Micro Cruz Android Watch from Velocity in the Works

[dgstorm]

Velocity had a prototype at CES of some pretty slick tech. They are working on an Android 2.0 powered watch, called the Micro Cruz. It uses a Bluetooth connection to pull info from your Android powered smartphone. It's designed for the sub-$200 market and is due to hit around Q2 of 2011. It can't do the full gamut of Android features, but seems to have some pretty sweet capabilities nonetheless:

• It's of course a watch with an interchangeable clock face: two analog, two digital.
• It can read Facebook
• It can be used as a remote control for Android's music app and Android-powered TVs
• It can show you incoming caller IDs
• It has a full 1.8 inch LCD touchscreen that takes swipe and tap gesture
• Its incoming call notifier pulls the caller's profile photo from your contact list

The Micro Cruz can't do apps yet, but they might be able to implement app installation in the near future. This looks like something to 'watch' out for. Who knows... in a few years we could all be video chatting with our 'Dick Tracy Style' Android watches.

Source: Engadget

 

[rmart88]

this is a pretty sweet idea! i could see myself using something like this in the future... once it evolves a little more. (adding third party clock widgets, voice texting/dialing/search/etc)

 

[riko540]

Wow I like that idea. That would keep me from looking at my phone every half hour. I wonder how badly it would drain the batter on the phone though seeing as it uses bluetooth.

 

[RemyL75]

I can't wait for that to get hacked. Soon as it does, I am getting one lol

 

[Big Ry]

I can't wait for that to get hacked. Soon as it does, I am getting one lol

Cyanogen Mod...for yer watch!! :icon_ banana::icon_ banana::icon_ banana:

 

[johnomaz]

The nerd in me is screaming for me to buy one when it comes out, but honestly, kind of clunky.

Honestly, if I were to get a 'digital watch', it would be this: ThinkGeek :: iPod Nano Leather and Steel Watchband

 

[cjreyes666]

I remember back in the day when watches with build in calc were for the geeks now i wonder if those kids or teens that had them r going to buy one of this.

 

[riko540]

The nerd in me is screaming for me to buy one when it comes out, but honestly, kind of clunky.

Honestly, if I were to get a 'digital watch', it would be this: ThinkGeek :: iPod Nano Leather and Steel Watchband

Yes I agree it does look clunky not to mention it looks like it has to be charged. Still neat though.

sent from my pocket

 

[DaWolf85]

This looks very much like a far clunkier version of the newest iPod Nano.

 

[anuraj1]

I want this thing so bad. I just bought a new bicycle and I can't find an armband that my D1 will fit in. So it sits in my backpack while it runs Pandora and Runkeeper (to keep track of my mileage and stuff by GPS) and I just have to listen to whatever crappy song comes on without being able to skip songs or see who is calling me, etc.

I would have totally bought the Sony Ericsson LiveView if it was available here even though it had horrible reviews. I really think this product could be big.

 

[tktouch12]

this is sweet. not even for geeks, but like kids in class who cant have their phone, they could read their texts on their watch. thatd be pretty cool. for me i probably wouldnt wear it but itd be nice to have to control my music and stuff like that. and i'd probably buy one just because its cool.

 

[patfactorx]

This is a lot more compelling than a tablet!!! I can actually see this replacing my watch

 

[microsnook]

Thats sick! lol

 

[johnomaz]

this is sweet. not even for geeks, but like kids in class who cant have their phone, they could read their texts on their watch. thatd be pretty cool. for me i probably wouldnt wear it but itd be nice to have to control my music and stuff like that. and i'd probably buy one just because its cool.

Ya, I work at a high school and this watch would be taken just as if it were a phone. Texting, both reading and sending, is prohibited in schools. Our policy says your phone needs to be powered off and in your backpack. I may only be the IT person, but I'd take it just as I take phones.

 

[meishkov]

Hahaha, definitely something to "watch" out for. Love it. But yea the idea of video chatting on a dick Tracy inspired watch powered by android has me going absolutely bonkers.