Comments on: Fossil licenses Palm OS for PDA Wristwatch

Fossil Palm OS Wrist PDA ~ Click For LargerFossil, Inc. and PalmSource, today announced that Fossil has licensed the Palm operating system. Through the agreement, Fossil will introduce the world's first Palm OS Powered watch called the WRIST PDA. Fossil will showcase prototypes of the WRIST PDA with Palm OS this week at COMDEX at Booth #5242 in the Digital Lifestyles exhibition area of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
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Something new or something old?

Coyote67 @ 11/18/2002 11:03:49 AM #
I recall someone else doing this in the past, right? The truth is I really wouldn't mind something like this, might actually be useful. It would be nice if it used bluetooth. I could use a bluetooth keyboard or whatever and add entries, or maybe just sync constantly emails through the phone, or just constantly sync data with my normal handheld. Interesting idea, always room for something new in the marketplace.

---------------------------------------
BACK OFF! I'll make you fun size!
RE: Something new or something old?
Coyote67 @ 11/18/2002 11:04:50 AM #
Now that the picture actually came up (might be high server load on here, maybe its me), it looks like a full pda. Amazing stuff they are doing these days. I'd like to see input methods with this thing.

---------------------------------------
BACK OFF! I'll make you fun size!
RE: Something new or something old?
alanh @ 11/18/2002 12:10:58 PM #
Fossil had a PDA watch previously, but it ran a proprietary OS. Here is a review of it from another site:

http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/fossil-pda-watches-review.html

Lose the band

Gekko @ 11/18/2002 11:11:27 AM #
I don't like it as a cheesey watch but I would like them to nix the band and just have it as a super-small half-dollar-sized PDA that I could keep in my pocket.

RE: Lose the band
folkmew @ 6/21/2005 8:52:12 PM #
Yeah, it's pretty clunky for a watch - I could swear I read somewhere that a lawyer with ADD said he got an adaptor that turned his into a belt clip like a pager. Anyone know of that?

RE: Lose the band
folkmew @ 6/21/2005 8:52:12 PM #
Yeah, it's pretty clunky for a watch - I could swear I read somewhere that a lawyer with ADD said he got an adaptor that turned his into a belt clip like a pager. Anyone know of that?

Watch

Zippy @ 11/18/2002 11:10:08 AM #
Ughhhhhh...that watch is butt ugly!
Definitely not a chick magnet accessory.

RE: Watch
abosco @ 11/18/2002 2:55:54 PM #
Is ANY PDA a chick magnet accessory?

---
This signature is witty. You like it.
RE: Watch
rickyspears @ 11/18/2002 3:45:05 PM #
It all depends on the chick and what kind of PDA she's carrying. :o)
RE: Watch
funngunn2 @ 11/18/2002 4:00:08 PM #
"Is ANY PDA a chick magnet accessory?"

Heck yeah! Everytime I pull out my PDA around girls, they always want to play with it, and I always end up leaving the scene with a few numbers ;-)

>-----------><-----------<
"Live Long, Visor Prism!"

And I'm still waiting for LauncherX!

If practice makes perfect, and there is no such thing as perfect, then why practice?

RE: Watch
Tuckermaclain @ 11/18/2002 5:22:14 PM #
To the last poster: Launcher X is available for free download from the Yahoo group "next clie club" (I think I spelled it right.) It is very stable and very cool.

RE: Watch
Zippy @ 11/18/2002 7:04:21 PM #
What's the deal with a patched version of LauncherX?
Warez in Clie club files? Strange.
The launcher is really nice, one of the nicest I have seen, BTW.

Thanks for the link.

RE: Watch
aardvarko @ 11/19/2002 6:14:21 AM #
maybe he means the freely downloadable demo version.

-aardvarko
webmaster at aardvarko dot com
http://aardvarko.com

I want one!

costein @ 11/18/2002 11:07:24 AM #
This is what I was waiting for.
Often I'd like to leave the Palm at home and just tote my cell phone around. But having many passwords I manage for others in cases of emergency, and because I really need all my contacts with me, I reluctantly do take my Palm with me everywhere.
It sounds like with this beauty those times are over! Not only are the contacts in there but also the datebook, the to-dos, etc. Great!
I just hope they don't make this a monsterous size...
What concerns me a litte is the battery life, hm...
What I like is "comes with a stylus" ;-)

costein

I like it too, but....

Bmann @ 11/18/2002 11:21:49 AM #
I'd like to see some screen shots of the calander and address book. Also the $$$$$

Also, can you do text entry with the stylus or is it just for navigation?

The interesting thing about this is the screen resolution, 160x160, isn't that the standard, but mini, resolution??

It's getting harder to market these gadgets with all the functions in new cell phones. I wanted a voice recorder in my NR70v, but my new Nokia has that feature and many other PIM funtions.

RE: I like it too, but....
ardiri @ 11/18/2002 11:28:25 AM #
> Also the $$$$$

$299 - it is on their website, i saw this this morning :)

// az
aaron@ardiri.com
http://www.ardiri.com/
http://www.mobilewizardry.com/

RE: I like it too, but....
Bmann @ 11/18/2002 11:57:50 AM #
Ouch, that's too high.

RE: I like it too, but....
I.M Anonymous @ 11/18/2002 1:52:07 PM #
You should be able to install Jot, and use graffiti.

OMG, battery life!?!

Xaositek @ 11/18/2002 11:27:19 AM #
ok im sorry but 4 days battery life, at 30 minutes per day with backlight off... that is terrible!!! That is like 2 hours of runtime with usage... Maybe something like the citizen watches that charge themselves through movement... that is the ONLY way i would buy this thing.

--------------------------------
Jason
appleJAC MUG Webmaster
Mid-MO PUG Officer
No-Rulz, Inc. Webmaster
RE: OMG, battery life!?!
ska @ 11/18/2002 11:32:54 AM #
A watch that only operate for 4 hrs. ehmm....
RE: OMG, battery life!?!
techuser @ 11/18/2002 12:13:35 PM #
The battery life is not great. I was thinking the same thing. But... what about the Fossil PDA that synchs with Palm. That one doesn't have the touch screen and doesn't run Palm OS, but it syncs with the 4 basic apps and the batter lasts 3 months.

http://www.fossil.com/Tech/default.asp?ID=tech

RE: OMG, battery life!?!
ska @ 11/18/2002 12:38:05 PM #
Maybe they should do like what Casio do instead? so the PDA can die but the clock can tick away.

(a transparant display on top of analog watch, it actually look like a normal watch)
http://www.casio.com/watches/product.cfm?section=168&market=0&product=4167

RE: OMG, battery life!?!
I.M Anonymous @ 11/18/2002 1:44:20 PM #
If you can underclock it, it should last longer. The Palm V was more than fast enough at 16mhz, and there is no reason a watch needs 33.

RE: OMG, battery life!?!
pgovotsos @ 11/18/2002 6:19:25 PM #
According to their specs, the battery is a rechargable one. So when you have it in the cradle syncing, it recharges just like your "real" Palm.

RE: OMG, battery life!?!
mstur @ 11/19/2002 11:27:58 AM #
The battery on the old Fossil PDA Watch is a small lithium battery which has to be replaced frequently and causes considerable costs :-(
Thus, a rechargable battery, even if it is necessary to charge it daily, is to be preferred. Also the new Palm PDA Watch seems to be smaller and less clunky ! I tried the Fossil PDA watch recently and found it way too large and uncomfortable, especially the rubber wristband.

I definitely will try the new one, even if it is not waterproof !

RE: OMG, battery life!?!
trevor_d @ 11/19/2002 11:46:08 AM #
I've seen the watch, and have interviewed the Fossil folks. You guys are missing the point on the battery life.

First of all, consider the size of the battery. You can't compare it to a Palm-size PDA in terms of battery life, because it not the same size.

Also, when the watch is not in "Palm mode," it's a watch,so it's on ALL THE TIME. Therefore, considering its on all the time and the battery itself must be damn tiny, I'd say four days is a miracle.

The watch will rest in a cradle for recharging. Since most people don't wear their watches at night, they could recharge it as they sleep. No big deal.

Yes, it's big, but it's smaller than the first Fossil PDA watch and, if you look at it, no bigger than the fashion watches of today.

Also, I tested the original Fossil PDA watch, which was a challenge from day one. Battery life, from the two button cells, was no where near three months. Maybe three weeks. It ate batteries.

This is much improved over the first one, at least from the preliminary specs and the one I played with. It is a fully functional Palm OS 4.1 "wristheld," which means means most apps will work with it. (The ones that will have problems it will be games that require the four buttons and rocker switch.)

Me, I think it's pretty cool, but I'm reserving judgement until I see the final product.

RE: OMG, battery life!?!
Gremmie @ 11/19/2002 1:08:26 PM #
We are now talking about underclocking your watch! People, we have gone too far

RE: OMG, battery life!?!
hoodoo @ 11/19/2002 4:00:59 PM #
LOL!

Underclocking a watch, how ironic is that!

But it seems to make sense, 16mhz would be fine in this thing, I didn't notice that much diff when I went from a m100 at 16mhz to m105 at 33mhz.

RE: OMG, battery life!?!
Ricky @ 11/19/2002 4:11:11 PM #
That's because the m105 only runs at 16MHz. They make the jump to 33MHz from the m125 and up.

I just love the tiny stylus!...

mikemusick @ 11/18/2002 12:04:24 PM #
...NOT!!! If that's their endgame, I hope they plan to supply stylii by the gross. It wouldn't be a day before something like that is dropped where it's irretrievable.

The "Dick Tracy" school of consumer electronics has not been very successful to date. Most recent example that comes to mind is the Casio wristwatch/GPS. Originally $500, retailers are trying desperately - and unsuccessfuly - to dump their stock at $200 per.

I would expect similar results for the Fossil - geek factor is even too high for most techies.

ick

kezza @ 11/18/2002 12:16:14 PM #
Now, I may not be any kind of a fashion maven, but this is even uglier than fossil's last attempt at a PDA watch (the gadgeteer did a review of that one, btw). to whomever said this definitely wasn't a chick-magnet, you're right.

this thing is pretty foul.

i realize it's probably exactly what some people have been looking for, but i agree with the guy who said that it would be better as a half-dollar sized pocket unit, rather than a watch. hey, i know, put it on a chain and make it a pocket watch. that would be tolerable. maybe even cute. but this is just waaaaay too doofy.
oh yeah, and the tiny stylus is maybe not the greatest idea. i'm wondering how many will get flushed down toilets during the first year after the watch's release.

--------------------------------------
"Well, if it isn't the leader of the wiener patrol, boning up on his nerd lessons"
http://stirwise.com

RE: ick
Midknyte @ 11/18/2002 12:57:39 PM #
To each his own. This may very well be a chick magnet and an effective one at that - I just would not ever want to know what sort of chick that is! >;)

RE: ick
Ba-gug @ 11/18/2002 1:05:52 PM #
Sure it's a chick magnet, it's just the side of the magnet that repels them. When they can get a watch PDA down to the size and thickness of the Casio Data Bank watch, then I'll have a serious look at one. I just don't want to wear a brick on my wrist.

Please buy Palm stuff, I want my stock to go back up so I can sell it!
RE: ick
Zippy @ 11/18/2002 2:04:11 PM #
LOL: side that repels them.

Anyone else notice?

cyn @ 11/18/2002 1:33:24 PM #
This is the zire, scaled down and marked up.

160x160 greyscale, white plastic face, 2mb ram 2mb rom.

