Gamers Will Love the Tokyoflash Loading… Concept Watch. Or not.

There may come a time when the ubiquitous loading screen that shows up in many games and computer software may no longer be needed, but if Tokyoflash approves this watch concept by a clever fellow named Max, we’ll always remember how we never cared for it at all.

tokyoflash loading watch by max

Like other Tokyoflash watches and concepts, the Loading… concept significantly abstracts its function. In this case the watch displays what looks like a loading screen from an old computer. There’s a lot going on here but it’s actually waaaaay simpler than some other Tokyoflash watches.

tokyoflash loading watch by max 2

Each segment in the upper bar corresponds to one hour, while the lower bar displays thinner segments to depict seconds. The first number beside the lower bar displays the minutes – i.e. 07/60 = 7 minutes – and finally the percentage beside the upper bar indicates which half of the day it is. If the percentage displays a value between 1 and 50, it’s a.m. It follows that any percentage value from 51 onwards means that the time is in p.m., except for two values: 99% and 100%.

tokyoflash loading watch by max 3

Max set it up so that 12:00 am will have a percentage value of 99%. This also means that there is no 100%. That sounds like a gamer’s nightmare, but if you think about it, time doesn’t really finish loading does it? Besides, would you want it to?

tokyoflash loading watch by max 5

As of this writing, there are still more than 12 days left for people to vote for the concept to become an actual watch. Head to the Tokyoflash blog if you also want to vote for it. I just had a better idea: a Progress Quest watch. You’re welcome, Internet.

[via Gajitz]

Glow in the Dark TRON Identity Disc Concept Watches: Enter the Grid

This TRON concept watch design is hot. It was designed by Alexander Morgan. Just look at those glowing time discs within a larger glowing disc of their own. Living in the grid is sexy sexy sexy.
tron watch
Now this is some good design, people. Why can’t manufacturers offer products that look this awesome? I would buy one of these TRON watches in a heartbeat if I could. Oh well, maybe Alexander will be able to make them a reality some day. Until then I will just have to drool all over these concepts and wish very hard.

tron legacy watch 2

If you want to see how these were designed step by step, check out the video below.

[via Obvious Winner]

Tokyoflash Kisai Adjust: Squint to See the Time

Spending lots of time to tell the time seems a bit counterintuitive, and while Tokyoflash watches aren’t always easy to read, this new one is definitely worth a look, despite its complicated looking display.

tokyoflash kisai adjust led

The Tokyoflash Kisai Adjust has a matrix of multicolor LED triangles on its display. While it may initially look complex, the display becomes legible after a second or so. I think that if you are far-sighted, you can just take off your glasses and see the time very clearly. Still can’t make it out? Just squint, and you’ll be able to tell time with ease.

tf kisai adjust 3

See? The display even works in both landscape or portrait modes. The triangles also can dance around in mesmerizing animation modes, and can be tailored into one of six different colors with the simple click of a button. You’ll only have to choose the black or silver bracelet. The watch is USB-rechargeable, and each charge will last you about a month.

It’s been a while since the Japanese studio produced a pure LED watch, and this design was submitted by a fan. It’s the 9th fan-submitted design to be turned into a real watch.

tokyoflash kisai adjust led side

Through 1/23/2013, you can get the Kisai Adjust for an introductory price of $149(USD) over on Tokyoflash. After that, it will sell for the regular retail price of $179.

Use Instagram Pics to Make Your Own InstaWATCH: Pics on Your Wrist

Even though Instagram reportedly lost a significant number of users due to their TOS fiasco late last year, millions of people are still happily snapping away at their stylized Insta-pics. If you’re an avid Instagrammer, you’ll be happy to know you can now make your own custom watch using one of your Instagram pics.

instawatch instagram watches custom

The InstaWATCH was designed by the team at May 28th. To create your own, simply upload a photo of your choice, and they’ll print it in full color onto the face of your custom watch. Actually, it doesn’t even have to be one from Instagram: you can upload any image you want. You can also choose from a wide variety of pre-existing designs too.

instawatch instagram watches custom galaxy

You can choose from 14 different band colors, and the watches are water-resistant but not waterproof. Your own custom InstaWATCH will cost you $44 (USD).

instawatch instagram watches custom images

[via HiConsumption]

LG Smart Activity Tracker Wristband Takes Aim at Nike+ FuelBand

It seems like this is the year that many manufacturers are trying to get into the fitness tracking wristband market, which has been largely dominated by the Nike+ FuelBand since it came out. Now LG has outed a gadget which seems like a mashup of many different devices, all put onto your wrist.

lg fitness band 2

The LG Smart Activity Tracker actually looks a lot like the Nike+ FuelBand, and has many of the same features. It has an accelerometer and altimeter to measure activity. It will know whether you’re walking, running, or sitting, and its data can synced to an app on Android smartphones. It will also work with LG Smart TVs to sync up with on-screen exercise programs. LG also plans on adding a heart-rate monitor, which would be a pretty cool addition.

lg smart activity tracker fuelband ces

Image Credit: Pocket-Lint

Unlike Nike’s device, LG’s wrist gadget can connect with your phone and tell you whether you receive notifications. Also, it has a touchscreen, which beats the FuelBand’s single button interface.

LG expects to release the Smart Activity Tracker this summer, but there’s no word yet on cost.

