Smartwatches are trying to find their audience, and even Apple is having a hard time of it as the segment continues to evolve.
So, what is the best way to increase the adoption rate of smartwatches?
If you ask the people at BLOCKS Wearables, they will tell you they have the answer. It is a modular smartwatch that gives the user more control of the options they want.
The watch has a core that is fully functional however, you can add different modules to get the functionality best suited for you. It’s a unique concept in today’s flexible and scalable digital sector, because BLOCKS does both things well.
The core has the standard fare for smartwatches, including phone notifications, activity tracking, voice control, color touchscreen, Bluetooth/BLE, WiFi connectivity, and 1.5 days of battery life.
On any other smartwatch, there would be very little you could do if you wanted add more hardware, but not so in the case of BLOCKS.
The company is only in the first phase of the modules it will be releasing, and each modules adds another layer of functionality to your BLOCKS watch. The first of the modules that will be available include, extra battery, heart rate, GPS, NFC contactless and adventure modules.
So, if you are going for a hike, you can add the adventure module to get temperature, pressure, and altitude reading, but you can also include the GPS and heart rate modules. And each battery module increases the battery life by 20 percent, while the NFC contactless module lets you make payments without having to take your phone out.
During phase two and three, the company will be adding SIM card (GSM), fingerprint, LED, programmable button, air-quality, camera, flash memory, stress, body temperature and expansion modules. And as more technologies become available, Blocks will be able to integrate new solutions into the watch. This ensures the watch is future proof from obsolescence.
According to the company, even the core will be swappable in the future, with rectangular designs.
BLOCKS is currently going through a Kickstarter campaign, and it has shattered its $250,000 goal with 29 days to go by raising $983,153 from more than 3,000 backers.
The watch starts at $195 for the core and strap, but a standard package with four modules will cost you $285. Depending on which package you pledge for, you can add extra modules for $30.
The watch will be compatible with iPhones and Android smartphones.
Image: BLOCKS Wearables
Aira Bongco
With all the options available, I think people like it more to simplify than to complicate. having an extra gadget to attend to can only make things more complicated. And this may be the reason why it is hard to adopt.
Michael Guta
Hi Aira,
I see this watch just like a PC that lets you add more memory or a graphics card. For people that don’t want the complication, they can just buy the core and it will be just like any other smartwatch. But if you change your mind in the future, it gives you the option for adding more features without having to buy another watch.