Smartwatch for Windows Phone 8 -- Kreyos

Things are moving slowly but steadily when it comes to smart watches. It is very early for one to predict if its even going to be successful because none of the major companies like Google, App or even Microsoft has hinted about it. A set of users are still to decide if Google Glasses will be next world-changing device or is it going to be a watch that you wear daily on your wrist. It’s too early to predict but the smoke is getting thicker.

UPDATE Do not buy this product as the quality and functionality that was claimed is not what was supposed to be delivered. Stay away from the product.

Unboxing

If I have to count couple of smart watch which had made their presence around, it can be done on your fingers. Pebble, iWatch, Sony’s Smart Watch and today I head of even Androidly, a watch that runs a complete OS.

Since we talk about Windows Phone all the time here, sadly none of the watches I mentioned above work with the Microsoft’s still growing phone platform. However, I did not mention one smartwatch — Kreyos Meteor and it works with Windows Phone 8 :).

Now before we head out with details, the only info that I have here is that this watch works with Windows Phone 8. There is no announcement made for apps or what so ever.

What is Kreyos ?

Launched as a fund-raising project on Indiegogo (similar to Kickstarter), this watch not only sets aside itself being Stylish and Elegant but also the first smartwatch to work with Windows Phone. This is where it caught my eyes.

Inspired by the idea of Star Trek crew members taking over their wrist controls, this smartwatch will bring in two-way communication with gesture and voice based control. Gesture reminds of Kinect while Voice based reminds me of Speak feature in Windows Phone which I hardly ever use.

That said, probably gesture and voice controls will be two features that every watch owner will love to use because they want to go hands free, specially when their hands are pre occupied while driving.

Specification:

Ultra Low Power MCU
Ultra Low Power 1.26 Inch Memory LCD Screen 144 x 168 pixel

4 Waterproof Buttons
Vibrating motor
ANT/ANT+
Bluetooth 2.1+ EDR and 4.0 (Low Energy)
3-Axis Gyrometer
3-Axis Accelerometer
Water Resistant Mini Speaker
Water Resistant MEMS Microphone with HIGH SNR and Flat Wide Band frequency response
Water resistant – Good for swimming and shower (ATMs: TBD)
150 mah Lithium Rechargeable Battery (7 days battery life)
USB Interface for Charging and Watch OS Update

Features:

Waterproof : Ever dreamed of taking a call when you are under water? or read an email ? Kreyos is making this reality by allowing you to take your watch whne out for swimming or as deep as regular swimming pool goes. The speakers are water proof which makes sure you aren’t carrying your watch for repairs now and then.

Gesture Control: You can just flick your wrist to reject a call or even receive a call or just change the music. It uses the 3-axis gyroscope to figure out your gesture. Don’t like the default gestures ? You got option to change it to something else.

Voice Control: Using voice, you will be able to control your some features of the phone (depending on what phone it is). Some examples are calling a friend, send and reply to emails, respond to text messages, change your music, update twitter and Facebook status and many more.

Works even when disconnected from your phone : Now don’t assume that the watch has a SIM card slot but the watch can work without being connected to your phone. However it will be limited for some features like calls.

Daily Activity Tracker
Calendar
Countdown Timer
Sports Mode – Walking, Running & Cycling
Multi World Clock
Analog Display
Digital Display
Multi Silent Vibrating Alarms

Accessory Ready: The smartwatch “watch” part is designed to be flexible. You can take it out and use it on your collar or even hang it around your neck. Keeping this in mind, the team has set of accessories ready along with the watch.

Belt Clip
Lan Yard — Fancy ribbon that you can wear it around your neck.
Watch Band — For both men and women.

Activity Tracker & Sports Mode:

This watch will be able to capture most of your daily activity even when not connected with your smartphone. Because of the inbuilt sensors i.e. Gyrometer & Accelerometer many functions will work out of the box. However for features which need speed or tracking of heartbeat you need your phone or sensors.

Collect Badges for your achievements :

Kreyos team has said that they will be announcing more features with time. One of their first announcement is their partnership with Badgeville. This will further allow you to share your achievements on social network, your regular activities will earn you points, compete with friends and goal setup.

Price and Where to Buy it from

The project is still getting funded and if you are looking for a watch for around 100$, its time to pick this up, specially if you have a Windows Phone. Nor Pebble or Sony’s Second Generation watch has any plans for Windows Phone but this one does.

That said, another thing to note about this device is that its ready for production by which I mean that according to the developers, the platform and SDK is ready. All they need is to manufacture it which will start as soon as they funded.