Watches

Time runs out on Microsoft's SPOT watches

It's a sad day for fans of Smart Watches, which use Microsoft's once-hyped SPOT technology. The Smart Watch, the epitome of nerd chic, is dead.

Engadget picked up a blog post from Jon Canan, program manager for MSN Direct, who delivered the news on SpotStop.com: … Read more

Urwerk's watch is powered by air

On a traipse through Chinatown Singapore recently, my attention was riveted by a man behind a plate glass, eye loupe pinched to one eye like a cyclops. Peering myopically at watch components so tiny they were almost invisible, I held my breath as he cleaned each bitty part with supreme care. Those of his ilk may soon be a vanishing trade if Urwerk's air-powered watch becomes the next new standard.

It's likely the world's first timepiece to use this method of regulating the winding system. Given that it employs a three-position selector switch that controls the level … Read more

First watch crams in Windows Mobile 5

Despite the best efforts of many industrious Chinese start-ups, multi-functional wristwatches are still far from commonplace--whether they provide music, video, phone service, or all of the above. But no market (or device) is too small for the ubiquity of Windows operating systems.

Epoq, which has already had a video watch on the market for some time, has developed what is believed to be the first wristwatch running Windows Mobile 5. Its EGP-WP98B claims to have an OLED touch screen, 1.28GB of memory, Wi-Fi networking, Bluetooth, VoIP support, and--get this--handwriting recognition. And a faux alligator wristband, of course. But as … Read more

Bubble 2.0 watch: Mowser withers away, founder seeks 'real job'

It's not like Pets.com closing its doors or anything, but here's another small sign that we could be nearing the beginning of the end of Bubble 2.0: Mowser.com, a start-up that "translates" Web sites into mobile-friendly versions, is dying a quiet death.

Granted, it wasn't a particularly hyped dot-com. But I'm guessing that more than a few start-ups will be commiserating soon.

"We haven't been able to raise funding, and as a site, growth has been flat or falling for the past couple months because of various search-engine tweaks … Read more

Gadgettes 85: The things that glow episode

Glowing things can be somewhat morbid. They can be somewhat toolie. But sometimes, if you're lucky, they can be totally and completely PRETTTTTY. Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 85

The Hanged Man Lamp: Ever so slightly morbid? http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2008/04/the_hanged_man.html

Mood Clock + USB Hub = Twice as much fun http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2008/04/usb_moody_clock.html

Glowing flower pot for the trippy garden owner http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2008/04/glowing_flower.html

Enjoy nighttime bocce ball with LED Bocce http://dvice.com/archives/2008/04/enjoy_nighttime.php

Light-up tweezers enable precision plucking … Read more

Is the time right for watch phones?

Maybe there's something to this latest watch phone trend after all. Barely a day after posting an item about a model that didn't send people rushing for the vomitoria, we see that another one has surfaced to pique our interest.

The WM2 from Netherlands-based Van Der Led (we'd never heard of them either) has come up with an innovative solution to the obvious challenge of limited real estate on such gadgets, embedding a keypad on the wristband.

Other specs include Bluetooth, 1GB of built-in storage, 300 minutes of talk time, and 240 hours on standby, according to … Read more

Latest watch phone gets clamshell design

Tag Heuer and other name brands may be taking their own sweet time in developing a watch phone, but others certainly aren't waiting around to see what they come up with. Unfortunately most of the models we've seen are of dubious origin and quality from generic Chinese manufacturers.

Worse yet, many of these items are of abominable design. The latest model, however, actually makes an effort to look like something that wouldn't be seen hanging in the checkout lane at Safeway. Despite its unfortunate name, the "Cool G108" is a clamshell-style watch phone with a … Read more

Tag Heuer phone may finally be near

Tag Heuer has been threatening for months to get into the mobile handset game, even hinting about a branded watch phone. (Actually make that years, not months--the company's timetable for such a product began in 2004.)

The watchmaker may finally be preparing to make good on its protracted promise, as purported images of its new phone were posted on Le Journal Du Geek and are making their way across the blog circuit. The handset is reportedly named the "Meridiist" and comes with optional crocodile skin, which may be the most noteworthy aspect of the phone other than … Read more

Gadgettes 82: The Cake Tech Episode

Have you ever looked at a gadget and thought to yourself: "Self, that would make a mighty delicious cake!" Exactly. No one has. So we go where no gadgette has gone before. Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 82

Lampposts mystery solved! (thanks Joe) http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/17/ padded-lampposts-in-london-not-really-being-tested/

Jeff Bezos Kindle cake: http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9899249-1.html

Icon watch (easy cake): http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2008/03/icon_watch_just.html

USB slide show for your computer’s vitals (nice-looking cake): http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9899114-1.html

eMotion’s solar-powered media player http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9899007-1.html… Read more