Omate TrueSmart
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| Also known as | Omate Smartwatch |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Omate |
| Type | Smartwatch |
| Release date | August 21, 2013 (start of Kickstarter project) |
| Introductory price |
Kickstarter backers: USD 179-199 Retail: USD 299 |
| Operating system | Android 4.2. with Omate UI 1.0 |
| Power | At least one day of intense usage |
| CPU | Dual-core ARM Cortex-A7 – 1.3 GHz |
| Memory | 512 MB or 1024 MB (Extreme Edition) |
| Storage | 4 GB or 8GB (Extreme Edition), expandable through microSD |
| Display | 240 × 240 pixel 1.54" TFT by LG display covered with sapphire crystal glass |
| Sound | Audio speaker |
| Input |
2 hardware buttons Multi-touch capacitive touch screen microphone |
| Camera | Embedded 3 (up scaled to 5) mpixel camera |
| Connectivity |
Bluetooth 4.0 2G Quad Band: 900/1800/ 850/1900 GSM, GPRS, EDGE 3G Mono band: 2 versions 2100 (Europe) or 1900 (US) UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA, HSPA+ WiFi: IEEE 802.11b/g/n proprietary waterproof USB connector for charging and connection to computers |
| Dimensions | 45 mm × 45 mm × 14 mm |
| Related articles | Smart watches |
| Website | www.omate.com |
The Omate TrueSmart is a smartwatch in development by Omate. It has been funded by crowd funding via Kickstarter. The funding period is until September 20, 2013, and the funding goal of $100,000 has been reached. In contrast to other smartwatches, the Omate is a complete mobile device that can be used to make calls, navigate and use Android apps independent of the user's smartphone. It can also be used as a secondary display of a smartphone.
Specifications
The watch is only available in black, with a body of 45 mm × 45 mm × 14 mm. It has two hardware buttons for underwater, when the touchscreen doesn't work. It also features a 3 megapixel camera module which is up scaled by software to 5 megapixel. In contrast to other smart watches, it is essentially a full featured smartphone in a watch form factor. It's sensors include a magnetometer, a three-axis accelerometer, GPS and a microphone. It has a vibrating motor and an audio speaker. The watch is charged and connected to computers using a modified USB cable that attaches magnetically to the watch so as not to compromise water resistance.[1]
Processor
It is powered by a dual-core ARM Cortex-A7 1.3 GHz MTK6572 processor. The GPU is a Mali 400.
Software
It runs Android 4.2.2 with the custom Omate UI 1.0. Sports apps like Endomondo and Runtastic are tested to work on it.[2] System firmware updates will be provided over-the-air.
Display
It has an LG 1.54-inch 240 × 240 pixel color IPS TFT display covered with sapphire glass.
Battery
The battery is a 600 mAH li-ion battery, providing for 240 minutes talk time in stand alone mode and 100 hours of standby.
Memory/storage
It has 512 MB or 1 GB[3] of memory and 4 GB or 8GB of storage, expandable with up to 32 GB microSD cards.
Build
The TrueSmart is IP67-certified waterproof and dustproof. The case is steel alloy, the glass is sapphire crystal, the straps are silicone. The wristwraps are not replaceable since the antennas are integrated in the straps. The watch can also be worn on the right arm with the display flipped. Measurements are 45 mm × 45 mm × 12–14 mm (thickness pending IP certifications).
Developer's edition
There will be a developer's edition of both the 512 MB and the 1 GB model, which ships rooted, and gives access to the SDK and Developers Forum.
Connectivity
The TrueSmart will feature a micro-SIM slot. There will be two versions, for different regional 3G networks: a 2100 MHz (Europe) and a 1900 MHz (US), both supporting UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA, and HSPA+. The 2G modem in both versions will be support quad band: 900/1800/ 850/1900 GSM, GPRS, and EDGE. It has Bluetooth 3.0 (4.0 when OS is upgraded to 4.3) and Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n connectivity.
Kickstarter campaign
Omate launched a Kickstarter campaign on August 21, 2013, with an initial fundraising target of $100,000. Backers spending $199 would receive an Omate TrueSmart when they became available ($179 for the first 500 backers and $189 for the next 500 backers). Within the first day, the project had met the $100,000 goal.[4] On September 2, 2013 the stretch goal of $500,000 was met, resulting in all watches to be upgraded to have an extra durable sapphire glass cover.[5] Just before the end of the campaign, 1 million dollars was reached.
Google Certification Issue
During the Kickstarter campaign, Omate claimed the TrueSmart will be the first Android watch to ship with Google Play. However, an article on Phandroid revealed the watch cannot ship with official Google Services support due to it not meeting the Android Compatibility Definition Document requirements.[6] This was further confirmed by Dianne Hackborn, from Google's Android team [7]
However, Omate did not update their campaign to state the lack of Google certification before the campaign ended. It wasn't until the 22nd of October, a month after the Kickstarter campaign ended, that Omate acknowledged the that the TrueSmart did not have Google Certification, claiming Omate was working with Google towards official support, despite not providing any evidence to such joint work[8]
Currently, the TrueSmart ships with the Google Services APKs but without pre-installing the apps. A "Secret Code" that will install those APKs.[9] However, the legality of installing those services without Google's approval remains unknown.
See also
References
- ↑ "Kickstarter main page".
- ↑ "Omate kickstarter update sports apps".
- ↑ "Omate Kickstarter update 1GB memory option".
- ↑ "GeekyGadgets".
- ↑ "KickstarterSapphireUpdate".
- ↑ "Phandroid article about Play support".
- ↑ "Kevin Barry's G+ post and Dianne Hackborn confirmation".
- ↑ "Kickstarter Update regarding Google Services".
- ↑ "Laurent Le Pen G+ post confirming Google Service code".