Fossil Wrist PDA
Encyclopedia
The Fossil Wrist PDA is a specialized wristwatch that runs Palm OS
. The newer incarnation, which does not include Palm OS, is called the Fossil WristNet watch.
(SPOT watches). Once the size was decreased, the next major hurdle was making the screen. The smallest screens available at the time were cell phone screens that had 90 by 126 pixels. Palm OS, however, was written for a touch-sensitive 160- by 160-pixel screen. Re-working the code would be a massive undertaking, so engineers began to look for suppliers that could deliver the new technology. An engineering firm in Arizona called Three-Five Systems was able to deliver the display in July 2002. The resulting device was rushed to the COMDEX
convention where it won the "best of COMDEX" award for "best mobile device". The original prototype had 2MB of memory, which was expanded to 8MB for the commercial release. The price at debut was $250US.
Fossil created a series of wrist PDAs which all had the same internal hardware, but differences in cosmetic design. The first series was the AU5005, AU5006, and AU5008 models which debuted in 2002 but due to various delays took several years to reach stores. In 2003, Fossil removed it from the company's web site, sparking a wave of rumors saying that the WristPDA was doomed. Sales were initially low, so in 2005 Fossil created two new models with slightly slimmer cases called the Fossil
Abacus FX2008 and FX2009 (Abacus is a subsidiary of Fossil), with a price tag of $200. Because of lack of sales, prices dropped rapidly, and in late 2005 it was retailing for as low as $40. Fossil subsequently began discontinuing the Wrist PDA line in 2005. As a successor to the Wrist PDA, Fossil introduced a line of WristNet watches in 2005 that do not run Palm OS.
, and a touch screen. It supports most of the features of the graffiti
handwriting recognition system. A tiny stylus can be stored in the watch watch clasp. Two buttons and a rocker switch on the side assist with navigating lists and menus. The screen resolution is equivalent to a Palm III
, and an electroluminescent backlight allows it to be used at night. An IRDA transmitter on the front allows it to communicate with other Palm devices. In addition, there are Palm applications that allow the IRDA transmitter to be used as a TV remote, but transmission range is very low in this case. The watch uses a rechargeable lithium ion battery
. In standby mode, when it turns off between uses, the battery can last a week or more. The device has a watch program, with several "watch faces" to continuously display the time. When in watch-face mode the battery life is around 1-2 days, depending on the integrity of the battery.
Reviewers mainly complained about the bulky size and appearance. One reviewer noted that with a weight of 108 grams, it weighs nearly as much as the Handspring Visor PDA, which is 174g. Reviewers also complained that the screen was too dim and small to read and use for manipulating text. Other problems included having poor water-resistance, low battery life and an alarm that was too quiet for practical use.
Palm OS
Palm OS is a mobile operating system initially developed by Palm, Inc., for personal digital assistants in 1996. Palm OS is designed for ease of use with a touchscreen-based graphical user interface. It is provided with a suite of basic applications for personal information management...
. The newer incarnation, which does not include Palm OS, is called the Fossil WristNet watch.
Product history
The development of the Fossil Wrist PDA began in 1999 when engineer Donald Brewer licensed a read-only version of the Palm OS from Palm Source and tried to make it work in a watch. For the first year of development, Brewer struggled to make the watch small enough to be wearable. The initial designs looked like "a cell phone glued on one's wrist" and in board meetings the term "boat anchor" was used. He began to talk with Microsoft engineers, who were looking for a wrist-top platform as well and were busy developing Smart Personal Objects TechnologySmart Personal Objects Technology
Smart Personal Object Technology was developed by Microsoft to personalize household electronics and other everyday devices, through "smart" software and hardware that would make their uses more versatile....
