Design
The goal of this design is to allow the wristwatch to maintain it’s timeless, aesthetic simplicity, while adding a rich new set of features underneath. I’ve attempted to pattern the UI after iOS 7 and, since Apple paid Swiss Federal Railways $21 million dollars to license the use of its clock face I thought it only fitting to make use of.
The goal of this design is to allow the wristwatch to maintain it’s timeless, aesthetic simplicity, while adding a rich new set of features underneath. I’ve attempted to pattern the UI after iOS 7 and, since Apple paid Swiss Federal Railways $21 million dollars to license the use of its clock face I thought it only fitting to make use of.
Hardware
The iWatch design is based on a modified Skagen Classic Leather wrist watch. The iWatch could use an always-on e-ink screen for the watch face. However, when a user interacts with the device, an LCD would activate over the top of the e-ink for higher power functions. In this way one could use the watch in low power mode for most of the day and only activate the LCD as needed. I felt that a circular screen was the most elegant solution (the Nest thermostat UI is an excellent example of a successful, real-world implementation of this format).
The iWatch design is based on a modified Skagen Classic Leather wrist watch. The iWatch could use an always-on e-ink screen for the watch face. However, when a user interacts with the device, an LCD would activate over the top of the e-ink for higher power functions. In this way one could use the watch in low power mode for most of the day and only activate the LCD as needed. I felt that a circular screen was the most elegant solution (the Nest thermostat UI is an excellent example of a successful, real-world implementation of this format).
Software
The watch is designed to pair with an iOS host device via bluetooth or an adhoc network. It then would provide additional functionallity for apps running on the host device. Universal apps would now include the ability to support iPhone, iPad, and iWatch interfaces. Two hardware function buttons are available for developers to designate actions too. Developers could augment their existing apps with a unqiue iWatch interface that allows the user to interact in new, exciting ways. A remote trigger for a photo app. A wrist mounted game controller. A way to video chat on the fly without ever taking your phone out of your pocket.
The watch is designed to pair with an iOS host device via bluetooth or an adhoc network. It then would provide additional functionallity for apps running on the host device. Universal apps would now include the ability to support iPhone, iPad, and iWatch interfaces. Two hardware function buttons are available for developers to designate actions too. Developers could augment their existing apps with a unqiue iWatch interface that allows the user to interact in new, exciting ways. A remote trigger for a photo app. A wrist mounted game controller. A way to video chat on the fly without ever taking your phone out of your pocket.
Designer's Note
I certainly recognize the design barriers a device like this would face: component size, battery life, screen technology (E-Ink and LCD overlaid), required bezel for circular screens, etc. As with most concepts out there, this is design is merely intended to inspire a conversation around a more grounded design that might test will with the average consumer.
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