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Sony's smart watch strap is now available in the UK
Sony first proposed the Wena Wrist, the curious smart watch with a dumb face, in a crowdfunding campaign back in 2015. Now, after years of availability in Japan, the wearable is hitting the international market and can be pre-ordered in the UK (no word yet on a US release). But it's not a watch -- nor even a smart watch -- in the traditional sense. Instead, the Wena Wrist is a smart strap designed to be worn with existing mechanical watch faces. You can use it to turn any classic or fashion watch into a smart bit of kit.
Watchmakers think smart features will beat smartwatches
Fossil is the fourth-biggest watchmaker in the world, responsible for about 5 percent of global timepiece sales. The company produces watches for a variety of brands, including Armani, Kate Spade, Michael Kors and Skagen. This week, ahead of the holidays, all of those labels have launched traditional-looking analog watches that come with activity tracking, notification vibrations and automatic time setting. When a company feels this confident that its users want this tech, you know something's going on. That's because this is the moment that the future of wearables becomes a race to see how deep you can bury your geeky credentials beneath a pretty case.
The Calendar Watch previews your schedule at a glance
Last year, What Watch introduced its Stop the Time watch, which offered a minimalistic flourish of smart technology on top of a classic wrist-worn timepiece. The idea was to purposely limit the feature set, freeing users from data overload through a conceptual design. With the press of a single-use button, you could mark up to five "moments" each month, which lit up elements on the watch's e-ink display. This month, the company is back with another technologically restrained wearable, the Calendar Watch. It still avoids data overload by keeping things simple: You can look at the time and also see your schedule at a glance. The product just launched on Kickstarter, but we got a chance to speak with What Watch co-founder Igor Basargin and take a look at the first batch of prototypes. They won't help you track steps or control a playlist, but the pie-wedge schedule view seems a useful addition to a pretty decent-looking watch.
Researchers have created an oscillator that could silence the mechanical watch
You're running late to a meeting, glaring at your wrist in disbelief that it's fifteen minutes past the hour. Are you really that late? Lifting the watch to your ear you hear the all-too familiar tick of its internal mechanisms. Yes, it works -- and you are indeed late. This scenario could soon be a thing of the past, mostly because the mechanical watches of tomorrow may not tick at all. Researchers at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne have created a new, silent oscillator that could potentially be used to make watches with fewer mechanical parts.
For $10,000, here's a mechanical watch you'll never have to set
Mechanical watches are beautiful, but there's always the hassle of setting it to the correct time when you travel abroad. What price, then, would you pay to never make that sort of effort again? If you answered "about ten grand," then you're the ideal customer for VCXO's Ox One. The Swiss company has paired up a mechanical movement with a GPS module, so all you need to do is push the -- sigh -- "magic button," and it'll wind the time according to the local satellite. The Stainless Steel version of the watch will set you back $10,000, while the black ceramic is priced at $12,000, but if you're really looking to splash out, there's a limited-edition version that'll set you back nearly $45,000. Of course, if you're that obsessed with accuracy and efficiency, perhaps you're better off just, you know, going digital?
Tokyoflash Kisai Spider watch goes from concept to wrist-flaunting product (video)
Tokyoflash threw a transparent LED timepiece with a web-like display against the proverbial concept wall earlier this year, and danged if the Kisai Spider didn't stick. The new watch lets you inspect your wrist while attempting to decipher the time or date, which are read from the outside-in through a highly geometrical display of digits -- the above image showing 09:58, for instance. You'll be able to score the dapper device in black and silver brushed stainless steel with a black, blue, green or red display for $159 until this Friday, after which time it'll run an extra twenty bills. For the oh-so-vital instructions on how to to read it, along with ordering info, check the source or video after the break.
Tokyoflash launches the Kisai Maru watch, lets you live out your Tony Stark fantasies (video)
It's that time of the week when Tokyoflash launches another one of its charming, barely-decipherable timepieces. Except, this time out, the face is eminently readable -- with the only baffling addition a ring that joins the minute and hour hands. While it's available in black and silver, the sienna variant with its reddish-brown casing go hand-in-hand with the bracelet's chunky stylings to make it eerily reminiscent of Tony Stark's superhero outfit. If you'd to indulge your own arc reactor-infused fantasies, the company is selling the timepiece for $109 (€85, £68) until 2:00 AM ET Saturday, after which it'll set you back $149 (€116, £93). If you want to take a moment to see it in action before you order a cheeseburger and declare yourself Iron Man, head on past the break.
