View Full Version : Seiko to Release Their First Bluetooth Watch
Ekkie Tepsupornchai
03-06-2006, 10:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-11282-The+Seiko+Instruments+Inc+Bluetooth+watch.html' target='_blank'>http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/new...ooth+watch.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"This watch is in fact an extension of your phone, and you'll be able (at first) to play around with the volume of the ringtone of your phone. It can also alert you when you have an SMS or email, and it can display the number and the name of the person that is calling you. Finally, it will also alert you when the Bluetooth connection between the watch and phone is broken, so you won't forget your phone anymore."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_seiko_bt_watch.jpg" /><br /><br />Okay, I know. This watch is FREAKIN' HUGE!! 8O But the concept behind this watch is pretty darn innovative. Of course, this would be yet another device that you'll need to "recharge" on a regular basis, but I believe they do have a value proposition with this watch. Seiko is scheduled to release this sometime late this year or early next year. So what do you guys think? Is this something you'd be interested (if the form-factor were smaller)? Give us your thoughts!
BUMP THAT
03-06-2006, 10:25 PM
I read about this early and I have to have one. This is a very nice product from a very good wacth company.
PDAlien
03-06-2006, 10:40 PM
Cool concept, but it definitely screams "ubergeek". I mean, I'm the first person to admit I'm a geek, but this is akin to yelling it from the rooftops.
If they were able to make a nice digital/analog combo bluetooth watch that is not made for King Kong, then I'd consider it ;-)
ricksfiona
03-06-2006, 10:55 PM
Whoever said "bigger is better" may want to add an addendum to that... Love the styling and I think it's a great idea. But, they'll have to cut the thickness by at least 70% and width by about 30%. Bummer, I think it's a really cool style. Retro yet modern.
ricksfiona
03-06-2006, 11:15 PM
You should check out the video... The model looks like your typical, tiny Asian female type. When she displays the watch on her wrist, it makes the watch look even bigger. It looks like having an Atom strapped to your wrist.
When I saw her operating the watch, it reminded me of Blade Runner, Dick Tracy or maybe even 'The Empire Strikes Back'. It can be so cool if they made it smaller....
Darius Wey
03-06-2006, 11:42 PM
Okay, I know. This watch is FREAKIN' HUGE!!
Oh, the thoughts of osteoporotic men and women snapping their wrists from this behemoth.
Mark Kenepp
03-07-2006, 12:01 AM
I mean, I'm the first person to admit I'm a geek, but this is akin to yelling it from the rooftops.
Beyond that, I think that you would be able to see this watch on somebodies wrist much further away than you could hear them.
The idea of a watch showing the caller ID for a phone is great but with this particular device, why not just strap the phone to your wrist?
Oh, the thoughts of osteoporotic men and women snapping their wrists from this behemoth.
I actually think that this watch doubles as a splint :lol:
shindullin
03-07-2006, 01:07 AM
It really requires you to see the watch on the wrist next to the PDA phone to see that this thing is really, really, really big. I looks like its about the same dimensions as the screen on my 2125 and a little bit thicker. Wow...
it's still a great idea though. Hope it comes out smaller and thinner when it's finally introduced. If it was able to like to a smart phone through a pocket controller -type interface you could keep the phone in the your pocket or brief case and use the watch for everything put making and receiving calls. Then, I'd buy it in an instant.
Reminds me of the MSN watches that were hot for a few days. Big, clunky, needs constant recharging, but has a certain geek-a-tude.
Covert
03-07-2006, 03:59 AM
It sounds really useful, but like everyone else I'd never wear something that size.
felixdd
03-07-2006, 05:27 AM
I'll buy it...but at that size, I'd expect some serious uber-James Bond gadgetry in it...like a tactical nuclear missile or something.
If it is that big then why not just add the phone functionality to it instead of bluetoothing to another device? :D
Phoenix
03-07-2006, 10:47 AM
...This watch is FREAKIN' HUGE!!
No joke there. 8O
A person has to watch the video (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/wbs/2006/03/02/toretama/tt.html) to get a real understanding of the size. Talk about "gimme a break!"
If it is that big then why not just add the phone functionality to it instead of bluetoothing to another device? :D
Again, no joke! At that size, I'd expect this thing to BE the cell phone, not just link to one.
And whoever thinks they might buy it better love what it looks like and love wearing it to make use of its features, because with something that big, you're making a real commitment! :lol:
Muntasser
03-07-2006, 11:58 AM
question; why is it so big? The functions seem fairly simple. Its a display with a bluetooth reciever and the simplest of processors embedded, right?
Is it the battery? If so, thats not going to be an easy issue to solve at present.
Constant Caffeine
03-07-2006, 02:38 PM
Didn’t the Wonder Twins have something that looked like this? Ok, seriously, I wonder what these weigh?
JMountford
03-07-2006, 04:20 PM
I like the idea, It is not too much bigger than my spot watch. Add a little more function through BT and make sure that your phone can talk to the watch and the headset at the same time and I would buy one. No pulling a phone out of a pocket or bag ever at that rate. Unless I needed to use my Pocket PC Functions.
Janak Parekh
03-07-2006, 04:39 PM
question; why is it so big? The functions seem fairly simple. Its a display with a bluetooth reciever and the simplest of processors embedded, right?
Maybe because it's a first prototype/version? I just think it's interesting from a potential perspective.
--janak
question; why is it so big? ...
Is it the battery? If so, thats not going to be an easy issue to solve at present.
I'm guessing that they didn't want you to have to recharge it often so, they are running on 4 D-Cells! :lol:
Seriously, either this is a non-integrated prototype, or it's just silly.
I really have been looking forward to a small watch with Bluetooth for caller ID and a few other goodies, but this thing is never going to sell.
One really cool feature a Bluetooth watch could have is to get the exact time from a Bluetooth GPS or cell phone (at least for CDMA or other systems that provide timebases.) Also, SMS or Email messages could be displayed. I really think that using Bluetooth to link to an existing wireless networked device is a far better approach than Microsoft's SPOT technology. But not if the size can't be much smaller. This thing is bigger than my Ericsson T68i from 5 years ago! 8O
victore
03-08-2006, 06:52 AM
Phoenix, thanks for the link to the video, unfortunately, the clip is in Real Video. Ugh.
Phoenix
03-08-2006, 08:39 AM
Phoenix, thanks for the link to the video, unfortunately, the clip is in Real Video. Ugh.
When it comes to Real, I understand the "Ugh" part, believe me. But have no fear, you can always download Real Alternative (http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Real_Alternative.htm) and take advantage of the format without all the bloat and ads. :)
CapRiker
03-09-2006, 03:42 PM
Great concept... poor execution.
The BT radio can't be that big given the size of some of the BT headsets out there. Since there is no speaker/mic it shouldn't have to be that big. The screen, and therefore readability, are probably the biggest hurlde for them.
It seems that oversized/overstated technology is a style choice in Japan and Korea so this might seem normal to them. Get it to about half size and they'll have something.
vBulletin® v3.8.9, Copyright ©2000-2019, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.