Potentially the world's coolest new watch

by
in hardware on (#3MV)
story imageSmart watches are evolving. After a somewhat inauspicious start and some missteps, manufacturers and designers are getting a better handle on what the market wants. Or what I want, anyway. Have a look at this new wristwatch from a company called Kairos . The Verge is reviewing it, and while it's not on the market yet, the combination of classic, mechanical wristwatch with a smart screen overlay looks phenomenal. The Verge points out Kairos is a start-up. Can they succeed where the big guns have failed?
Reply 13 comments

In short, no. (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-05-23 17:16 (#1W6)

Smart watches aren't ready for mainstream yet, though this is certainly is progress in the right direction.

At the price range they're looking for, brand and image is a big factor. This looks very thick and would probably look out of place with formal wear. There is a market for big, chunky, and cutting edge, but it is very small.

Re: In short, no. (Score: 2, Insightful)

by jonh@pipedot.org on 2014-05-23 18:17 (#1W7)

It looks really really nice, and the transparent overlay is a nice idea. Having said that, I'm not sure I'm ready to shell out $500-$1000 for one. Maybe 4 or 5 years from now we might see the price drop into impulse-buy territory...

Re: In short, no. (Score: 1)

by zafiro17@pipedot.org on 2014-05-23 18:21 (#1W8)

I agree this is a step in the right direction; regardless of the snazzy marketing for things like the Galaxy Gear, the Gear remains kind of dorky looking, and as far as I can tell, it's not useful for much.

Re: In short, no. (Score: 1, Interesting)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-05-23 18:38 (#1W9)

You really think so? It's not to my tastes at all. I think the contrast between a conservative design and the overlay would be really cool. But right, to be successful it needs a more reasonable price, or a big watchmaker name behind it.

Re: In short, no. (Score: 2, Interesting)

by fishybell@pipedot.org on 2014-05-23 18:49 (#1WA)

I agree with the name. Stick the overlay and bluetooth and brains on a rolex and you can feel free to charge an extra $5k for it, put it on a citizen and charge an extra $100, but a no-name, I'd only be willing to spend a couple hundred overall. It's easier to buy a all-digital and feel fine from a tech company (samsung, apple, etc.) but I want my mechanical parts to work day-in, day-out with no maintenance and remain accurate; I won't trust a startup to deliver on that (or really, anything else) until their product has been around for a while. Fancy new electronic gizmo I'm more willing because it is more of a toy. My watch is a tool, and I need it to work.

Obligatory xkcd? (Score: 3, Funny)

by computermachine@pipedot.org on 2014-05-23 19:06 (#1WB)

Obligatory xkcd.

http://xkcd.com/1372/

Re: Obligatory xkcd? (Score: 2, Interesting)

by zafiro17@pipedot.org on 2014-05-23 20:59 (#1WE)

Great one - I'd never seen that one. Love the idea of a new smart phone - flipphone. I love my Note 3 but do miss the days I could actually get my phone into a pocket. I once had a lovely little Samsung flipphone that was so small I lost it for a couple of days before it eventually turned up in a pocket of pants I'd put back in the drawer. No chance of ever accidentally putting the Note in a drawer: too big and heavy.

Incoming calls (Score: 1)

by epitaxial@pipedot.org on 2014-05-23 19:29 (#1WC)

So this watch buzzes and flashes an incoming call on the display. Are you supposed to answer it and speak into the watch? Sounds pretty douchey.

Flaunting obsolete directions (Score: 1)

by ploling@pipedot.org on 2014-05-25 13:36 (#1WT)

My necklace is an abacus of physical bitcoins so I can do my accounting anywhere (front vs. back, multiple rows) and when the IRS calls I only have to walk in the door :P

Sure it's big and weighs a ton but it also costs several millioioioins dollares because of the bitcoin and nobody will ever steal it because nobody steals necklaces and nobody thinks that anyone wearing a necklace would be wearing anything but a cheap trinket and it's not like it's the most visible, alluring, and easy theft around except for dumb smartphones.

That's what I think of wristwatches, they were enough of a pain when they weren't computers :)

Yes I know the shallowness of human social interaction requires something easy and nontaxing to latch on to for the bragging rituals to start, wear a colorful band-aid on your forehead and it will serve the same purpose for cents and be even more "in your face", in addition you will know it's "you" that's wanted because who the hell digs for band-aids? :D

"Did you hurt yourself?"
Genuine smile. "Yes emotionally, I use this to get into conversations with people and to invite members of the opposite sex"

Consternation = avoid, interest = snog, laugh = marry.

Re: Flaunting obsolete directions (Score: 1)

by skarjak@pipedot.org on 2014-05-25 14:50 (#1WV)

What if I think watches are pretty. :(

My wriswratch has been broken for months. I haven't sent it for repair. I just like the look of it.

Re: Flaunting obsolete directions (Score: 1)

by ploling@pipedot.org on 2014-05-25 16:43 (#1WW)

Nothing wrong with that, if you like it you like it, I'm just gently mocking the smartwatch/wearable computing hype and/or fashion thing :)

stupid, total scam (Score: 1)

by lajos@pipedot.org on 2014-05-26 15:00 (#1WY)

This is completely stupid, and just some awfully produced cg crap for a patent application.

Why on Earth would you want to waste space in an electronic watch that's supposed to be a small wearable device by cramming a large mechanical watch in there? As it is, there's no space for a battery that would give smart watches enough run time.

This is no more real than the Starship Enterprise/