4 ms·

New Wearable Can Call and Text Without a Phone

10 points by pjl 12y ago

jMyles 12y ago
No description whatsoever of the technology. Is this device a wifi device that makes calls and texts over wifi? What is a "built-in mirrored sim"? This is not typical terminology (a google search brings up only this article as a result). Is it a GSM / CDMA device? Which carriers will support it? Will it be unlocked? Does it run Android or some other OS? The line at the end, "This is the first device to ever offer a phone free calling feature" seems patently false for most common-sense definitions of "calling feature." This is just atrocious journalism.
- PeterWhittaker 12y ago
  And a typo ("PULS") to boot. I'm confused, where is the typo? That's the name I've scene in other articles (though case varies). As for other articles, I found plenty. Try [1], it provides at least some details (Android based, etc.), if you are really interested. [1] http://gizmodo.com/meet-puls-will-i-ams-gigantic-wearable-cuff-1646838552 http://gizmodo.com/meet-puls-will-i-ams-gigantic-wearable-cu...
  - jMyles 12y ago
    It has been corrected, and I was mistaken. This article originally said "PLUS" in the first mention, so I thought that was its name, and that the second mention was a typo. And yeah, if there's better coverage out there, let's have that instead.
- Evolved 12y ago
  Is this device a wifi device that makes calls and texts over wifi? Is it a GSM / CDMA device? Which carriers will support it? The article states "Those in the U.S. will need to purchase a data plan through AT&T and those in the U.K. will go through O2." The line at the end, "This is the first device to ever offer a phone free calling feature" seems patently false for most common-sense definitions of "calling feature." I believe their intent when they say "phone-free" is to say that it stands on its own and doesn't need to be paired with a phone in order to make/receive calls.
  - jMyles 12y ago
    > The article states "Those in the U.S. will need to purchase a data plan through AT&T and those in the U.K. will go through O2." The article did not say that at the time that I made my comment. I see the paragraph in question has been changed substantially. The sentence preceding the part that you quote now reads: ''' We don’t know exactly what the retail price will be but will.i.am did say it was less than the cost of an iPhone without a plan and that it was “affordable.” ''' If memory serves, when I read it, it simply said: ''' We don’t know exactly what the retail price will be but will.i.am did say that it was “affordable.” ''' > I believe their intent when they say "phone-free" is to say that it stands on its own and doesn't need to be paired with a phone in order to make/receive calls. But I mean, isn't any computer with google voice already this?
chambo622 12y ago
Will.i.am is an interesting guy. This looks much more refined than the weird iPhone camera accessories he launched a year or two ago. I still believe that smartwatch ecosystems outside of Android Wear and Apple's Watch are unlikely to thrive.
chrissyb 12y ago
Even if it has a "built-in mirrored sim" ... doesnt that just make it ummmmmm a phone?
- Evolved 12y ago
  Yes it is a phone in that it allows 2 or more parties to conduct a voice conversation utilizing technology over some kind of network. Fortunately, the article doesn't state that it is not a phone. It states that it doesn't require a phone in the sense that it doesn't need to connect to your phone in your pocket (most likely via bluetooth) to make/receive a call. It has a built-in SIM so it stands on its own without needing to be paired to a phone. However, they refer to it as a mirrored SIM which means it can have the same phone number as your phone. I fail to see the difference between a mirrored SIM and a cloned SIM (illegal in the U.S. as far as I know).
owenwil 12y ago
As much as I admire Will.i.am for trying in this space, this thing will be dead on arrival
ck2 12y ago
Android powered? Certainly they didn't make their own OS, if it is hackable it will survive. Wristband is way too thick though, are there components in there? Like every portable device, battery life is going to be the huge problem, we just do not have sufficiently advanced battery tech yet.

10 points by pjl 12y ago

No description whatsoever of the technology. Is this device a wifi device that makes calls and texts over wifi? What is a "built-in mirrored sim"? This is not typical terminology (a google search brings up only this article as a result). Is it a GSM / CDMA device? Which carriers will support it? Will it be unlocked? Does it run Android or some other OS? The line at the end, "This is the first device to ever offer a phone free calling feature" seems patently false for most common-sense definitions of "calling feature." This is just atrocious journalism.

PeterWhittaker 12y ago
And a typo ("PULS") to boot. I'm confused, where is the typo? That's the name I've scene in other articles (though case varies). As for other articles, I found plenty. Try [1], it provides at least some details (Android based, etc.), if you are really interested. [1] http://gizmodo.com/meet-puls-will-i-ams-gigantic-wearable-cuff-1646838552 http://gizmodo.com/meet-puls-will-i-ams-gigantic-wearable-cu...
- jMyles 12y ago
  It has been corrected, and I was mistaken. This article originally said "PLUS" in the first mention, so I thought that was its name, and that the second mention was a typo. And yeah, if there's better coverage out there, let's have that instead.
Evolved 12y ago
Is this device a wifi device that makes calls and texts over wifi? Is it a GSM / CDMA device? Which carriers will support it? The article states "Those in the U.S. will need to purchase a data plan through AT&T and those in the U.K. will go through O2." The line at the end, "This is the first device to ever offer a phone free calling feature" seems patently false for most common-sense definitions of "calling feature." I believe their intent when they say "phone-free" is to say that it stands on its own and doesn't need to be paired with a phone in order to make/receive calls.
- jMyles 12y ago
  > The article states "Those in the U.S. will need to purchase a data plan through AT&T and those in the U.K. will go through O2." The article did not say that at the time that I made my comment. I see the paragraph in question has been changed substantially. The sentence preceding the part that you quote now reads: ''' We don’t know exactly what the retail price will be but will.i.am did say it was less than the cost of an iPhone without a plan and that it was “affordable.” ''' If memory serves, when I read it, it simply said: ''' We don’t know exactly what the retail price will be but will.i.am did say that it was “affordable.” ''' > I believe their intent when they say "phone-free" is to say that it stands on its own and doesn't need to be paired with a phone in order to make/receive calls. But I mean, isn't any computer with google voice already this?

chambo622 12y ago

Will.i.am is an interesting guy. This looks much more refined than the weird iPhone camera accessories he launched a year or two ago. I still believe that smartwatch ecosystems outside of Android Wear and Apple's Watch are unlikely to thrive.

chrissyb 12y ago

Even if it has a "built-in mirrored sim" ... doesnt that just make it ummmmmm a phone?

Evolved 12y ago
Yes it is a phone in that it allows 2 or more parties to conduct a voice conversation utilizing technology over some kind of network. Fortunately, the article doesn't state that it is not a phone. It states that it doesn't require a phone in the sense that it doesn't need to connect to your phone in your pocket (most likely via bluetooth) to make/receive a call. It has a built-in SIM so it stands on its own without needing to be paired to a phone. However, they refer to it as a mirrored SIM which means it can have the same phone number as your phone. I fail to see the difference between a mirrored SIM and a cloned SIM (illegal in the U.S. as far as I know).

owenwil 12y ago

As much as I admire Will.i.am for trying in this space, this thing will be dead on arrival

ck2 12y ago

Android powered? Certainly they didn't make their own OS, if it is hackable it will survive. Wristband is way too thick though, are there components in there? Like every portable device, battery life is going to be the huge problem, we just do not have sufficiently advanced battery tech yet.