wristwatch
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Finis Swimsense swimming performance monitor can tell a butterfly from a breaststroke
In the water, we're such natural swimmers that we sometimes forget what stroke we're using to propel ourselves through that clear, chlorinated cocktail at the Y. If only we had the Finis Swimsense wrist-worn performance monitor that wouldn't be a problem. Using internal motion sensors plus a little information from you (such as pool size) the thing can not only tell you how many laps you swam and at what pace, but how many strokes you took to get there and even what style you were using at the time. At the end of the day it'll spit back total calories burned, which could help us identify just how many crullers we're allowed to down during our apres-swim donut binges.The Swimsense is slated for release in time for stocking season this year, priced a penny under $200.
Devon Works Tread 1 belt-driven, bulletproof wristwatch tested, proven to actually tell time (video)
The last time we saw the Devon Works Tread 1 wristwatch it existed only in digital form, rendered and swirling about with respect neither mass nor volume. Now it has come to reside in the physical plane, and aBlogtoRead has managed to get one of its belt-driven manifestations to test out. Naturally it's a little less pristine looking than the computer-generated version and, pictured next to a fleshy hand, we can now see just how big the thing is -- its crown actually large enough to wear on your head. For $15k you at least know you're getting your money's worth when it comes to raw materials, but whether you agree that this is a "novel timepiece that will make a satisfying addition to any collector's treasure trove" depends on your sense of taste, depth of pockets, and desire to make your forearms look meek and feeble.
Thanko's Bluetooth earpiece / wristwatch for the on-the-go, shameless tech professional
Thanko has given us much joy over the years, from e-cigarettes to necktie / spy cameras. But the Bluetooth Headset Wristwatch? Hell, this one looks almost useful: your watch can be popped out of the wristband to do double duty as a Bluetooth earpiece. Charging for two hours via USB will give you around four hours of operation, depending on whether you're using it to make calls or listen to music. Available in Japan for roughly $90.
MB&F HM4 Thunderbolt considers legible time 'a fringe benefit' (video)
This isn't just a watch, it's a horological machine. The HM4 Thunderbolt, recently unveiled by designer Maximilian Busser, represents an intriguing mixture of high-grade materials, precision engineering, and outlandishly macho design. The case is composed of titanium and sapphire -- which collectively take over 200 hours of machining and finishing to achieve the desired aerodynamic look -- while ensconced within it are over 300 parts composing a "transcendental" engine. We can't say we're not attracted by the bullet-shaped dials offering us our time with a side order of superfly, but then the $158,000 price tag ensures that we won't be able to do something foolish like buying one for ourselves. See the HM4 on video after the break.
Steampunk Arduino Watch tells time, plays Breakout, thrills the world
We've seen no shortage of homegrown watches in our lifetime, and the quantity of Arduino-based gadgetry that graces the web each day might just outnumber the quantity of humans incensed by BP right now. But so far as we can tell, this is the first instance we've seen of the two combining in holy matrimony. The delicately crafted Arduino Watch: Steampunk Edition actually lives up to its name, providing augmented sensing of temperature and range, a 16-bit color drawing program, Breakout game and the ability to display time in digital, analog or binary. Best of all, the creator asserts that various other sensors and programs can be added on a whim, which is something your $4,000 Sea-dweller most certainly cannot say for itself. Speaking of cost, we're told that the whole shebang can be crafted for around $250, but considering that you'll be a local hero should you actually duplicate the effort here, you owe it to yourself to give those source links a long, hard look.
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.
GPS 800G watch phone gets the job done (and little else)
Watch phones clearly haven't hit the mainstream yet, though a resurgence of Dick Tracy may very well turn that around. Given that we're probably years, if not centuries, away from that happening, it's up to niche import shops like Alibaba to bring us goods like these. The GPS 800G -- delivered by none other than Shanghai Zhiyuan Vacuum Electric Company, of course -- manages to handle time telling, texting, GPS routing and even emergency calling. Oh, and normal calling as well. Looks as if you'll need to ping the supplier in order to get a lock on pricing, but we can't say with a straight face that it'll be worth your while.
Devon Works Tread 1 is the bulletproof Droid of wristwatches (video)
Forget the fact that this thing is bulletproof or that its internal battery is recharged wirelessly, just look at it. Built around an array of four microstep motors -- each driving one of an interwoven quartet of time belts -- the Devon Works Tread 1 creates a veritable visual symphony of precise motion to accompany the typically mundane task of checking the time. The watch was designed with the help of a Californian aerospace engineering company, which should go some way to justifying its $15,000 asking price. The rest of that justification will have to come from the "oohs" and "aahs" you incite in stupefied onlookers. Go past the break to see the promo video, it achieves rare heights of machismo that are not to be missed.
