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

In case you’ve ever needed to be like Steve Wozniak and have your individual custom-made, geeky watch, Squarofumi (stylized SQFMI) might 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 utterly customizable. You possibly can, 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 web site has sections for watch faces and instances, however in the meanwhile they each solely say “Coming Quickly,” so in the event you’re fascinated about this watch, you’ll positively need to be sure 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 possibly can dream up.

Graphic: SQFMI

If having to place collectively the {hardware} your self doesn’t intimidate you, there’s one last item to notice: whereas the watch does include pre-loaded software program, if you wish to make any adjustments 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 be capable to get precisely what they need. In order for you a watch with a case that appears like an iPod or Recreation Boy, with an interface to match, you possibly can 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 industrial smartwatches, although Tizen and Put on OS watches do provide downloadable watch faces.

The battery life SQFMI estimates depends upon your use case — it says in the event you’re simply protecting time it is best to get 5 to seven days, however in the event you’re fetching information continuously you might solely see two to 3. Its open-source nature, nonetheless, implies that you might 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.

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 have a look at SQFMI’s web site to make it possible for the amount of documentation available is sufficient so that you can get began.