At the beginning of last year, we discovered AsteroidOS (hobby) project aiming to provide a Linux based open source operating system working on some Android Wear smartwatches. At the time the OS relied on Android drivers working with libhybris, Qt5/QML for apps, and only supported LG G Watch. Since then, Florent Revest has continued development, with more watches being supported from Samsung, Asus, and other brands, and a French startup has decided to design and bring to market Connect Watch running AsteroidOS.
Connect Watch specifications:
- SoC- Mediatek quad core processeur @ up to 1.39GHz MTK
- System Memory – 512MB or 1GB RAM
- Storage – 4 or 8GB flash
- Display – 1.39″ round Amoled display with 400×400 resolution
- Audio – Built-in speaker
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth
- Optional GSM ( 850/900/1800/1900MHz) and 3G WCDMA (850/2100MHz) support with nano SIM card slot
- GPS
- Camera – 2.0 MP; records to 720p
- Sensors – Heart rate monitor
- Misc – 2x buttons
- Battery – No info; charging via 4 pogo pins.
- Dimensions – Band: 13.5cm long x 2.6cm width
AsteroidOS provides apps for calls and SMS notifications from your smartphone, and if you have the 3G version, you can directly call and sens SMS from the watch. Other apps include a stopwatch, a music player, a calculator, an alarm clock, a calendar, a weather app, settings and so on. The GPS function is handled through OpenStreetMap collaborative project. You can see a demo of the watch in the video below starting at the 27 seconds mark.
Connect Watch SAS – the company behind the watch – has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise fund on Ulule. Everything is in French right now, but English versions of the Ulule page, and company website are scheduled for early next week. The WiFi version of Connect Watch requires a 99 Euros pledge, while the 3G version goes for 129 Euros with delivery planned respectively in October and November 2017. They also have stretch goals to add 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, etc.. to all watches. Shipping is free to France, but adds 5 Euros to the rest of the world.
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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