Innovation

Photos: The smartwatch you can build from blocks

By · June 2, 2015, 9:18 AM PST

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  • With Project Ara, Google plans to let users build their own handset out of upgradeable modules.

    Now a UK start-up is hoping to take the same approach with a smartwatch, by offering a wrist-worn computer where you decide which hardware it includes.

    The Blocks smartwatch will be made of multiple modules - each housing different sensors and add-ons: ranging from a fingerprint scanner to an NFC chip for contactless payments.

    The idea is for users to choose the hardware blocks that support the features they want. And if they want a bare bones watch for a lower price then that should be possible too.

    Image: Blocks Wearables

  • The blocks clip together to form the strap of the watch as seen here.

    Image: Blocks Wearables

  • At the core of a Blocks smartwatch is a block housing a central processor, motion sensor, Bluetooth transceiver, battery and a circular colour touchscreen.

    This core block supports the features you'd expect to find in a normal smartwatch, such as text messages, emails and calendar alerts.

    Image: Blocks Wearables

  • The team behind Blocks will launch a crowd-funding campaign for the watch this summer.

    During the campaign backers will be able to buy the core block and any of the following modules: an extra battery, heart-rate monitor, GPS tracker and kinetic charger.

    However, at present the watch is still in the prototype stage, as seen here.

    Image: Blocks Wearables

  • The team plan to eventually release more than 20 blocks, including: a microphone, NFC block for contactless payments, e-ink screen, sim card block for phone connectivity and up to eight megapixel camera. Each block will reportedly cost between £20 and £40.

    Image: Blocks Wearables

  • The watch will be based on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor and run Android Lollipop, rather than Android Wear. Blocks' makers say it will be able to work with both Android and iOS devices.

    Image: Blocks Wearables

  • The team envision owners will create a watch to suit their needs - building a fitness trainer from the likes of a gyroscope and heartbeat sensor or a personal assistant from a fingerprint reader, microphone and other blocks.

    Image: Blocks Wearables

With Project Ara, Google plans to let users build their own handset out of upgradeable modules.

Now a UK start-up is hoping to take the same approach with a smartwatch, by offering a wrist-worn computer where you decide which hardware it includes.

The Blocks smartwatch will be made of multiple modules - each housing different sensors and add-ons: ranging from a fingerprint scanner to an NFC chip for contactless payments.

The idea is for users to choose the hardware blocks that support the features they want. And if they want a bare bones watch for a lower price then that should be possible too.

Image: Blocks Wearables

Related Topics:

Innovation Digital Transformation Artificial Intelligence Internet of Things Smart Cities Hardware

By Nick Heath

Nick Heath is a computer science student and was formerly a journalist at TechRepublic and ZDNet.

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