The Open SmartWatch Project allows users that are advanced developers to access the wearable computing’s hardware with the intention to build and flash alternative firmware via the device’s open source platform.
Currently, the Android-powered gadget has a 128 x 128-pixel touch screen with Bluetooth connectivity (among a few other tricks) and access to apps via Google Play.
Opening up the SmartWatch to the “developer community” is intended to push the boundaries of the capabilities of Sony’s offering in the current smartwatch market.
As previously reported by Jeweller, Sony released its smartwatch in May 2012 and users have, for a while, been able to create apps for the device. Up until now, however, the company has not provided access to the gadget's technical details and instructions.
“If you create alternative firmware for SmartWatch, you can take control of SmartWatch as a hardware peripheral in new ways and create new experimental use cases and innovations,” Sony wrote on its website.
The company does warn though that, “by flashing alternative firmware to SmartWatch it will no longer work as intended, ” and users, “will no longer be able to use SmartConnect or any compatible SmartWatch app available on Google Play.”
With its current firmware, the gadget wirelessly pairs with a smartphone and provides access to functions like Twitter, email, music and weather.
The news follows recent comments made by Apple CEO Tim Cook that left industry experts convinced that an Apple smartwatch was in the pipeline.
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