Hack together your own e-paper smartwatch with this $50 open-source kit

In case you’ve ever wished to be like Steve Wozniak and have your personal custom-made, geeky watch, Squarofumi (stylized SQFMI) could have the product for you: an open-source, Arduino-powered smartwatch with a 1.54-inch e-paper display screen (via Gizmodo). It’s called the Watchy, and each the {hardware} and software program are fully customizable. You’ll be able to, nonetheless, use it proper out of the field, because the PCB acts because the physique and has factors to connect a watch strap. And to prime all of it off, it’s solely $50, on sale for $45 at time of writing.

The SQFMI website has sections for watch faces and instances, however for the time being they each solely say “Coming Quickly,” so for those who’re fascinated with this watch, you’ll undoubtedly need to ensure you’re prepared for a DIY challenge. Oh, and there’s additionally the truth that the watch doesn’t come assembled — it’s a must to put it collectively your self, hooking the 200×200 show, PCB, and 200mAh battery collectively. There’s Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 3-axis accelerometer and 4 buttons that can be utilized for navigation, or no matter different features you’ll be able to dream up.

If having to place collectively the {hardware} your self doesn’t intimidate you, there’s one very last thing to notice: whereas the watch does include pre-loaded software program, if you wish to make any modifications to the watch face you’ll need to obtain the Arduino IDE and program them your self.

Whereas some folks could also be turned off by all of the work required to get the watch working, to sure folks the build-it-yourself method implies that they’ll have the ability to get precisely what they need. If you need a watch with a case that appears like an iPod or Recreation Boy, with an interface to match, you’ll be able to 3D print a case and code the watch face your self. It’s the kind of freedom you’re not prone to get from most business smartwatches, although Tizen and Put on OS watches do provide downloadable watch faces.

The battery life SQFMI estimates relies on your use case — it says for those who’re simply protecting time it’s best to get 5 to seven days, however for those who’re fetching information continuously you might solely see two to a few. Its open-source nature, nonetheless, implies that you possibly can at all times match a bigger battery into it, or attempt to make some software program optimizations if there are options you’re prepared to chop.

Picture: SQFMI

In case you’re on the lookout for this sort of coding/DIY challenge, the Watchy is being sold on Tindie. I’d simply advocate you take a look at SQFMI’s web site to be sure that the amount of documentation available is sufficient so that you can get began.