After all the teasers and hype, UK-based Blocks Wearables kicked off its Kickstarter campaign for the Blocks modular smartwatch today. And judging by how it met its funding goal of US$250,000 in less than two hours, it would appear that it may well be “the last smartwatch you’ll need.”
BLOCKS is the world’s first modular smartwatch. The watch face – the Core as we like to call it, is a fully functional smartwatch which has all the features you would expect. The most amazing thing about BLOCKS is that the strap is made of several links (modules) each of which have their own functions. You can choose the modules you want to build a smartwatch unique to you.
For the Kickstarter campaign, Blocks will offer an extra battery module (offering 20% more battery life), a heart rate module, a GPS module, an NFC contactless module and an adventure module that tracks altitude, pressure and temperature.
Blocks Core module specifications:
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 400
- Operating system: Modified version of Google Android
- Cellular connectivity: None
- Other connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 LE
- Display: 1.35-inch (360 360)
- RAM: 512MB
- Internal storage: 4GB
- Sensors: Accelerometer, gyroscope
- Battery: 400mAh
- Colours: Onyx Black, Marble White, Sunrise Red
- Other: IP 67 rated
A second phase will follow after the Kickstarter campaign with new modules. Among the new modules offered from next year onwards will be a SIM card (GSM) module, a fingerprint module, an LED module and a programmable button module. With an open platform at the heart of the Blocks smartwatch, more modules could follow.
Three colour options, Onyx Black, Marble White and Sunrise Red will initially be available for the Blocks modular watch. More colours will follow next year.
As expected, the campaign offered some early backer tiers but most of these are already gone. At this point, backing the Blocks project to the tune of US$275 will get you a BLOCKS core and four modules of your choice. The same had been offered for US$250 to the first 100 backers. Additional modules will sell for US$30 during the Kickstarter campaign.
Shipments to backers are set to begin in May 2016.
Source : Kickstarter