Tokyoflash hides the time inside the Kisai Maze watch for you to find (video)
Want a watch that prevents passers-by from checking the time on your dime? Buy a Tokyoflash. The company's latest timepiece is the Kisai Maze, which hides the info in the negative space of a maze that's only readable with some practice. Available in stainless steel or IP Black, there's an EL backlight to let you annoy the elderly at night and you can watch it being demonstrated after the break. If you snap one up in the next 48 hours, it'll cost $99 (€77, £61), but hurry, because after Thursday morning the price leaps to $139 (€108, £86) -- so now's the time to learn how to be ruthlessly punctual.
Apple agrees to license for Swiss railway clock in iOS 6, knows what time it is
When Swiss federal railway organization SBB and the Mondaine Group pointed out that the iOS 6 clock face looked remarkably like theirs, they weren't so much upset as clearing their throat politely -- it would be nice to get credit, if you don't mind. That kindness has been met with some reciprocity, as SBB has confirmed a licensing deal with Apple that gives the iPad builder rights to use the iconic timepiece in its mobile OS. Exact terms aren't forthcoming, although it's likely not a princely sum when SBB is better known for punctuality than wheeling and dealing. All we know is that Apple can at last live with a good conscience when it checks the time in Geneva.
Citizen Eco-Drive Proximity watch notifies iPhone owners without betraying their nerd status
It's hard to deny that Bluetooth watches usually lack the social graces you need when dressing to impress. Citizen doesn't want to leave you a binary choice between technology and poshness, however. The company's upcoming Eco-Drive Proximity watch has all the respectability of an analog steel timepiece, but it quietly syncs to an iPhone 4S (or newer) through Bluetooth 4.0. Miss a call, get a message or approach a meeting, and the seconds hand will point to a word on the dial indicating what needs attention -- there's no broadcasting your geek credentials to everyone in the room. The iPhone syncs its time with the watch if you're so inclined, and a search mode will ping the handset if it's lost under the couch. Expect to pay $550, or about as much as many mid-tier quartz watches, when the Proximity goes on sale in the fall. It's certainly not a trivial price next to other Bluetooth watches, but the public acceptance factor may be more than worth the premium.
Tokyoflash Japan unveils the Kisai Online, tells the time in vertical lines
The latest fan-submitted timepiece from Tokyoflash bundles together 10 distinct lines to tell the time. The Kisai Online's built-in accelerometer means as you rotate the watch to view, an otherwise cryptic mess of lines transforms into something (a little) more readable. Toting the watchmaker's typical always-on display, the watch can be picked up in a choice of black and silver-finish stainless steel bodies, alongside three LCD colors; natural, blue and red. The limited edition design is available direct from the source link below -- but be ready to part with $170 for the privilege.
Sony SmartWatch torn down and dissected, wishes it were a Pebble
Wondering how the innards of Sony's SmartWatch compared to the Motorola's MotoACTV? Wonder no more. One cmw has dissected the aforesaid timepiece, noting that most of what's inside doesn't live up to the superior hardware found in Moto's unit. Aside from finding a 110mAh battery (compared to 258mAh in the MotoACTV), there's also a Micrium uC/OS-II. For those just here for the eye candy, there's a bit of that down in the source link, too. When asked for comment, Pebble simply quipped: "Everyday I'm Shufflin'." [Thanks, John]
Biegert & Funk bring the literal time to your wristwatch with QLOCKTWO W
It's a common desire among everyday folk: we often say we'd like to read more, if only we had the time. While it's unlikely to fill your noggin with the prose of Hemingway or the poetry of Whitman, a new wristwatch from Biegert & Funk promises to quench your thirst for words and literally provide you with the time. Known as the QLOCKTWO W, the timepiece is a portable revision of the company's original wall clock, both of which display the current time in everyday language. Priced at €550, the watch is scheduled for arrival this autumn and will be available in black or stainless steel variations, with either rubber or leather bands. As another option, those who find English far too mundane may spring for the Deutsch version. Curious shoppers will find the full PR after the break.
Arduino-powered Artbot writes the time, erases it, writes again (video)
Watching the seconds go by is a frightening reminder that time pauses for no one, but somehow, a hacker going by the name of Ekaggrat has figured out how to make the process a bit less daunting. The so-called Doodle Clock is an Arduino-powered robotic arm that's been trained to jot down the time with a dry erase marker; once the minute passes, he erases the last digit and rewrites it -- a number beyond what he just erased, of course. Per usual, these things are better seen than read about, so why not hop on past the break and mash play? Smiles await.
Click KeyPad Watch is the timewasting retro-timepiece you've been waiting for
We do like a good indecipherable timepiece 'round these parts and Click's KeyPad certainly fits the bill. Resembling an old-school mechanical numerical keypad, each button packs an LED -- press any number and it'll blink out the time in single digits, so if it was 9:15am, the zero, nine, one and five buttons would flash in sequence. Push the hash key and the watch will oblige you for today's date. If you enjoy frustrating colleagues who ask you for the time, then you'll be delighted to hear that it costs $90 and is shipping now. However, we're not sure we could pull one off -- maybe the hipster down the street will have better success.