Neutrano's Nutec WristFone granted FCC approval
Last time we got a look at the Nutec WristFone -- a brainchild of Canadian company Neutrano -- the year was 2009, we were at CTIA, and the prototypes were looking pretty rough and chunky. Sure, the common ancestor of these watchphones is the same typical China-sourced model that you're prone to see in SkyMall every month, but we admired Neutrano for putting some time, energy, and money into customizing the thing and making it just a little more desirable for the North American market. Anyhow, we just stumbled across what might be the final ID for the WristFone in the FCC today, and it's a heck of a lot slicker looking than anything we saw last year -- in fact, you might be able to get away with wearing this without passers-by wondering what the gigantic Dick Tracy-esque object on your arm is. The model rocks GSM 850 / 1900 with GPRS alone for data, which is just fine considering that you're not going to be doing much web (or Flash) browsing on it -- and naturally, you've got Bluetooth in there so that you don't need to talk to your own hand. We'll let you know when we've got a date and price.
Seiko's 'active matrix' E-Ink watch exemplifies awesome, might just be the future (video)
Seiko's been doing the whole E-Ink wristwatch thing for years now, but the vast majority of 'em could really only be viewed when looking directly down onto the so-called dial. The appropriately named "Future Now" EPD watch aims to change all that, with an "active matrix" E-Ink display that allows for the same 180 degrees of visibility that you've come to expect in the average LCD panel. The all-black watch made its debut at Basel World 2010, boasting a grand total of 80,000 pixels, each of which are capable of displaying four shades of grey. Seiko's also trumpeting the achievements in power reduction, though we aren't informed of exactly how long this thing can shuffle minutes away before needing a recharge. Either way, we couldn't be more anxious to see this gem hit store shelves -- hop on past the break for a quick look at exactly what we mean.
Garmin's Forerunner 110 GPS watch handles just the basics, please
Garmin has managed to do GPS watches right with its long-standing Forerunner line, but the vast majority of 'em have been useful only to nerds who aren't deterred by lengthy setup procedures. The new Forerunner 110, however, changes all that. Designed to provide just the basics to runners and other fitness freaks, this SiRFstarIV-infused timepiece provides near-instant access to distance, pace and time "within seconds of stepping outside." Marketed as an entry-level solution for those who don't need added complexity in their life, it can also be used in conjunction with heart rate monitors to display current thumps per second and heart rate-based calorie computation, both of which can be logged once you sync it to your PC via USB. The inbuilt battery will last up to eight hours in GPS / training mode or three weeks in power-save mode, and while there's no mention of a price, we are told that it'll be available in black / gray, charcoal / red and gray / pink color combinations. Good luck choosing the most badical one. Update: Looks like it's on sale now directly through Garmin for $250. Thanks, Dara!
Cabestan's Nostromo watch is geared for success
You might think, given our recent bout of attentiveness toward wristwear, that we're starting to develop an Enwatchet subsection, but that's not entirely accurate. It's just that when we come across such wild and quirky designs, there's nothing to be done but share them with the world. Case in point: the Cabestan Nostromo watch, inspired by the ship from the Alien movie. In the words of its own designers, the Nostromo combines traditional watchmaking with "retro-futuristic audacity," and when we gaze upon its exposed vertical mechanics, we can't exactly argue otherwise. With a titanium case, Superluminova phosphorescent coating for dusky situations, and side windows (see them after the break), this is as appealing a watch as any geek can dare to imagine. Sure, you could probably buy a sports car for less than the 150,000 Swiss Francs ($141,400 in American currency) asking price, but it's not like you can strap a Porsche to your wrist, now is it?
Zero watch concept perfects the minimal timepiece
Unless you're a fan of high-tech jewelry, few things are as irksome as an overblown wristwatch design (we're looking at you Tokyoflash). While a binary timepiece will certainly up your geek cred, it's not very useful for providing at-a-glance information. Robert Dabi's Zero concept above, however, remains simple, beautiful, and amazingly enough, useful, all that same time. Practical too if he can coax a batch of round LCD displays into a production run. More pics and video after the break.
4N wristwatch delivers digital time in a mechanical fashion
Given how simple we've made timekeeping over the years, it was inevitable that luxury watches would have to move into more esoteric lands in order to exude the appropriate sense of wonder when witnessed by those who can't afford them. You might call that the Xperia Pureness effect. Ergo, quite aside from its platinum or 18-carat gold construction options, the 4N watch tries to grab the spotlight with its quirky disc-based mechanism, which rotates numbers (four numbers, hence 4N) into position to display a digital readout of the time. The fact that all three discs -- built out of aluminum or a titanium alloy -- and the MVT01 movement are exposed to the eye earns geek cred from us, while the limited run of only 16 units should ensure the desired exclusivity for the watches' future owners. As the old saying about price goes, if you have to ask, you can't afford one.
