The Fossil Wrist PDA is a smartwatch that runs Palm OS. The newer incarnations, which do not include Palm OS, are called Fossil WristNet watches.
Video Fossil Wrist PDA
Product history
Wrist Fossil PDA Development started in 1999 when engineer Donald Brewer licensed a read-only version of the Palm OS from Palm Source and tried to get him working on his watch. For the first year of development, Brewer struggled to make watches small enough to wear. The initial design looked like "a cell phone attached to one's wrist" and in a board meeting, the term "boat anchor" was used. He started talking to Microsoft engineers, who searched for the wrist platform as well and was busy developing Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT watches). As the size decreases, the next major hurdle is making the screen. The smallest screen available at the time was a phone screen that had 90 to 126 pixels. The Palm OS, however, is written for 160-by-160-pixel sensitive touchscreens. Reworking the code will be a huge undertaking, so engineers start looking for suppliers who can deliver new technologies. An engineering firm in Arizona called the Three-Five System was able to display the screen in July 2002. The resulting device was rushed to the COMDEX convention where it won the "best of COMDEX" award for "best mobile device". The original prototype had 2MB of memory, which expanded up to 8MB for commercial release. The current price of the debut is $ 250US.
Maps Fossil Wrist PDA
Features
The AU/FX series is capable of running most of the PDA functions and applications. Like other Palm OS devices, they sync or exchange information with PCs, have an infrared port, a virtual keyboard, and a touch screen. Supports most of the features of the graffiti handwriting recognition system. Small stylus can be stored in watches. Two buttons and rocker buttons on the side help with navigating lists and menus. The screen resolution is equivalent to Palm III, and the electroluminescent backlight allows it to be used at night. The IRDA transmitter on the front allows it to communicate with other Palm devices. In addition, there are Palm applications that allow IRDA transmitters to be used as TV remote, but the transmission range is very low in this case. This watch uses a rechargeable lithium ion battery. In the standby mode, when turned off between usage, the battery can last a week or more. This device has a watch program, with some "watch face" to keep showing the time. When in view-face mode, the battery life is about 1-2 days, depending on the integrity of the battery.
Reception
Initially, the Wrist PDA received positive reviews. In 2003 Wired.com called it "revolutionary" and "Dick Tracy watch". Reviewers noted that it can run a variety of software such as DocumentsToGo 6, AvantGo, Palm Games and Metro Freeware Navigator.
The reviewers mainly complain about the large size and appearance. One reviewer noted that weighing 108 grams, weighs about the same as Handspring Visor PDA, which is 174g. Reviewers also complain that the screen is too dim and small to read and is used to manipulate text. Other problems include having poor water resistance, low battery life and alarms that are too quiet for practical use.
Gallery
See also
- Apple Watch
- Usable computer
- Computer watches
- I'm Watching
References
External links
- Yahoo PDA Wrist Discussion Group
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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