For those who are put out by the Apple Watch's price or don't have iPhone, the 3D-printable Apple II Watch may be just the product to hold them over for now.
That II in the watch's name should in no way taken as an indicator that this product will be a second generation of device to follow the Apple Watch. That II refers to the popular 8-bit computer Apple began mass producing in the seventies.
Background
The Apple II Watch draws its inspiration from a full sized computer, says creator Aleator777. The watch pays homage to a wearable tech world that started long before smart watches and fitness bands, hailing back to a time when calculator watches dominated the market.
"When I set out to design the Apple II watch, I originally planned to create a faithful tiny replica of the classic machine in a wrist-sized form factor," says Aleator777. "While researching the design I began to ask if I really just wanted to make a miniature, or something altogether new? I settled on the latter."
Introduction
The Apple II Watch doesn't arrive without a little bit of Apple-like flair. In a press release, jokingly marked with the dateline Sept. 9, 1984, Aleator777 introduces the Apple II Watch.
"Apple Computer Inc. today unveiled Apple // watch. Apple // watch introduces a revolutionary design and A BASIC USER INTERFACE created specifically for a smaller device."
Specs
The Apple II Watch's form factor is composed of several "Anachronistic Objects" that invoke a sort of nostalgia, capable of whisking reveling minds back to seventies and eighties.
For internal storage, the Apple II Watch employees a MicroSD slot that operates under the guise of a floppy disk drive. The watch is powered by a Teensy 3.1, 72 MHz ARM processor and is stocked with 256K ROM 64K RAM.
A coin cell battery powers the Apple II Watch's real-time clock and its 1.8 inch TFT LCD screen, which has a resolution of 160 x 128.
The Apple II Watch boasts a knob which is, or was, an innovative way to scroll through content.
Release Date
The Apple II Watch design is out now and is available for delivery through 3D printing today. There is a bit of assembly required, as the Apple II Watch uses a number of components that aren't printable yet.
For those who are interested in an Apple Watch as well, Apple's first entry into the wearable tech market launches on April 24. Apple is currently taking pre-orders for the Apple Watch, which can be submitted via the company's online store.
