10-Sep-14 (Blog Pen Date)
DISCLAIMER - The following is a result of what my wishful thinking generally gives birth too. This evening I just ended up imagining a concept for a Smart "WatchBand" for Microsoft. All words and thoughts used are a figment of my imagination.
Since, its taking a little longer for them to dish out a piece, so I designed a little something from a fan's perspective. Following is a technical write up of features that I think should be a part of this device. I aspire to be an industrial designer someday and this is one of my little steps in that direction.
Kinect ZION - By Microsoft Mobile
Well, we are back after a decade with our renewed wearable. Our labour of love - The Kinect ZION by Microsoft Mobile.
The KZ (pronounce "kay-zee") as we lovingly like to call it, is your quintessential daily companion when it comes to your fitness tracking needs. Doesn't mean it can't do the so called "smart things" you see the competition do.
KZ is primarily designed to be a "fitness-centric" WatchBand . In order to achieve that we have kept the "smart" features to a minimum without distracting the bearer.
Construction
Hardware Overview
The fundamental behind the design is our conviction in flexible modular architecture (FMA), with limiting to just two pieces for ease of use and replacement (if ever!) . The "Strap Module" is a Rubberized Polycarbonate unibody Strap. Top face of the band acts as a receiver for the watch Module which holds in place via a robust magnetic clasp . It's an instant plug-n-play action which substantiates our claim "ease of use".
For days when you don't feel like attaching the smart module, we have thrown in the no-frills, wafer-thin "Glance module" which fits in delightfully with the whole package and serves as a minimalist watch displaying time / date only.
The WatchBand is water & dust proof provided the modules are clasped properly by the user.
Modules
Strap Module
As the name suggests this is the piece that adorns your wrist always. In many ways this has been a breakthrough in terms of design. Here's why. The material for the band is a rare amalgamation of rubber and polycarbonate which not only feels supremely comfortable on the wrist but also houses a special sensor. Yes. The Strap includes a sensor that measures your psychogalvanic reflex. In simpler terms, it measures the electrical conductance of the skin based on the sweat induction.
The strap is also adjustable with built-in pre-tensioners at the corners which make it flexible as per the wrist.
The strap has a premium feel to it and will come in brown or black versions only.
Watch Module - (The Game Changer)
The pop-up module is held in place via the magnetic clasp. To remove this module you simply need to press the bottom center of the strap for it to click open and then pull it out gently.
Our clear black technology from the Lumia line has been coupled with the flexible OLED display to make it truly outstanding. Color of the display feels more organic to its true tones and not oversaturated as is the case for regular LED's.
This module comes with its own bevy of sensors which is what makes the combination with strap so functionally irresistible. It has temperature sensor, pulse rate sensor (aka heart rate monitor) , pedometer, gyroscope & magnetometer (compass). These work in tandem with the sweat sensor infused in the strap module. This not only in helps in performing all the functions of a regular fitness band, but also advises if and how much a person is stressed. More details on the software below.
Ah, one last thing we have built-in telephony inside this too ! The module is flanked by two micro perforated areas on each side of the volume rockers. Those are the built-in speakers. The mic is housed inside the strap module, hence you need to be talking to your wrist in an effort to be heard. Not bad though, in fact pretty cool James bond-esque feature. Won't you agree ?
Glance Module
Need a no-frills, simple yet elegant digital watch? Well, Glance Module is the answer! It's again a flexible but wafer-thin OLED which uses e-ink technology to display what matters the most - date & time.
One of the very cool and important features with this module is the HELP function. In case of emergency just long press the screen for 3 seconds and swipe upwards. This sends an emergency location beep to four contacts (family / friends) and Microsoft servers alerting us that you are in danger. The module dies right after that as it uses all the power available on the circuitry to send signal only once. Hence, discretion is advised when using the same.
Connectivity
The watch module is built-in with technology supporting WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC & 3G. 4G speed is not offered due to high power consumption.
Software Overview
Cortana
As the name suggests, the watch module is powered by our Cortana OS ™ software tailor made for the same. An extension SIM is required to be placed inside the watch which serves as a minimalist alternative to your phone. Within a matter of seconds, once the 3G network (or Wi Fi) is up Cortana recognizes an individual's profile and loads only the important data required to function (likes / dislikes / telephone numbers / contacts / calendars). For seamless integration, Cortana app is required to be switched on your mobile phone at all times.
User Interface & Apps (extensions rather)
To start using the watch from sleep mode, simply command "WAKE UP" or double tap the area capacitive key (see sketch - built within the screen estate).
With every new day, the watch alerts the user to select the mode by swiping downwards.
There are two modes essentially : a) Phone b) Fitness . Depending on the requirement user needs to select the same, so watch can decide what features will require activation. To change the mode again, its crown (also the power key) needs to be pressed once and then Down-Swipe can be used.
