Fossil Palm OS Wristwatch Available for Preorder

Posted By: PIC Monday, June 2, 2003 11:31:30 AM

The first wristwatch that runs the Palm OS is now available for pre-order from Amazon.com, and will start shipping on June 30th according to the online retailer.

Fossil Palm OS Wrist PDA ~ Click For LargerFossil's WRIST PDA is fully compatible with the Palm OS platform and will run most Palm OS applications. It features an illuminated 1.4-inch, 160 x 160 pixel touch screen with a stylus integrated into the watch band for Graffiti input. It runs Palm OS 4.1 on a 33 MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ processor, 2MB internal memory, Rocker switch user interface, infrared port, rechargeable battery, and the classic Palm OS applications including: Address Book, Date Book, Memo Pad, Calculator and To Do List.

The device was first unveiled in November at COMDEX 2002, and was named the "Best of COMDEX" in the mobile devices category.

The Wrist PDA can be pre-ordered for $295.99 and comes in three different styles, metal, leather and sport. It also qualifies for free shipping.

Fossil Palm OS Wristwatch

The watch weighs approximately 5.7 ounces (162g) and has dimensions of 35 x 51 x 12.5mm. The manufacturer quoted battery life is 4 days, based on 30 minutes of daily use with the backlight off. More informaion is available at Fossil.

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I would wear one.

hoodoo @ 6/2/2003 12:22:44 PM #
Me first! :)

So...where's the 320x320 TFT screen? Bluetooth? Wi-fi? MP3? mwahahahahaha....what about 320x480 w/ VG...hahaha I kill me.

But seriously, it looks a lot better than the old PDA watch from Fossil, this one at least looks wearable. I sure wouldn't want to try playing Freecell on this thing though, that would be tough. $300 is steep, $450 CAD, yikes.

RE: I would wear one.
NikMan @ 6/2/2003 12:26:26 PM #
I really am curious how many unit will they sell.
I am wainting for Samsung watch phone!


nice

adamm @ 6/2/2003 12:29:59 PM #
I tried one of these watches on at the palmsource seminiar last month. It's definatly nice though a little heavy.

I'm certainly going to pick one up, solely for the purpose of installing ToastTimer and making my own watch face >:)



form factor or goodies

MobileMitch @ 6/2/2003 12:58:49 PM #
Well, after having to go back to an old visor after my m505 was destroyed I have discovered that I can live with 2 mb of space.

Since they don't make the ideal palm smartphone yet, I am going to give one of these a serious look once I can get my hands on one.

RE: form factor or goodies
jonecool @ 6/2/2003 3:21:22 PM #
"Since they don't make the ideal palm smartphone yet, I am going to give one of these a serious look once I can get my hands on one."

I used to think that too, until recently. Check out the Kyocera 7135, I love mine (http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/7100_phone/7100_phone_series.htm). Granted, it's not running PalmOS5 but the faster the processor, the more power it consumes. Can't say enough about this device, would buy it again! PalmOS 4.1, SD Slot, Voice Memo, MP3, Voice dial, Emergency locator, 16MB RAM, etc.

The fossil watch looks interesting, but with the above I already keep a PalmOS device with me at all time (has a handy clock display too at the top of the phone, don't need to open it to see what time it is). I guess for someone who has a non-smartphone device the fossil watch may be worthwhile. It's a great idea though. It should do well.



RE: form factor or goodies
shrike4242 @ 6/2/2003 5:28:27 PM #
The Kyocera 7135 is all well and good, except for one issue.

It's not available through SprintPCS, even they've waffled and gone back and forth on this issue.

Right now, you can only get the 7135 from AllTell (no coverage in my area) or Verizon (who won't hear me now, no chance for them).



RE: form factor or goodies
MobileMitch @ 6/2/2003 6:28:36 PM #
Is that Kyocera grafiti area backlit?
Is the GPS function a true GPS or is it a function of tracking the cell towers?
Also, does it have the palm universal connection? (would I have to buy a new keyboard for it?)

