Is That a Phone on Your Wrist?

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/30530.html' target='_blank'>http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/30530.html</a><br /><br /></div>"Samsung has said its GPRS wristphone will ship in Europe in time for Christmas. The device, announced earlier this year, is the world's smallest GPRS phone, claims Samsung. The phone operates in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands, and provides Bluetooth connections for headsets and PDAs. It has a built in speakerphone, and dialling is voice activated. The screen is a 256-colour 96x63 OLED panel. The phone measures 3.8 x 6.4 x 1.8cm and weighs less than 80g."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/samsung_watchphone.jpg" /> <br /><br />Hmm. This would almost nullify the whole one device/two device scenario...if I wore a watch. :mrgreen: I love seeing innovation like this, even if it's a "geeks only" version right now, because these are the first steps towards integration on a much deeper level (think Star Trek communicators, and not the ones Kirk used).

[Jimmy Dodd]

"Hmm. This would almost nullify the whole one device/two device scenario

Actually, it'll start a whole new argument - those who want their watch and phone seperate and those who want a combined device. :roll:

[malcolmsharp]

What I want is a bluetooth phone that can beep out appointments, e-mail alerts, voice mail alerts and phone rings (sound, LED light and vib), so my PDA can, from a breif case or my deep pocket, still inform me of what's going on.

[Don Tolson]

Is anyone else reminded of a Dick Tracy watch??? or am I just showing my age???

[Janak Parekh]

Don, it's not you. ;)

We posted on this before, but the Bluetooth bit is new. Which is, franky, awesome. Unfortunately, they didn't see fit to cram 1900MHz into this unit, so it's not for me -- or any of us in North America. :cry:

--janak

[dochall]

scenario...if I wore a watch. :mrgreen:

What you're sugggesting I'm a geek just because I want one. :oops:

[ricksfiona]

I hate when companies don't include the North American GSM frequency. Don't companies know by now that the U.S. is geek central? Well, except for Japan maybe...

With Bluetooth, forget buying a Smartphone. Though a Smartphone has it's place too. As long as you have your watch on, you can surf the net with your PDA USING GPRS (it'll be better than 9.6kps at least). Use the Bluetooth for a wireless headset connection. This is such a sweet device!!!

Once a manufacturer comes out with a device like this, it's only a matter of time before half a dozen of other companies come out with competing products. Thus, a nicer selection.

Price. Hmmm. I think $300 would be a price I would pay for this device. Any more and I would have to consider going with a Smartphone instead.

[Mike Temporale]

The 400mAh Li-ion battery provides one-and-a-half hours' talk time and 80 hours stand-by time. Pricing has yet to be announced.

That seems really low to me. I don't know about the rest of you, but I can easily use more than 1.5 hours of talk time in a day. Such a low talk time would mean recharging or swapping batteries just to make it through a day. 8O

Very cool gadget. It's nice to see a company looking at the big picture, and creating a device that can easily be the center of your connected world.

[Pony99CA]

The 400mAh Li-ion battery provides one-and-a-half hours' talk time and 80 hours stand-by time. Pricing has yet to be announced.
That seems really low to me. I don't know about the rest of you, but I can easily use more than 1.5 hours of talk time in a day. Such a low talk time would mean recharging or swapping batteries just to make it through a day.

I can use that much, too -- I've spoken on the phone for 9 hours in one sitting (well, I took a break and redialed a few minutes later). However, I rarely use my cell phone, so that would generally be enough for me.

Of course, what did you expect for battery life? The phone is in a WATCH:!: You can't exactly put a StarTac battery on that. :lol:

One problem I see is charging it. When I drive, I typically hook my phone to a charger/hands-free system in my car. That would be rather awkward with my watch. Also, I'd hate to have to take my watch off so I could charge the battery, and wearing two watches seems ridiculous. I guess this is one thing I'd really have to get two batteries for.

Steve

[beq]

It looks very cool. But personally, if they can squeeze the cellular parts smaller and smaller, I'd probably prefer to just integrate it into your PPC and be done with it. So you just carry the PPC and the Bluespoon earset (2 pieces) instead of also needing the watch (a 3rd piece) just for the cellular pickup (the screen, speakerphone, voice recognition are redundant with your PPC)...

[MarcTGFG]

I looked up their PDFs for the CeBit trade fair and actually had a look at this device in Hannover.

I do remember that there also was a CDMA version of this device announced for the US market also for sometime in 2003!

So cheer up :-)

[wirelessgeek]

North America is very slow adopting Bluetooth so it's logical that companies who introduce new Bluetooth products are focusing on Europe (see frequency).

Some other products/concepts with Bluetooth connectivity:

Seiko Instruments Inc. (SII) is using IXI software to create a new variety of wireless watches and related services for the mobile market. By using IXI software, SII will continue to innovate and will be the first in the market to offer watches never seen before. Sleek, attractive and highly functional, the new "a;ware;able" watch is Bluetooth-enabled and will work with all PMGs
http://www.ixi.com/pmg
Frog Design / Motorola Offspring Wearables Concept: WDA (Wearable Digital Assistant): The WDA is a handheld device that contains the same components as an iDEN phone. This device does not use a numeric keypad. Instead, it contains voice recognition capabilities, a video-game-like navigation device, and high capacity storage for audio and visual data. Like the other products in the family, the WDA is Bluetooth enabled for seamless wireless connectivity between devices.
Wristable: The Wristable serves the same function and has the same technical description as the WDA, but it is worn on the wrist. The display is black and white. The materials are plastic for the housing and rubber for the areas that interface with the user.
http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/moto_wearables/
IBM Bluetooth Watch
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/342/C1241/
Various Cool Watches
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/342/

[ConceptVBS]

I looked up their PDFs for the CeBit trade fair and actually had a look at this device in Hannover.

I do remember that there also was a CDMA version of this device announced for the US market also for sometime in 2003!

So cheer up :-)

DUDE!!! Are you sure you saw a CDMA, I repeat a CDMA version of this device coming in 2003???????????

I think you are mistaking the previous version of this watch phone, which was originally scheduled to be released for Sprint PCS back in 2000. Unfortunately, due to market demand being lackluster, they had to cancel it.

Please reply ASAP!!!!!!

Thanks!!

[daveburrows]

Samsung have been trialling their new watch in Tokyo since fall last year, I was looking at prototype photos shortly after purchasing the new T100 which I adore, the only problem with the T100 is it doesn't have bluetooth. Samsung did say last year that they didn't think the watch would go public worldwide due to only localised interest but maybe all that's changed with Bluetooth.

I'd certainly go and buy one if it's anything like the T100 with polyphonic ring tones and a great colour LCD with Bluetooth connectivity!

[jimski]

Don't know about a Phone Watch but I jumped at the opportunity to get a SkyTel/Timex Watch back in December. Yeh, it's geeky, but at least I got that pager off my belt forever.

I get new alerts, pages and short e-mail messages anywhere in North America. Battery lasts about 60 days. Much more reliable than any of America's cellular networks. This is more than just W?BIC. This is an essential piece of hardware.

[grogma]

Teensy for a cellphone, GIGANTIC for a watch. Plus I'm concerned about wrist cancer.

[ConceptVBS]

Teensy for a cellphone, GIGANTIC for a watch. Plus I'm concerned about wrist cancer.

Then you should be concerned about "eye caner". Your looking at a monitor that produces electromagnetic field. What about your microwave? Stereo system? TV? Almost all electronics goods produce EMF's. What about the radio waves that penetrate through walls and buildings? Ever thought of that?

:roll: