My New(ish) Watch: Samsung Gear S2

I've had my Samsung Gear S2 for almost a year now (connected to my Samsung Galaxy S6). I love it!

With Samsung's recent Second Gear S2 Value Pack, it's like having a new watch! And with it's lower price as compared to the Gear S3, it's still in the running.

It alerts me to incoming messages, upcoming appointments and important dates, helps me navigate, and shows weather info. It reminds me to get up and move if I've been inactive too long and even shows me stretches to do while sitting. It counts my steps and keeps track of my exercise. Oh... and it displays the time and date, too, with a myriad of watch faces. My current watch face (and obsession) is displayed at right.

It's a little bulky but I've gotten used to its size.

Do you have a smart watch? Tell me about it. :)

Android Powered: I'm Watch

Check out the Italian-made smartphone-compatible watch, the I’m watch. It is powered by Google's Android o/s and comes in two versions: the I’m Color and the I’m Jewel. The I'm Jewel is the high-end version crafted from precious metals like gold and titanium.


The watch can connect to both iPhone 4 and Android smartphones via Bluetooth and features basic phone functions like making and receiving calls, sending text messages, and a user speakerphone for hands-free use.  Via its 1.54” 240×240 pixel color TFT touchscreen, you can view Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare notifications, as well as a photo gallery!  It has 4GB of built-in storage, 64MB of RAM, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR support and a Li-Po 600 mAh battery. 

It's not only stylish it's functional. Niiiiice!

[via NewLaunches]

Google Inspired: Chrome, Android and Google Watches

Google has partnered with Modify Watches to roll out a bunch of watches featuring Google-inspired designs like a Chrome watch, an Android watch or a regular Google watch. These watches feature analog faces with interchangeable color bands.  The Android watch would coordinate well with my Android phone and my Android tablet!

[via NewLaunches]

Trademark Snafu: Apple iPad iOS 6 Clock

SBB, a Swiss railway operator, and a Swiss watchmaker are weighing their options with regard to the Apple iPad iOS 6 watch app. The iOS 6 watch app (top) looks startlingly like the emblematic clock designed by Zurich-born engineer Hans Hilfiker in 1944 (bottom).

"We now have to agree on the legal framework between SBB and Apple," SBB spokesman Reto Kormann said as SBB still holds the trademark

Mondaine Group, the company that has held the license since 1986 to make clocks and wristwatches for consumers based on the 20th-century design classic, said it would also challenge Apple.

The Swiss clock was designed for the national rail service to help travelers check the time at a distance as they hurried to catch their trains.
In 1953 Hilfiker added a red second hand, which pauses briefly at the top of each minute "to enable trains to depart punctually", as he put it.
The second hand with a circle at its end is based on the device a station manager on the platform would wave for a train's departure, and SBB holds the rights to the design.

Apple has not yet responded.

[via Reuters]

A-Maze-ing: Kisai Optical Illusion Watch

Tokyoflash Japan has done it again. The limited edition Kisai Optical Illusion watch features a touchscreen LCD with ever changing maze display. Looking at the screen (and knowing what to look for!) reveals the time. The Optical Illusion also has time, date, alarm, EL backlight and animation mode. Wow!

 Check out this demo:
 

 [via CNet]

Ultra Slim, Ultra Expensive: Ultrabooks

What is an Ultrabook? It's a cross between a notebook and a MacBook Air and the price is closer to that of the MacBook Air. Seriously. They are made by a number of manufacturers: Toshiba, Samsung, and Lenovo to name a few. I must admit aesthetically they are very appealing. They boast processing speeds comparable to larger PCs with "ultra-fast start-up". I might be tempted... but not at those prices. What do you think? Are they worth the price?

[via Amazon.com]

A Cult Watch is Born: HD3 with SLYDE

From the press release:

A single case for a luxury watch with an infinity of components, movements and complications. Sounds unthinkable? Think again. This amazing concept of Time, born in the fertile mind of celebrated Swiss designer Jorg Hysek, has become reality: SLYDE. The perfect fusion between the latest design trends and cutting-edge electronic technology – revolutionizing our vision of Time at the dawn of the Third Millennium.

