MetaWatch Strata: A Smartwatch for Android and iOS Devices

 

Smartwatches are the current trend, apparently.  Apart from the upcoming Sony Smartwatch and Pebble, another smartwatch is poised to be released in the coming months. I’m talking about the MetaWatch Strata, a project that’s currently seeking funding at Kickstarter, the same route taken by the Pebble smartwatch.  But while the Pebble has hit production snag and will not be made available in September as initially promised, the MetaWatch Strata is coming out in September.

What does the MetaWatch Strata do exactly?  It’s similar to the current crop of smartwatches in that it manages notifications and acts as a control device, connecting via bluetooth.  What makes it different is that it works on both Android and iOS devices, and this is actually the first smartwatch that will work with iOS.  Specifically, MetaWatch is saying they will optimize the Strata for the upcoming iOS 6.   MetaWatch is banking on developers to create applications since it will be making the watch code open source.  MetaWatch actually has an advantage over the other makers since it has been developing smartwatches for the past 8 years and has been developing the MetaWatch for two years.

Here’s a video from MetaWatch featuring the Strata smartwatch:

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWWvEYseA2E

 

MetaWatch Strata Features & Specifications

Features

• Multiple Watch Faces
• Caller-ID Notifications
• SMS & Email Notifications
• Facebook & Twitter Notifications
• Weather / Stock/ Calendar Widgets
• Lost Phone Alarm
• Alarms & Timers
• Music Control
• Integrated Running and Cycling App

Specifications

• Handset compatibility: iPhone 4s, iPad (3), Android (various)
• Sensor compatibility: Initially, Wahoo Fitness BLE sensors for iPhone 4s
• iOS compatibility: iOS 5 (basic functionality), iOS 6 (enhanced functionality)
• Double injection molded PU, co-molded with PC body
• Mineral hardened glass lens with anti-glare coating
• Titanium finished stainless steel top ring
• 5 ATM water resistant (you can swim with it, but no diving)
• 96×96 mirror polymer network display
• Vibrating alerts
• 6 buttons
• Rechargeable (5-7 day battery life)
• Bluetooth 4.0
• 3 Axis accelerometer / ambient light sensor

Currently, only the Sony SmartWatch is available but if you are not in a hurry, the MetaWatch Strata and the Pebble smartwatches could be worth waiting for.