It looks like the picture is decieving in that the launcher has a large-icon mode. I opened a new window when I first started reading, so I fortunately managed to actually read the specs - which I wouldn't have gone to do after reading...

more impressive/useful than at first it seemed, at least. But still, that stylus - chunky watch - and having to do graffiti directly on the surface of your tiny watch... yeck


Speaking of which - I'm pretty careful with my watch, but it has taken a square smack against a wall or dresser/etc. probably once every 2 months. For this thing to be touch sensitive / graffiti capable, it would be fairly delicate I would think - just something to think about.

RE: Anyone else notice?
I.M Anonymous @ 11/18/2002 1:53:26 PM #
I too am concerned about the smack against a wall thing. A touch screen is awfully delicate.

Also, about the apps, the specs imply that the built in apps have ben customized for the smaller screen.

RE: Anyone else notice?
bigfoot @ 11/18/2002 4:26:49 PM #
Looks like you need to be left handed too. Wouldn't bother me, but I can't speak for the rest of you.

Cheers,

RE: Anyone else notice?
masitti @ 11/18/2002 7:19:45 PM #
What makes you think you need to be left handed? *confused* Just because it's on the right hand doesn't mean you HAVE to be left handed... :)

------------------------
Mario Masitti
O/T Mod
I Love Tennis :)
RE: Anyone else notice?
abosco @ 11/18/2002 7:48:27 PM #
Hmm, I thought watches were supposed to be worn on the left hand?

Watches and belts... which way do you put them in?

---
This signature is witty. You like it.

RE: Anyone else notice?
masitti @ 11/19/2002 10:09:41 PM #
Left handed people usually where their watch on the right side because when writing, the watch can get in the way.

It also distinguishes me as a left handed person, which I like (thank god there are a few perfect people in this world... =p).

------------------------
Mario Masitti
O/T Mod
I Love Tennis :)

RE: Anyone else notice?
pocketscience @ 11/20/2002 4:00:58 PM #
I'm left-handed, and wear my watch on my left-hand... but I also play most sports right-handed (footed)...

Confused.


RE: Anyone else notice?
blue9 @ 11/20/2002 11:57:23 PM #
>*confused* Just because it's on the right hand doesn't
>mean you HAVE to be left handed... :)

If someone's right-handed, and this watch is on there right-handed wrist, how would they use the stylus with their left? For me at least, I would HAVE to wear this watch on the left.

Not unless it's waterproof...

Rolando @ 11/18/2002 1:55:46 PM #
I haven't bought a non-waterproof watch in years.

It's just too easy to hop in the shower and forget about the watch.

Rolando

Alright! I can summon Zardon!

M3wThr33 @ 11/18/2002 2:29:58 PM #
I have the WQV-3 digital camera watch. I can put one on each hand, cross the wrists and send data between each other like a Power Ranger...or something.

I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation. We're in space.
Now THAT is funny
nrosser @ 11/18/2002 4:44:07 PM #
Made me laugh. Or something. Go Zardon!

RE: Alright! I can summon Zardon!
micho @ 11/18/2002 8:35:34 PM #
LOL: I'll have to agree...this page has the funniest posts I've ever read in a loong time!

I want I want

arielb @ 11/18/2002 2:41:52 PM #
I want this just for the pure geekiness (not that I'm a geek but I do have that compulsion to get every cool gadget)

cool!

helf @ 11/18/2002 2:55:50 PM #
Man. I'll probably get one of these! :D
I'm so fond of gadgets, people think I'm weird but who cares :)

form factor

hotpaw4 @ 11/18/2002 3:11:03 PM #
This isn't a perfect product, but does show one of the big advantages of the PalmOS. The standard 160x160 GUI allows the PalmOS to go into much smaller devices than almost any other standard OS with a full user interface. There have been CP/M and DOS wristwatches before; but it's quite hard to use these OS's without a keyboard. IBM also showed a linux wristwatch prototype a year or so ago, but I think with worse battery life.

The other form factors I expect to see someday are keychain fobs, and, with flat battery technology, credit-card-calculator-sized PDA's. In fact, this Fossil might make a very nice pocketwatch PDA with the wristwatch band removed. (or even stuck inside a nice classic-style gold pocketwatch case?)

