* Update 2 - October 26th, 2009 - the inPulse Smartwatch for BlackBerry Smartphones has been officially announced and is now available for pre-order! *
* Update - Just to be clear as I've seen some confusion in the commments, but as far as we know at this time the inPulse watch is not being made by/for BlackBerry (it won't feature a BlackBerry logo), but is being made for use with BlackBerry Smartphones. However, this is in fact "the BlackBerry watch" that has been referred to previously in articles dating back to WES in May. There isn't another RIM-built BlackBerry watch out there. *
Remember that story about a Bluetooth BlackBerry Watch accessory being in the works? In case you were doubting it, today we can say with certainty that it's happening, it's getting announced soon, and what you're looking at above (another image below) are actual renderings of the real deal. Key features we've been told so far about the BlackBerry-connected smartwatch by our source:
- it has been designed specifically for use with BlackBerry Smartphones from the ground up - developed by a new BlackBerry-dedicated accessory company
- it features an OLED screen that we hear is "big, bright and beautiful" and optimized for displaying text clearly, and thanks to OLED has solid battery life
- it's designed to show you notifications and previews of messages arriving on your BlackBerry
- judging by the filename of the photos as they were sent in to us, we're thinking it's going to be branded the inPulse smartwatch
The intent of the watch isn't to replace using your BlackBerry to view messages. Rather, it's for those occassions when your BlackBerry is tucked away - while in a meeting, while driving, or while you're out for a bike ride and you feel it vibrating in your camelback. When you get that impulse to stop what you're doing and pull out your BlackBerry, now you can quickly glance over at your inPulse and decide if you need to pull out your BlackBerry to address that message now or if it can wait fifteen minutes you're free.
Definitely a cool accessory. And because this smartwatch is desiged specifically for BlackBerry, we're thinking hoping that at somepoint the watch APIs will become available to BlackBerry app developers so even notifications from third party apps could be displayed. CrackBerry heaven! We'll bring you the official details on this when they emerge soon.
inPulse SmartWatch for BlackBerry Smartphones
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WHY IS RIM WASTING THEIR EFFORTS ON THIS CRAP.
CONCENTRATE ON GIVING THE USERS A BETTER UI!!!
Don't think you read the post before you commented... it's not RIM building it.
I would guess that it is mostly for the corporate world, especially in meetings and trainings and such. Instead of pulling out your BB, you can look "at the time".
If they're looking down at this watch for the "time"; others around the person would probably be like.."damn what a dumbass; it takes him/her that long to figure out what the time is?? It's a digital clock; not even an analog for God's sake".
its being developed by a 3rd party blackberry accessory company.
and i think its a pretty solid idea, as long as its implemented the right way. it can be a pain to always pull the berry out of the holster or case and see whats going on.
So now instead of staring at your berry you'll just be staring at your watch looking like you can't tell time. We won't just be "looking at the time." More like staring at the time.
Stop yelling already!
I'd definitely get one and I don't even wear watches.
Agreed. I think its a great idea as long as they don't charge an arm and a leg.
I wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole. Imagine the SAR effect by wearing something like that full time. I know it's not proven, but why take the chance.
You sir, are an idiot.
He's not too bright.
...cigarette smoking back in the days. Naive fool. Knock yourself out. Why do you think they make the holsters a minimum of 1/8th of an inch from the body and recommend against leather holsters? I'm in the biz and need to cover ALL areas. Do you really think a consistent flow of radio waves making skin contact wouldn't have an impact of any kind?
Your skin is already in "contact" with "a consistent flow of radio waves." Do you really think that radio waves aren't flowing through and around us all the time already? Just stand outside... I wonder how those cars get their radio stations or we use wifi. Those waves are 'touching' you too even if you're not using them. It's all around (we get some from the sun too, please turn that off too)... Think of particle-wave duality+energy conservation. Think of it a many invisible stray bullets. Sir, signals aren't propagated through space in straight lines. It's already there... Since the dawn of time... Oh yeah... by the way... we have something called a skin to protect us from that... if it can handle Visible light then it can handle radiowave which are at the far end of the spectrum... don't look directly into your radio... :-/
...hello...hello...bluehorseshoe...are you there? Hello?
Ever hear of a "source." Sure, waves are all over, but keep a source receptor close to your body, unlike a car radio which is stationed outside the car. Why the hell do you think they have a SAR rating to begin with? Ever think why the FCC regulates the rating? Skin protects you...LOL. You need to hit the books. Due diligence my friend, due diligence.
bluehorseshoe, I agree with you and understand what you are saying, you have to remember people that don't work in our line of business just read the package and forums online. They don't ever get into the backend stuff that we have to deal with everyday. But none the less, I think the watch will take after a bluetooth device, everyone wears them on the side of their head now, what is it going to hurt to "wear" one on your wrist.
