I’m Watch gives you Android on your wrist, connects to your smartphone

November 1, 2011 By Kelly Montgomery

This high-tech watch runs on a customized Android OS and connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing you to see notifications right on your wrist.

Why own a watch that just tells you the time when you can own one that does almost everything your smartphone would do, but can be worn right on your wrist? That’s the idea behind I’m Watch ($400+), which takes the idea of the iPod Nano with the wristband a step further by incorporating an Android operating system and Bluetooth technology that can connect to your smartphone, either Apple, Android, BlackBerry, or Windows Phone 7.

For the hefty price tag (that starts at about $400 and goes up from there) you’ll be able to see previews of notifications like messages and emails from your smartphone that are sent to the watch via Bluetooth. The watch also runs apps so that you can play music, check the weather, and schedule appointments.

The I’m Watch will reportedly run on a customized version of Android 1.6, which is the oldest version of the Google mobile OS. It seems like a strange move, but it will probably suffice for everything this device needs to do. The watch features a microphone for making calls, which you can actually do directly from the device. Things like messages, email, Facebook, and Twitter will show up as notifications on your I’m Watch screen but you’ll have to actually dig your phone out of your pocket or purse to make any further actions.

The watch is aiming to appeal to a wide range of consumers, despite the high starting price tag. The watch comes in a playful color version (seen above), a titanium model, and several luxurious designs featuring diamonds and precious metals. You can pre-order the watch now, but the Italian Website says that it will be approximately 90 days before it gets to you.

We are used to digging around in our pockets or purses for our smartphone every time it makes a ‘ding’ notification, so we can definitely see the appeal of being able to see what that email is about on your wrist before reaching for your phone. Being able to do the basics of checking the weather, playing a few tunes, or making a quick call from the watch also seems useful. Would you ever use a smart-watch that connected to your phone?

Showing 13 comments

Linus Magnusson at 1:57am 21st November 2011 How would the charging for this device work and how long runtime will it have?:p
imran at 8:41am 13th November 2011 Is this available in UAE
GKG at 3:31am 7th November 2011 An intelligent watch with a high price tag ! No info given regarding its sturdiness & resistance to moisture, water, capability to absorb shock & variable temperatures. The wrist band (as shown) seems to be plasticki & cheap ! Manufacturer's responsibility seems to be questionable for a $400 watch like this one !!
1. Kelly Montgomery at 8:32am 7th November 2011 Yes, we would tend to agree. If we could test the watch out, we'd certainly pass along this info, but from the info we do have, we'd say the watch is priced a little high.
Rawbean Shakya at 3:08pm 2nd November 2011 a must-have for future samsung galaxy note owners hehe
Prabir Sarkar at 12:38am 2nd November 2011 Android is awesome, I am loving the concept and the design as well. But when will it be available in India? A lesser price tag may help.
1. Kelly Montgomery at 8:20am 2nd November 2011 I believe it's available for shipping Internationally. Not sure about India specifically.
Greg Clauson at 11:16pm 1st November 2011 That will fail.
Catalina Marcu at 3:04pm 1st November 2011 i would buy it, if it was 200-300, also, i don't believe that something like this will be on Romania's market.But it is a great idea! I love android. :)
Todd Fisher at 9:48pm 1st November 2011 What is a "watch"? Is that like one of those old 8-Track players or something?
jesterking at 1:48pm 1st November 2011 Would consider buying, if it was around 199, but 400... no thanks.
1. Kelly Montgomery at 2:10pm 1st November 2011 I'm sure that is what the majority of people will be thinking. We'll let you know if we see a more affordable version of the same idea.
  1. jesterking at 7:24am 3rd November 2011 please do. I was looking at a few other options out there a while back... I forget what they were, but they were all around the same price... Which is too bad. I don't get why manufacturers have to price their products right out of the market... Sure they have to make money, but they also have to sell.. Taking a hit might be worth it to them in the long run, if they get their product out there!