SLYDE takes the underlying principle of the smartphone – the possibility to change applications by merely sliding a finger over a tactile screen – and adapts it to the world of timepiece perfect for modern, aesthetic, instantaneous time-reading.

Jorg Hysek was inspired by the automobile world ('which influences our entire aesthetic approach') in crafting the watch's streamlined appearance. He came up with a 21st century watchmaking.

[via SwissTime]

Edit 08/31/11: The HD3 Slyde is due out in September 2011. Check for retailers here.

Time Machine: Horological Machine N°2-SV

From the press release:

After three successful years, the HM2 is preparing to bow out with two 18-piece limited series, each fitted with the legendary sapphire crystal case - and thereby preserving the exclusive nature of this second MB&F adventure. The backdrop of the HM2-Black SV, composed of a black titanium mainplate, highlights the “engine” framed by an electric green gasket, whose intensity is reflected on the winding rotor visible through the back. Meanwhile, the HM2-Red SV combines red gold with touches of black, metallic silvered shades as well as transparency effects. The result is two superb colour combinations at the heart of these timepieces embodying a horological revolution in terms of both their technology and of the construction principles behind them.

[via SwissTime]

Ultra Limited Edition: CORUM - Golden Bridge Automatic

From the press release:

When it was presented in 1980, the Golden Bridge baguette movement made a deep impression and opened a new chapter in horology. Thirty years on, this exceptional linear movement still exerts its magic and once more finds itself at centre stage with, for the first time, an automatic version in a larger red or white gold case. And in the spotlight is the new CO 313 calibre, a linear movement demanding an exceptionally high level of horological savoir-faire. The two-sided dial and the case's four sapphire crystal sides have been carefully structured to highlight this exceptional automatic movement. A limited edition, not surprisingly, with 130 watches available in red gold and 70 in white gold.

[via SwissTime]

"Look, Ma, No Hands": FREDERIC JOUVENOT - Solar Deity Collection

From the press release:

Here for the first time is a watch that tells the time without conventional hands, numbers or discs! Frédéric Jouvenot has achieved a real tour de force with its Solar Deity collection, named after the sunbeam design of its hour display. The path of the sun and the alternating day/night cycle are shown by means of 12 radio-concentric, three-dimensional rays. At midday, when the sun is at its zenith, all the sunbeams are golden to represent full daylight. As time passes, the sunbeams turn black one by one as day moves towards night. All the models are named after a god, like the Helios, which won the GTE 2011 Superwatch Award, or the Inti. A revolutionary, avant-garde timepiece offered in a limited edition.

[via SwissTime]

Wakeup... Tea Time: Tea Making Alarm Clock

Having trouble getting out of bed before that first cup of coffee? The Tea Making Alarm Clock is an alarm clock and teamaker/coffeemaker in one! It has a capacity of 600ml (enough for at least two cups). It features a contemporary, compact bedside design, illuminated LCD clock with analog face, rapid water boiling function, integated reading light, and alarm function to signal when boiling has completed. It comes with a high quality ceramic tea pot and cover. Very practical!

[MenKind]

Spy Watch: Hennessey Time Men's VD1S Video Watch

The Hennessey Time Men's VD1S Video Watch is a multifunctional watch with built in camera and microphone with 4GB of internal memory. It takes photos in JPG format and records color video and audio in AVI format. It comes either with a white dial/metal strap or black dial/black strap. Cool!

Tiny Player: iRiver T8

iRiver just announced the T8 in Korea. The small mp3 player/usb key features 8GB, an FM tuner, and comes in 8 colors.

The iriver T8 supports MP3, WMA, ASF, APE, FLAC, and OGG audio formats.