That unit does look pretty good.

RE: form factor or goodies
jonecool @ 6/2/2003 10:18:35 PM #
>Is that Kyocera grafiti area backlit?
Yes. You can set the timeout for the graffiti area. I think it stays on a max of 30 sec. when in a call.
>Is the GPS function a true GPS or is it a function of tracking the cell towers?
GPS is a function of the towers. From what I understand, it should be possible in the future for it to pinpoint your position for mapping software. Today, no such software (or cell service to support it) exists. It's used for 911 calls today.
>Also, does it have the palm universal connection? (would I have to buy a new keyboard for it?)
No, it doesn't use Palm's connector. You can get a Palm folding keyboard for it, it's available on Kyocera's website.
That unit does look pretty good.

For the scoop on this phone, goto http://www.smartphonesource.com. That's the site I visit to get details on how to make better use of it.

I hope this is helpful.

Sync , recharge, and apps

MTM @ 6/2/2003 1:23:52 PM #
I snooped around the Fossil site a bit, but I couldn't find anything that told me how this thing recharges and/or syncs. It says the sync is USB, but I can see no connector. Does it use an IR<>USB gizmo of some kind, maybe?

...And how does it recharge? If there is an USB connector, that could provide enough energy, I suppose.

The site mentions applications written for the small screen. Anyone seen any of these?

Mike

RE: Sync , recharge, and apps
hoodoo @ 6/2/2003 1:39:39 PM #
I think the PIM apps are already re-written. i.e. look at the pic of the watch, and you see the giant icons, which means that they are probably 40x40 pixels or something. The icons will look the same as normal Palm size, but they are actually huge because the screen is so small. Imagine what your icons would loook like if you suddenly shrunk your present screen down to that size! :)

RE: Sync , recharge, and apps
kevdo @ 6/2/2003 1:49:06 PM #
I believe the giant icons are just for the "home" view. You do get a 160x160 view of your applications.

-Kevin Crossman
RE: Sync , recharge, and apps
DAK @ 6/2/2003 2:57:25 PM #
Port is on the back of the watch. Cable the watch to a HotSync Pod. Pod is connected to PC by USB cable. Watch is charged from Pod.

RE: Sync , recharge, and apps
helf @ 6/4/2003 4:20:04 PM #
Yes. This has already been talked about. The launcher lets you use huge icons so you don't have to squint. You can set them back to the normal size if you want.

The growing segmentation of the PalmOS Platform?

LotSolarin @ 6/2/2003 1:38:37 PM #
I fear that the Palm PDA market is now suffering from a little too much diversity. With every new standard and hardware combination, the market for third party applications becomes more and more muddled, and what was once a relatively small barrier to entry into software development becomes larger and larger as developers must consider multiple processor architectures, screen sizes, high res implementations, wireless access technologies, OS versions, etc. Now will any developer trying to create a universal app have to take the very specific hardware of this little guy into account?

RE: The growing segmentation of the PalmOS Platform?
elo @ 6/2/2003 1:46:32 PM #
Of course not. Learn to read--the applications are pre-installed. I don't know that there is any barrier to writing a Palm application specifically for this watch, but obviously people wouldn't write the same application for this and for a handheld device.

RE: The growing segmentation of the PalmOS Platform?
LotSolarin @ 6/2/2003 2:03:37 PM #
Dude, I didn't mean the basic pre-installed apps! :-)

RE: The growing segmentation of the PalmOS Platform?
IanJD @ 6/2/2003 2:40:37 PM #
"Now will any developer trying to create a universal app have to take the very specific hardware of this little guy into account?"

Why should they? This is functionally identical to the Zire.