[via Pocket-Lint]

CST-01: The World’s Thinnest Watch

One of the things you may not expect to see at CES is wristwatches. Despite that fact, it’s not uncommon for companies to show up with geeky timepieces claiming to be the “world’s first” or “world’s most” this or that. This year a company called Central Standard Timing has unveiled what it claims to be the world’s thinnest watch called the CST-01 (The CST stands for “Central Standard Timing“.)

cst 01

The CST-01 watch is only 0.80mm thick. That means it’s thinner than a credit card. It uses E Ink electronic paper display to help achieve this feat. The patent-pending design is assembled by laminating the flexible watch components into a 0.5mm deep pocket etched into a single piece of flexible stainless steel. That flexible piece of stainless steel holds the display and acts as the watch bracelet.

cst 01 watch 2

Power for the watch comes from an embedded Thinergy Micro-Energy Cell that promises to charge the watch in just 10 minutes using an external dock. Thanks to the energy efficiency of the E Ink display, that charge is enough to power the watch for an entire month. One other unique feature is that you actually set the time on the base station, which cuts down on the need for buttons or a touchscreen on the watch itself.

The makers of the CST-01 are currently raising funds for production on Kickstarter, and you can pre-order one before February 22 for $129(USD). The watch is expected to ship in Q2 of 2013.

LG Unveils World’s First Curved OLED TV

My local movie theater has a number of auditoriums with different screen sizes. While most of those theaters have flat screens, I’ve noticed that the larger auditoriums have screens that are actually curved. Apparently, that curvature has something to do with making the surface a uniform distance from the viewer’s eyes.

lg curve

At CES 2013, LG is showing off prototypes of the world’s first curved screen OLED TV. LG says the reason for that curvature is to ensure that the entire screen surface is the same distance from the viewer’s eyes removing any problem with screen-edge visual distortion and the loss of detail. Of course, the curved screens just plain look cool too.

The first curved OLED screen is 55-inches wide and uses LG’s four-color pixel system that has a white subpixel working along with the traditional red, green, blue set up. The extra white pixel gives the TV better color and improved brightness. Pricing and availability on the TV is unannounced, but given the fact that their plain old flat OLED screen will sell for about $12,000, you won’t be seeing these in living rooms any time soon.

LockStar GPS Tracker Watches: The Spy Who Watched Me

OK, so maybe you shouldn’t use a GPS tracker watch to spy on your loved ones, but you’ll be able to make sure that your little ones or older relatives are safe and sound. LockStar GPS watches are designed for families caring for children, the elderly, or anyone who you need to keep tabs on, ensuring that they will be found if lost.

lockstar black red

It’s definitely a bit of an electronic leash, but it will probably give you peace of mind if your loved ones are always running around and getting themselves into trouble. You can track them via any computer or the LockStar app on your smartphone. They work both indoors and outdoors, allow 2-way voice calls, it has an SOS button and geo-fencing support. LockStar’s call center is available 24/7 to give you real-time support if you need help tracking down a loved one. Of course, they also function as a watch.

lockstar gps watch 2

The watch will be available in a variety of colors, and there will also be a version for pets. Who knew pets wore watches? Pricing and availability  for the LockStar hasn’t been announced.

[via Ubergizmo]

Leikr GPS Sports Watch: Is Bigger Better?

If you’re active, it’s good to have a GPS watch. They have plenty of uses, especially if you run or cycle. Keeping track of your workout is one of the best features. The ones that also feature active navigation will make sure that you won’t get lost. However, most GPS watches can be bulky, counterintuitive to use, and the screen usually isn’t that great.

leikr sports watch gps

The Leikr sports watch is supposed to link to GPS satellites faster than others on the market. It’s also is supposed to be less bulky and easier to operate than other GPS watches, though it still looks pretty big to me. That’s probably because of it’s 2-inch widescreen, 320×240 color display. The low-glare Gorilla Glass covered face is bigger than average watches, but it’s only 1.065 cm thick. Having such a large display allows for more legible maps than other GPS watches, as well as the ability to display all of your pertinent stats – time, distance, speed, pace, calories burned and heart rate – on a single screen.

leikr sports watch gps wrist

It’s got 8GB of onboard storage and has a 500 Mhz processor, and can communicate with other devices using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and is also ANT+ compatible. Its rechargeable battery is supposed to last 6 hours of active use. Its maps are powered by OpenStreetMap, so I’m not exactly sure how accurate the map data will be. You might want to swing by their website to verify that the maps for your regular haunts are complete and up to date.

The project is currently raising funds for production over on Kickstarter, and you’ll have to pledge at least $279(USD) to reserve one.

[via TechCrunch]

Doctor Who Watch: Timey Wimey on Your Wrist

If you are looking for a watch that will keep track of time here on Earth, but you want to be as stylish as a Time Lord, check out this new Doctor Who watch, out just in time for the show’s 50th anniversary.

doctor who watch
This is not your average watch, though. The hands look like sonic screwdrivers and the TARDIS flies around a vortex at its own pace.

tardis animation

All of your Whovian friends will be jealous when they see you wearing this. The only thing that could make it better is if it actually summoned the TARDIS to your location on command. Sadly, it doesn’t have that feature, but it will still look awesome on your wrist.

It’s only $49.95(USD) from GadgetsandGear. These will probably go fast, so head on over there and buy one before they vanish into another dimension.