Thanko's FMP3 watch, MP3 player, and FM radio/transmitter: take that Fossil

No one, we mean no one, steps to Thanko! Just hours after the launch of the SE/Fossil Bluetooth watch comes this critter from the synthetic labs of Thanko. By cleverly combining the "F" from the included FM radio/transmitter and "MP3" from uh, MP3, Thanko delivers the FMP3 watch, or foompthree as we likes to call it. Sure, it supports WMA playback but FMP3WMA just doesn't have that ring. What's novel is that this MP3 watch with up to 1GB of storage can also transmit your audio collection over FM to your radio while doubling as a voice recorder and clandestine USB 2.0 drive for fast and easy, drag and drop file transfer 'tween you PC. The antenna is wired into the watch band resulting in an electromagnetic field around you hand for controlling metallic objects up to 10 feet away. Ok, we made that last bit up, but you know you want it. Available in Japan starting today in 512MB/1GB models for ¥12,800/¥16,800 or about $109/$143. Not bad, really.

[Via Impress]

[Andy @ Sep 29th 2006 9:25AM]

It's the revival of the nerd watches. 10 years a go it was a calculator, today it's an MP3 player. I still wouldn't ever wear one.

[general Public @ Sep 29th 2006 9:26AM]

Those wacky Japanese electronics. Gotta love 'em.

[strider_mt2k @ Sep 29th 2006 9:30AM]

I think that FM transmitters are far more useful on an MP3 player than FM receivers if you have to make a choice.
Always better to have both if you can, and in a watch it's mind blowing.

This living in the future stuff can be cool sometimes! :D

[kookabura @ Sep 29th 2006 9:39AM]

So it has a FM radio, and a FM transmitter, which means you could transmit the radio over FM to your radio... no, wait...

[Troy Huggins @ Sep 29th 2006 9:55AM]

PerSONally..I liketh it. I jog alot..and it'd be nice.. plus I could make people in passing cars listen to my MP3's! Woot!

[Nate @ Sep 29th 2006 9:58AM]

Its too bad it doenst have a screen to view what song you're playing. I bring my DAP and watch everywhere I go. It would be nice to only have carry one device... wait... is there also enough room to stick a cell phone in there?!

[coolnesh @ Sep 29th 2006 10:07AM]

With a name like Thanko ... how can you even say take that Fossil!!!! geez!

[Timerider @ Sep 29th 2006 10:08AM]

Cool, a built in FM transmitter.
Now if someone doesn't change the radio station, just play your MP3s through it. :)

[ElvisLives @ Sep 29th 2006 10:32AM]

operates for up to 3 minutes using 1 standard button cell battery...

[Leoedin @ Sep 29th 2006 11:10AM]

probab;y the first thanko product I would ever use

[Rivendale @ Sep 29th 2006 11:22AM]

A third of the price of the FOSSIL with an FM transmitter (and a lot sportier and better looking watch)? Count me in...

They just have to market this in the US with the tagline "Thanks Thanko"...

[Thomas Ricker @ Sep 29th 2006 11:23AM]

updated pricing to reflect 512MB/1GB models.

Thomas

[Chris @ Sep 29th 2006 12:07PM]

No Thanko.

/obligatory

[Stickybombs @ Sep 29th 2006 12:09PM]

Anyone over there wanna mail me one? :)

[Oddmanout @ Sep 29th 2006 12:21PM]

The design is surprisingly classy for Thanko. I prefer divers style watches myself though, and in this case given the mp3 playing functionality a little lcd screen might be nice.

But it's still probably more useful than the USB a$$ fan...

http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/19/thankos-usbhcu01-usb-powered-seat-cooler/

[Jake @ Sep 29th 2006 1:16PM]

That'd be great w/ Bluetooth instead of the FM transmitter, headphones running to your wrist stink. Of course, you could buy a pair of headphones with a built-in FM tuner, and, voila! Wireless MP3 watch.

[Lee @ Sep 29th 2006 2:58PM]

At the end of the article, don't you mean "NOT bad, really"? Thought I'd bring that to your attention. Anyways I think this is an awesome idea, but I agree with the others that a little lcd screen would be nice... I hate scrolling through songs. I didn't see a headphone jack though... I hope they didn't overlook that one!

[steve @ Sep 29th 2006 3:41PM]

wow that would be cool to have
it looks a bit thick in the pic tho

[ChaoZ @ Sep 29th 2006 4:55PM]

That's a pretty fugly watch. That bright white USB logo doesn't help.

[Heather @ Jan 23rd 2007 12:32PM]

I ordered the Thanko FMP3 Watch as a gift and only then did I find out that the FMP3 watch only has an FM Transmitter, NOT RECEIVER. It was the main reason for my purchase and so I am seeking to return the product because all of the reviews of this watch listed the FM receiver as a specification. I'm guessing no one bothered to actually check out the watch and Thanko circulated an incorrect press release. We'll see if they will give me a refund...

[Absolute Truth @ Jan 24th 2007 4:12AM]

Why don't they realize that the bulky, ugly watches would sell much better to men AND women if they were attached to a clip or caribiner, or made into some sort of "pocket watch" ???? HELLO - LISTEN TO ME WATCHMAKERS - THANKO AND FOSSIL AND THE REST OF YOU - HERE IS A HUGE MONEY MAKING BIT OF ADVICE FOR FREE!

[Absolute Truth @ Jan 24th 2007 4:13AM]

By the way, does anyone know where someone could buy this watch - do they still make it? And how about a cool gadget that picks up AM RADIO for the intelligent "geeks" who listen to talk radio on AM? That would be nice if only the inventors were as considerate and thoughtful as they are greedy - they'd make more money, ironically.

[Doc @ Sep 16th 2008 11:07AM]

You can find them here buddy http://www.au-watch.com/RF_Transmitter_MP3_Watch_Player_Voice_Recorder_4GB_A828.html

[Doc @ Sep 16th 2008 11:08AM]

Even better: http://www.chinavasion.com/product_info.php/pName/sports-mp3-rf-transmitting-watch-2gb/

[Jon Biddell @ Apr 7th 2007 9:27AM]

I'd love one of these just for listening to podcasts at work - one less device to carry. Of course, having bluetooth as well would be great.

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[Ima @ Jan 17th 2008 9:23PM]

I got a 2GB watch similar to this at www.mp3plusmore.com. Works very easily. The radio transmitting signal is not very strong. I can't use it effectively in the house. It works perfect in the car though. Since the signal is not so strong, you won't be able to let the car stuck in traffic next to you listen to your music Troy! My watch can only send a RF signal, it cannot receive FM, so I can't listen to radio channels. It also has voice recording which is quite good quality. I'm a student, so it is really nice to record lecture notes.