Kisai Rogue Touch Pocket Watch from Tokyoflash keeps things dapper, semi-hard to decipher (video)
Yeah, we're well aware that our fascination with unique and multi-hued timepieces may be more of an obsession. Well, you can add another to the list with the Kisai Rogue Touch Pocket Watch from Tokyoflash. Enclosed by a stainless steel case with brushed edges, the $149 timekeeper makes use of a LCD display with LED backlights in your choice of four color options. The watch's face is protected by a spring-hinged cover and crystal lens. You'll notice a similar dial design to that of the Rogue Touch of the wrist wrapping variety, as this watch also sports four hot-zones for switching between modes. Capable of displaying two time zones, along with date and an alarm, the pocket watch uses an animation to monitor the hours instead of those clunky mechanized arms. If you're wanting a closer look hit the gallery below, and to see the timepiece in action, peep the video just past the break. %Gallery-141301%
Ziiiro Celeste watches tick off the hours in multi-hued fashion
Despite our fascination with all things high-tech and the fact that we've got a smartphone in our pocket at all times, we've got a serious soft spot for stylish and inventive timepieces. Ziiiro is one of those companies that consistently finds its way on to our wish lists with watches like the Orbit and Gravity. Celeste is its latest offering, which represents your linear travel through the fourth dimension as a pair of overlapping colored disks. As the partially transparent bands circle about, they blend together to create dynamic hues of blue and gray, on the Mono models, or green and blue, on the Colored editions. The watches are housed in matte-finished stainless steel in chrome, gunmetal or black. You can pre-order the Celeste Mono and Celeste Colored now for €149 ($205), and they'll start shipping on November 18th. Check out the video after the break to see it in action.
Mutewatch wrists-on: stay on-task with good vibrations (video)
No, the picture above isn't some modernized Power Ranger's wrist communicator. This is the Mutewatch, and we've been intrigued since we first laid eyes on it over a year ago. At a glance, it looks akin to a rubber fashion bracelet, which could make its $260 price tag a shocker. But with the right touch or flick it reveals itself to be much more. The Stockholm-based start-up behind it, dubbed Mutewatch AB, envisions the device serving as "time management tool" for setting quick wrist-felt vibrating reminders during the course of the day. Think Growl, but on your wrist. The wristwatch lacks a dial and crystal, and instead has an angled, touch-sensitive section for a face with hidden LEDs, an ambient light sensor, a motion sensor and a vibrating motor for alarms. We've spent some time using a near-final unit seeing what it would be like silently manage our days, and it's all laid out just past the break. %Gallery-134989%
A DIY Arduino watch that's actually wearable, still won't win you points with the ladies
Here's a little fashion secret: it's all about the details. Wear cheap square-toe shoes with that $5,000 custom-made suit and people will notice. The same is true of a watch. Your timepiece can say a lot about you, including: "I'm a big nerd, please beat me up and take my lunch money." So, what does an Arduino watch tell your peers? Well, for one, that you have way too much time on your hands. And two, that you're crafty person capable of putting your brain meats to work building actual things. Of course, telling time with a series of brightly glowing LEDs on an exposed PCB also sends the message that being fashionable is not your primary concern. If you're looking to earn some geek cred, and can live with the fact that wearing this will probably cost you that cute girl's number at the bar, hit up the source for instructions. At least this wearable Arduino timepiece is a slightly less conspicuous than the Steampunk version we saw last summer. One more pic after the break.
Kisai's Rogue Touch watch displays dual timezones, is mildly confusing to read (video)
Need to keep track of time for two locations at once? Fret not, because the Tokyoflash-designed Kisai Rogue Touch's dual timezone watch has got your back (if you can read it, that is). Being a Rogue variant, you'll notice a backlit-LED/LCD dial with a familiar multi-circle layout, but with more layers for the additional time. Aside from hours and minutes, it displays the current date and progression of seconds and notably, features an animation mode for showing it off to your buddies. Of course as the name implies, the readout is adjustable using four touch-sensitive hotspots for the alarm, date and time, or to simply light up the display. If you're up to the task of using it, the Kisai Rogue Touch is available from Tokyoflash in a choice of four dial colors for $200. While you're still here, peek the gallery, along with the video demo past the break below to get a better idea for how it works (Pro tip: if you order in the next 48 hours, it'll be 20 bucks less for that Starship Enterprise feel you'll get with every glance). %Gallery-134941%
