Smartwatches like the Apple Watch and Google Pixel Watch are great, but what if you’re the type of person who doesn’t want a smartwatch that looks like everyone else’s?
Maybe you don’t like the idea of being incentivized to upgrade to the latest model every year. Well, the Spectra smartwatch might be the answer.
Pocuter, a startup that has successfully run crowdfunding campaigns for a coin-sized microcomputer and an open-source keychain gaming console, now has its sights set on creating a smartwatch. The Spectra is touted in its Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign as a “hackable smartwatch” made from premium materials, easy to repair, capable of running apps, and allowing you to free up more space to stack more on it more apps.
The first big promise made is that accessing the essential components to repair it will be a breeze. That’s something you can’t say about most consumer smartwatches.
The whole thing will be held together by just seven screws and will require a single screwdriver to access these parts. You will also be able to pick up spare parts to make these repairs and the parts will apparently be reasonably priced.
“Our main goal is to provide a premium user experience to the creator and hacker community,” says Gürkan Dogan, CEO of Pocuter.
In terms of replacement parts, some familiar smartwatch parts will be available. There’s a rotating crown to support scrolling and zooming on everything displayed on a fairly solid 368 x 488 pixel resolution AMOLED screen.
There is an accelerometer and gyroscope motion sensors to open the door to intelligent fitness tracking or even use for gaming. You’ll also get a speaker and microphone, a PPG optical sensor and it’s all housed inside a rectangular aluminum case that certainly gives it the look of Nothing’s CMF Watch Pro.
Unlike most smartwatches, a microSD card slot will be in place to increase storage up to 512GB and performance will be powered by semiconductor company Espressif and one of its ESP32-S3 dual-core SoCs . Added to this are 8 GB of RAM and 32 GB of memory.
Software-wise, it will run on SpectraOS, a proprietary operating system that aims to support the ability to run applications. Added to this will be a live app development platform that interested developers can use and allow them to see the results of coding their smartwatch app in real time.
This isn’t the first hackable smartwatch to emerge in recent years. In 2021 there was the Watchy, a £50/$45 open source smartwatch that featured an eInk display, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and a vibration motor, among other features for those intrigued to play with it.
Going back further, there was Blocks, one of the most funded campaigns on Kickstarter which raised over £1m/$1m for a smartwatch that let you upgrade it simply by inserting new modules to add features such as GPS, heart rate sensor. or a new battery. The startup behind it ultimately ran out of cash and liquidated its assets in 2019, leaving behind many disgruntled backers and investors.
Mike Sawh
Mike Sawh
Mike Sawh
The Spectra seems more watchful than Blocks, although it’s clear that Pocuter wants to make sure its smartwatch still has the feel of a modern smartwatch, especially with the inclusion of that AMOLED display and its metal case. aluminum. Putting money aside, the Spectra really must evoke the same kind of developer community spirit and buzz that the Pebble smartwatch did many years ago before it was purchased by Fitbit.
Like all crowdfunding campaigns, you always take the risk of whether the device will be delayed or, even worse, never ship at all. Taking a look at Pocuter’s previous campaigns, its small PocketStar gaming console has exceeded its crowdfunding goal on Kickstarter, although a similar campaign on Indiegogo has been suspended and is marked as “currently in progress”. ‘exam “.
I reached out to see what happened and Pocuter chose to use Kickstarter instead despite no Indiegogo backers being charged. This was due to be delivered in April 2023 and has since shipped. Its coin-sized microcomputer Pocuter One also surpassed its funding goal on Kickstarter and was also shipped. This was originally scheduled to be delivered in 2021.
Judging by its previous campaigns, there’s probably a good chance Spectra will hit its $30,000 goal. You’ll have to fork out $199 (around £166/$217) to get one at the pre-registration price. It’s estimated to ship in May 2025, which isn’t really that far away.
According to Pocuter’s campaign page, this is its largest and most complex project so far. With Pebble long gone and swallowed up by Fitbit now seemingly experiencing something similar at Google, there appears to be room for another smartwatch for the creative hacker community.
Will Spectra be the one to do it? I’m certainly intrigued to see if it’s possible.
