Microsoft/MSN based wristwatch will be here this fall. :-)

ok, so maybe not as breakthrough as to deserve any attantion, it does look to offer IM through Microsoftâ(TM)s dynamic new Smart Personal Objects Technology platform.

So Fossil offers us a Palm based wristwatch. We already all knew about the Linux based wristwatch from IBM right. What the Slashdot crowd really needs to know is that the Microsoft/MSN based wristwatch will be here this fall. :-)

ok, so maybe not as breakthrough as to deserve any attantion, it does look to offer IM through Microsoftâ(TM)s dynamic new Smart Personal Objects Technology platform.

The watches, already mentioned on slashdot.

Amongst other places: here

graspee

Ah, but people already HAVE done it!

I was just in Macy's before Christmas doing some shopping, and I happened by these Fossil Kaleido watches, whose faces change colors either on command or in an oscillating fashion. Surely this is a good example? (I know, don't call you Surely...)

...why Fry's was unloading these for about $80...

According to the specs (linked from Fossil's PDA page), the battery does last only 4 days with use, but is rechargable Li-Ion.

According to the specs (linked from Fossil's PDA page), the battery does last only 4 days with use, but is rechargable Li-Ion.

Yea, according to their specs, battery life is like 4 days! The only good thing is that the batteries are Lithium-ion rechargable. They don't say how they are recharged, but according to the linked page, the watch has a USB port. So onw can assume you hook it up to your computer's USB port to recharge at night or something.

Given that yet another manufacturer has released yet another PPC, can anyone speculate why there is this rash of companies eager to jump on the PPC bandwagon but only Sony who are with Palm?

Apropos of nothing, I see that Fossil is gonna make a PalmOS watch. The specs say 160x160 screen... square, no Graffiti area, and not surprisingly there aren't as many buttons as a PDA so I don't know how much to trust their claim that all Palm apps will work (or rather I wonder "for what value of work?").

Given that yet another manufacturer has released yet another PPC, can anyone speculate why there is this rash of companies eager to jump on the PPC bandwagon but only Sony who are with Palm?

Apropos of nothing, I see that Fossil is gonna make a PalmOS watch. The specs say 160x160 screen... square, no Graffiti area, and not surprisingly there aren't as many buttons as a PDA so I don't know how much to trust their claim that all Palm apps will work (or rather I wonder "for what value of work?").

it strikes me as odd to see that just another m$ based handheld makes the frontpage on /., yet other interesting gadgets like fossil's second attempt at the wrist pda (now running palm os) don't...

• On-Hand PC -- runs a variant of DOS and an SDK is available.
• Fossil PDA -- despite the word "PDA", it has limited RAM.
• TV/VCR Infrared remote
• MP3 watch
• Color digital camera watch

Kinda offtopic but fos sil sells some cool titanium watches. There still more expensive than the aluminum watches, but still cool.