RE: The growing segmentation of the PalmOS Platform?
calamari @ 6/2/2003 6:34:51 PM #
rather than being a problem, I think that the increasing diversity of hardware is a result of the palmOS's improving maturity. Think about the computer you are using right now. If it is x86 based, the developer has had to think about maybe 10 different screen resolutions, different soundcard, motherboard, graphics, and network interface configurations. and guess what, it all works, your computer functions, developers can write code that works on almost all of the different configurations. dispite this diversity of hardware, the x86 platform has done phenomenally well. Contrast this with platforms with a more closed hardware model such as MacOS/PPC. by having a closed system and disguraging diversity, Apple has limited thier usershare.

Thus, I believe that the diversity of the PalmOS platform will be incredibly benificial to palm in the long run.

(to the mac people: I am not bashing MacOS, i like the platform, and i REALLY like OSX. However, you can't argue that having a closed hardware model hasn't hurt them.)

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Where is the market for such a device?

drillmaggot @ 6/2/2003 2:23:08 PM #
Who the heck is going to buy such a device?
Are those monochrome screens? Is there a view so one can tell the time at a quick glance or will one have to power on before hand?

I can't see someone needing such a device.
Ladies and gentlemen prepare to dump your Fossil stock (FOSL). I'm sure the hype will raise its price. Await that platau then sell, sell & sell. I don'tthink these things will see at all.

Since I carry my Visor PRo w/ WWDL or my cellphone, I've stopped wearing a watch.

-drillmaggot

RE: Where is the market for such a device?
bcombee @ 6/2/2003 4:24:06 PM #
The screen is monochrome, supporting 1, 2, and 4-bit grayscale. Applications from standard Palm OS will run, but for best results, you need to modify your apps to use larger fonts and support the jog button on the side.

--
Ben Combee, CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com
RE: Where is the market for such a device?
MobileMitch @ 6/2/2003 6:22:18 PM #
read my post up above, I have owned a palm III a V a Vx a visor and a m505 and I am thinking about one of these. It fills a good niche. It might do just fine.

RE: Where is the market for such a device?
helf @ 6/4/2003 4:36:30 PM #
I might get one too. Right now I am using a onhand PC watch. I find it very usefull and it can't do half of what the fossil watches can do. (of course I can run it for over a month on a simple set of batteries :)

RE: Where is the market for such a device?
CurlyBrian @ 7/15/2003 5:45:29 PM #
Gosh, anyone that doesn't want to carry a phone with them, or switch phones often. Would love to jot down tidbits of info as I come across them. Sync up movie times, etc. A simple data device.

Handhelds are just to big and bulky to carry, just like phones.

Made of lead?

CKMOOSE @ 6/2/2003 2:49:05 PM #
Um... 5.7 oz? are you sure? That would mean that this watch weighs more than a Zire, Zire 71, M130, Tungsten|T and many other frull sized PDAs... Yikes!

Time flies like an arrow...
Fruit Flies like a banana.
RE: Made of lead?
MobileMitch @ 6/2/2003 6:20:28 PM #
I am pretty sure that price includes the band and it has a metal case so there is a trade off between weight and durability.

Register reports launch delayed

bcombee @ 6/2/2003 4:15:44 PM #
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/30987.html

According to the story, a UK spokeswoman for Fossil says that the launch has been delayed by six months. I don't know how true this is, but it seems to directly conflict with the Amazon pre-order period.

--
Ben Combee, CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com

RE: Register reports launch delayed
simond @ 6/3/2003 4:28:09 AM #
I'd guess that they're talking about the UK release rather than the US one, which would explain the difference of opinion

RE: Register reports launch delayed
Gremmie @ 6/3/2003 8:07:22 PM #
"However, a UK spokeswoman admitted that the product's US release has just been put back by more than six months. The UK release had been timed for the end of the year, but now no date has been fixed for the device's availability on this side of the Pond."

RE: Register reports launch delayed
CurlyBrian @ 7/15/2003 5:47:57 PM #
September release for U.S. now on Amazon. Read 1st quarter 2004 in rags. If no review copies are available then I'd bet 2004.

