Modular Smart Watches
Recently, the Blocks smartwatch campaign on Kickstarter raised over $1.6 million dollars, selling the idea of their modular smartwatch that had individual module ‘blocks’. The blocks range from extra battery to a heart rate sensor, and NFC for mobile payments. The software would automatically recognize the new block, and allow you to enhance your experience.
- Define what modularity means for technology, and decide how it will change the industry, in your own opinion. (Back up your opinion)
- What blocks would you want on a watch of your own? Explain.
- If you had 300 dollars to spend, would you buy one? Explain.
1.Simply put, they are watches with interchangeable modules which function as the software for the phone. What you can do with those modules can very from a heart rate monitor to a gps system or even an internet accessible device
ReplyDelete2. I would want a map, so if im ever driving around in an unfamiliar part of town, i can just look at my wrist instead of down at my phone. That is also tied with the heart rate sensor, which is useful for workouts.
3.No i would not buy one, although its neat and fairly priced at 300 i just don't have enough uses for it to reason with the 300$ price tag. Maybe after it launches and gains more software support i would reconsider
1. If I'm quite frank, the question of modular technology is actually one that has been answered quite frequently by conventional PCs. Each part in the computer, from the CPU, to the motherboard, the graphics, RAM, etc. are all interchangeable, so the concept of modularity is not that groundbreaking in the industry. The only thing that this watch has really done is dumb down the concept to the point that anyone can do it, not just people who know how to put computers together. In short, it doesn't really mean much for tech as a whole, and it won't change the industry that much.
ReplyDelete2. I would definitely want a microphone somewhere close to the wrist so I could look like a secret agent or something along those lines. But beyond that, probably Bluetooth to connect to an earpiece, a SIM unit for connecting to cellular; but beyond that, probably GPS, and extra storage and battery, and not much else. I wouldn't really use it for much.
3. For $300? I'm sorry, I'd never pay that much for a smart-anything. I'd rather use that money to beef up my PC or beef up my collection of anime memorabilia. I've seen some pretty good Infinite Stratos figurines, and most of my PC (unfortunately) is showing some serious signs of wear.
1. Moduals in this aspect refer to a smart watch that is able to be altered to the liking of the consumer. Some of the alterations your can implement are a heartbeat monitor and tools of the same that can be placed in a link of the watch and still become useful.
ReplyDelete2. If i were to buy one i would like a heartbeat sensor, gps, battery storage and as much as i can possible put on just so that i wont need another for a long time.
3. I would not buy one just for the expense that i am looking for more useful and needed things at the moment. I already have a phone and i dont need to drop 300 on something that does the same thing.
1.) Technology has already changed the world in so many ways but one thing that has majorly changed the world is the Apple products that have been released through the past ten years.
ReplyDelete2.) Honestly if I had to choose I wouldn't choose anything, because buying that watch is just an extensive non-necessary product that doesn't improve my life, but it takes my money and gives me something I already have: A phone. With a phone, I already get notifications, so therefore the watch is not needed. I would not want any blocks on my non-existent watch.
3.) I have 300 dollars to spend right now, and I would choose any other thing than the watch, because it is useless to me.
1. Modularity in technology basically means that you have different parts for one piece of tech. In my opinion, modularity is not efficient at all in the tech industry and really shouldn't be a selling point. All of the components for the tech in question should already be in the tech itself, not an attachment. It's just adding an extra prerequisite that doesn't have to be there.
ReplyDelete2. I want a Steam block to manage my account, I want a Gmail block so I can keep track of my emails, and I want a GPS block so I can find the closest McDonalds.
3. If I had $300 I'd buy myself a WiiU, I wouldn't waste my time with this. It just seems really impractical doesn't need to exist. I can get more enjoyment out of a console than a watch.
1. Modularity means components of the device are separated into different modules, making the operational components interchangeable by the user. This will completely reinvent the industry and market for replaceable parts. I believe modular devices will become more expensive, and the life span of these objects will become greatly expanded. Users will be able to make their devices more powerful, replace worn parts, and change out styles very easily.
ReplyDelete2. It would be cool to have a powerful processor, and also several extra battery modules to make the watch last a very long time. GPS modules would also be very useful for driving and travel.
3. I don't think I would buy one. I would rather buy an apple watch for that price. It is not really worth $300 as the build quality does not appear that great, being rubbers. Extra modules would cost even more, making the apple watch a much better package.
1) Modular technology has been existent for a time however, the newer instance of modules allow for many new additions to smart watches. The interchangeable parts are impressive and permit a versatile arsenal of situational devices that can be used to make inconvenient situations better.
ReplyDelete2) The only real module I would like is the gps because it provides a faster means of finding where to go or where I am in a pinch instead of struggling to get the location on my phone.
3) I personally don't think I need it because I would prefer to use such funds to make my computer even more godly and such. Besides I already wear a watch anyway, so I'm satisfied.
