inPulse

Hardware

smartwatch

SHOW HN2011

460points
143comments
#4of 1,097 in 2011
Top 1%of 2011 by points

How HN took it

MixedNo clear lean

18 positive, 42 neutral or asking, 5 mixed, 29 critical, out of 94 comments about the project. Thread score -0.07.

Idea: 9 for, 4 againstDesign: 1 for, 10 againstPerformance: 1 for, 6 againstExecution: 2 for, 2 againstPrivacy: 0 for, 3 against

The thread, comment by comment

Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.

positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker

What HN said

What people liked

  • Cool hackable hardware, impressive small-scale manufacturing

    From 3 comments
    • Awesome!!!! They even look good too. I might think about getting one and whip up an Android library for people to use. Question to anyone reading this. What would be a good use…
      markszcz on HN
    • I'm not purchasing one, but it's way cool that you got these things out there. I look at most stuff on HN and think "hey, I could build that!". I look at this and I think "wow,…
      mrkurt on HN
    • This is mind blowing. Any plans for iOS support? Jailbreak or otherwise?
      jonny_eh on HN
  • Attractive design and Bluetooth features

    From 2 comments
    • Awesome!!!! They even look good too. I might think about getting one and whip up an Android library for people to use. Question to anyone reading this. What would be a good use…
      markszcz on HN
    • Wow, I love it! Seems like a great gadget; I'll be purchasing one.
      EricR9 on HN

Objections

  • Cloud compile service sends code to external server

    From 2 comments
    • This is a very hacker-unfriendly device. I wouldn't buy one. The SDK's compilation tool doesn't invoke a compiler; it uploads your code to a service running off of…
      cstone on HN
    • So is there a reason you have to send the code to an external server to compile it? Would like to be able to use this a year or so down the line if your server isn't around or is…
      Bossman on HN
  • Only one button makes navigation hard

    From 3 comments
    • Ok first question: Why only one button? Two would have been really nice for most things (like back and forward in powerpoint/itunes). Edit: Another one: Why don't you ship…
      growt on HN
    • Few comments: * Your 3rd video is the most presentable one and best intro, make it on top. * The screen seems not be a touch-screen since not mentioned in features. So seems like…
      fuzzythinker on HN
    • Seems pretty cool! I laughed though at "intuitive one button interface" where the guy pushes it a few times, then he holds it in to do another function.
      ernestipark on HN
  • Shipping limited to US and Canada

    From 2 comments
    • Ok first question: Why only one button? Two would have been really nice for most things (like back and forward in powerpoint/itunes). Edit: Another one: Why don't you ship…
      growt on HN
    • I've had this page bookmarked for months, waiting to be able to order it (back when it was just designed as a bluetooth extension to blackberry devices). Petty about US/CA…
      corin_ on HN
  • Watch is too large and not stylish enough

    From 2 comments
    • The devices look cool from a technical perspective. It could use a few more sensors (GPS, gyro/movement, temp, etc.) but I'm sure that will come. The only problem, I think, is…
      rmah on HN
    • Few comments: * Your 3rd video is the most presentable one and best intro, make it on top. * The screen seems not be a touch-screen since not mentioned in features. So seems like…
      fuzzythinker on HN
  • Limited usefulness versus smartphones

    From 2 comments
    • I'm puzzled to see such resoundingly positive feedback here. Props for the hard work on building this product out. However, in a world of smart phones I can't imagine ever using…
      wpeterson on HN
    • I don't really see the point of having a watch nowadays. I usually just look at my phone for the time. This watch seems to do some of the stuff a standard smartphone does, but is…
      moomba on HN

Requests

  • Touchscreen option

    From 2 comments
    • + touchscreen for +$100 and I'd buy.
      chbrown on HN
    • Few comments: * Your 3rd video is the most presentable one and best intro, make it on top. * The screen seems not be a touch-screen since not mentioned in features. So seems like…
      fuzzythinker on HN
  • Support for other countries

    From 2 comments
  • iPhone/iOS support

    From 3 comments
    • iPhone/iPad/iOS compatible?
      tlrobinson on HN
    • This is mind blowing. Any plans for iOS support? Jailbreak or otherwise?
      jonny_eh on HN
    • I would buy this right now if it worked with iPhones. I love my iPhone, but Apple's restrictive policies are really starting to get to me.
      modeless on HN
  • More buttons or sensors

    From 2 comments
    • Looks very nice. If it had a couple more buttons, it would be great for a workout tracker. Give it more buttons and I'll buy it.
      yummyfajitas on HN
    • What are the dimensions? (I'd love an accelerometer - sure you guys are well aware of the possibilities)
      samlittlewood on HN

Questions

  • Battery life

    From 2 comments
    • Oh man, this looks /really/ cool. but the battery life? that's going to be a problem. I had a Matsucom brand OnHandPc back in the day, and it'd last a few weeks on a set of…
      lsc on HN
    • hmmm, I am interested in seeing more detailed battery life information including for more "active" use.
      Rhapso on HN
  • Water resistance

    From 1 comment
    • I didn't see this anywhere on your website: is the watch water-resistant? I know you're focused on the programmable aspects of the watch but to me this is important information.
      Yeroc on HN
  • Bluetooth range

    From 1 comment
    • Any idea how big the range of the bluetooth is? I'm curious how far away I can be from the other device I'd like to communicate with.
      johnrob on HN

Alternatives named

  • EZ430 Chronos watch

    From 1 comment
    • For comparison: Texas Instruments sell something called the EZ430 Chronos watch, which has a much lower-res display, a proprietary RF protocol with a USB transceiver, and a bunch…
      JonnieCache on HN
  • Timex Datalink

    From 1 comment
    • This is very cool. I own a few Timex Datalink watches which are also programmable. Timex recently discontinued the Datalink and they're already becoming very hard to find. I…
      wvenable on HN
  • Sony Ericsson LiveView

    From 1 comment
    • There is a similar product, Sony Ericsson LiveView, which can be worn as a wristwatch and paired with an Android phone:…
      thisisfmu on HN
  • Dynawa

    From 1 comment
    • I'm surprised nobody here has mentioned Dynawa, yet. http://www.dynawa.org/
      gonzo on HN

Category, keywords, summaries and labels on this page were made by AI (Thread Reader v2) and not checked by hand. Each point links to the comments it came from.

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