[Le Journal du Geek]

Stunning Additions: Casio Edifice EQW-M710-1AER and EQW-M710DB-1AER Watches

From Casio: Introducing Casio’s latest additions to the Edifice high performance collection - the sporty EQW-M710-1AER and classically styled EQW-M710DB-1AER chronograph watches.

With detailed bezel engraving, the stunning watches feature must-have sports functionality, including a triple sequential chronograph and water resistance to 100m. Each watch incorporates tough solar power technology, which uses an intelligent solar charging system which means there is no need for battery replacement. The solar cell provides the watches with a supply of energy and any additional energy is saved to a back up battery within each timepiece.

Using Casio’s cutting edge radio controlled Wave Ceptor technology, the watches are updated up to six times a day from international radio transmitters, resulting in the most precise atomic timekeeping. If perfect timing was not enough, the watches keep time for 29 cities worldwide.

Key features include:

• Multi-Band Atomic Timekeeping (US, UK, Germany, Japan, China)


• Receives time calibration radio signals which keep the display time accurate


• Auto receive function up to six times per day (up to five times per day for the Chinese calibration signal)


• Manual receive function


• Signal: US WWVB, UK MSF, Germany DCF77, Japan JJY40/JJY60, China BPC


• Frequency: US 60kHz, UK 60kHz, Germany 77.5kHz, Japan 40/60kHz, BPC 68.5kHz


• Neo-bright luminous hands and markers


• World time


• 29 time zones (29 cities + UTC), city code display, daylight saving on/off, home city/world time swapping


• Daily alarm


• Countdown timer


• Measuring unit: one second


• Input range: one minute to 24 hours (1-minute increments)


• Other: Auto-switching to elapsed time measurement (1-second units) when the end of a countdown timer operation is reached


• 1/100th second stopwatch


• Measuring capacity: 23:59'59.95"


• Measuring modes: Elapsed time and split time


• Full auto-calendar (pre-programmed until the year 2099)


• Low battery warning


• Storage battery: Solar rechargeable battery


• Power saving function


• Approx. battery life: five months on full charge (without further exposure to light)


• Analogue: hour, minute (hand moves every 10 seconds), second, day, date

They truly are stunning!

[Casio]

Harry Potter Collectible: Hermione Granger's Time Turner

Hermione Granger's Time Turner is an authentic recreation of Hermione's Time-Turner. It is 24 karat gold plated and measures 1 3/8 inches in diameter. The chain measures 18 inches. It comes complete with a display which is good because the piece is very fragile.

Round and Round: Aspiral Clocks

The Aspiral clock combines an original twist with the analog clock. The clock doesn't have hands or a digital display, instead it uses a ball to show the time. The clock spins moving the ball through the spiral till, after 12 hours, the ball disappears in the center.

[gizmodo]

For iMac Fans: Recycled iMac Restore Disk Clock

This hand-made Recycled iMac Restore Disk Clock is made using a recycled bicycle chain ring, an iMac software restore disk, 2 smaller bike cassette locking gears, a small piece of bike chain and a new quarts drive movement with pendulum. The pendulum does work and is comprised of a piece of bike chain and a small cassette gear. The clock measures approximately 8.5"W x 13"H.

Perfect for the computer room!

[Etsy via DVICE]

Official Partnership: Casio Continues with Red Bull Racing Formula One Team

LONDON, 10th February 2010 - Casio Computer Co., Ltd., announced today that it has renewed its contract with the Red Bull Racing Formula One Team to continue serving as a Red Bull Racing Team Partner for the 2010 season. While providing strong support for the team, Casio will make the most of the official partnership to actively promote the company’s EDIFICE line of analog metal watches for men.

Red Bull Racing entered the world of Formula One in 2005 and became a serious Championship contender in just five years. In 2009, the team had its strongest ever season, gaining six wins, 16 podiums and four one-two finishes. It ended the year by taking second place in the Formula One Constructors’ Championship - an achievement that demonstrates the remarkable growth and ability of Red Bull Racing.

Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel will continue as team drivers for the 2010 season. Webber has built a solid reputation and is looking to gain more victories, while Vettel continues to grab headlines as the youngest man ever to set numerous Formula One records. This year he will look to improve on his second place finish in the 2009 Drivers’ Championship. The two drivers will take part in all 19 Formula One races this year, starting with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 14, 2010.

Delivering the essence of speed and intelligence, the EDIFICE line of analog metal watches evokes a sense of velocity and motor sports energy with the movement of the hands and distinctive watchface. Since first released, EDIFICE watches have been especially popular with motor sports fans, thanks to their rich stopwatch functions and standout face designs, all based on the electronic technologies developed by Casio.

Red Bull Racing not only has intelligent racing strategies and a youthful image and energy, but also boasts outstanding technology development capabilities. The team pours everything it has into its race cars, all in the pursuit of speed. Casio believes that these qualities are a perfect match for the EDIFICE brand concept, which is why the company decided to renew its support for the Red Bull Racing team and its drivers, Webber and Vettel, in 2010.

---

EDIFICE has been designated as the official team watch for the 2010 season, and the Casio logo will appear on racing suits worn by Webber and Vettel, as well as on the mechanics’ uniforms. In addition to using images of the two drivers, their F1 race cars, and the team in advertising worldwide, Casio also plans to release special collaborative EDIFICE watch models. These global marketing activities are expected to further enhance the Edifice brand image and help to grow sales.

Red Bull Racing’s Team Principal, Christian Horner said: "I am delighted that our Team Partnership with Casio is continuing. We are at the cutting edge of technology and I think it’s important to be associated with brands that reflect that. Design, speed and intelligence are vital aspects of both ours and Casio’s businesses."

[Casio]

Multifunctional Sports Watch: Casio PRW-1500T Watch

Combining the best elements of the Pathfinder and Sea Pathfinder, PRW-1500T is Casio’s latest multifunctional sports watch.

The Multi-Band 5 Atomic Solar Pathfinder boasts four core competencies including; a digital compass, altimeter, barometer and thermometer. It also features tide and moon graphs, is water resistant up to 200m and includes moon age data.

Looks and functionality. Impressive!

[Casio Carnaby, Casio]

30 Year Evolution: Sony Walkman

This year marked the 30th anniversary of the Sony Walkman. Here's Sony's thirty year journey in less than 3 minutes:



[akihabara]

Form Beyond Function: Liquid Time

This wristwatch, designed by Andy Kurovets, has got two names. Alternates, if you will: one is "Liquid Time" while the alternative is "From Nowhere to Nowhere". The Liquid Time wristwatch utilizes two LCD screens specially crafted to fit the watch as well as some very clever typography.

[YankoDesign]

Super-Nerd Stocking Stuffer: TI eZ430-Chronos Dev Platform and Sports Watch

Check this out... TI is introducing the eZ430-Chronos Wireless Develop-ment Tool. The eZ430-Chronos a fully-capable wireless development platform contained entirely within a sports watch.

From the PRNewswire: "Priced at $49, Chronos is designed to provide customers with all of the hardware and software needed to immediately begin development of wireless networking applications, regardless of programming expertise. It is equipped with sensors for measurement and motion-based control and can serve as a central hub for nearby wireless sensors so that users have remote access to real-time data from devices such as pedometers and heart rate monitors."

I want one!

(TI via Engadget)

Limited Edition Sebastian Vettel Timepiece: Casio EDIFICE EQW-M1000-SV-1AER

Formula 1’s youngest ever Grand Prix winner, Casio Ambassador Sebastian Vettel, has all the makings of a World Champion. His blend of perfectly timed manoeuvres and near faultless driving has seen him on the podium six times already this season. Now, to celebrate Vettel’s success, Casio has created an exclusive new motorsport inspired EDIFICE watch with the release of the EDIFICE EQW-M1000-SV-1AER.