RE: form factor
nevarDeath @ 11/25/2002 1:34:58 PM #
dude! I want a DOS watch! do you happen to know the manufacturer of such a thing?

----[self-mutilation or self-empowerment?]----

Low down in Vegas

lumberg @ 11/18/2002 4:25:04 PM #
Hey, I'm in Vegas at the Comdex show and just got done talking to one of the Fossil reps. He says the watch is a fully functional palm and will come with a cradle for syncing with the desktop. He had one on and ran Pac-man on it infront of me.
RE: Low down in Vegas
hoodoo @ 11/18/2002 4:57:31 PM #
how tiny is the pac-man game with 160x160 on a 1-inch square screen?

Imagine trying to read the address book, OMG. Unless they blow up the fonts like the giant icons in the picture.

Personally, I think it looks a lot better than their last attempt at the PDA watch!!! It's still pretty huge though.

I'm partial to Fossil - I have the Philip Starcke model

RE: Low down in Vegas
sbabcock @ 11/21/2002 2:52:39 PM #
I was in Las Vegas as well, but when I went by
their booth, no one was there.

Was this the big news on a new licnesee?

EdH @ 11/18/2002 5:04:03 PM #
I think this is pretty cool and may actually get one depending on the price and size. I would use it as a 99.9999% readonly device though.

However, Nagel said there was a big licensee announcemnt today. Was this it?!?!?!?! Fossil doesn't quite count as big.

RE: Was this the big news on a new licnesee?
gilbas99 @ 11/18/2002 7:09:04 PM #
This is definitely a cool device but I can't believe this is the great annoucement.

RE: Was this the big news on a new licnesee?
masitti @ 11/18/2002 7:24:05 PM #
This is a HUGE advancement in technology.. have you not seen the SIZE of it?! It's prolly about 1/5 the size of a regular palm device!

------------------------
Mario Masitti
O/T Mod
I Love Tennis :)
RE: Was this the big news on a new licnesee?
helf @ 11/18/2002 8:14:31 PM #
Not really a big advancement. Ihas no features..thats why its so small, for one thing.

features
hotpaw4 @ 11/19/2002 9:48:43 PM #
>It has no features..

If you don't consider size an important feature, than I suggest you look into a surplus SAGE air defense computer. They don't have quite the compute power of the Fossil watch, but still took up a room the size of a basketball court with a reinforced floor to hold the weight, and also required an on-site half megawatt power substation.

Most people are willing to pay for a computer that fits their particular circumstances (small enough to fit on a desk, small enough to fit in a purse, small enough to fit in a coin pocket, etc.).

the most obvious application...

mischievious @ 11/18/2002 5:49:26 PM #
i cant believe any of you didnt pick up on what would be the most obvious application for a palm watch... a watch! imagine how many different ways you can change the display... digital, analogue, world clocks, multiple stopwatches, logs of stopwatches; anything you wished your old digital watch would do. if youre a woman you could even display your menstral cycle haha...
RE: the most obvious application...
kev @ 11/20/2002 7:10:36 AM #
remember hell clock? that'll be just mad on your wrist!

RE: the most obvious application...
Marshall Flinkman @ 6/21/2005 9:57:15 PM #
How about...?

http://www.thinkgeek.com/cubegoodies/lights/59e0/


Not the watch but the size!

Roberto_tores @ 11/18/2002 6:40:11 PM #
Just imagine the posibilities this if it is possible to make such a small device with a 33Mhz processor.

Using simmilar electronics for the motherboard and processor setup as on this watch someone could make a device the size of the clie SJ 30 but slimmer (like .4 inch) and there could be space for a big battery.

Flexibility of Palm OS...

Cheap Guy @ 11/18/2002 8:03:34 PM #
Although whether you like the appearance of the watch is a matter of taste and could be debated, what's really important is that it shows the flexibility of the Palm OS platform. I'm waiting for someone to drop 4.1 in something the size of the credit card-sized Rex PDA.

