Is That an Android On Your Wrist?

DeviceGuru writes "Two startups are about to go chrono y chrono with competing Android gizmos. The I'm Watch exclusively targets smartwatch applications, whereas the WIMM Platform is meant to create 'a new market of connected wearable devices that deliver timely, relevant information at a glance' — of which smartwatches are but one example. The Italian-designed I'm Watch runs a customized Android 1.6 on a 454 MHz ARM9 processor with just 64MB of RAM; the WIMM module, a product of Silicon Valley, runs Android 2.1 on a 667 MHz ARM11 CPU. Would you actually wear one of these things?" Personally, I'd rather have an IBM watch running Linux.

Comments

Wrist computers will eat our brains

[For a Free Internet]

People are becoming stupider because of conputers. Now with wrist conputers, people will become as dumb as sea anenomies. That is why my plan is to conqyer the world by never using conputers. I have my assistant type and submit all my slashdort posts. She is stupid but loyal and frisky.

Overengineering

[EdZ]

I've got a smartphone in my pocket that can do anything either of those watches could do (and more) except sit comfortable on my wrist. These seem hugely overpowered for what should be a simple RTC, display and bluetooth/PAN radio. It shouldn't need to process ANYTHING onboard other than to decode a low-res video stream. Cheaper, better battery life, more versatile.

Re:Overengineering

[chromas]

Your smartphone is a pocket (smart-) watch with a wireless chain. Classy.

Im Watch

[should_be_linear]

I'm watch is excellent execution of really stupid idea. If battery can last for AT LEAST one month... but one day? For wristwatch???

Re:Im Watch

[munch117]

Right. There are gas meters that can run for 20 years on a single AA cell. And these guys have a long-term goal of reaching 48 hours battery life?

But they do look cool. They should make a model with no electronics at all, displaying the fixed image 16:01 . I'd buy that: "Oh, sorry, mr. PHB, it's getting late, those TPS reports will have to wait until tomorrow."

Re:Im Watch

[Fozzyuw]

The specs aren't in it's favor.

• 48 hour max battery life without bluetooth.
• Requires tethering (which will require you to carry a smartphone with you anyhow!)
• One way communication? (I don't see or hear anything about writing tweets or email. Just reading)

All for a reasonable price of over $400? Ok, the exclusive obsessed and uber-rich might buy a few, and at those price points, it might make them some money (given I doubt it cost that much to develop). But once people start using them and they have a big cumbersome bracelet on their wrist (because you forgot to charge it) that has no practical purpose to respond to the emails you just got or order movie-tickets online, without pulling out that heavy phone in your pocket or purse, it will lose it's "cool factor".

Re:not there yet

[WrongSizeGlass]

Is it just me, or does the WIMM look like a thick iPod Nano?

Is this dream of a 'Dick Tracy watch' still alive? We can do more with our smartphones than ever imagined, but the screen on a reasonably sized watch is far too small to be useful for most people. The keyboard would be too small so user input would need to be via voice (say goodbye to personal messages via your watch). And the reception? I can just see it now ... your watch tells you to turn south ... a few degrees more ... that's better ... now raise your fist in the air to limit transmission interference ... your such a well trained monkey, here's a little prize: Duke Nukem 3D on your watch.

Re:cancer anyone?

[WrongSizeGlass]

i wonder if it's ok for your body to keep such transmitter so close to it 24/7..?

According to this there is no link between cell phones and cancer. I'm pretty sure strapping either one of those two 'watches' to your wrist 24/7 will decrease the chance of getting laid.

Re:not there yet

[JoeMerchant]

I bought one of the PalmOS based watches about 8 or so years ago, I actually wore it for a week out of stubbornness, but the reason I don't wear a watch is because I don't like having _anything_ on my wrist, much less a big ugly chunk. If it had GPS and network connectivity, I still don't see the watch being more useful than a pocketable phone.

Anecdote, I sold a very pretty watch to a friend, he was wearing it, just for fun, I asked him what time it was, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone to read the time...

Re:not there yet

[Mr. Bad Example]

> now raise your fist in the air to limit transmission interference

There's some prior art on that already.

My Casio has been working the last 15 years

[Colin Smith]

It is accurate to the second, the battery lasts something like 10 years.

It has never failed me. I really can think of another piece of advanced technology I can say that about. It has to be the single best technology purchase i've ever made.

Why would I want an operating system? Are you totally insane?
 

Other Programmable Watches

[northerner]

A programmable watch with communications is a great idea. The market will help pick the right features/size/ price, and these two watches help that process as people explore new applications.

Texas Instruments has 3 watch styles with low-power MSP430 microcontrollers. The $200 models have Bluetooth and the older $49 watches have a simpler digital display and ISM band wireless links.

https://estore.ti.com/Search.aspx?k=watch

http://www.metawatch.org/

https://estore.ti.com/MSP-WDS430BT2000D-Bluetooth-Wearable-Watch-development-system-with-Digital-display-P2447.aspx

https://estore.ti.com/MSP-WDS430BT1000AD-Bluetooth-Wearable-Watch-development-system-with-Analog-Digital-display-P2446.asp

https://estore.ti.com/eZ430-Chronos-433-eZ430-Chronos-Wireless-Watch-Development-Tool-P1734.aspx