The EQW-M1000SV-1AER combines a sporty image with the sophistication of an elegant chronograph. The watch face is encased in solid steel with Vettel’s signature and dynamic logos engraved on the casing base. The watch takes its inspiration from the Red Bull F1 team - with colour design details in red, blue and yellow, as well as a relief-like 3D design displaying the inner workings of the watch.

With only 100 available to buy, this special edition timepiece comes with a bespoke gift package including an autographed picture of Vettel and an exclusive helmet shaped badge.

Using Casio’s cutting edge radio controlled Wave Ceptor technology, the watch is updated up to six times a day from international radio transmitters, resulting in the most precise atomic timekeeping. If perfect timing was not enough, the watch keeps time for 29 cities worldwide.

Additional functionality includes a 1/20 second stopwatch, full automatic calendar, solar rechargable power cell and tachymeter.

The EQW-M1000SV-1AER timepiece is available from the Casio store on Carnaby Street, London, H.Samuel online, and limited independent jewellers at an RRP of £350.

It's a gorgeous timepiece!

The Slimmest Walkman: Sony NW-840

The NW-A840 is a slim 7.2mm thick and features a 2.8 inch OLED display, digital noise cancellation, and 16 GB, 32GB, or 64GB of flash storage. Also onboard is 720 x 480 resolution video out.

Battery life is estimated at 29 hours of continuous music or 9 hours of video playback.

They come bundled with Sony’s premium MRD-EX300SL earbuds. Available in Japan on the 31st of October.

[mp4nation]

Very Limited Edition: Steampunk Nixie Clock

The Steampunk Nixie clock comes in a very limited edition of 10 pieces. It features 6 x IN-18 Nixie Tubes, solid copper and brass polished outside (gold option), and hardwood and brass case. It obviously tells time and includes an alarm and a date display. It comes with a full set of spare tubes. I think it'd look great on a mantel, don't you?

[Unobtainium via Coolest-Gadgets]

What Time Will You See Big Foot? Sasqwatch

What time is it when you see Big Foot - Sasqwatch time! Check out these original watches in the shape of a big foot. They come in 4 colors: charcoal, bark, evergreen, and sassy.

[sasqwatchwatch.com via In The Crosshairs]

Rumor Graphic: iPhone 3.0

There is no shortage of rumors about the iPhone 3.0. A clever artist at the TDR blog drew up a comprehensive graphic summarizing the rumors with color-coded squares with editorial assessments of how likely each rumor is to be true. What a time saver! Confirmation could occur as early as June 8th at Apple's worldwide developers conference. Click for fullsize image.

[TGR Blog via DVICE]

Enjoy Your Digital Life: Game 800 PMP

The GAME 800 PMP is an odd looking pmp that features a built-in emulator that not only plays emulated NES/Fami-com games, but also Gameboy, Gameboy Color, and even SFC and MD Rom games (32-bit Rom Games). Other features include a 3.5-inch 320x240 LCD, 4GB of memory, SD card slot (4GB max), TV-out, eBook, and speaker.

The Game 800 supports MP3, WMA, WAV, APE, FLAC, RM-Audio, AMR, AAC+ music; AVI video with RM, RMVB, AVI, WMV, ASF, MPG, MPEG, MPE, MP4, DAT, MOV, DAT conversion formats; JPEG, GIF, BMP with zoom pictures; WAV record format.

[China Grabber via gmp3]

A Sense for Scent: Venexx Perfume Watch

The Venexx Perfume Watch may look like a fashionable timepiece but it's more than that. Each watch features a flacon inside. A soft turn of the bezel downward and the sprayer appears. The perfume is sprayed by pushing the atomizer. The watches are available for men and women and are resistant to 30 meters.

Holy Timepiece Batman! Fossil Batman Full Throttle Watch

Fossil's Batman - Full Throttle watch features two-toned case and bracelet, brushed silver stainless steel case and black ion plated case and links, textured dial with the Batman logo, three hand analog quartz movement. It is water resistant to 30 meters.