SPOT lives: Abacus Smart Watch 2006

Even though Fossil has washed its hands of SPOT, Abacus, its "tech" brand, soldiers on. Some shady character was trying to hawk these to us at CES, but it looks like Abacus' next attempt at MSN Direct will debut in more official channels starting next month. Besides being incrementally prettier than their last round, the Smart Watch 2006 is available in a wider variety of styles, has twice the memory, and is alleged to download data faster from the SPOT network. What may not have occurred to Abacus, however, is that a cheesy black-and-white digital watch face is a cheesy watch face at any speed. We'll wait for SPOT 2.0, thanks.

[Via SpotStop]

[JinKazama @ May 23rd 2006 6:56PM]

It just pains me to see a technology with so much potential killed by horrible design. I love the concept of this watch but must I look like a complete nerd by wearing it. I don't see why MS can't hook up with Seiko, Pulsar, Invicta, Tissot, Tag Huer, etc.. to put some good design behind these watches.

Have Nike and Apple taught you people nothing. People will forgive a products shortcomings if the design is funcitional and attractive. Whereas poor design will kill an otherwise powerhouse of a product.

[Dar @ May 23rd 2006 7:11PM]

Those aren't very handsome looking at all!

[Conor Ryan @ May 23rd 2006 8:46PM]

Apple should come up with their own version of SPOT, those watches would be real nice to look at.

[Clay @ May 23rd 2006 8:58PM]

I guess I'm old fashioned, but my watch uh, is analog. Like not even digital analog.

30 bucks at Target.

[rr3 @ May 23rd 2006 9:03PM]

@#3, yeah, but they would be white... tacky for winter time apparel.

[wraith808 @ May 23rd 2006 10:37PM]

Microsoft did team up with Tissot- the watch was just too expensive. I actually have one of the sport Suunto's and it's not bad looking, and actually a lot more useful than everyone gives it credit for.

[dave95 @ May 23rd 2006 11:48PM]

SPOT==STOP

Leave it to MS to take something that has potential and screw it up.

HotMail (why can't I view sent mail?)
Web TV (NOW MSN TV)
SPOT (A futureistic watch, yet retro ugly looks?)
Tablet PC/Origami/UMPC whatever

[TIMMAH! @ May 24th 2006 11:20AM]

I still don't see the appeal of being nickle-and-dimed with yet-another-monthly-fee. Is it really *that* important to see what the temperature is in Seattle or what the latest ballgame scores were?

[Bang! @ May 24th 2006 11:39AM]

I just bought a Swatch Paparazzi at the Swatch store. The price dropped from $150 to $75, but the thing that got me was it includes 1 year of free MSN Direct service. I've been pretty happy with it. Its about the size of a G-Shock, which I wear sometimes. My only problem with it is the movie times are about 12 hours late, which means its useless on Fridays when the new movies come out. But stocks, sports, and weather are satisfactory. Hopefully 2.0 comes out when my year is up...

[Inside SPOT @ May 25th 2006 3:37PM]

Dont be fooled!!
This is not a Fossil or Abacus watch. It is a Microsoft watch. It is their design. Fossil gave up on the project last year, but Microsoft asked them if they could continue it using the Abacus brand with this new M$ design.

Think about it:
1) No more Fossil SPOT watches will ever be made.
2) M$ maintains the appearance that no one is dropping out of the program SPOT.
3) M$ continues to bilk people for their hard earned money for information they probably already receive on either their cell phone or computer.

Tell me....when was the last time you saw a new Swatch, Tissot (owned by Swatch), or Suunto SPOT watch released?? and you wont either - trust me on this.

[Mike @ Aug 23rd 2006 10:01PM]

It's really a bummer since these have a lot of potential.

Part of the problem is that they're running on a micro verison of .Net. As we all know, Microsoft's code is bloated and requires more processing power than their competitors (case and point: Windows vs MacOS X). That's part of the reason the watches are so bulky and have such limited battery life.

[Mike @ Aug 23rd 2006 10:05PM]

Now they're including the service free with the watch because they have to compete with cell carriers and their high-speed data plans.

[erik o. @ Mar 26th 2008 6:18PM]

I like my old abacus watch even due to its' size,
however I am looking for the new abacus smartwatch
2006, or equivalent, because the one I have has
completely erroded over time. If you know where,
send me and email: [e-mail]