Following are the standard gestures :
Up-Swipe is a shortcut to launch the contacts app-extension directly.
Down-Swipe is a shortcut t launch to Workouts under Health & Fitness app-extension.
Left-Swipe displays the app-extensions in alphabetical order, akin to our phone OS.
Right-Swipe displays the important notification & alerts.
Long-Press the capacitive key for 3 seconds and you can command Cortana to call any contact instantly.
All the apps on the watch are more like extensions to the original apps available on your smartphone.
Bing Health & Fitness - Once again, Cortana helps in data integration between app on the phone and the extension app on the watch. The data updating takes place once every day between the devices, user can choose the time of update or manually update the no. of times he / she wants to. It also monitors the sleep pattern and logs any anomalies whilst later alerting the user about the same. Well, the user cannot read complete articles on health & fitness, however bulleted tips are always available regarding various topics.
Contacts - This app extension is very simple yet intuitive. Access is directly by Up-Swipe or Left-Swipe and then select the respective app. You can dictate message by tapping the MTM (Mic to Message) circle next to the contact. Once the dictation is over, Cortana would give you options to send the message via various available extensions i.e. WhatsApp, SMS, Skype, Hangouts. These are the only instant messaging services available with currently with the OS.
Bing News & Light Arc - The news app only gives the headlines around the world and the curved edge can be used for displaying the same or the STOCKS tickr feed as per user requirement. The curved edge with its tails ending inside strap can be used as a "light arc" in the dark while searching for some nearby objects.
Bing Travel - The travel app again is a toned down version of the actual app on your phone. It will give usser alerts on his / her flights arrival / departure times.
Wallet - Built with the NFC functionality, this app helps in making payments by just holding the wrist over the NFC chip readers / sensors available at the leading stores / outlets. However, do note that a user cannot enter any credit card information through the watch, the watch just ports data available from the NFC capable phone. Hence, the wallet app needs to be activated first from the phone to be used by the watch.
The app selection might look very scarce but these are what a user would essentially need in a device like this, unlike circles floating around. Albeit, through live user experience and requirement the features of the watch can be expanded to better suit a certain demographic.
That's it for now. We hope you liked the concept our WatchBand. Leave us your comments / responses with the kind of features you think should be a part of this device.
Cheers.
DISCLAIMER - The following is a result of what my wishful thinking generally gives birth too. This evening I just ended up imagining a concept for a Smart "WatchBand" for Microsoft. All words and thoughts used are a figment of my imagination.
Since, its taking a little longer for them to dish out a piece, so I designed a little something from a fan's perspective. Following is a technical write up of features that I think should be a part of this device. I aspire to be an industrial designer someday and this is one of my little steps in that direction.
Kinect ZION - By Microsoft Mobile
Well, we are back after a decade with our renewed wearable. Our labour of love - The Kinect ZION by Microsoft Mobile.
The KZ (pronounce "kay-zee") as we lovingly like to call it, is your quintessential daily companion when it comes to your fitness tracking needs. Doesn't mean it can't do the so called "smart things" you see the competition do.
KZ is primarily designed to be a "fitness-centric" WatchBand . In order to achieve that we have kept the "smart" features to a minimum without distracting the bearer.
Construction
Hardware Overview
The fundamental behind the design is our conviction in flexible modular architecture (FMA), with limiting to just two pieces for ease of use and replacement (if ever!) . The "Strap Module" is a Rubberized Polycarbonate unibody Strap. Top face of the band acts as a receiver for the watch Module which holds in place via a robust magnetic clasp . It's an instant plug-n-play action which substantiates our claim "ease of use".
For days when you don't feel like attaching the smart module, we have thrown in the no-frills, wafer-thin "Glance module" which fits in delightfully with the whole package and serves as a minimalist watch displaying time / date only.
The WatchBand is water & dust proof provided the modules are clasped properly by the user.
| Microsoft Smart WatchBand Concept - By Vishal Kanjani |
Modules
Strap Module
As the name suggests this is the piece that adorns your wrist always. In many ways this has been a breakthrough in terms of design. Here's why. The material for the band is a rare amalgamation of rubber and polycarbonate which not only feels supremely comfortable on the wrist but also houses a special sensor. Yes. The Strap includes a sensor that measures your psychogalvanic reflex. In simpler terms, it measures the electrical conductance of the skin based on the sweat induction.
The strap is also adjustable with built-in pre-tensioners at the corners which make it flexible as per the wrist.
The strap has a premium feel to it and will come in brown or black versions only.
Watch Module - (The Game Changer)
The pop-up module is held in place via the magnetic clasp. To remove this module you simply need to press the bottom center of the strap for it to click open and then pull it out gently.
