Fossil Releases FX2008 Palm OS Wristwatch PDA

Posted By: Ryan Thursday, January 6, 2005 1:02:28 PM

PalmSource today welcomed the Wrist PDA with Palm OS from Fossil, the next generation Palm Powered wrist watch. Available under the ABACUS and FOSSIL brands, the Wrist PDA with Palm OS combines all of the benefits Palm OS has to offer with the portability and convenience of a wrist watch.

The Wrist PDA with Palm OS from Fossil builds momentum for the Palm OS platform in new markets of mobile products; encourages licensees to drive innovation in emerging mobile device categories; and provides business opportunities for the Palm OS software developer community.

fossil_wrist_PDA_FX2008.jpg"The Palm OS platform offers our licensees the flexibility to create innovative and diverse mobile products like the Fossil Wrist PDA with Palm OS that meet the individual needs of mobile users. Easily customized with the thousands of Palm OS software titles available today, we believe the Fossil Wrist PDA with Palm OS provides a powerful and intuitive tool which blends fashion and technology by providing consumers immediate personal and professional information at the flick of the wrist," said David Nagel, president and chief executive officer for PalmSource, Inc. "From smartphones to wrist watches, Palm Powered products run the gamut in form factor and functionality, offering the widest selection for users to choose the device that best fits their lifestyle."

The FOSSIL and ABACUS branded Wrist PDA features:

  • Palm OS version 4.1
  • 8 MB of memory (approx. 7.7 MB available to the user)
  • 160 x 160 pixel LCD with backlight
  • Touch screen input
  • 3-way Rocker and Back button for one-handed navigation
  • Customizable watch faces
  • USB interface supports Windows and Mac
  • IRDA infrared communication port
  • Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (lasts approximately three to four days between charges)

"Leveraging the industry-leading Palm OS has enabled Fossil to successfully bring to market the first truly wearable Palm Powered mobile product of its kind," said Frank Romero, Director of Technology Watch Products for Fossil, Inc. "We look forward to our continued collaboration with PalmSource to provide Palm Powered users with cutting-edge wearable mobile products."

The new Wrist PDA is available in two different brands, FOSSIL and ABACUS, and will hit store shelves on January 6th. The Fossil branded product (FX2008) can be found at Fossil stores nationwide or at Fossil. The FOSSIL Wrist PDA is priced at a MSRP of $249.00 USD.

The ABACUS brand Wrist PDA product (AU5005) will be available exclusively through a direct sales and marketing partner, Tiger Direct. Product information is available at AbacusWatches.com and the product can be purchased at TigerDirect.com. The ABACUS Wrist PDA is priced at a MSRP of $199.00 USD,

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Cool

Frenchie @ 1/6/2005 3:54:46 PM # Q
Hey Mike remember your post about the Rex? This could be the PDA/Watch you need! Wow i really can't wait for PDAs that are as powerful as my desktop PC.

The world will end in 2006. Just as it was predicted in the bible along with the release of Microsoft Longhorn.... :p
RE: Cool
LiveFaith @ 1/6/2005 4:52:40 PM # Q
Frenchie,
My Palm blows my desktop PC away now. The T3 smokes my PIII 450mhz HP PC. Thankfully, I am in the process of replacing that dinosaur today. :-)

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com
RE: Cool
mikecane @ 1/7/2005 1:56:14 PM # Q
This is much larger than my PalmOS "Rex."

I'll pick one up when it hits the 99-cent stores late this year.

RE: Cool
Puppy @ 2/3/2005 2:10:52 AM # Q
The really scary thing is I'd love to try one. I wonder if this could actually replace a normal PDA...

I guess it could run Documents to Go...but I use the spreadsheet all the time, and I don't think it would realistically work.

Still, I'd love to play with one! Funny how 6 years ago that same hardware seemed high tech, and now I'm wondering if it could possibly be powerful enough for me :D

Reply to this comment

text input?

bigjarom @ 1/6/2005 3:58:48 PM # Q
So, uh, do you use telepathy to input text? Or does it have a pop-up keyboard?
RE: text input?
Frenchie @ 1/6/2005 4:07:56 PM # Q
you probably use some type of virtual grafiti to input text.



The world will end in 2006. Just as it was predicted in the bible along with the release of Microsoft Longhorn.... :p

RE: text input?
DarthRepublican @ 1/6/2005 5:51:32 PM # Q
The Abacus website says that there is a stylus embedded in the buckle of the wrist band. It apparently uses "Jot" instead of Graffiti.

