What could be better than having a little bit of Windows Phone 8 goodness strapped to your wrist? If the Kickstarter project Gnomio ever comes to fruition then we might just get a device that works via Bluetooth to send alerts for all kinds of things to your watch.
The devices are purportedly being ranged in some Windows Phone 8 friendly hues called the Gnomio Fresh or a sturdier metal finished ‘Strong’ variant. Could this be the ultimate Windows Phone accessory?
Kickstarter projects by definition are funded by you, the audience. Think of it like a PBS telethon to raise money. If the group raises enough, in theory you get delievered goods. If it does not, well...you don't. An example of a high-profile, seemingly successful Kickstarter campaign for technology would be Android's Ouya gaming project.
But we’re going to advise you take this with extreme caution as we have little idea who these guys are. They don’t have a license secured for the OS (as far as we know) and their timeline looks unrealistic. Oh and there isn’t a proof of concept, so you have been warned.
The specifications for the watch look pretty impressive on paper, here is what will be inside:
- ARM 270 MHz
- DDR2 64MB
- Flash memory is 8GB
- OS - Windows Embedded Compact 7
- Distribution of applications - Windows Phone Store
- Wireless technology - Bluetooth 3.0 / 4.0
It doesn’t end there; the device is going to pack a full array of sensors to help get the job done. But what will its job be? Looks like it will notify you for SMS, Email, Calendar Reminders, Weather, Player Controls and more. Here is the full list of potential uses:-
- Notification of incoming and missed calls
- SMS and email notification
- Facebook and Twitter messages
- Calendar reminders, timer
- Weather
- The player controls
- Reminders of low battery charge smartphone
- Search feature phone
We love the attention to detail on these designs but looks like they missed the new Windows logo on their “Strong” watch. Reading through the description it’s sometimes hard to know what they are getting at for this device. Does it interact with Windows Phone 8 or is it just something made with embedded compact to look like a Windows Phone 8 companion. Shall we mention the spelling of Windows in the footer *note* at the bottom of the webpage?
The designs are fun and we have to admit we’re intrigued by this whole project, but we’re not even sure anyone wants or needs such a device even if it were possible to make it work. Like many Kickstarter projects these can serve as a bit of fun and even sometimes come to fruition.
Of most interest is the watch that bares more than a passing resemblance to a Surface device. If they get the logo right, work out the complexities of Bluetooth interactivity with Windows Phone 8, license the OS and deliver a project, this could be a great companion for the much vaunted Surface Phone. At present, like the Surface Phone there is simply no way to know if it will ever reach the market.
But ready by April? We're not convinced. Our warning does remain, treat this with care and be careful before you get involved.
We’d like to hear from anyone that has taken the plunge on this or if you would buy one? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Source: Indigogo; Thanks, cedarlog and others, for the tip!
