A watch like watch that happens to be smart - designed by Gábor Balogh

Remember the first time you heard the term "smartwatch"? What did you think? Definitely something straight from a James Bond/Sci-Fi movie such as a watch that could double up as a telecommunication device or as a navigation aid or what not. By that standards, today's wearable gadgets have kind of been a disappointment, haven't they? Well, wearable gadgets have not been as popular as they were expected to be. One of the chief reasons behind this may be the fact that these devices rarely work as "standalone" devices and very often need to be connected to smartphones to function optimally. It seems that all we want is a watch which offers numerous functionalities. One man aims to design just that. Gábor Balogh, a freelance designer from Hungary has designed a smartwatch - a watch-like-watch that happens to be smart.

Neither big buttons nor Pebble-esque 'blocky' design, nor touchscreen controls, nor voice recognition or any other 'fancy/typical' smartwatch features, Balogh's prototype will simply be controlled by the bezel of the watch. The bezel could be used for scrolling through a message or for selecting apps or for changing to the next song track in the playlist, etc. Thus, this spares two buttons on the side of watch for more 'watch-related' functions like date, time, alarm and switching between modes. The smartwatch, when connected to a smartphone would make the appropriate app icons along with notifications appear on display, with maps and music streamed from the phone to the watch.

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Balogh's Concept Smartwatch
Removing the touchscreen feature will reduce inhibitions on the size of the smartwatch, i.e. it could be made in a size similar to that of an ordinary watch. This would also assist in minimising the smudging of screen resulting in low visibility. Balogh envisions this device as a piece of jewellery more than as a piece of technology and to that effect, he thinks that the watch does not need to be made more smart. And when not connected to a smartphone, the smartwatch would look and behave, well, as a watch.

Balogh has used the Swedish watch manufacturer Triwa's Havana Timepiece to illustrate his concept. Though the technical details of the watch haven't been ironed out, the design is a treat to eyes nevertheless.

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Analog Clock and Call Interface

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Heart Rate Monitor and Messages

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Stopwatch and Navigation

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Weather and Music

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Compass and Memos
The designer explains that the inspiration behind this design was the need to make devices that operate discreetly. He also mentioned Apple's Airport Express and Nest Thermostat as the prime applications where they quietly made life easier for the user. It is highly unlikely that Balogh's idea will make it big in next 2-3 years, but as the market for wearable gadgets expands, one can expect devices similar to Balogh's idea, at least in the design department.

Images and News Source: This is the smartwatch Apple or Google needs to make - The Verge

Replies

  • Anoop Mathew
    Anoop Mathew
    This, if made, would definitely be the iphone of watches. It'd take the traditional watch industry to a whole new level. Wish he'd come up with innovative ideas for the home clocks that we use as well. However, the real challenge he'd face is the possibility of maximum battery life but thanks to new technologies coming up, there's hope!
  • Chaitanya Kukde
    Chaitanya Kukde
    @#-Link-Snipped-# Actually, in the source article, one guy commented that if flexible batteries can be fitted in the straps, our battery problem would be solved. A collection of such simple yet elegant ideas would really take this device to whole new levels.. Or in your words, "the iPhone of watches" 😀

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