Should you’ve ever needed to be like Steve Wozniak and have your individual 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 (by way of Gizmodo). It’s referred to as the Watchy, and each the {hardware} and software program are utterly 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 high 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 circumstances, however in the meanwhile they each solely say “Coming Quickly,” so in the event you’re enthusiastic about this watch, you’ll undoubtedly need to ensure you’re prepared for a DIY undertaking. Oh, and there’s additionally the truth that the watch doesn’t come assembled — it’s important 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 capabilities you may dream up.
The Watchy has {hardware} that DIYers could also be conversant in.
Graphic: SQFMI
If having to place collectively the {hardware} your self doesn’t intimidate you, there’s one final 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 must 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 strategy implies that they’ll be capable to get precisely what they need. If you’d like a watch with a case that appears like an iPod or Recreation Boy, with an interface to match, you may 3D print a case and code the watch face your self. It’s the kind of freedom you’re not more likely to get from most business smartwatches, although Tizen and Put on OS watches do supply downloadable watch faces.
The battery life SQFMI estimates is dependent upon your use case — it says in the event you’re simply protecting time it’s best to get 5 to seven days, however in the event you’re fetching knowledge continuously chances are you’ll solely see two to a few. Its open-source nature, nonetheless, implies that you can at all times match a bigger battery into it, or attempt to make some software program optimizations if there are options you’re keen to chop.
The watch makes use of a ESP32 SOC, which may be programmed with Arduino and MicroPython.
Picture: SQFMI
Should you’re searching for this type of coding/DIY undertaking, the Watchy is being offered on Tindie. I’d simply advocate you take a look at SQFMI’s web site to ensure that the quantity of documentation out there is sufficient so that you can get began.