(SPOT watches). Once the size was decreased, the next major hurdle was making the screen. The smallest screens available at the time were cell phone screens that had 90 by 126 pixels. Palm OS, however, was written for a touch-sensitive 160- by 160-pixel screen. Re-working the code would be a massive undertaking, so engineers began to look for suppliers that could deliver the new technology. An engineering firm in Arizona called Three-Five Systems was able to deliver the display in July 2002. The resulting device was rushed to the COMDEX
COMDEX
COMDEX was a computer expo held in Las Vegas, Nevada, each November from 1979 to 2003. It was one of the largest computer trade shows in the world, usually second only to the German CeBIT, and by many accounts one of the largest trade shows in any industry sector...
convention where it won the "best of COMDEX" award for "best mobile device". The original prototype had 2MB of memory, which was expanded to 8MB for the commercial release. The price at debut was $250US.
Fossil created a series of wrist PDAs which all had the same internal hardware, but differences in cosmetic design. The first series was the AU5005, AU5006, and AU5008 models which debuted in 2002 but due to various delays took several years to reach stores. In 2003, Fossil removed it from the company's web site, sparking a wave of rumors saying that the WristPDA was doomed. Sales were initially low, so in 2005 Fossil created two new models with slightly slimmer cases called the Fossil
Fossil, Inc.
Fossil, Inc. is a designer and manufacturer of clothing and accessories, primarily watches and jewelry, but also sunglasses, wallets, handbags, belts, shoes and clothing, based in Richardson, Texas, United States...
Abacus FX2008 and FX2009 (Abacus is a subsidiary of Fossil), with a price tag of $200. Because of lack of sales, prices dropped rapidly, and in late 2005 it was retailing for as low as $40. Fossil subsequently began discontinuing the Wrist PDA line in 2005. As a successor to the Wrist PDA, Fossil introduced a line of WristNet watches in 2005 that do not run Palm OS.
Features
The AU/FX series are able to carry out most PDA functions and applications. Like other Palm OS devices, they synchronize or exchange information with a PC, have an infrared port, a virtual keyboardVirtual keyboard
A virtual keyboard is a software component that allows a user to enter characters. A virtual keyboard can usually be operated with multiple input devices, which may include a touchscreen, an actual keyboard and a computer mouse.- Types :...
, and a touch screen. It supports most of the features of the graffiti
Graffiti (Palm OS)
Graffiti is an essentially single-stroke shorthand handwriting recognition system used in PDAs based on the Palm OS. Graffiti was originally written by Palm, Inc...
handwriting recognition system. A tiny stylus can be stored in the watch watch clasp. Two buttons and a rocker switch on the side assist with navigating lists and menus. The screen resolution is equivalent to a Palm III
Palm III
The Palm III was a personal digital assistant made by the Palm Computing division of 3Com. It went on sale in 1998 as a replacement for the PalmPilot handheld. It was the first Palm handheld to support infrared file transfer and a Flash ROM-capable operating system...
, and an electroluminescent backlight allows it to be used at night. An IRDA transmitter on the front allows it to communicate with other Palm devices. In addition, there are Palm applications that allow the IRDA transmitter to be used as a TV remote, but transmission range is very low in this case. The watch uses a rechargeable lithium ion battery
Lithium ion battery
A lithium-ion battery is a family of rechargeable battery types in which lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge, and back when charging. Chemistry, performance, cost, and safety characteristics vary across LIB types...
. In standby mode, when it turns off between uses, the battery can last a week or more. The device has a watch program, with several "watch faces" to continuously display the time. When in watch-face mode the battery life is around 1-2 days, depending on the integrity of the battery.
Reception
Initially, the Wrist PDA received positive reviews. In 2003 Wired.com called it "revolutionary" and a "Dick Tracy watch". Reviewers noted that it was able to run a wide variety of software such as DocumentsToGo 6, AvantGo, Palm Games and the freeware Metro Navigator.Reviewers mainly complained about the bulky size and appearance. One reviewer noted that with a weight of 108 grams, it weighs nearly as much as the Handspring Visor PDA, which is 174g. Reviewers also complained that the screen was too dim and small to read and use for manipulating text. Other problems included having poor water-resistance, low battery life and an alarm that was too quiet for practical use.