Timex Datalink or Timex Data Link is a line of early smartwatches manufactured by Timex and is considered a wristwatch computer.[1] It is the first watch capable of downloading information wirelessly from a computer.[2] As the name implies, datalink watches are capable of data transfer through linking with a computer.[3] The Datalink line was introduced in 1994 and it was co-developed with Microsoft as a wearable alternative to mainstream PDAs with additional attributes such as water resistance, that PDAs lacked, and easy programmability.[4] The watch was demonstrated by Bill Gates on 21 June 1994 in a presentation where he downloaded information from a computer monitor using bars of light and then showed to the audience the downloaded appointments and other data.[5] The early models included models 50, 70, 150 and model 150s (small size).[4] The model numbers indicated the approximate number of phone numbers that could be stored in the watch memory.[6] These early models were, at the time of their introduction, the only watches to bear the Microsoft logo. The watches have been certified by NASA for space travel and have been used by astronauts and cosmonauts in space missions. There had been an evolution over the years as to the number and type of entries that can be stored in the various watch models as well as the mode of data transfer between computer and watch. At the time of its introduction the watch was considered high-tech.[7]
There is also the Timex Beepwear Datalink series, featuring wearable pagers using the Timex datalink platform which also function as electronic organisers.[3][8][9][10][11]
Wireless data transfer mode
Although there are other watches capable of storing all kinds of data, most had either a small keyboard[12] or buttons,[13] which could be used to input data. In most cases data was lost when the battery expired. Upon introduction of the Timex Datalink models, "data watches" such as those from Casio were noted as selling for "between a third and a half the price" of such models, but the "fiddly little buttons" (having to be pressed repeatedly to select letters from the alphabet) were regarded as less convenient and largely only appealing to those used to "doing things the hard way". The Datalink models also offered water resistance to a depth of 100 metres, Timex's Indiglo backlighting, and "the build quality that helped make Timex a household name", although this robustness was reported as making the product more like "the kind of "chunky, clunky watches that divers prefer", being around one-and-a-half inches in diameter and standing "over half an inch proud of the wrist".
The Timex Datalink watches downloaded data wirelessly by illuminating a computer screen with a changing display encoding information to transfer, which was detected by the watch's sensor.[4][14]
Earlier models of the Datalink series
The earlier models were the Datalink 50, Datalink 70, Datalink 150 and Datalink 150s, where the "s" was for small and it was intended to be a lady's watch.[4] The 150 and 150s models are essentially the same, except that the 150s, having a smaller display, has different display addresses from the 150, and thus it needs its own programming code.
The programming code is provided in the Timex Datalink software v 2.1 for all models. These watches were programmed using the same software and computer GUI. To download the settings to these early models, the user was prompted to choose the relevant watch model number.
The menu choices were the same for all models. The only differences were the amount of available memory in the watches, and the quantity of phone numbers, appointments, lists etc. which could be downloaded to each model.[22]
At the time of their introduction, these watches were known as "PIM" watches, i.e. personal information managers.[23] Bill Gates was known as an owner of one,[23]
Ironman Triathlon Datalink
The earlier models included many PDA-type functions such as anniversaries, appointments and phone directory, but did not have functions such as stopwatch and countdown timer. They had five alarms.[27]
To add functionality, in 1997 Timex introduced the Ironman Triathlon Datalink series with features of the Ironman series, such as a choice of timers, multi-lap stopwatches, and customisable display appearance. The number of alarms increased to 10 in the new series. Messages could be displayed during an alarm, and they could be downloaded to the watch or input manually through scrolling characters, activated by two forward/reverse buttons.[28]
The new features came at the expense of some older ones. For example, the "Anniversary" and "Appointment" modes of the previous Datalink models were no longer available, and the number of phone entries for the Ironman Datalink was reduced to 38, from a maximum of 150 of the older Datalink model 150.[27][28]
Notebook adapter
With the advent of portable computers which use active matrix LCD screens which did not refresh like CRT monitors and therefore could not be used for data transfer, in 1997, Timex introduced a notebook adapter that incorporated a red LED and connected with the laptop through the serial port. During download, the LED flashed and the flashing programmed the watch much like the horizontal bars of the CRT.