Our clear black technology from the Lumia line has been coupled with the flexible OLED display to make it truly outstanding. Color of the display feels more organic to its true tones and not oversaturated as is the case for regular LED's.
This module comes with its own bevy of sensors which is what makes the combination with strap so functionally irresistible. It has temperature sensor, pulse rate sensor (aka heart rate monitor) , pedometer, gyroscope & magnetometer (compass). These work in tandem with the sweat sensor infused in the strap module. This not only in helps in performing all the functions of a regular fitness band, but also advises if and how much a person is stressed. More details on the software below.
Ah, one last thing we have built-in telephony inside this too ! The module is flanked by two micro perforated areas on each side of the volume rockers. Those are the built-in speakers. The mic is housed inside the strap module, hence you need to be talking to your wrist in an effort to be heard. Not bad though, in fact pretty cool James bond-esque feature. Won't you agree ?
Glance Module
Need a no-frills, simple yet elegant digital watch? Well, Glance Module is the answer! It's again a flexible but wafer-thin OLED which uses e-ink technology to display what matters the most - date & time.
One of the very cool and important features with this module is the HELP function. In case of emergency just long press the screen for 3 seconds and swipe upwards. This sends an emergency location beep to four contacts (family / friends) and Microsoft servers alerting us that you are in danger. The module dies right after that as it uses all the power available on the circuitry to send signal only once. Hence, discretion is advised when using the same.
Connectivity
The watch module is built-in with technology supporting WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC & 3G. 4G speed is not offered due to high power consumption.
Software Overview
Cortana
As the name suggests, the watch module is powered by our Cortana OS ™ software tailor made for the same. An extension SIM is required to be placed inside the watch which serves as a minimalist alternative to your phone. Within a matter of seconds, once the 3G network (or Wi Fi) is up Cortana recognizes an individual's profile and loads only the important data required to function (likes / dislikes / telephone numbers / contacts / calendars). For seamless integration, Cortana app is required to be switched on your mobile phone at all times.
User Interface & Apps (extensions rather)
To start using the watch from sleep mode, simply command "WAKE UP" or double tap the area capacitive key (see sketch - built within the screen estate).
With every new day, the watch alerts the user to select the mode by swiping downwards.
There are two modes essentially : a) Phone b) Fitness . Depending on the requirement user needs to select the same, so watch can decide what features will require activation. To change the mode again, its crown (also the power key) needs to be pressed once and then Down-Swipe can be used.
Following are the standard gestures :
Up-Swipe is a shortcut to launch the contacts app-extension directly.
Down-Swipe is a shortcut t launch to Workouts under Health & Fitness app-extension.
Left-Swipe displays the app-extensions in alphabetical order, akin to our phone OS.
Right-Swipe displays the important notification & alerts.
Long-Press the capacitive key for 3 seconds and you can command Cortana to call any contact instantly.
All the apps on the watch are more like extensions to the original apps available on your smartphone.
Bing Health & Fitness - Once again, Cortana helps in data integration between app on the phone and the extension app on the watch. The data updating takes place once every day between the devices, user can choose the time of update or manually update the no. of times he / she wants to. It also monitors the sleep pattern and logs any anomalies whilst later alerting the user about the same. Well, the user cannot read complete articles on health & fitness, however bulleted tips are always available regarding various topics.
Contacts - This app extension is very simple yet intuitive. Access is directly by Up-Swipe or Left-Swipe and then select the respective app. You can dictate message by tapping the MTM (Mic to Message) circle next to the contact. Once the dictation is over, Cortana would give you options to send the message via various available extensions i.e. WhatsApp, SMS, Skype, Hangouts. These are the only instant messaging services available with currently with the OS.
Bing News & Light Arc - The news app only gives the headlines around the world and the curved edge can be used for displaying the same or the STOCKS tickr feed as per user requirement. The curved edge with its tails ending inside strap can be used as a "light arc" in the dark while searching for some nearby objects.
Bing Travel - The travel app again is a toned down version of the actual app on your phone. It will give usser alerts on his / her flights arrival / departure times.
Wallet - Built with the NFC functionality, this app helps in making payments by just holding the wrist over the NFC chip readers / sensors available at the leading stores / outlets. However, do note that a user cannot enter any credit card information through the watch, the watch just ports data available from the NFC capable phone. Hence, the wallet app needs to be activated first from the phone to be used by the watch.
The app selection might look very scarce but these are what a user would essentially need in a device like this, unlike circles floating around. Albeit, through live user experience and requirement the features of the watch can be expanded to better suit a certain demographic.
That's it for now. We hope you liked the concept our WatchBand. Leave us your comments / responses with the kind of features you think should be a part of this device.
Cheers.