Redesigned LG Watch Phone caught showing off shapely figure in Brazil
LG's £500 ($800) GD910 Watch Phone made quite an impression when we reviewed it late last year, but part of that impression was of a bulky, blocky thing that feels decidedly substantial on the wrist. A subtly redesigned version was spotted recently at the LG Digital Experience in Brazil, sporting a slightly more curvaceous shape and a new logo placement -- up top rather than below the screen. It's hard to tell what (if anything) else has changed, and apparently LG reps weren't forthcoming with information, but with any luck this new version will offer a more affordable price point than its stately but spendy predecessor.
TAG Heuer and Tesla Motors team up to show off products you can't afford
The Tesla Roadster runs on batteries, and so too do (many) TAG Heuer watches. It's out of this obvious correlation that the TAG Heuer Tesla Roadster was born, a one-off special edition skinned in some unfortunate graphics then blessed with an extra slot in the center console for a similarly spendy Meridiist phone. There's also room in there for a one-fifth second analog Heuer Limited Edition Stopwatch, which sounds like a very useful addition indeed. Those attending Geneva Motor Show later this week will have a chance to see this (otherwise stock) car in-person, while the rest of us will have to make do with the gallery of photos below, which truly shows that "technology -- whether worn on your wrist or driven on the road -- can help us live better while we tread more lightly on this planet." These words courtesy of Elon Musk, who can surely be seen at the show wearing a giant piece of wrist-borne chronography. %Gallery-86723%
Helium Digital HDBT-990 Bluetooth wristband gets reviewed, given 3.5 Jack Bauers
Looking to get a Bluetooth earpiece without actually upping your tool factor by 40x or so? Good luck. Helium Digital's so-called alternative (that'd be the HDBT-990 Bluetooth wristband) was recently reviewed by our iPhone-lovin' pals in the Great White North, and while they found it to work well when it came to handling calls without actually using the speaker and microphone within the iPhone 3GS, everything else about it was ho hum at best. There's no inbuilt LCD for watching Caller ID streams, the mini-USB jack was "flimsy," and there's still the issue of this unit being at least somewhat unsightly. It's also $90, which puts it just north of the all-important "ah, who cares" range for most of you price-conscience consumers. Hit the source link for their full impressions, but don't be shocked if you come away still in search of the aforementioned mystery device.
Armatix pistol / wristwatch combo tells time... to stay put
Armatix has apparently been working on its so-called "smartgun" concept for quite a while, but it's now finally shown up at the Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT, naturally) with its first actual product: a .22-caliber pistol that relies on a wristwatch as a safety. As you can probably figure out, the gun will only unlock itself when its in close proximity to the watch, which sends a "wireless arming signal" that, of course, also activates some green LEDs for good measure. Previous incarnations of the company's concept also relied on a fingerprint ID as an additional safety, but that seems to have been left off this production model, which will run €7,000 (or $9,700) when it starts shipping next month.
Timex readying GPS-equipped Ironman Global Trainer wristwatch
It's been a white hot minute since we've seen a snazzy new timepiece from the labs at Timex, but it seems that the outfit will finally be dishing out a new GPS-laden watch a year after introducing the Expedition WS4. Set to debut next month, the Ironman Global Trainer with GPS is easily one of the slimmest, most not-ugly GPS watches we've ever seen. At a glance, you'd never know that such features as real-time speed, pace and distance data were included courtesy of the SiRFstarIII module tucked within, and you'll also get 50 meters of water resistance, a customizable display to showcase four metrics at once and the ability to push performance reports out to your PC. The device will be compatible with Timex heart rate and bike sensors, not to mention any third-party power meters utilizing ANT+ wireless technology. Unfortunately, next month's reveal will only let you know that it'll ship this May to REI stores here in the States, while the rest of the world will have to wait until September to strap one on.
inPulse Smartwatch for BlackBerry up for pre-order, ships in February 2010
Just as we'd heard, RIM decided to outsource the production of the planet's first BlackBerry watch, but that doesn't mean that devoted BB Messenger users won't be hankerin' for one. The inPulse Smartwatch for BlackBerry is being produced by Allerta, and now that it's official, we can safely say that it'll rely on Bluetooth in order to bring incoming emails, text messages and other alerts from your handset to your wrist (or your ankle, if you roll like that). As for specs, you're looking at a 1.3-inch OLED display, glass lens, full metal body, vibrating motor, microUSB port and a rechargeable battery that's good for around four days of "normal use." inPulse users will have to install a special BlackBerry application in order to pass along information, but those hoping to use their watch to actually send messages will be sorely disappointed. It's up for pre-order now at $149, and if all goes well, the first ones will ship out in February.