Let's just use some common sense here.
#1 if the FCC regulates SAR ratings then this device would obviously have to pass to be marketed in the U.S.A. Therefore it would be within the "safe" levels as designated by the Federal Government (we all know they don't lie).
#2 As the point already made by Cory, an extremely large amount of people wear bluetooth headsets daily. This device would be safer as it is further from vital body parts.
- Additionally holding a phone to your ear produces the same effect, does it not? At least this has been what all the controversy is about.
#3 It is in fact true that our bodies are bombarded by high energy daily, show me decisive evidence that this causes physical/mental defects. It is true that the sources are much further away but it is also true that these signals are far more powerful than that of a bluetooth accessory. You mention "source receptor," guessing by the terminology you basically mean an antennae, or something that simply receives signal. You must take into account surface area, in which case you entire body is susceptible to far more. Ever held an FM whip antennae and realized your Sammy Hagar sounds clearer on the radio?
My guess is, you've been walking underneath power lines a bit too much lately.
Moonbat
This is definitely a nice little accessory. I will probably get one of these when they come out.
@ deeablos.
You really think RIM has one developer or something?
You mean there's more than one guy locked in a glass box suspended from the ceiling? Boy, I was WAY off...
Look forward to seeing additional reports before purchasing it.
Ericsson's watch looks more stylish
The real story here is the "new BlackBerry-dedicated accessory company". It seems that blackberry accessories are crap compared to apple's. Bout time a company focuses solely on Bb
Oo, lets keep bluetooth on all the time. What a great way to kill battery life.
My BlueTooth is always on, just not always connected, and even when it is I don't notice any additional battery drain by just being connected... even if there is, it's going to be very slight...
I am so getting one.. This would be perfect in meetings.. you can do 2 things with this.. One - make people know your not interested in their meeting by glancing at your watch all the time. Two - know how many messages your missing being in the stupid meeting your in.
People will think that you are so busy that you need to keep checking the time, but you're actually reading email...
I ain't gonna lie, I'm gonna get this as soon as it comes out. I'm already a watch junkie, so this is a perfect marriage of two addictions.
come on with this.
Much like the watch phones before it this will be DOA!
My Tour's battery life sucks with Bluetooth turned off, not going to turn it on for an ugly watch.
This will definitely be replacing my regular watch!! Perfect for me working in the retail environment!!! (on a side note, I wonder can this be iced out???)
This would be perfect for me at work. we are not allowed to have our phones out because the company fears we will use them to steal company secrets. (laughable) Have to see how much It would hurt battery life, I would only use it while at work. bike ride mentioned in the blog would be cool too.
will find a way to charge you more for this to synch with your existing device :)
Didn't fossil do something like this awhile back with a different os?
A few years ago. There was pda watch based on the PalmOS and it didnt work. I think it was Fossil watch. I dont think it was even released before it was killed off.
That's a pretty cool idea. I don't have a need for it, but definitly a good idea. Haha maybe later you can make bluetooth calls through your watch, just like the james bond watch from back in the day.
I'll call my BB, Kitt and talk to it like Michael Knight. I will be so cool, then the batteries will run out and I wont even be able to call for help...
that Kitt was soo clear on the show...Michael would whisper into the watch, but Kitt was in full surround sound :)
That's a pretty cool idea. I don't have a need for it, but definitly a good idea. Haha maybe later you can make bluetooth calls through your watch, just like the james bond watch from back in the day.
How much? When? Where can I buy it as soon as possible??
now this is cool...would i wear it? eh, prob not, but i'm sure lots of other would. to much shit on my wrist as it is. very cool concept though.
now this is cool...would i wear it? eh, prob not, but i'm sure lots of other would. to much shit on my wrist as it is. very cool concept though.
Dick Tracy is finally becoming real!
Doing a search on the web found this info on it. Looks like an early version of the device:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/accordionguy/3058290514/sizes/o/
Very misleading headline. Pure link bait.
Also, get a damn mobile site going, crackberry is shit on a blackberry.
m.crackberry.com
What next micro chip on your hand?
Your BB communicates directly with your brain. No more BB thumb... just *think* an email. Everybody thinks you're daydreaming but you're really checking the latest headlines. The tricky part is the phone calls - keeping the party on the other end from knowing what you're really thinking...