> The TM-100 was a highly unique wristwatch with the ability to transmit speech via radio. Outfitted with an FM transmitter and microphone, the watch allowed users to wirelessly broadcast their voice to a radio tuned to the right frequency simply by speaking toward the watch
> The unique CMD-10 delivered remote control functionality for TVs and VCRs. Its function-minded layout of large remote control buttons ensured intuitive operability. Users could turn their TV or VCR on or off, change channels, adjust the volume, and more using the watch on their wrist.
And then there is the sad one, too:
> The ever-innovative G-SHOCK brand takes a new step, launching a virtual community where people can co-create and interact with one another via digital platforms like NFTs and the metaverse.
According to this their most recent innovation was in 2023 with a "virtual community where people can co-create and interact with one another via digital platforms like NFTs and the metaverse."
It's disappointing. It reinforces the cliché that most hardware companies don't understand software.
The GPR-B1000 was promising, as it signaled Casio might be heading towards making watches with advanced features like GPS, yet a bit different from regular smartwatches. This model was tied to a phone app, but I thought this was OK for their first iteration.
Fast forward to 2023, their expensive DW-H5600 was very disappointing. They included a Polar heart rate monitor, which are known for their reliability. Nevertheless, hear rate readouts are extremely noisy to the point of being useless. Also, setting up the watch requires pairing it with a Casio app, which is absurd for a non-smartwatch.
I would love to be able to buy a normal watch that offers heart rate monitoring and basic GPS tracking but can be operated fully offline, doesn't need updates, and will not become abandonware in 5 years time. Garmin is nearly there with some models. Some Casio, Withings, Polar, and Suunto models also have interesting features but overall still far from that ideal goal.
Besides, in many regulated environments you can't have a watch with hardware radios like Bluetooth. Only Garmin seems to understand this. Suunto had terrific models, but is slowly falling behind and has been sold to a Chinese conglomerate.
I've been pretty happy with my Garmin Instinct Crossover. It looks like a regular watch, and so if Garmin decides to drop support for it, then it still has like a 2 month battery as a regular watch.
I facepalmed when I read that last entry. I had a G-Shock watch for a long time, it was a great watch, I have a lot of sentimentality towards it, but I do not see any reason why anyone would want an NFT for it.
“The debut of the GW-300J introduced a new line — The G — driven by a passion for creating the ultimate wristwatch: one that would never break, never stop, and never fail to keep precise time.”
I have worn the same GShock GW-6900 continuously, all day and night, every day for 15+ years.
I wore it in war, diving in the pacific, skydiving, on stage pitching, on TV shows and am currently wearing it
I’ve replaced the band ONCE and it keeps perfect time and the backlight is a handy light in a pinch.
I don't know about their customer service but I have bought a few of their watches recently and they seem as good as ever. (Which is the reason I don’t know about their customer service, of course)
[delayed]
Very cool! I've had a F91-W for years and never knew the history. I thought it was way older than '89.
I was really surprised to find out that the F-91W was first released in 1989. I had assumed it was even older than that!
I wasn't too surprised to see their blurb leave out it's other (alleged!) known use
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casio_F-91W#Usage_in_terrorism
Some of cool and the wild ones:
> The TM-100 was a highly unique wristwatch with the ability to transmit speech via radio. Outfitted with an FM transmitter and microphone, the watch allowed users to wirelessly broadcast their voice to a radio tuned to the right frequency simply by speaking toward the watch
> The unique CMD-10 delivered remote control functionality for TVs and VCRs. Its function-minded layout of large remote control buttons ensured intuitive operability. Users could turn their TV or VCR on or off, change channels, adjust the volume, and more using the watch on their wrist.
And then there is the sad one, too:
> The ever-innovative G-SHOCK brand takes a new step, launching a virtual community where people can co-create and interact with one another via digital platforms like NFTs and the metaverse.
This one too:
> Simply holding the watch’s built-in speaker up to the receiver of a push-button telephone allowed users to place calls to stored numbers
According to this their most recent innovation was in 2023 with a "virtual community where people can co-create and interact with one another via digital platforms like NFTs and the metaverse."
Then they stopped snorting coke and did a sensible walk-back?
Considering the heyday of Casio watches was in the 80's, maybe they need more coke.
It's disappointing. It reinforces the cliché that most hardware companies don't understand software.
The GPR-B1000 was promising, as it signaled Casio might be heading towards making watches with advanced features like GPS, yet a bit different from regular smartwatches. This model was tied to a phone app, but I thought this was OK for their first iteration.
Fast forward to 2023, their expensive DW-H5600 was very disappointing. They included a Polar heart rate monitor, which are known for their reliability. Nevertheless, hear rate readouts are extremely noisy to the point of being useless. Also, setting up the watch requires pairing it with a Casio app, which is absurd for a non-smartwatch.
I would love to be able to buy a normal watch that offers heart rate monitoring and basic GPS tracking but can be operated fully offline, doesn't need updates, and will not become abandonware in 5 years time. Garmin is nearly there with some models. Some Casio, Withings, Polar, and Suunto models also have interesting features but overall still far from that ideal goal.
Besides, in many regulated environments you can't have a watch with hardware radios like Bluetooth. Only Garmin seems to understand this. Suunto had terrific models, but is slowly falling behind and has been sold to a Chinese conglomerate.
I've been pretty happy with my Garmin Instinct Crossover. It looks like a regular watch, and so if Garmin decides to drop support for it, then it still has like a 2 month battery as a regular watch.
I facepalmed when I read that last entry. I had a G-Shock watch for a long time, it was a great watch, I have a lot of sentimentality towards it, but I do not see any reason why anyone would want an NFT for it.
https://youtu.be/euNmIoe83FQ?si=LL0RCulF2ibWo6no
I always had Casio watch when I was a kid. Nowadays, I prefer having none on my wrist. As a developer, it hinders my hand movement when typing.
From the 2000s section:
“The debut of the GW-300J introduced a new line — The G — driven by a passion for creating the ultimate wristwatch: one that would never break, never stop, and never fail to keep precise time.”
I have worn the same GShock GW-6900 continuously, all day and night, every day for 15+ years.
I wore it in war, diving in the pacific, skydiving, on stage pitching, on TV shows and am currently wearing it
I’ve replaced the band ONCE and it keeps perfect time and the backlight is a handy light in a pinch.
Probably the best purchase I’ve ever made
worth noting that there are many casio watches that are very similar to the g-shock series but are not g-shock.
they're probably worse but still incredibly good. I have one of these (W-735H-1AV - https://www.casio.com/intl/watches/casio/product.W-735H-1AV/)... Got it for ~20 euros off amazon in 2018 and it's still rocking.
I never had to change the battery (so far) but I had to change the straps twice.
Could the 80s Data Bank watches be considered one of the first PDAs?
Unfortunately Casio QA is garbage today. And don’t expect competency from their customer service
Still consistently better quality than 99% of the clones out there.
I don't know about their customer service but I have bought a few of their watches recently and they seem as good as ever. (Which is the reason I don’t know about their customer service, of course)
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
It's a pretty ordinary claim, to be fair.
It's the first time I've heard of it, and I consider myself pretty plugged in when it comes to watch news.
not true