RE: text input?
ackmondual @ 1/6/2005 7:44:35 PM # Q
won't be a big concern for many users, according to PS and P1 research anyways... which says that a moderate # of PDA users are 90% of the time looking up stuff then inputting (meaning most input is on desktop)
RE: text input?
Strider_mt2k @ 1/6/2005 7:50:31 PM # Q
How long before the "Hacking the Fossil" articles appear?

First thing's first, G1 on the Fossil! :D

RE: text input?
GregGaub @ 1/7/2005 12:27:35 AM # Q
There's full screen graffiti input using Jot, but the on-screen keyboard built into the OS is still there, for someone who hates jot enough to want to peck at tiny little squares. ;-)

-- SeaPUG: http://www.seapug.com --
RE: text input?
mikecane @ 1/7/2005 1:59:19 PM # Q
Since it's an OS4 device, getting G1 on it shouldn't be hard. And it should work better than on an OS5 device. That and Graffiti Anywhere...

RE: text input?
Strider_mt2k @ 1/7/2005 6:48:40 PM # Q
There ya go.

Or maybe ZLauncher to make things even cooler looking onscreen and easier to use?
(Okay, okay, AFTER it's configured! ;) )

(I'm a ZL fan, but a realist.)

THIS is the piece to mod the crap out of!
(Or at least have fun MUNG-ing it.)

MUNG= Modify Until No Good

(Imagining photos on a website of some guy who grafted his onto a WiFi sled.)

:D



RE: text input?
GregGaub @ 1/9/2005 3:54:52 PM # Q
I know of NO OS4 devices that have started with Graffiti 2 and had Graffiti succesfully installed onto it. AFAIK, that trick only works with OS5 devices, and even some of those need some tweaks to make it work (Zodiac). If you can point to anyone or any instructions on how to get original Graffiti onto ANY OS4 device that has Graffiti 2, please let me know. I've tried, and ended up only with reset loops requiring a hard reset.

-- SeaPUG: http://www.seapug.com --
Reply to this comment

finally...

joad @ 1/6/2005 6:26:57 PM # Q
Geez... these were showing at the 2003 COMDEX. Doesn't look like anything else has been added. They are a neat idea, and much improved over the version 1.0 (this one you can input, old one was "beam-only").

Probably has more memory than the Treo 650, though ;)

RE: finally...
gfunkmagic @ 1/6/2005 6:35:12 PM # Q
>>>Doesn't look like anything else has been added...

Actaully the initial prototype only had 2 MB of ram if I recall. So 8 MB is a pretty significant upgrade...

I support http://Tapland.com/

--------------------
GNM

RE: finally...
4s @ 1/6/2005 7:19:03 PM # Q
A blast from the past! Kind of reminds me of this: http://www.palmcolors.com/

<><
RE: finally...
I.M Anonymous @ 1/6/2005 10:10:14 PM # Q
Yup, they upgraded from a Palm V on your wrist to a Vx on your wrist. Would've been a great product in 2002.

RE: finally...
Wollombi @ 1/7/2005 5:45:20 PM # Q
I still can be useful when you want your data with you in an area where you don't necessarily want to take your "main" PDA.

_________________
Sean

Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else.

RE: finally...
Wollombi @ 1/7/2005 5:53:19 PM # Q
I mean IT. IT can still be useful...

_________________
Sean

Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else.

Reply to this comment

Wireless

gregjsmith @ 1/6/2005 8:51:57 PM # Q
Would have been cool if they included Bluetooth for Sync rather than using a cable.

http://homepage.mac.com/gregjsmith
RE: Wireless
just_little_me @ 1/6/2005 8:59:33 PM # Q
At a developer event a couple of months back they mentioned that later versions will hopefully include some wireless technologies. I've got the current model here with me now and it's quite cool. Hasn't 100% replaced my Treo, but comes close. I can see it being of interest to users with minimalist PDA requirements, and gadget junkies ... :)

JLM.

RE: Wireless
asiayeah @ 1/7/2005 12:25:59 AM # Q
Really? If they include Bluetooth, I will definitely get one. As I can then use it with my GPRS mobile phone to access the internet.

--
With great power comes great responsiblity.
RE: Wrist Palm? Sign me up! (maybe...)
folkmew @ 6/21/2005 8:41:07 PM # Q
Did you say you are actually using this? I live by my palm but I have ADD and I just don't always have it on me when I'm around the house etc. (they need to make a good belt clip for the palm but I digress) - so the idea of an easy way to have an alarm watch that I can input all my appointments and such right into easily from the palm is hugely appealing.

I'll live with the size if it works well and is an easy way to have my wrist beep at me when necessary. (seems to me I read you can adapt it to wear as a pager??)
(feel free to email me offlist since I'm a grad student and can't always check back easily)

Reply to this comment

IT'S HUGE !!!!!!

