OnHand wrist PDA unstrapped

The last time we heard anything about the OnHand wrist PDA was probably close to two years ago. So, given its almost complete lack of marketing, distribution, buzz or sales, we're not exactly surprised that manufacturer Matsucom has decided to call it quits and stop producing the device, which managed to incorporate a full set of PDA functions into a fairly ugly watch. The OnHand was hobbled not just by a laissez-faire approach to marketing and a poor design, but by its use of proprietary technology and limited PC support (despite being introduced in 2003, it used a serial cable instead of USB). The small OnHand community did come up with some decent hacks, including a GPS hookup and an external keyboard, but that wasn't enough to keep this going. If you're still dying to get a wrist PDA, though, all hope isn't lost. Despite constant rumors of its death, Fossil's Palm-based Abacus wrist PDA is still available from TigerDirect for about $50.

[Chris Smith @ Apr 7th 2006 11:28AM]

2003? I remember having one of these back in 2000. It ran on a 1.xx MHz 16-bit x86 processor, if I recall.

[DT @ Apr 7th 2006 11:48AM]

If you don't want to be branded as an uber-geek, you can strap it to your ankle and tell people it's a tracking device for the parole board.

[flackb0rk @ Apr 7th 2006 11:59AM]

I can think of a few other areas you could strap this to...

- On a baseball bat for training weight
- On a rock for skipping stones

But please, by all means, DO NOT strap this to your own wrist...c'mon people!

[micheal @ Apr 7th 2006 12:08PM]

This thing sucked when I played with it way back in 1997. Proof: http://www.gamespot.com/news/1998/04/17/news_2463530.html

[daschupa @ Apr 7th 2006 12:12PM]

Anyone else have a flashback of those casio calculator watches or the casio watches with the tv remote in them?

Really, my cell phone can do all this and more, plus it doesnt look like a 486 strapped to a watchband.

[daschupa @ Apr 7th 2006 12:14PM]

Anyone else have a flashback of those casio calculator watches or the casio watches with the tv remote in them?

Really, my cell phone can do all this and more, plus it doesn't look like a 486 strapped to a watchband.

[Alexander Wunderlich @ Apr 7th 2006 12:23PM]

I've never been a watch dude type of...dude! And this doest tickle me in the fancy area aswell. Too big, the info must be all cramped up.

And anybody read about the wrist computer thing-a-majig? Same fart!

Why are all these crazy inventors thinking that we need to stuff out computers in every little thing we own. How about a pencil with a tiny computer istead of an eraser. mhm. Fart!

These things are like farts. You can smell it. You look around, dont know where it came from. Its sparks some curiosity, but after a while, all you want is to get away!

Alexander Wunderlich.

[Timerider @ Apr 7th 2006 12:36PM]

I always thought this was kinda neat but it doesn't have a rechargeable battery and the battery life sucks out loud.

[joelja @ Apr 7th 2006 1:23PM]

if the fossil is available from tiger direct, then it's already died.

[vin @ Apr 7th 2006 1:46PM]

I use an MSN Smart Watch that has some of the functionality of a pda--receives IMs and integrates my outlook calendar (synced with my yahoo calendar on my home pc.) It's still kind of cumbersome, but it doesn't look as bad as that crap.

[Ross @ Apr 7th 2006 1:52PM]

I'll buy some type of wrist computer when it's more like this:
http://liquidsoapdispenser.com/lifewrist3.html

[delerious @ Apr 7th 2006 2:31PM]

I remember seeing this on ThinkGeek.com for sale, though it isn't there anymore.

[JR @ Apr 7th 2006 3:24PM]

Are you Serious? If this had Dick Tracy capabilities....maybe...

People, do you know how toolish this looks?

I say: BOO

2 thumbs down.