For systems without a serial port, a USB to serial adapter can be used to connect the Timex adapter to a USB port. Alternatively, DIY Notebook Adapter emulators can be used with the original and third-party software, like timex-datalink-arduino.
Timex Datalink USB
The Datalink USB was introduced in 2003. It included the Timex Ironman Datalink USB (sport edition) and the Timex Datalink USB (dress edition) models. Apart from their external appearance, and the fact that the sport edition is water-resistant to 100 metres, while the dress edition is water resistant to 30 metres, the two models had identical specifications.
Although initially a mild disappointment for the wireless datalink purists, it gained widespread acceptance, because, although now tethered to the computer through the USB port during data transfer, the new watch featured greatly improved data transfer rates, greatly increased memory capacity and many additional and customizable modes of operation, as well as two way communication between the watch and computer.
Its modes are user customizable, with hundreds of phone numbers, alarms and timer settings.[29] It also features three time zones, each of which can be chosen as the primary time display with the press of a button.[30] The Datalink USB also introduced data protection through the use of a user generated password,[31] a feature that the earlier models did not offer.[28]
Space
Timex Datalink is flight certified by NASA for space missions and is one of four watches qualified by NASA for space travel.[34][35] The various Datalink models are used both by cosmonauts and astronauts. For instance during Expedition 1 the crew log for January mentions: "We have been working with the Timex software. Many thanks to the folks who got this up to us. It seems we each have a different version of the datalink watch, and of course, the software is different with each. Yuri and Sergei are able to load up a day's worth of alarms, but Shep has the Datalink 150, and this has a 5 alarm limit. So 2/3 of the crew are now happy. All this is a pretty good argument for training like you are going to fly-we should have caught this one ourselves in our training work on the ground.[36]" In another part of the January log it is mentioned: Missed a whole comm. pass over White Sands. We need to get the timex watches working so we don't overlook these calls. while in another segment of the same log: As 5A is now delayed, we would like to request the "timex" watch software if it is available on the ground-a file that can be uplinked to us. This will help us manage our day as we can load comm. passes into the watches. and from the February and March crew log of Expedition 1:
We copy the request from Houston on the timex watches. We will keep using the ones we have onboard-there are some workarounds we can apply that will help the limited "alarm" situation.
Cult and popular culture
Due to its unique features and long tradition, many websites are dedicated to the programming of the watch.
The early Datalink 50/150 models received a tongue in cheek "[dis]honorable" mention in PC World's "25 Worst Tech Products of All Time" list in 2006 and were inducted in "the high tech hall of shame", with the rationale that "It looked like a Casio on steroids" and "To download data to it, you held it in front of your CRT monitor while the monitor displayed a pattern of flashing black-and-white stripes (which, incidentally, also turned you into the Manchurian Candidate)", referring to the earlier, flashing CRT method of data transfer, adding that "Depending on your point of view, it was either seriously cool or deeply disturbing".[38]
Timex Datalink watches are referred to as "classics" and as "worn by astronauts to the moon" in Jeffery Deaver's crime thriller novel The Burning Wire.[39]
They are also featured at the online exhibit of the National Museum of American History.[40]
Awards
- Popular Science's Best of What's New Award (1995) (Watch award).[4]
- Design and Engineering Award from Popular Mechanics (1995) (Watch award).[4][19]
- Innovations '97 awards (Awarded to both the Data Link Notebook Adapter and the Timex Data Link 150S watch).[4]
- Byte Magazine Best of Comdex award.
- R&D Magazine Top 100 Products.
- Windows Magazine Outstanding Technology Award.
Timex Beepwear Datalink
The Timex Beepwear Datalink series features wearable pagers, using the Timex datalink platform. These watches also function as electronic organisers.[3][8][9][10][11][41] The Beepware series is patented and was the product of a joint Timex-Motorola effort which resulted in a new company called Beepwear Paging Products.[42][43]
External links
References
- Lyle M. Spencer. Reengineering Human Resources: Achieving Radical Increases in Service Quality--with 50% to 90% Cost and Head Count Reductions Wiley, 30 August 1995, retrieved 18 November 2012^
- Richard B. McKenzie. Trust on Trial: How the Microsoft Case Is Reforming the Rules of Competition Basic Books, 11 April 2001, retrieved 18 November 2012^
- David W. Conklin. Cases in the Environment of Business: International Perspectives