Neptune Pine smartwatch excites, but only in theory

Posted: Fri, 01 Feb 2013 22:27:59 GMT

A conceptual image of the Neptune Pine smartwatch.

(Credit: Neptune Computer)

Run a Google search for smartwatch, and you'll find quite a few choices out there. But many of these watches fall flat of actually delivering what a real geek wants: a timepiece with sexy specifications, a cool (and actually usable) interface, and total independence from a smartphone.

Neptune Computer -- a startup based in Montreal -- is looking to deliver a smartwatch called Pine that could fulfill those geeky needs. Before you get too excited, though, note that some hurdles stand in the way.

Neptune wants to bring a wide-screen experience to smartwatches.

(Credit: Neptune Computer)

The proposed specifications for the 1GHz Neptune Pine currently include an ARM Cortex-A9, the Leaf OS (a modified version of Android), and a micro-SIM slot that basically turns the device into a miniature 3G smartphone that can make calls, and handle SMS and other functions.