NBC TODAY: Watches

Today’s watches do more than tell time; they can surf the Internet, take pictures, check your heart rate, even buy a ski lift ticket. BestStuff.com's Corey Greenberg wows the NBC TODAY Show crowd on February 27th with some of these new wristwatch wonders.


A Wallet on Your Wrist


Swatch Access
This watch is the result of a joint venture between Swatch and SkiData, an Austrian technology company. Swatch Access contains a built-in computer chip, which makes it possible to store information and a loop antenna, which enables it to communicate with a computer reader, which can be a turnstile, a door opener or even a debiting scanner. Skiers and snowboarders purchase anything from a one day ticket to a season pass, have the information loaded on to their Swatch Access watch, and simply run it by a scanner that sits at the bottom of the lift. The information is automatically read, even through a bulky ski jacket or gloves, eliminating the need for paper tickets. Once ski-pass validity expires, the Swatch Access watch can be easily re-programmed.



Internet Watch


Swatch cyber.commander
This watch is a specially equipped Swatch used in combination with a special mouse pad to establish connections to your favorite sites on the Web. Once activated, by scanning the watch on the mouse pad, the cyber.commander automatically propels you into cyberspace giving you hands-free access and complete login control.

How it works: Inside a special microchip, a personal identification number is stored which gives access to a host of personally selected data such as passwords protected mailboxes, preferred website addresses, instant messenger service etc. This type of data can all be stored in the chip. There are also pre-selected services offered to the user which can be accessed with the cyber.commander and which is updated at regular intervals without the customer having to buy new software. The chip can store between 6 and 10 different services that can be updated and replaced at any time.

Contactless communication between the watch and the mousepad makes it simple to operate. The mouse pad incorporates newly developed electronics and is connected to the computer’s USB interface. The network on the surface of the mousepad represents the Internet. The data highway is visualized in the center of the network and shows how the stored information is transferred from the watch via the mousepad to the computer. Transparent casing gives you a clear view of the movement. If cyber.commander is lost, the data stored in the watch can be immediately blocked to prevent any fraudulent uses of the data. Requires Windows 98 software for your PC or the operating system OS 8.6 for your Mac or any of the more recent versions. Package contains the cyber.commander, the mousepad, CD Rom (containing the necessary software and the operating instructions). Available October 2001



A Digital Watch with Analog Controls


Timex i-Control
Instead of relying on a confusing array of small buttons, Timex digital watches with i-Control setting systems utilize rings and crowns more commonly found on analog styles. This creates "best of both worlds" solutions: users get the advantages of a multifunction watch, with easier to operate rings and crowns that are just as easy to set as analog styles. Having fewer buttons also enables digital watches with i-Control setting systems to have more streamlined, uncluttered design. Both digital systems feature variable, two-way settings responsive to the user's speed of operation. Settings can be adjusted forward and backward, at any speed the user chooses. Comes in a variety of styles. $35



Heart Monitor Watch


Timex Ironman Triathlon Digital Heart Rate Fitness System
It sends its signals from the chest strap to the watch using digital FM technology. Digital signals increase accuracy due to its resistance to electromagnetic interference from sources like treadmills. Accurate within 3 beats/min. Smart sensor technology calculates the heart rate from the transmitter then sends the signal to the watch. Has all features of Timex Indiglo watches. $105




Timex Internet Messenger
Allows you to receive e-mail, news, weather, reports, sport scores, stock quotes, and more. Made possible by partnership with Motorola and Skytel. Offers customizable content. It has the capacity to store up to 16 e-mails, numeric or word messages. You can choose how the messages scroll across the display and a choice of silent vibrating alert or chimes when new messages arrive. Automatically sets and maintains precise date and time and time zone changes. $99, $9.99/Mo. for 500 word messages of 100 characters each through Skytel.



Wristwatch Computer


Suunto Altimax Wristop Computer
For skiers and snowboarders, this smartwatch has a built-in altimeter and barometer, and features one-button access to intermediate information about vertical ascent/descent. It even counts the number of runs you've skied. The ascent and descent rates are measured in feet per minute between stages. An internal logbook stores the total daily ascent/descent, average ascent/descent rate, as well as duration for up to one week of runs. You can view the logbook information while the watch is still recording. The altitude range extends up to 29,500. Its barometer function gives exact data in one-hour intervals for the first 6 hours, then in six-hour intervals for up to four days. The automatic memory is circular and self-erasing, keeping you one step ahead of the storm. Features a 12/24-hour clock, a calendar pre-programmed to 2089, 3 daily alarms, stopwatch, and a countdown timer. Bonus dual-time function tells you the local time as well as your home time. It's backlit, easy to see watchface is water-resistant and housed in a sturdy plastic case. $180



Digital Camera Watch


Casio Wrist Camera
The wearable digital camera watch allows you to record black and white images on your watch, instantly view them, save them and delete the ones you don't want to keep. It features a built-in LCD monochrome screen (120 x 120 dots) capable of displaying 16 grayscales. You use the monitor as a viewfinder when recording images and as a display screen for playback. Its 1MB of built-in memory can store up to 100 images. An Auto Date Stamp feature automatically records the date (year, month, day) and time (hour, minutes). Infrared data transfer function lets you upload images to your computer for editing and archiving, and download them back to the Wrist Camera when you need to take them with you. Basic time keeping includes current time on display, five alarms, timer, and stopwatch. $200



Never Lost Watch


Casio's GPS PATHFINDER
The world's only wristwatch that receives satellite GPS signals for global navigation. Simply press a button and the watch reveals longitude, latitude, heading and distance to a destination, current speed, waypoints, progress between waypoints, and more. You can even store information about your movements in memory for later recall. $500