It used to be that the kids wearing the hilariously large calculator wristwatches were the same ones you’d ask for the answer to number 8 on your math quiz. Needless to say, they weren’t the “cool” kids. However, leave it to Steve Jobs and Apple to turn something at the epitome of nerdy and make it, well… cool.
Last Wednesday when Jobs unveiled a bountiful slew of new Apple toys he surprised many with a tiny, square-shaped iPod Nano that incorporates the multi-touch interface that iOS users are oh so familiar with. From the moment the slides behind him showed the many functions of the device (including a full-screen analog clock) virtually everyone had the same thought: the iWatch is here!
Jobs himself got a laugh from the crowd when he mentioned that one of Apple’s board members was planning to sport the Nano on his wrist. Well, it didn’t take long for someone to hack together the very first iWatch, as this photo from 9 to 5 Mac shows. Chinese factories are undoubtedly molding Nano-friendly strap accessories at a frantic pace in order to fire those puppies out A.S.A.P., but the question remains – would you wear the iWatch?
The new Nano is bound to lead to many inspired hacks and inventions. Personally, I was reminded of MIT grad student David Merrill’s demo of “Siftables” – small blocks that are spacially aware enough to be used in new unique ways – by the juxtaposition of the Nanos in this Apple.com image. But we want to know: Is the iWatch a fashion do or don’t? Or what other hacks can you imagine for the tiny touches? Leave a comment and let us know!
(Via 9 to 5 Mac)
I am wearing the IPod nano 6th Gen with the LunaTik arm band (Lunatik.com) and have had numerous comments on the good looks of the combo. This arm band is forged from Aerospace Grade Aluminum and it completely encloses the IPod Nano. The straps are made from high grade silicone rubber and is very comfortable. It is now sold in the Apple Store. I was wearing the Timex Data Link watch, but it is not working and Timex is making them any more. I thing I miss with this IWatch is that it needs charging every night, it has no sound or vibrations for alerts and it is not water resistant and not Bluetooth feature. I was hoping someone could program an APP for the calender, contacts, birthdays and anniversaries since I am not a tech savvy.
I wore the old casio calculator watches and loved them… if the iWatch worked well, I’d wear that too. But I think it’s too bulky for me. Perhaps the next gen iPod nano will be slim enough.
These guys have taken this idea and are running with it. Not bad looking either IMHO.
http://www.nanotch.net
Well I don’t think I’ll be using it.
I think Vestal Watches might be another style that would work. They have a pretty cool line of the wide watch look! ( http://www.watchismo.com/vestal-watches.aspx )
I too was a gadget nerd with the feeling I somehow needed the calculator watch in Jr. High but as I grew older, and the cell phone became an everyday item, I slowly got away from ever wearing one again. Now it just feels weird having something on my wrist.
I think this could really take off, actually. If you’ve seen some of the designer watches, such as the DIESEL range ( http://www.diesel.com/collection/diesel/timeframes ), a good wide leather wristband for the new Nano could be an excellent fashion accessory!!
I’d love to use one as a watch, if it met my needs. Here is what I would need it to do (that it currently doesn’t, but could have) do to be useful:
1) Small speaker and/or vibration for alarms
2) Calendar app & sync
3) Address book
Since it doesn’t have these three things (which every prior nano has had), I won’t be getting/using the new nano as a watch.
For next gen, I would expect (hope for?) wifi FaceTime
Well, does anyone wear the blackberry watch that came out a few months ago? I mean, cool idea (synchs with your phone and shows yoy messages and alerts, etc) but I have yet to even hear about one person wearing it…
And oh yes, I forgot, does anyone know if the face of the iWatch is customizable? “B”
I was one of those cool kids who had all the gadgets available at the time. Heath kits, custom control systems, TV hooked up to my H.H. Scott stereo system, C.B. radios, home made home automation, R.C. cars & yes, I had several versions of the calculator watch. So it’s no surprise to my friends, both on & off line that I will most certainly sport the iWatch. I’m wondering though, why Apple didn’t incorporate a Bluetooth feature which would cut the cord to the headphones, who knows, maybe not enough space to fit the extra hardware. It would be virtually impossible to jog or conveniently use wired headphones (not to mention aesthetically dis-pleasing) with the new Nano on the soon to appear wrist bands. BTW, who out there knows what Heath Kits were? “B”
I know what Heath Kits were, Bruce! I spent a lot of time pouring through those catalogs and fiddling with those little wires and resistors. 🙂
It shouldn’t be too hard for Apple to make it a “real” watch, but as it is right now, it will really look “weird” if you wear it. But yeah, I’m looking forward to an iWatch soon 🙂
I want the shuffle, and just have it speak the time when I glance at it. 8)
Having a new I accessory on display just seems like being mugger-bait to me. I even make sure I use black headphones.
I would love one!
But I think it would last all of about 5 minuets on my wrist. So no, I wouldn’t wear the iWatch but I could see giving them as gifts.
I don’t see my selfe waring this (or any watch), but thats just because I HATE stuff hanging off my wrist. I know that’s just my OCD so I can still see this iWatch going main stream.
No, but its a lotta of fun.