It’s Time for Wristwatches to Get Smarter

Watches as companion devices seem like a straight-forward upselling move. I don't think it'll work.

While we're still using physically constrained screens to show information, I doubt wristwatches will make a comeback. Even if we could fit the functionality of an iPhone into them, the screen is just too tiny to be really useful.

Somewhat related: A friend once told me that the cut-off age for wristwatches is 25 years. People that are older have one and younger people generally don't. I found this to be pretty accurate.

Edit: Just watched the video, too. The one-button design seems to be an ill-fated attempt at apple-like simplicity.

Who needs it? Awkward, annoying, and I find too many clocks in my life already. Remember when Daylight Savings changed? How many did you set? I counted 13 in my house. Why does the freaking stove need a clock?

A wristwatch? What's that?

- Sincerely, people under 25

Wristwatches are like the buttons on a sleeves of a suit jacket, little or no functionality needed but fashionable as long as they are out of the way. The last thing we need are smarter buttons.

I can't see how a touchscreen in a wristwatch form factor will be anything but clunky.

Why not just make a nice stylish watch that also acts as a voice interface to my phone? Or a watch that can accept a SIM card for those occasions when carrying my smartphone is too cumbersome (seems that this might be especially useful for ladies who want to wear evening dresses that don't accommodate full-size smartphones).

Meh, watches are jewellery unless you're a pro athlete, or SEAL, or something. Touch-screen diamond earings make about as much sense to me.

Wristwatches, really? Who wears a wristwatch anymore?

Don't these people have access to a phone, or a computer, or a tablet, or a cable box, or a car stereo, or even a sign outside a nearby bank?

Even if they don't isn't there someone near by with one of those devices that they could simply ask?

Sure, you can make the argument these are 'smarter' then your grandfather's wristwatch, but is it really that much work to take your phone out of your pocket?

Nobody wants a device they need to carry on their wrist that is less capable then their smartphone. To borrow a phrase from Sean Parker, we need "to put a bullett in this thing".

It's time for wristwatches to get dumber..'cause they are just fashion accessories.

Time to flog my half-bakery link once more, this one for a cell phone or handset integrated into something like the Griffin iSlap:

http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/Slap_20Bracelet_20Cell_20Phon...

For smartphone use, it probably makes more sense if the thing is a bluetooth handset (possibly with a dialpad) rather than an entire phone.

Advantages:

- You can keep your phone tucked in a bag, so it's less of a theft magnet and isn't microwaving the boys all day. - The motion you use to take the thing off your wrist leaves it nicely positioned for talking in your dominant hand. - You avoid both "douchebag with a headset" and "crazy person talking to themselves" syndromes. - It could display the time, incoming caller ID (somewhere where you can actually read it rather than next to your ear), and with proper device support, incoming emails and text messages.

I don't think the inventors of the inPulse (or other watches with similar functionality) spent much time thinking about the utility of the device. Is having to look at a small subject line on the cramped display of a watch really better than simply taking out your phone and reading the whole message? I remain unconvinced that the watch will make my life easier in any meaningful way compared to the alternative. It reminds of Nokia's effort at implementing NFC I read about somewhere recently - to buy a soda from an NFC-equipped vending machine, you had to bring the phone in contact with the machine,make a selection, wait for a text message asking for confirmation, and then respond to the message before you got your drink. The designers were convinced that this would be easier than simply putting in a coin and getting your drink.

If my phone could be the size of my watch, and I could wear it on my wrist, and it had all my email and a modern browser, I'd probably switch to it completely.

I am SICK of having my AWESOME smart phone on my belt or in my pocket. It feels like it gets bigger every day. It falls off me getting in and out of the car.

But I love it and can't stand to be without it.

And I'd look like an idiot if I Velcro'd it to my wrist.

So, I encourage the advancement of smart watches. I look forward to the day it projects a hologram screen that's the size of my tablet screen from my wrist and I can control it by touch.

Don't stop, keep innovating on that watch!

Pretty much the only wristwatch I've worn in years has a built-in heart rate monitor. That's been great for answering how hard I'm pushing myself in a workout or long run. It also allows me to track progress as similar workouts result in lower HR than than they used to, or track decline after being sedentary for a few months. It's also good for keeping tabs on my sleep cycles.

That said, it's enough of a hassle that I don't feel like wearing it normally. I'd never want one just for telling time.

Watches are now one of the few socially-acceptable pieces of jewelery for men. They are not about functionality.

I really don't see the point of carrying a wristwatch. While it may save the odd second or two compared to grabbing your phone to check the time, why would you want to put yourself under the constant pressure of a watch?

If you have to check the watch all the time, something is wrong in your life.

A great feature in a wristwatch is only having to change the battery once every 5 years.

Tell that to Dwight Shrute.

Didn't MSFT try to do this like 5 years ago with the smart watch? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_Personal_Objects_Technolo...

I remember it was expensive and nobody really wanted it.