G-Shock
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Polar is bringing its fitness tracking tech to rival watches
Polar is now offering its fitness tracking tech on competitors' watches.
Casio's new G-Shock watch is inspired by NASA's eye-catching orange spacesuits
It's now available for $170.
Casio unveils its first G-Shock smartwatch with Wear OS
Casio has unveiled its first G-Shock rugged smartwatch using Google's Wear OS platform.
Casio unveils a NASA-themed G-Shock watch for space fans
Casio has unveiled a limited edition NASA-themed G-Shock watch that lets you flaunt your love of spac.
Casio's Transformers G-Shock is Optimus Prime's ticking heart
As leader of the Autobots, you'd think that Optimus Prime would always know what time it is. However, Casio, in collaboration with Transformer toymaker Takara Tomy, Casio has unveiled a special edition Transformer with a G-Shock watch installed right in his heart. The promotion celebrates the 35th anniversary of G-Shock, and the 35th anniversary of the Transformers in 2019, Casio said.
Casio's see-through G-Shock watches are an icy blast of nostalgia
Casio's G-Shock watch line is enjoying a bit of a renaissance on its 35th anniversary (you can even get a full metal model if you like), and the company is making the most of it with some particularly eye-catching wristwear. It just introduced a Glacier Gold collection of G-Shocks that are virtually guaranteed to stand out while scratching that nostalgic itch. Each model has a semi-transparent resin casing and band, with a gold-colored watch sitting at their heart, recreating both the look of classic G-Shock models and the clear style of 1996's stand-out DW-6900K.
Casio's solar-powered GPS watch is ideal for survivalists
Casio's beloved line of G-Shock timepieces is widening to include the new GPR B-1000, a GPS-equipped timepiece that could just save your life. The watch, which forms part of the Rangeman line, is capable of standalone GPS navigation for up to 33 hours on a single charge. But more importantly, if you're in the wilderness for longer than that, you can use the built-in solar panel to keep the GPS running for longer. Which should mean that there's no excuse for Blair Witch-style idiocy so long as you've got one of these on your wrist.
Casio's next G-Watch uses SoundHound to discover new music
Casio's team of smart-ish G-Shock watches is getting a new member next month that's fixated on finding new music. The romantically named GBA-400 retains the same smartphone-friendly features that we've already seen, but this time you'll be able to control music playback right from the bezel. The biggest feature, however, is that discovery app SoundHound has been baked into the accompanying G'Mix app. Once you've Shazamed, uh, SoundHounded the track, its details will pop up on the timepiece's built-in LCD display, which we have to admit, is pretty neat. If you're interested in picking one up, you'll have to take a trip to Japan, where it's launching on September 19th, priced at 23,000 yen (around $225) plus tax.
Slighty smarter watches: Casio reveals two new G-Shock concepts
G-Shocks are back -- again. Ready for Swiss timepiece showcase BaselWorld, Casio has announced two new analog concept watches with a little extra soupçon of tech crammed in. The designs still lean towards those looking for a classically-styled (at least, in G-Shock terms) analog watch. Both are expected to last plenty without any regular USB life-support, with the company's latest solar cells there to keep the mechanism and electronics going. First up, the Edifice EQB-500 connects to smartphones using Bluetooth 4.0 Low Power (Casio's first analog watch to do so). It's a loose allegiance though, covering time information and alarm settings which can also be programmed through the phone -- it's still very much a watch, not a Pebble rival. Casio's second model is the more technically accomplished one: the first watch to pair together both GPS and Radio Wave tech, all without any unwieldy lumps in the design.
