Samsung patent app details wristwatch / cellphone hybrid

Generally speaking, mishmash concepts involving a cellphone and just about anything wearable haven't exactly taken off, but if Maxwell Smart can do it, why can't Samsung? In a recent patent application from the firm, a "wrist wearable type portable terminal" is described, which essentially acts as a wrist strap that functions as a cellphone holster. Granted, the idea could be problematic in a myriad ways -- leading to public humiliation and a lack of broad compatibility with mobiles for starters -- but we can't fault 'em for trying.

[Via UnwiredView]

[dasilvetz @ Oct 26th 2007 10:02AM]

looks like Master Chief's helmet to me!!

[easymac30 @ Oct 26th 2007 10:56AM]

Master Chief FTW!

....but I don't see it...and I've got his helmet right here (Halo 3 Legendary Edition).

[tom @ Oct 26th 2007 10:49AM]

Looks goofy as hell. The obvious way to actually do this without humiliating the wearer is a bluetooth cellphone /watch with no sound attached, but a bluetooth earpiece /mic.

[NaeemTHM @ Oct 26th 2007 10:12AM]

If anyone can pull this off, it will be Samsung.

[ryantrevisol @ Oct 26th 2007 10:13AM]

That's gonna be one big-ass watch.

[rtdunham @ Oct 26th 2007 1:19PM]

that'd seem the case at first glance. but consider this: the removable piece allows you to place the earphone to your ear; the microphone remains on the band, on the inside wrist side. if I hold a phone like this the microphone would be in almost perfect position. that eliminates the need for the removable section being large enough to span the ear-mouth needs. a small keypad and a small LCD on the mobile piece. it wouldn't be a fancy, iPhone type powerful thingy. But it could be a compact way to revert to the days when phones were just phones. and if bluetooth's used to connect the two parts, it could also link to the iTouch you carry in your pocket, giving you dialing access to your entire contact list. I don't think it's an idea we should laugh off too quickly.

whattya think?

[Brodie @ Oct 26th 2007 10:16AM]

Is it some kind of regulation that all patent filings have to like they were done in MS Paint?

[Rususeruru @ Oct 26th 2007 10:26AM]

The fingers look TERRIBLE c'mon Samsung try Photoshop next time.

[ethana2 @ Oct 26th 2007 1:38PM]

the GIMP.

Photoshop can die.

[Jesse S @ Oct 26th 2007 10:17PM]

The GIMP is useless compared to Photoshop.

[J @ Oct 26th 2007 10:32AM]

Why does Michael Knight talking to KITT come to mind?

[mike @ Oct 26th 2007 10:31AM]

I think samsung ran out of ideas...

[Chris @ Oct 26th 2007 10:38AM]

Why is the guy holding the phone with his foot?

[Ricardo @ Oct 26th 2007 11:03AM]

Wow, very useful.

Oh, nevermind, I forgot they invented pockets.

But why carry your phone on your pocket, if you can look extremely stupid carrying it wrapped around your wrist?

[bombastinator @ Oct 26th 2007 11:17AM]

I think the designer may have been way to into spiderman as a kid. Not every grownup wants to wear gigantic bracelets. The thing may actually be kind of a bluetooth thing though.

I notice theres a door in the base of the bracelet. I don't know if this is merely a power supply to allow for a smaller battery in the phone, or if the bracelet is the phone and the slide off piece is a bluetooth thing that instead of merely being merely an earpiece has a screen and dialing buttons as well. Mighty big for that though. If so however one might also include an ear clip on the back.

[Miker @ Oct 26th 2007 4:05PM]

It's clearly a rip-off of the bracelet communicators in "Blake's 7", I think the BBC can sue!

[jeff @ Oct 27th 2007 11:27AM]

Calling Dick Tracey! Big boy did it!