Also available in cheaper "Abacus" line

bcombee @ 6/2/2003 4:18:37 PM #
Amazon also is stocking the less expensive Abacus watches.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009IROF

These are available for $180 (plastic) and $200 (metal). The electronics is the same, but they are less stylish that the Fossil branded watches.

BTW, USB port is handled by a docking station that you put the watch into. This also serves to charge the watch's internal battery.

--
Ben Combee, CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com

RE: Abacus on Amazon say July 31 !!
CurlyBrian @ 7/15/2003 5:58:37 PM #
Fossil version says September. Could the cheaper version come out first?

Waterproof?

Rolando @ 6/3/2003 10:25:12 AM #
Most all watches nowadays are waterproof (or at least highly water resistant).

I don't think I can go back to a watch where I have to remember to take it off before I step into the shower. I know I'll forget...

I read through all the pages, but I see no mention of it's water resistance.

Rolando

RE: Waterproof?
MobileMitch @ 6/3/2003 10:53:27 AM #
Oh wow, that is a good point.

RE: Waterproof?
kevdo @ 6/3/2003 11:58:13 AM #
At PalmSource the Fossil guy said these were water-resistant. Meaning you could wear it out in the rain for a while without worrying too much but that dunking it in water would be a good way to kill it.

So, I'd say showering is probably not a good idea. Then again, you're going to have to take this thing off practically every night to recharge the battery anyway...

-Kevin Crossman

RE: Waterproof?
Tito @ 6/7/2003 12:04:25 AM #
According to the manual - downloadable on Amazon.com, it says: "...your Wrist PDA is not water-resistant and you should never let it get wet or damp. Water can leak in and damage internal components. Always keep your Wrist PDA away from water or other liquids, much as you would any other Palm OS device.device."


Do the fonts look like [ :::::::: ] ?

orb2069 @ 6/5/2003 12:46:16 AM #
Take a look at the blown up image at:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?Z10A450D4

and look at the Upper Right Hand corner of the display, at the catagory pulldown.

Are all the non-Fossil apps going to have fonts THAT small?

After running through the Flash Demo at Fossil, I'm kind of wondering how input is going to work - I mean, there's no graffiti area (Hard or soft), and no room to use a keyboard - Input looks practically impossible, and without input, the thing isn't much more useful than a DataLink watch, or even one of those $12 Memorex keyfobs with database sync.

To be honest, it looks like a real neat 'gee whiz' toy, and I'm sure they'll sell a few in Japan, but I can't see buying one myself - If for no other reason than that I'd have to get rid of my Timex pager-watch :) ... (http://mobile.timex.com)

RE: Do the fonts look like [ :::::::: ] ?
helf @ 6/5/2003 12:21:53 PM #
Ever heard of jot..or tealscript? lets you .you know,write ANYWHERE on the screen. and I'm sure the software keyboard works still..

RE: Do the fonts look like [ :::::::: ] ?
CurlyBrian @ 7/15/2003 5:50:54 PM #
Fonts aren't too small for me. The more characters on the screen the better. This isn't an e-book device (hmm...).

Can't wait to get rid of my timex pager watch. Had a datalink 150s before that. Memory was too small though and adding phone numbers was a pain. I miss the phone list though but can't spend the $12 a month to have internet and phone numbers. Fossil Palm is MUCH better.

Can't wait to jot in product numbers and other things you always want to remember. Syncing every night to web is how you get info so I don't see that battery issue in reality.

p.s. People take showers with their watch on? Do they sleep with them, too? Petty issue.

p.p.s. When wireless takes less power this will be great.

p.p.p.s. What about a fold out screen?

RE: Do the fonts look like [ :::::::: ] ?
T-Man @ 11/11/2005 8:22:38 PM #
Er, I sleep and shower with my watch, bad habit if I think about getting this...

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