Canonical Announces Smart Watch


Nathan Osman's Gravatar

Nathan Osman
published March 31, 2014, 9:20 p.m.


Yes folks, the future is here. Today, Canonical announced the Ubuntu Smart Watch. This tiny little gadget allows you to take the world's most popular Linux distribution around with you on your sleeve. Use your favorite Ubuntu application while you're on the go without carrying around a bulky phone in your pocket.

The following picture of the new device was leaked online:

Smart Watch

Hardware

The watch (nicknamed the ShuttleWatch) consists of the following components jam-packed into a tiny little device worn on the user's wrist:

  • An ARMv8 1.2 GHz CPU underclocked to 200 MHz to conserve battery life.
  • A 0.8" multi-touch screen with scratch-resistant coating.
  • 2 GB internal memory with nano-SD card slot (when nano-SD cards become available).
  • Voice-activated keypad for input, although the watch may be paired with a Bluetooth keyboard.
  • WiFi, Bluetooth, and 3G radio - although due to battery constraints, only one may be active at a time.
  • Dual-cell 60 MWh lithium-ion battery.

The Ubuntu Experience

People, it seems, want Ubuntu everywhere. We must have Ubuntu on our phones, our TVs, our refridgerators, and even our toasters. Having Ubuntu on our wrists seems like the next logical step - and it feels right. We are no longer on time - we are on Ubuntu® Time.

Price

According to rumors and early reports, the device will go on sale for $600 US when first launched. When asked about offering a 4 GB edition, a Canonical spokesperson had this to say:

"2 GB ought to be enough for everyone."
— Name Withheld

And Finally...

Just in case you get this far and still think this watch is real, please go look at a calendar :)