1. Modularity means able to change and customize. This is where the term "mod" comes from. Mods are changes to a games code to change the game to be more the way you want. You don't want to damage, mod/change the code so that you can't take damage. Modularity can change many many things for the better. There is a project I used to keep tabs on called Razer Christine. It is a design for a highly modular computer with an amazing design.
ReplyDelete2. I would want blocks that would show me patch update news for League of Legends and Smite, and blocks for being able to listen to my Pandora playlists.
3. I would definitely buy one. It's a lot cooler and better than my watch.
1.Think of it like you are building a gaming PC you go choose what you want for it and you get it. There are needed components and accessories. The accessories are usually unneeded but can help you do what ever you are going to do. That is what module technology is. You choose what you want not what is already required. More like Add-Ons.
ReplyDelete2.Extra Battery, GPS Module, Flash memory, environment sensor, contact less payment. This will allow for extra battery life, a much easier to use and access GPS, a convenient always have on you flash drive, a way to track temperature and humidity and last but not least easy payment system.
3.I love the idea but I would use it on a new gaming video card and not on an unneeded watch.
1. Modularity is essentially a form of customization. It allows people to spend money on what they find to be most important and/or to avoid spending money on what they find less important. If somebody wants a smartwatch but doesn’t exercise outdoors and therefore doesn’t care about the barometric pressure can avoid spending money on that and spend it on the extra battery life that they find more significant.
ReplyDelete2. I want a module that works like a gps except instead of showing me where I am on Earth it shows me where my location corresponds to in Narnia or Middle Earth or some other place. I could travel to Rivendell... and drown in the pacific ocean.
3. I have no purpose for this watch. I have my own $30 watch that lasts for 3 years before needing a new battery, it's waterproof, and tells me everything I need to know at any given moment. Beyond that I’ll use a smart watch.
1. Modularity will change technology in a few major first being that developers can raise prices of items by dividing the features. Second is that it makes it even more costomizable. There is so much more that modularity can do.
ReplyDelete2. I would want the GPS module, gesture control, extra battery, and kinetic charger. The GPS would be even more useful than mine. the gesture control would let me be even more lazy. The kinetic charger would let me keep it alive longer and so would the extra battery.
3. Yes I would buy one if I had 300 dollars because it would be very useful.
1. This means that it will change the view of many technologies in the world! But the companies that make them can make more money because they will make it super attractive and super expensive.
ReplyDelete2. In my own opinion I would love to have a GPS, microphone, timer (obviously), and the basics of what a normal smart watch would have.
3. I would totally get one if I had that kind of cash. It would help me a lot in my common life like to keep track on my stuff. It would be cool if Ms. Mills would get me a puppy or something but one of these is cool too.
ReplyDelete1. Modularity, at its core, is probably one of the most important advances in the realm mass production. It allows for people to easily create their own original devices with the inconvenience of a large price tag.
2. I'd probably go with the GPS, along with the gesture control and the haptic module. These are all quite useful attachments that would actually fit into my life.
3. I would probably never buy a smart watch, most likely. A simple digital watch is perfectly fine with me. There's truly no reason that I would need a smartwatch.
1. When referring to modularity in a technological context, it means to customize. Having customize able tech would be awesome, like being able to change the color of your lights in your house with your phone. That would be sweet.
ReplyDelete2. I think having a block that used Bluetooth to connect to a little drone that would follow me around would be cool. Then again, maybe an app could be created for phones that could do the same thing.
3. $300 for this tech!? I don't think I would spend $100 on this. The idea of carrying around blocks to make my watch do app, that I honestly don't care about, would just be silly. I would rather use the $300 to get better internet and download more RAM.
1. This level of customization in devices is amazing. So many people spend money on different phone cases in order to make theirs unique. Having different parts to not only suit the unique element, but to suit the peoples individual needs. Some people want more battery life, some people want gesture controls, they can customize it the way they want. With modularity giving people what they want, and with it bringing in so much money, more companies are going to follow the same path. I feel within the next couple of years, we're going to see much more of this in almost every bit of technology.
ReplyDelete2. I would want kinetic charger, gesture control, fingerprint module, environment sensor, and the ECG.
3. If I had $300 GIVEN to me to go get one, I think I would. I could try it out, and see if it's actually worth it for me. Although, if I just had $300 laying around to spend, I don't think I would spend it on a smart watch.
1. Modular technology means products can lower prices and sell consumers only features that they want. You won't have to pay a huge fee for a lot of tech that most people would likely never get around to using. There marketing price is still pretty high though, even though in theory they could get away with charging a lot more.
ReplyDelete2. I'd probably get the extra battery (I forget to charge my stuff often), kinetic charger, flash memory and galvanic skin response modules.
3. I really don't think I would buy this product. I feel like most smartphones can perform any task I'll want to do. If competition goes up, and the price goes down, I might consider it.
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