Allerta's inPulse watch for BlackBerry spied at WES, turns on this time

You might recall that we got a quick look at the inPulse back at CES, but it didn't turn on back then, so we were excited to see the Allerta dudes back in action here at WES this week with a more functional prototype. This time, we were able to see the Bluetooth-connected watch flash its AMOLED display and it was plenty readable in harsh meeting room lighting; outdoor readability is another matter altogether, but we won't be able to answer that until we've got a review unit secured. What we saw was just a demo unit without a functional connection to a phone, but it was pre-loaded with enough content so that we got the basic idea of how it's going to work.

From the quick run-through of the UI, it seemed clear to us that Allerta understands its target demographic -- they're not trying to do anything with the inPulse other than present enough message, calendar, and caller ID content to get you by during that meeting when you'd feel uncomfortable pulling your phone out of your pocket. We're told that the hardware we're seeing here represents final ID -- paying customers will get exactly what you see here -- but they still don't have a firm shipping date, simply saying that they'll send them off to customers as soon as they have them in their hands. We're told the company has compatibility for other platforms in the works, but there's no date on that; for now, it's all BlackBerry, all the time. Oh, and the neatest trick? Firmware updates happen over the Bluetooth connection from your phone. Check it out in the gallery below.

Allerta's inPulse watch for BlackBerry spied at WES, turns on this time

[SolidSnake Posted Apr 27th 2010 3:37PM]

Cool Beans.

[Waltah Posted Apr 27th 2010 3:39PM]

K.I.T.T. I need you!
Coming Michael.

[deliteguy Posted Apr 27th 2010 3:44PM]

convincing? at least it's convineant.

[JustinB Posted Apr 27th 2010 3:45PM]

Really cool. Firmware updates over the air is even cooler!

[Air Force One Posted Apr 27th 2010 3:46PM]

I have to concede I like the idea even though admitting this nominates me for admission into the geek hall of fame.

[JimJam707 Posted Apr 27th 2010 3:46PM]

If you stole this, I would have to, wait for it, awrist you.
Get it?

[therodt Posted Apr 27th 2010 5:08PM]

@JimJam707 Wonk wonk wooonnnk

[efripp Posted Apr 27th 2010 8:26PM]

@JimJam707 I don't get it.

[Xstream Posted Apr 27th 2010 3:46PM]

hmm i like the design of my sony ericsson mbw-100 better (cause it's mainly a real watch and a info device only on second purpose and looks more modern, too) and because those didn't sell well you can get one of those (manufactured in marvelous quality by fossil) dirt cheap. I use smartwatchm from smartmadsoft.com with my windows mobile phone but they also make a version for android and blackberry.

[Xstream Posted Apr 27th 2010 3:47PM]

@Xstream also if i deactivate bluetooth it lasts for several month without charging and you can use it just like a normal watch

[Oscarv77 Posted Apr 27th 2010 4:33PM]

@Xstream
Thanks for the info. I had been looking to pre-order one of the inPulse units but the lack of a firm shipping date kills it IMO. Since you mentioned the MBW-100 and the website for the software, I'm getting one of those instead.

Do you have any pictures of the watch in use? How does it fit? Is it all stainless-steel? I have really corrosive sweat, so I kinda HAVE to have a 100% stainless steel watch.

Thanks!

[Xstream Posted Apr 27th 2010 4:47PM]

@Oscarv77 about 3/4 of the back of the watch are made of plastic (i guess this is to protect from short circuiting the charger when putting it in the watch) but it feels extremely sturdy and i doubt any sweat no matter how corrosive will do damage there. i googled this picture for you: http://img.hexus.net/v2/lifestyle/news/sonyeric/mbw-100_silver_onwrist_c.jpg

it is a quite big watch and even for my pretty big wrist it was a bit too loose but i got that fixed by a jeweler for about 7€ (they take out some of the elements the strap is made of).

i hope you enjoy your new watch

[glassdarkly Posted Apr 27th 2010 6:03PM]

@Xstream Would you mind sharing where you got your watch from? I looked around online, but only managed to find some sellers selling the MBW-200 @ GBP100+ online.

[Xstream Posted Apr 27th 2010 6:12PM]

@glassdarkly
actually i have two mbw-100 (don't ask why *g*) i got them both from ebay (new, original packaging, with receipt and warranty) the first one i bought 1,5 years ago for about 100€ (133$), the second one i bought just a few days ago for about 70€(93$) both instant buy (not auction) and both including shipment.

[Xstream Posted Apr 27th 2010 6:17PM]

@Xstream ebay germany that is, but i think you should be able to find sellers on other ebay sites as well or even other online shops. if all that fails check ebay germany and ask the seller if he could send it to wherever you live.

[spicedham Posted Apr 27th 2010 3:51PM]

it looks like Dick Tracy's phone.

[good grief Posted Apr 27th 2010 3:57PM]

That bezel is ridiculous.

[AppleDrank Posted Apr 27th 2010 4:18PM]

@good grief

how else do you show off the blang blang or the bling bling or whatever it is called...

[SteveyAyo Posted Apr 27th 2010 4:16PM]

great way to check to see if you have any messages or missed calls while in a meeting... when can i expect a rolex version?

[zeekster Posted Apr 27th 2010 4:27PM]

Yeah, cuz THAT Bluetooth profile won't be locked down by the BES admin....

[Jaylittles531 Posted Apr 27th 2010 7:18PM]

Sorry to say but a watch phone will never ever come close to competing with a smartphone.... unless they can fin a way to fit a 3" screen on your wrist.

[chaos215bar2 Posted Apr 27th 2010 9:44PM]

@Jaylittles531 Sorry to say but this isn't a watch phone. I would like to see this in a more watch-like form factor. I don't think I really need to read my email on my watch, but I wouldn't mind caller ID and message previews on a smaller screen.

[Johnny Rockets Posted Apr 27th 2010 9:37PM]

"they're not trying to do anything with the inPulse other than present enough message, calendar, and caller ID content to get you by during that meeting when you'd feel uncomfortable pulling your phone out of your pocket. "

Wouldn't checking your wrist watch / pressing buttons, etc be just as impolite as checking your phone?

[GTYellowJacket9 Posted Apr 28th 2010 1:21PM]

@Johnny Rockets

Except for everyone else they might just think you're checking the time.