WiMe (pronounced “Why Me?”), a Taiwanese company, showcased an Android watch that can also be used as a phone (a Nanophone as the company calls it) at CES 2013. The NanoWatch runs embedded Linux, and features a 1.54″ Touch screen display, 256 Mb ROM, a 4 GB internal microSD card, and a SIM card slot.
NanoWatch Specifications:
- Processor – Unknown
- System Memory – Unknown
- Storage – 256 MB ROM, 4 GB internal microSD
- Display – 1.54″ resistive touch display – Resolution 240×240
- Network – GSM/GPRS Quad Band: GSM 850/900/DCS 1800/PCS 1900 MHZ. Data :GPRS
- SIM/UIM – One standard SIM card
- Connectivity – Bluetooth 2.1
- USB connection – micro 5pin USB, USB 1.1
- Video, photo and audio formats – AVI/MP4/3GP, jpg/gif/bmp, and MP3
- Battery – 300 mAh Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Talking time: Approx. 4 hours. Standby time: Approx. 120 hours
- Misc – FM Radio, Voice recorder
- Dimensions – 51.6 mm x 38 mm x 10.2 mm
The package contains the NanoWatch, a headset, a wristband, a micro USB cable and a clipper. The device can be worn as a watch, but you could also hang it on your neck, or clip it on your shirt.
This is rather a low-end phone, but if you mainly listen to music (via a Bluetooth headset) and make/answer phone calls, this is less cumbersome than handling your phone. Alternatively, it can also be paired to your Android smartphone to sync emails and contacts, and make / received phone calls.
You can watch Charbax’s video shot at CES 2013 to get a bit more information and see the device.
The product is available now, and should sell for $99 retail. You can find more information on WiMe NanoWatch page.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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256MB RAM, you mean? >_>
“Alternatively, it can also be paired to your Android smartphone to sync emails and contacts, and make / received phone calls.”
Now even an Android phone can have a phone 😉
Does this actually run Android though? It doesn’t seem to mention it on the manufacturer’s page.
I sold “watch phones” 3 years ago… the main problem is the size. It’s really difficult to sell because this.
By the way… I saw the “Android watch” (not this one) maybe one year ago. I did not try because big (again). I found some models 2-3 years ago with the battery built in the strap, maybe that is a good way to make it smaller.
@rm
Their website and package mentions 256 MB ROM.
@Javi
Maybe that one: http://www.cnx-software.com/2011/10/28/im-watch-freescale-i-mx233-based-android-watch/
Charbax interviewed I’m Watch again at CES 2013 this year. They’ve apparently sold 30,000 pieces last year. This is much more expensive than the NanoWatch though.
@onebir
It does not run Android, it runs a version of embedded Linux according to Charbax.
@cnxsoft
hi, ho’re You guy !! 🙂
I’m searching for an equivalent of the ipod nano6g powered by LINUX (this watch seems to be good but the batteries is to low 🙁 )
http://www.lesnumeriques.com/lecteur-mp3/apple-ipod-nano-6g-8-go-p9760.html
Anybody know the reason why companies don’t make a landscape watch?
Is it readable in bright sunlight? What kind of display technology does it use?
I purchased this watch-phone less than a year ago, but I have quit using it. I was wanting to use it mostly as a standalone phone. I think the idea of a watch that you wear and still have to pair to a brick in your pocket is absolutely ridiculous! I just don’t get the point of a “smart watch.” Anyways, while the WiME NanSmart can do both the smartwatch thing and be a standalone phone as well, I get the feeling that it is good at neither.
It can pair up with an Android phone, but it is not running Android itself, so, very limited functions there. It can work as a phone by itself (2G quad-band GSM only) but it’s not very good at that either. It has no built-in speaker or microphone, so you have to plug in the supplied headset to make calls with it. Not very convenient. Oh, you can use a bluetooth headset with it, but then the teeny-tiny built-in battery dies really fast. I mean like, talk for half an hour and it’s dead. Pretty useless.
The good things I can say about the NanoSmart are, the screen is nice and bright and very responsive. It is easily visible in sunlight and because it is resistive, it responds to being touched by pretty much anything you want to use as a pointer. Also, it is detachable from the wristband. (one of the main reasons I bought it) It comes supplied with a pointer that slides into the wristband, just like most other watch-phones do. The NanoSmart also has a barebones MP3 player and FM radio built-in. No EQ functions or anything, but still decent sound.
Sadly, this thing was a waste of money for me. I don’t even want to use it as a backup phone. (maybe as an mp3 player) The non-relaceable battery with it’s poor capacity and the lack of a built-in speaker and mic were the deal-breakers for me. Based on that and it’s general lack of features (no web-browser, no camera) I can’t recommend this thing. Wish I could get my money back, really.