DWD @ 1/7/2005 7:38:40 AM # Q
Have you seen pictures of the behemoth on a person's arm? There's no way you could get a sleeve over it--shirt or coat. I love the idea of a palmwatch, but this is just too big/thick.

RE: IT'S HUGE !!!!!!
RhinoSteve @ 1/7/2005 1:12:32 PM # Q
Not to mention this thing won't be the hottest item around for clubbing.
RE: IT'S HUGE !!!!!!
Wollombi @ 1/7/2005 5:55:16 PM # Q
Oh, come on now. A Hooooge watch can be considered stylin. Follow the link to see what I mean. Put a couple LED's on this puppy and you have form AND function! =P

http://www.pimp-watches.com/en/

_________________
Sean

Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else.

RE: IT'S HUGE !!!!!!
pmjoe @ 1/8/2005 12:32:53 PM # Q
Nah, they should've made it BIGGER. Go for that Dick Tracy portable wrist device look. As it is, it looks like they tried to squeeze everything but the kitchen sink into as small of a package as they could, and it just doesn't look right. They should've tried to create a new wrist device style, and actually tried to make it look stylish. Then maybe they could've added some more features (more battery, a real stylus, bigger screen, Bluetooth).

RE: IT'S HUGE !!!!!!
GregGaub @ 1/8/2005 12:54:48 PM # Q
It's not nearly as big as it looks. I'm wearing the Abacus one right now, and it's under my shirt sleeve and jacket sleeve. It's no slim watch, but it's not that big. Then again, it's definitely geared toward men. Most women, and small wristed men will have a hard time pulling this off. But for the average man, it's not too big.

-- SeaPUG: http://www.seapug.com --
RE: IT'S HUGE !!!!!!
jmckie1 @ 1/12/2005 9:29:34 AM # Q
It looks interesting, I'd be embarrassed to be seen wearing it.
Reply to this comment

What's the difference?

Fuzzball @ 1/7/2005 8:05:32 AM # Q
So you're paying $50 more for the Fossil brand name over the exact same thing branded with their "generic" brand? Geez, I wonder which one I'm going to buy.

RE: What's the difference?
hkklife @ 1/7/2005 9:37:34 AM # Q
According to Brighthand's article on this monstrosity the other day, the generic version available at Tigerdirect will be scaled-down in several features. They didn't specify which ones but both units seem to be using 66mhz Dragonballs and 8mb RAM. A shame about the size, as this unit actually seems to be pretty speedy for a mono OS 4.1 unit.

RE: What's the difference?
Be_True @ 1/7/2005 11:06:38 AM # Q
Last year(?) when they talked about this, wasn't the difference between the two versions just the band? -one metal, the other plastic?

-Chris

Tungsten C, Palm IIIxe, Wizard OZ-9520

"Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati"

RE: What's the difference?
GregGaub @ 1/8/2005 11:59:41 PM # Q
The BH article says no such thing. In fact, they are the same inside as the Fossil. The "shell" is what's different. Presumably, the Fossil is nicer in some way than the Abacus. Otherwise, the specs are the same.

-- SeaPUG: http://www.seapug.com --
Reply to this comment

MOD this puppy!

Strider_mt2k @ 1/7/2005 6:54:33 PM # Q
I've already posted about how cool it would be to see G1 and a 3rd party launcher installed on this thing (if possible).

I could see folks rifling through their old PalmOS software collections and hitting good old www.freewarepalm.com for some of the older apps and games to try on it.

Imagine say, Sol Free, or BKGammon on this thing!
Would they be playable?

How about an IR keyboard?
You could mount your watch on an eyeloupe for "big screen" Kinoma videos!

Needless to say, I'd have some fun discovering what exactly it could and couldn't do.

RE: MOD this puppy!
Strider_mt2k @ 1/7/2005 7:03:43 PM # Q
Sorry,

Forgot to mention hardware!
Someone is going to impress us with pictures of some crazy hack or another.

My vote is for "WiFi Sled", if it's possible at all.

;)

Reply to this comment

Why the price difference?

Sid_Sid @ 1/13/2005 3:46:09 PM # Q
>The new Wrist PDA is available in two different brands, FOSSIL and ABACUS, ... The FOSSIL Wrist PDA is priced at a MSRP of $249.00 USD.
...The ABACUS Wrist PDA is priced at a MSRP of $199.00 USD,...

What accounts for the price difference?



Reply to this comment

Bluetooth

theonlymorgan @ 1/13/2005 5:07:27 PM # Q
Bluetooth would make this product worth it.
wait, Bluetooth would have made the 2001 model worth it. Oh well, maybe one day, bluetooth will be built into everything?

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