Watch this Wednesday: Suunto n3i
Last week we kicked it blinkity blink style with the PIMP watch from Japan. This week we have some exclusive pictures of the new Suunto n3i SPOT watch.
What it is: SPOT watches (Smart Personal Object Technology) receives personalized content such as news, weather and stock updates, calendar appointment reminders from Outlook, instant messages from MSN, sports, daily diversions, horoscopes and lottery information.
Why we like it: SPOT isn't for everyone. A lot of people use their phone or PDA for all their content, we actually like to think our data as a funnel; sometimes whipping out a phone or PDA isn't that convenient, while glancing down at a watch is a bit faster. And besides if you're going to wear a watch, why not have it do something more than just tell time, right? If you're in to hacking around you can also grab some code from SPOTDev or use their web site to get AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) or email on your watch. Oh, bonus—the SPOT watch Solar charger hack works with this Suunto too.
Where to get it and how much: $299, plus $9.95 per month for the MSNDirect service. Amazon and CompUSA are pretty good places to shop around, the new Suunto should ship in October.
If you?re familiar with the Suunto n3, what?s different from the Suunto n3?
Slimmer size - 13mm vs 16mm, some people think the SPOT watches are big, but we actually like large watches, plus you need to read data, so it needs to be kinda bigger than a non-data watch.
Interchangeable strap - we changed ours on the Suunto N3, but that voided the warranty.
Steel - Stainless steel buttons and strap buckle.
Faces - New animated watch faces.