Over the last few years, smartwatches have become a very popular technology device for manufacturers to start promoting. Startups such as the Pebble and Omate smartwatches have accumulated millions of pounds in development pledges via crowdfunding projects. These devices have captured the imagination of tech enthusiasts and early adopters, offering a glimpse into the future of wearable technology.
Major Players in the Smartwatch Market
Samsung and LG have also unveiled their new smartwatch devices, each bringing unique features and innovations to the table. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch series, for instance, offers robust health tracking features, including heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking, while LG’s smartwatches are known for their sleek design and integration with Google’s Wear OS. Apple is also rumored to be developing a wrist-worn device, which many speculate will be a game-changer in the smartwatch market due to Apple’s history of innovation and large user base.
However, one industrious developer named Jonathan Cook has taken a different approach by creating his very own 3D printed smartwatch in the form of the BLE smartwatch, which is equipped with an Arduino-compatible brain. This DIY approach not only showcases the potential of 3D printing in consumer electronics but also highlights the versatility of Arduino platforms in developing functional and customizable tech gadgets.
The BLE Smartwatch: A Maker’s Dream
The 3D Printed Arduino BLE smartwatch has recently won the Maker Arduino Challenge and will be headed to Maker Faire Rome this Fall. Cook has been developing the BLE watch over the past nine months and has created software that can already integrate with your email provider, Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms. This level of integration is impressive, considering the watch’s DIY origins, and it opens up numerous possibilities for further development and customization.
Cook hopes that the community of developers now interested in the 3D Printed Arduino Smartwatch can help him develop even more functionality into the device. The open-source nature of the project means that anyone with the necessary skills can contribute to its development, potentially adding new features such as advanced health tracking, GPS functionality, or even integration with smart home devices.
The BLE smartwatch is not just a gadget; it’s a platform for innovation. For instance, developers could create custom watch faces, add new sensors, or even develop entirely new applications that leverage the watch’s capabilities. The possibilities are virtually endless, limited only by the imagination and skills of the developer community.
For those interested in learning more about the 3D Printed Arduino Smartwatch, additional information is available on the project’s website. Here, you can find detailed guides on how to build your own BLE smartwatch, as well as forums where you can discuss ideas and get help from other enthusiasts.
In conclusion, while major tech companies continue to push the boundaries of what smartwatches can do, projects like Jonathan Cook’s BLE smartwatch remind us of the power of individual innovation and the potential of open-source technology. As the smartwatch market continues to grow, it will be exciting to see how both commercial and DIY projects evolve, offering users more choices and capabilities than ever before.
Source: Make
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