RE: Flexibility of Palm OS...
gfunkmagic @ 11/18/2002 11:30:39 PM #
Exactly!! This is an awesome adaptation of the Palm OS. While "whit box" PPC are appearing all over the place with basically the same shape and specs, Palm OS can be ported to fit whatever device an OEM wishes to use it on. This is a tribute to the power an flexibility of Palm OS

5.7 oz? THAT must be a typo in the spec

I. M. Anonymous @ 11/18/2002 8:57:02 PM #
My Palm m130 is only 5.4 oz!

RE: 5.7 oz? THAT must be a typo in the spec
M3wThr33 @ 11/18/2002 10:03:28 PM #
Metal band

I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation. We're in space.
RE: 5.7 oz? THAT must be a typo in the spec
Ba-gug @ 11/19/2002 12:19:04 AM #
Since this post has a few funnies scattered through it, if the band weighs more than the pda, would that make it a "heavy metal band", ouch that one was bad,,,,, well it's getting late so off to bed I go!!!

Please buy Palm stuff, I want my stock to go back up so I can sell it!

Exchange Data between multiple Palms I own

Mr. Roboto @ 11/18/2002 8:46:05 PM #
I have a regular Palm, but probably won't mind getting such a watch on those days where I just want to get around without carrying a Palm in my pocket.

Question is: if I have multiple Palms how do I synchronise all the data on them so that I always have the latest and most updated one on whichever Palm I happen to be carrying?

I have around 2200+ contacts and about 5 years of calender on my regular palm.

Hope a technical person or somebody from Palm or Fossil is able to answer this one. I like the idea of having different palms for different times of the day and this will probably clinch the sale for me.

RE: Exchange Data between multiple Palms I own
M3wThr33 @ 11/18/2002 10:04:00 PM #
Yeah, this thing is a nice price, and obviously is palm, but the main draw would be syncing between that and your palm device, just like their original PDA Watches(Palm and PPC alike). And since it would be primarily output only, with most data originally input by PC or Palm.. leaving the rest of the 2MB free for select AvantGo pages, some of Naoki Ito's games(Ywiger2, definetly), hacks(EasyLaunch, Pop-Clock) and Mail+.
If the data sync between two Palms can be done right, I'd love to have it.

I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation. We're in space.
RE: Exchange Data between multiple Palms I own
mstur @ 11/19/2002 2:36:08 PM #
Get a Mac, get OSX, get iSync.

All you Palms will have the same contacts, calendar, To do lists ...

RE: Exchange Data between multiple Palms I own
Mead Lawson @ 11/19/2002 5:19:42 PM #
RecoX is a wonderful app that syncs two Palms with the same user ID. I know someone who uses and likes the app. He has a Kyocera Palm phone as his primary Palm, but is an attorney and can't bring a cell phone into the city prison. His solution is to use his old PalmIIIc as a secondary Palm and sync them w/ each other with RecoX. Here's the link if anyone's interested.

http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?sid=53699320021023202450&prodID=13449

Best,

Mead

Where is it made?

Fly-By-Night @ 11/19/2002 5:14:51 AM #
I was wondering where this was made. I won't put anything on my wrist that isn't Swiss!

FBN

Where's the keyboard?

tekawiz @ 11/19/2002 5:31:41 PM #
?

RE: Where's the keyboard?
JohnKes @ 11/21/2002 3:03:47 PM #
Where's the virtual grafitti?

how do you input text!?

nevarDeath @ 11/25/2002 1:32:26 PM #
The article says it supports grafitti, has anyone seen someone writing on this thing? A picture somewhere maybe? I haven't been able to find one.....

----[self-mutilation or self-empowerment?]----

Video of PDA Watch

hoodoo @ 11/26/2002 5:20:18 PM #
Look it this video

The watch will sell for $299 Fossil branded and for $199 Abacus branded


http://treocentral.com/content/Stories/187-1.htm

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