Casio's new G-Shock watches pack Bluetooth, music remote control
Newcomers like Pebble might be the current darlings when it comes to connected watches, but it doesn't mean that established players are standing still. Back at CES, Casio showed a G-Shock watch with Bluetooth (GB-5600A) capable of receiving calls and text-message notifications (with sound and vibration), plus automatic time updates from an iPhone. Today the company announced a pair of G-Shock watches (GB-6900B / GB-X6900B) with Bluetooth 4.0 LE that extend the existing functionality to select Android handsets. In addition, both watches feature music remote control (via AVRCP, presumably) and the ability to set alarms and timers from Casio's companion smartphone app. Battery life is a pretty impressive two years (with 12 hours of Bluetooth use per day) on a single CR2032 battery. The GB-6900B and GB-X6900B will be released in Japan on September 21st for 18,000 yen (roughly $187) and 20,000 yen (roughly $208) respectively. All that's needed now is a retro-looking Databank or calculator watch with Bluetooth, right, Casio?
Casio's G-Shock GB5600A pairs nicely with iPhones, takes us down memory lane (hands-on)
While Casio's G-Shock GB6900 was among the company's main focuses at CES 2013, there was yet another watch to be seen inside the company's booth. Interestingly enough, though, the Japanese firm wasn't exactly showcasing its novel G-Shock GB5600A -- instead, we found it hiding comfortably underneath a representative's long-sleeve shirt. Thankfully, the Casio agent was kind enough to let us give it a quick whirl. As you can likely tell by the picture above, the GB5600A is very reminiscent of those old-school watches sporting Illuminator tech, but the new revision has obviously adapted itself to the more current era. For starters, the novel G-Shock boasts Bluetooth 4.0, allowing it to pair nicely alongside iOS devices and display plenty of notifications on its itty-bitty screen -- including phone calls, text messages and emails. In addition, there's also a Time Adjustment setting for, well, automatically modifying the clock depending on where you are, as well as a Phone Finder that easily locates your iPhone, iPod or iPad with the simple touch of a button. The sleek G-Shock GB5600A is currently only available in the Land of the Rising Sun, but the company has said it's planning to bring it to the US later this summer, priced somewhere around $200. We'll let you know as soon as we hear more concrete details; in the meantime, there's a packed gallery for your viewing pleasure right after the break.
Casio's G-Shock watch plays nice with your iPhone
I haven't worn a watch in years (my always-on-me smartphone has a clock after all) but for those of you who still do, you may want to check out the Casio G-Shock GB6900. The US$180 smart watch features Bluetooth 4.0 and syncs with your iPhone 4S or iPhone 5. Besides looking cool and telling you the time, the G-Shock GB6900 pairs with your iPhone via the G-SHOCK+ app. The sync allows your watch to beep and/or vibrate when you get an incoming call, alerts you to when you have a new email message, syncs time between your phone and watch, and offers a Find My iPhone-type of feature that allows you to locate your iPhone via sending a command from your watch to your iPhone which then emits a tone alert so you can track it down. Given that Bluetooth requires devices to be in close proximity, all of the watch's features seem redundant since your iPhone must be nearby for it to work. Still, if you wear a watch and want to look more James Bond than normal, this could be the piece of tech for you.
Casio's iPhone-friendly G-Shock finally out, will adorn wrists for $180
It seems Casio's G-Shock GB6900 hasn't been mindful of its own raison d'être, turning up much later than expected. After making its first appearance way back in March 2011, rolling through FCC in July the same year, and then reportedly getting stalled by floods in Thailand, the Bluetooth 4.0-packing smart watch is finally available stateside for $180. Tardiness notwithstanding, the wearable gizmo is typically defiant of shock and water. However, its hero feature is hooking up with your iPhone (4S or newer) to sync time, throw up call / email alerts and letting you locate your misplaced smartphone. And while the timekeeper can't let you be mayor, reveal objects' secrets or serve up apps, at least it doesn't hurt your wallet as much as some of its rivals.
Switched On: The watch and the workhorse
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. In mature, competitive markets flooded with products, many brands come and go. Last week, though, two companies came to New York City to celebrate milestone anniversaries of their electronic products. Lenovo celebrated the 20th anniversary of the ThinkPad as Casio marked the 30th anniversary of the G-Shock watch. The notebook PC remains among the most versatile and complex devices consumers use today while the watch is one of the simplest. Yet some commonality between these two products may include lessons for other technology products that wish to remain around for decades.
