Omate TrueSmart
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 4.2.2 with Omate User Interface 2.1 |
CPU | Dual-core ARM Cortex-A7 1.0-1.3 GHz Mediatek MT6572 [1] |
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 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 |
Power | 3 days standby time / At least one day of intense usage |
Dimensions | 45 mm × 45 mm × 14 mm |
Weight | ~100g |
Related articles | Smart watches |
Website |
www |
The Omate TrueSmart was a smartwatch designed by Omate. It has been funded by crowd funding via Kickstarter. The funding period was from August 21, 2013 until September 20, 2013. The funding goal of $100,000 has been reached within 12 hours, with more than $1,032,000 being raised at the end of the campaign. In contrast to other smartwatches, the Omate is a complete standalone telecom mobile device that can be used to make calls, navigate and use Android apps independent of the user's smartphone.
Specifications
The TrueSmart is powered by an ARM7 MediaTek MT6572 chipset running Android 4.2.2 and a ROM also known as OUI - Omate User Interface. The body of 45mm × 45mm × 14mm has two side buttons for Power and Home functions. It also features a 5 megapixel camera module which is upscaled by software from 3 megapixel to 5 megapixel. In contrast to other smart watches, the TrueSmart is a standalone smartwatch that can support 3G GSM micro SIM card. The TrueSmart is a full featured Android smartphone in a watch form factor promoted as a smartwatch 2.0 (Telecom Wearable) by Omate to differentiate the device with other traditional smart watches which are mainly companion devices. Its sensors include a magnetometer, a three-axis accelerometer and a GPS. It has a vibrator, a microphone and an audio speaker. The watch is charged and connected to computers using a standard USB cable and an external charging cradle accessory.[2]
Processor
It is powered by a dual-core ARM Cortex-A7 MediaTek MTK6572 processor running at 1 GHz.[1] The GPU is a Mali 400.
Software
It runs Android 4.2.2 with the customized Omate User Interface (OUI 2.1). The TrueSmart ecosystem includes basic Android applications: Settings / Phone / Email / Messaging / Contact / File Manager / Camera / Gallery and several third parties apps which are available in Omate own application store called the Ostore. The Ostore features several categories [3] System firmware updates are provided over-the-air.
Display
It has an LG 1.54-inch 240 × 240 pixel color IPS TFT display and a multi point touch panel covered with sapphire glass coating.[4]
Battery
The battery is a removable 600 mAH li-ion battery, providing for 240 minutes talk time in standalone mode and 100 hours of standby time. Removing or replacing the battery will void the device's warranty. OK stickers are placed on the back plate screws.
Memory/storage
It has either 512 MB or 1 GB depending on the model [5] of memory and 4GB or 8GB of storage, expandable with up to 128 GB microSD cards.
Build
The Omate TrueSmart is IP67 certified and dustproof. However water damages are not covered by the warranty as long as the device can be opened to insert a SIM card, a SDcard or to replace the battery. The case is steel alloy or aluminum based, the glass is protected by a sapphire crystal coating, the straps are silicone. The straps are not replaceable since the GSM and GPS antennas are integrated into them. Measurements are 45mm × 45mm × 14mm.
Connectivity
The TrueSmart is an Android based GSM standalone smartwatch which features a micro-SIM slot. There are 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 supports quad band: 900/1800/ 850/1900 GSM, GPRS, and EDGE. It has Bluetooth 3.0 (4.0 when OS is upgraded to 4.3 or newer) 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). The project had met the $100,000 goal in half a day.[6] Just before the end of the campaign, over $1 million was reached.
Project Challenges
- The processor was stated to run at 1.3 GHz, but on watches with 1GB RAM and 8GB storage, the processor only runs at 1 GHz. Omate later explained that at full speed the heat was not bearable and therefore they reduced the clock speed [1]
- The delivery was later than promised due to the massive success of the Kickstarter campaign however Omate upgraded all the backers of the 512MB+4GB and 1GB+4GB / 1900 MHz version to 1GB+8GB to apologize for the delays.[7] In mid June 2014 the last batch of Kickstarter watches was shipped.
- The watch has a MicroSD slot for storage expansion, but opening it to use the memory card slot voids the warranty.[8] Even the versions ordered with a memory card are shipped with the memory card not preinstalled, forcing users to open their device and thus void the warranty by breaking seal stickers.
- The companion app allowing users to get notifications from their smartphone on their TrueSmart was not shipped with the TrueSmart as planned. Later Omate certified SWApp Link developed by Cyril Preiss as the official companion app[9] however the app does not work with iOS.
- Several backers had difficulties getting their watch through customs.[10] Some backers have to pay large sums of money to get the device out of customs in some countries [11]
- The charger cable was changed to a charging cradle that has a more robust connection, but doesn't allow pressing the buttons while charging, such as to snooze or disable an alarm.
- Google certification issue (see below)
Google Certification Issue
During the Kickstarter campaign, Omate claimed the TrueSmart will run Google Play, with the heading of the first Kickstarter update being "Yes, Google Play Apps Store!".[12] 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.[13]
However, Omate did not update their campaign to state the lack of Google certification before the campaign ended. It was not until 22 October 2013, a month after the Kickstarter campaign ended, that Omate acknowledged that the TrueSmart will not be able to pass the Google Certification after receiving official feedback from Google [14]
Therefore, the TrueSmart shipped without the Google Apps and Omate did not support any side loading but instead created its own Application Store called the Ostore featuring multiple categories including third party application stores such as Aptoide and 1mobilemarket. [15]
Successor: Omate X
On August 19, 2014, Omate posted an update to their Kickstarter page announcing the second model of the company, called the Omate X. The Omate X is the World's first companion that runs an ARM7 MediaTek MT2502 Aster chipset.[16]
Omate introduced the Omate Lutetia - the World's first smartwatch exclusively designed by ladies for ladies during MediaTek executives meeting in London on October 15, 2014.
On January 5, 2015 at the CES Las Vegas, Omate announced two new companion smartwatches called Racer and Roma along with a strategic partnership with Richline Group, a Berkshire Hathaway company.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 XDA developers forum. "Most Truesmarts are 1.0 Ghz". XDA developers. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
- ↑ "Kickstarter main page".
- ↑ "Omate kickstarter update sports apps".
- ↑ "Omate Truesmart, MT6572 Android Smart Watch". YouTube. 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
- ↑ "Omate Kickstarter update 1GB memory option".
- ↑ "GeekyGadgets".
- ↑ "Kickstarter: TrueSmart shipping late". Omate. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
- ↑ "Kickstarter: TrueSmart update 61". Omate. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
- ↑ Laurent, Le Pen. "Omate". Facebook. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
- ↑ "receipts for customs". kickstarter backers. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ↑ "customs fining for false price". kickstarter backers. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ↑ "Update 1: Yes! Google Play Store". Kickstarter. Le Pen. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
- ↑ "Phandroid article about Play support".
- ↑ "Kickstarter Update regarding Google Services".
- ↑ "Omate Ostore". Omate Ostore. Omate. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ↑ "Omate X announced". technologytell. technologytell. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
External links
- Official website
- Official forum (down since 13 February 2014)
- Unofficial forum: Smartwatch Planet - Be smart, use your watch!
- Omate TrueSmart at Kickstarter
- TrueSmart FAQ