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Ryan Rabea
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Today Casio announced its first ever Android Wear smartwatch, the Casio Smart Outdoor Watch (WSD-F10). This is a ruggedized, long-lasting smartwatch guaranteed to excite the outdoorsman inside of you.
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Since this is an Android Wear smartwatch, you will see all the same features we’ve come to expect from the multitude of devices part of Google’s wearable platform. To make its watch stand out, however, Casio is throwing in a few upgrades to try and sweeten the experience. The Outdoor Watch comes encased in a rugged design which is built to military standards. Not only is it military grade, but it is also waterproof up to 50 meters. This is much more than the IP67 rating seen across most Android Wear devices.
One of the most unique aspects of this smartwatch has to be the design of its screen. Casio’s 1.32-inch screen will have a flat tire design, just like the Moto 360, with resolution coming in at 300X320. What makes this display unique, though, is that it features a dual layered monochrome and LCD design. You can choose to activate the color display and have the usual Android Wear experience, or you can go colorless and switch on monochromatic mode. This monochromatic mode displays traditional watch information, exclusively, enabling the watch to last an entire month on a single charge.
If you are interested in picking this smartwatch for your next adventure, Casio will be releasing the Smart Outdoor Watch (WSD-F10) in April for $500.
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LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Casio America, Inc. announced today that it will release the WSD-F10 Smart Outdoor Watch, an Android Wear wrist device with water resistance to 50 meters and built to military standard specifications.*1
Casio has been developing watches since the 1970s, and later developed PDAs and cellular phones from the 1990s into the 2000s. Leveraging its technology and experience with both watches and information devices, Casio continues to develop wrist devices that deliver true value to users in new ways.
The new WSD-F10 wrist device is optimal for the outdoors, boasting water resistance for use in rain and around water, and is tested to military standard specifications to ensure it can withstand a variety of rugged activities. Incorporating Casio’s tough performance and sensor technologies, the WSD-F10 delivers a polished experience as a wearable information device.
The WSD-F10 offers a wealth of useful original Casio applications for outdoor activities such as trekking, cycling, and fishing. Among these are dedicated apps designed to measure changes in the natural environment and track activity levels. The device is powered by Android Wear, and users can also load their own apps to expand the feature set for diverse outdoor activities.
The watch face features a dual layer display with monochrome and color LCDs. Users can display measurement data and apps in color, or they can extend the device’s life to more than one month by selecting to a Timepiece Mode that displays only watch data in monochrome.
The WSD-F10 also offers the ultimate in ease of use as an everyday watch, making the most of Casio’s years of experience in the timepiece business. The operating buttons are large and feature a slip-free finish so they can easily be operated with gloves on, and they are concentrated on the right side of the case. The wristband is made from soft urethane plastic that conforms to the wrist and can be comfortably worn for extended periods.
MAIN FEATURES OF THE WSD-F10
Toughness for the outdoors
- Water resistant to 50 meters
Water resistant to 50 meters, but still equipped with an audio mic, for everyday use as well as in rain and around water.
- Built to military standard specifications
Tested to United States military standard MIL-STD-810 issued by the U.S. Department of Defense to perform in the rugged outdoors. Meets testing requirements under various environmental conditions including shock and vibration.
Range of sensors to measure changes in the natural environment and track activity levels
The WSD-F10 comes with dedicated applications*2 that measure and display essential information for outdoor activities and sports using a pressure sensor, compass, and accelerometer. The upper right TOOL button brings up information such as compass direction, air pressure and altitude, sunrise and sunset times, tide graphs, and activity graphs—providing real-time information about changes in the natural environment and activity levels.
The watch also links to the Casio Moment Setter+ smartphone app to give timing and opportunities*3 for activities such as trekking, cycling, and fishing. Users can configure the app to automatically send the needed information based on previously set conditions such as speed, distance, time of sunrise, break timing, or when fish tend to be most active.
Powered by Android Wear, comes with diverse apps for enjoying the outdoors*4
- ViewRanger GPS app for trekking*3
ViewRanger is a GPS app for outdoor adventurers providing route information, navigation guidance, altitude graphs, location data and distance to next waypoint all at a glance.
http://www.viewranger.com/
- Runkeeper fitness app*3
Runkeeper is a mobile running and cycling app that has helped almost 50 million people get out the door. Tracks and records routes for running, cycling, walking or trekking.
https://runkeeper.com/
- MyRadar weather app*3
MyRadar is a very popular weather app, downloaded by 17 million people. Real time updates showing rain and snow near user’s current location. Users can check forecasts quickly and easily.
http://myradar.acmeaom.com/
Also supports other apps and services from Google*2 including Gmail, Google voice search, Google Maps, Google Fit, and weather forecasts.
Power-conserving Timepiece Mode
The watch face features a dual layer display with monochrome and color LCDs. When not using apps, a power-conserving Timepiece Mode toggles off smartphone communication and the color LCD, displaying only time data in monochrome. Timepiece Mode is useful when spending long periods in the outdoors such as overnight trekking or when using the watch for regular timekeeping.
Original watch faces*2
Choose from different watch faces for outdoors or everyday use.
WSD-F10 Official Website:
http://wsd.casio.com/us/en/
Main Specifications of the WSD-F10
Water Resistance
50 meters
Environmental Durability
MIL-STD-810 (United States military standard issued by the U.S. Department of Defense)*5
Display
1.32-inch dual layer display
Color TFT LCD and monochrome LCD
Color: 320×300 pixels
Touchscreen
Capacitive touchscreen
Sensors
Pressure (air pressure, altitude) sensor, accelerometer, gyrometer, compass (magnetic) sensor
Microphone
–
Vibrator
–
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth® V4.1 (Low Energy)
Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n)
Buttons
TOOL button, Power button, APP button
Battery
Lithium-ion battery
Charging Method
Magnetic charging terminal
Recharging Time
Approx. 2 hours at room temperature
Battery Life
In normal use: more than 1 day, roughly (varies according to use)
Timepiece Mode (timekeeping only): more than 1 month, roughly (varies according to use)
Water Resistance
50 meters
Environmental Durability
MIL-STD-810 (United States military standard issued by the U.S. Department of Defense)*5
Size of Case
Approx. 61.7mm×56.4mm×15.7mm (H×W×D)
Weight
Approx. 93g (including watchband)
OS
Android Wear
Operating
Environment
Use of the device requires a smartphone with the following specifications.
Android™
Smartphone with Android™ 4.3 or later.
iOS*3
One of the following models with iOS 8.2 or later:
iPhone 5 or later
–Shock: Tested to meet MIL-STD-810G Method 516.7 Procedure IV. –Vibration: Tested to meet MIL-STD-810G Method 514.7 Procedure I. –Humidity: Tested to meet MIL-STD-810G Method 507.6 Procedure II. –Solar radiation: Tested to meet MIL-STD-810G Method 505.6 Procedure II. –Low pressure transport: Tested to meet MIL-STD-810G Method 500.6 Procedure I. –Low pressure operation: Tested to meet MIL-STD-810G Method 500.6 Procedure II. – High temperature transport: Tested to meet MIL-STD-810G Method 501.6 Procedure I. –Low temperature transport: Tested to meet MIL-STD-810G Method 502.6 Procedure I. –Temperature shock: Tested to meet MIL-STD-810G Method 503.6 Procedure I-C. –Ice accretion: Tested to meet MIL-STD-810G Method 521.4 Procedure I.
(The device has been tested to perform under test conditions, and is not guaranteed to operate under all conditions in actual use. Not guaranteed against damage or accidents.)
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