Ask a Geek: Phillip Torrone

Q: Are there any cool hacks for SPOT watches?

by Alex Nabaum: Photo by Alex Nabaum

You bet. But first, a primer: Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT) is a service from Microsoft that uses FM radio waves to send personalized text feeds-including news, stock quotes, weather, movie listings, appointments and instant messages-to SPOT-enabled wristwatches. A number of models are available from Suunto, Swatch, Tissot and others (see spotstop.com for a full list).

I've had a SPOT watch (two, actually, plus one for my wife) since their debut in 2004, and I love it. My only complaint is that the data channels are limited to what Microsoft serves-SPOT is a closed system, so home-brew techies can't make their own feeds.

But you can see when you have new Gmail messages and even read e-mail and RSS feeds by downloading applications that fool the watch into thinking it's getting instant messages. One word of caution: The MSN service for SPOT limits you to 100 messages a month, and if you go over, it simply stops delivering them. Here are the best apps:

0 Comments

Popular Tags

Regular Features

POPSCI'S 21ST ANNUAL BEST OF WHAT'S NEW


Every year, PopSci honors the top 100 innovations in categories such as consumer products, medical tech and engineering.

Learn more and submit your product or technology today at popsci.com/enter.

Share your photos in the Pop Sci pool at www.flickr.com!
Current theme: Science Close Up

PPX: The PopSci Predictions Exchange

RSS Link

New IPO

  • NASA Launches Mission

    Will NASA successfully launch STS-125, the Hubble servicing mission, by the end of October?

Hot Stocks

Ready to bet on the future? Start here!

Subscribe for 2 free issues!

may2008_cover.jpg