There is a new smartwatch on the block and it's modular: meet Blocks, which had an impressive Kickstarter run of $1.6 million and is now up for pre-order.
Blocks is the world's first-ever modular smartwatch and while it releases this fall, Blocks Wearables (the company behind the device) has opened up preorders for the gadget.
"Two and a half years ago, we started with an idea. An idea to make smartwatches infinitely customizable, open and upgradeable. Thousands of hours later, with the help of hundreds of people from all around the world, the world's first modular smartwatch is here," notes the company.
On Thursday, June 9, the company officially opened the preorders for the modular smartwatch. However, it will not begin shipping the wearable before September 2016. Why? Per the company, the "factory-ready devices" are presently going through final testing before the mass production begins.
For the unfamiliar, Blocks Wearable previously opened preorders for its modular smartwatch in November 2015 as we reported at the time. However, the company was unable to meet its estimated May 2016 delivery deadline.
The company has nearly 5,500 orders which remain to be fulfilled from the Kickstarter campaign. The watch will cost $330 and shipping is extra. The $330 covers any four modules that one chooses. The wearable has a round display and frame made of stainless steel.
For those wondering about the module options available - there are not very many. Nevertheless, one can choose from a GPS unit, heart rate monitor, battery module, flashlight, special adventure module (sensors for temperature, pressure and humidity measurement) and a programmable button.
While at launch only six modules will be available for consumers to choose from, the company intends to introduce add-ons for fingerprint authentication, gesture control and body temperature in the near term.
Interestingly, since the wearable deploys an open platform, third-party developers will also be able to make more modules.
Each Blocks device has a "Core" or a watch face unit - in addition to the four modules — that makes the strap. The wearable is made of polycarbonate.
The Blocks Wearables smartwatch touts a 1.39-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 400 x 400 pixels. It measures 25.23 mm (0.99 inch) x 30.8 mm (1.21 inches) x 7.95 mm (0.31 inch).
The splash and dust resistant watch boasts a 300 mAh battery and a Snapdragon 2100 Wear processor. It has 512 MB of RAM and offers 4 GB of storage. The wearable also offers support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The device runs on a modified version of Android Marshmallow. The smartwatch is compatible not only with Android, but also with iOS devices.
To preorder Blocks you can head to the company's website. You can choose from three colors: Onyx Black, Sunrise Red and Marble White.
