If this guy looks serious, it's because he is -- serious about bringing you some awesome watch phones. Canadian firm Neutrano is working with Chinese OEMs to import, tweak, and certify some of those watch phones that we've unfortunately been spending more time reading about than actually using -- and while they aren't going to appeal to everyone, the stainless steel version is the closest thing we've seen to something we'd consider wearing this side of
an LG. Fans of chunky, stylish wristwatches should be able to pass it off as a fashion statement of sorts -- your friends don't even have to know it's a phone, really. When you get a call, the thing's got to come off your wrist and be held up to your ear unless you've got a Bluetooth headset ready to rock, but worry not: Neutrano's also showing a model of its Nutec WristFone that pops off at the base of the wristband so you don't need to unstrap it from your wrist. You pay for that convenience with some extra bulk (and we'd argue that this is the geekiest, ugliest model of the bunch), but we'll admit, it's pretty trick. Everything's controlled over touchscreen; you've got character recognition for entering text messages and a row of shortcuts silkscreened across the bottom of the display, and the detachable model also features an integrated keypad (think Casio calculator watch) to make entering phone numbers a little less painful. Neutrano is targeting June for these at a price somewhere between $300 and $400, and the company's president is still actively deciding on colors, band styles, and software features, so sound off in comments if you've got any hot ideas for 'em. Oh, and check some video of the phones in action after the break!
posted April 2nd 2009 10:33PM
I still want the LG.
Whats LG waiting for? Are my hard earned euros not good enough?
i understand the stylus being used more in Asia for character input, but i doubt that'll fly in post-iPhone US, particularly on a wristphone. i'm surprised none of these manufacturers have bothered to rip off the iPhone interface. Four large icons on the home screen with the ability to scroll to reveal more and a singular home button to get back to the home screen would make this so much easier. Instead of displaying a tiny number pad, they could employ a system similar to HTC's TouchFlo 3D tab system for selecting numbers. The text input *is* pretty slick for such a small device, and with some tweaks in the interface it too could be made more finger friendly. But for the price they're asking i'd rather get a Bluetooth watch that augments the cell phone's functionality, not one that tries to replace it.
Also, get a demonstrator who knows the product. Aside from not knowing the menus, he should've worn the watch on his left wrist so that the camera didn't look backwards. This guy reminds me of the Gil pitiful salesman on The Simpsons that can never land the sale.
I always thought the wrist was a better place for a bluetooth status display. Caller-ID, text messages, maybe a touchscreen interface if it could be fit on a reasonably-sized watch and still be useful. But then you still have a separate, full-featured phone in your pocket.