Casio's smartphone-ready G-Shock watch set to hit Japan in March
Casio's G-Shock GB-6900 watch was originally set to roll out sometime this year (having even made an appearance at FCC way back in July) but, according to TechCrunch, the company was forced to delay its release to due to shortages resulting from the Thailand floods. Now it looks like you'll be able to finally pick one up on March 16th of next year -- at least in Japan, where it's set to run ¥18,000 (or about $230). Of course, we wouldn't be covering this if it was just an ordinary G-Shock watch. The key feature here is Bluetooth LE connectivity (part of the Bluetooth 4.0 spec), which consumes far less power than other Bluetooth variations, and allows the watch to communicate with your smartphone. As you might expect from that tiny display, that functionality is a bit more limited than something like Motorola's MOTOACTV, but it will let you see incoming calls, emails and text messages, and control some basic features like your phone's ringer or alarm.
Casio's Bluetooth 4.0 G-Shock is water and shock-resistant, FCC-approved
The latest G-Shock watch from Casio boasts the usual array of shock and water-resistant claims, and now it can add FCC acceptance to the list, having passed through that government agency's approval process. So, why did this wristwatch hit the FCC in the first place? Well, the rugged little timekeeper is packing Bluetooth 4.0 in its bag of tricks, which lets the wearable gadget communicate with your smartphone. No word on a release date, but Casio did mention a fairly broad "some time in 2011" window when it was first announced back in March. Here's hoping that its FCC debut will speed the shock-filled process along.
Casio's Dee and Ricky G-Shock is all business
G-Shockin' all the way from the country club to the nightclub takes finesse. Of course, it also helps if you've got Lego-obsessed designers Dee and Ricky Jackson looking after you, and they've worked their magic on Casio's latest GA110 wristwatch to craft this glorious clash of technology, water resistance, and primary colors. It might seem wild, yes -- but bear in mind these are the same guys that sell wearable Lego bowties. Interested? It'll hit stores next month for $130.
Casio trots out world's slimmest shock-resistant digicam: EX-G1 (video)
Generally speaking, having something "ruggedized" ruins the aesthetic appeal. You trade style for function, and that's been perfectly acceptable until today. The EX-G1, which becomes the first camera in the new EXILIM G line, takes a few cues from Casio's G-SHOCK line while being the planet's thinnest shock-resistant camera. Furthermore, this thing is freezeproof, waterproof and dustproof, and at just 0.78-inches thick, you'll hardly notice it shoved in your left rear pocket. As for specs, you're looking at a 12.1 megapixel sensor, intelligent AF, a dedicated movie mode (848 x 480), 35.7MB of inbuilt memory (yeah, we know), a microSD / microSDHC expansion slot, 3x optical zoom and a 2.5-inch rear LCD with a 960 x 240 resolution. We're told that the rechargeable battery should last for around 300 shots on a full charge, and the Interval Shooting function enables the camera to automatically fire at fixed points when shooting action sports. If you're foaming at the mouth right now, your cure can be found this December in black or red for $299.99. The full release and a promo video is just past the break. %Gallery-77625%
Casio gets fancy with LED-infused Tough Movement
Automatic movement? Sweeping hands? Pish posh. Casio's looking to impress a few watch aficionados itself with the all new Tough Movement. Designed to slip inside its Oceanus and G-Shock series of timepieces, the new movement "features a high shock resistance and a hand position correction function using LED." During the 55th minute of each hour, the movement receives time calibration signals from six bases located throughout the world; if the hands are off at all, it automatically corrects things to ensure that you're never a moment off. Reportedly, the first wristwatch to utilize the technology will be the GS-1200, which is currently slated to hit Japan this September for a stiff ¥42,000 ($390).[Via OhGizmo]
