Linux-ready watch from Citizen and IBM

BANGALORE: Citizen Watch and IBM Research have jointly developed their first
prototype on Linux watch technology. Called "WatchPad", it is to
further explore new type of personal information access devices for the
pervasive computing era after having started their research collaboration.

IBM Research first demonstrated the Linux watch last year, illustrating the
viability of the operating system across all platforms, from large enterprise
servers to medium-sized and small servers, workstations, desktops, laptops and
the smallest of intelligent devices.

Citizen Watch is the first company that decided to work with IBM Research to
enhance current features and develop new application technologies for the
intelligent watch. Citizen Watch will explore possibility of commercializing
next generation watches as communication devices in the future. IBM Research
will support Citizen Watch with its expertise in hardware and software,
including system design, low power architecture, reliable and flexible IT
infrastructure for future pervasive computing and communication applications.

Among the technologies Citizen Watch has developed for the WatchPad are
packaging and component design including display and input devices. IBM Research
has provided technologies including hardware architecture, system design and
software, and Linux. The two companies plan to collaborate with several
universities by providing them the WatchPad for their research.

The watch contains a high speed, low power 32 bit MPU, 16 megabytes of flash
memory and QVGA liquid crystal display. It has both voice-enabled Bluetooth and
infrared wireless connectivity. Users interact with the WatchPad through a touch
panel, button and modified winding crown. In addition, accelerometer is embedded
to study arm movement for potential input methods.

Some application features and future research technologies include wireless
communication as a pointing device to remotely operate presentations via a
ThinkPad by using the winding crown switch, buttons, touch panel and gesture
with accelerometer. Bluetooth short-range wireless connectivity allows users to
control various devices, such as laptop computers. One can also view e-mail
messages and calendar entries. The Bluetooth voice channel and the vibrator
allow users to send voice commands to other computers and receive responses, and
page or alert through voice or vibration. Text can be used as well. Fingerprint
sensor is used to identify the watch owner and replace password.