Talk the Toq

Qualcomm wearable technology

By Anca Gagiuc on Dec 10, 2013 in Technology

Qualcomm introduced its Toq Smartwatch to the marketplace on Dec. 2. The wearable computing device is available in limited edition to US customers, directly from Qualcomm’s website.

Toq is considered an experiment and should be regarded as such. It doesn’t want to (nor can it) replace flashy smartphones, but comes to play as a peripheral device meant to work as an extension of the smartphone (Android-only, for now). It covers the standard commands for a smartwatch such as alerts, SMS replies with canned responses, Bluetooth headset compatibility, and a few bite-sized apps like Accuweather and Etrade. Third-party developers will be allowed by Qualcomm to build applets for the little gizmo; they will be able to use AllJoyn, another Qualcomm technology designed to let phones and watches communicate directly with each other.

With a 3.2oz weight, a wrist band that ranges is size from 6 to 8.7 inches, and a display size of 1.55in, Toq throws in the Mirasol display technology, a combination of a full color screen with low power consumption (IMOD – Interferometric Modulation). 222ppi and a button-less display that has touch screen capacities, the device goes through multiple days between charges (3 to 5) and when the time comes to refill the battery (placed in the clasp of the watch band), it uses the Qualcomm® Charging Technology WiPower™ LE – Magnetic Resonance Charging – the device starts charging as soon as you drop it on the wireless charging dock. To aid battery life, the smartwatch is powered not by a high-end Snapdragon chip, but a 200MHz Cortex M3 processor.

Mirasol, a direct competitor of e-ink, is based on MEMS (microelectromechanical systems), to produce the IMOD effect. This effect creates colors in a different way than LCDS or OLEDS – an air pocket between a coated glass on top and reflective membranes on bottom creates colors depending on the type of electrical charge applied to the pixel.

“The Toq smartwatch showcases key Qualcomm innovations, such as Mirasol always on low power display, AllJoyn interactions and WiPower LE wireless charging, that will define the emerging wearable category,” said in a press release Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, chairman and chief executive officer of Qualcomm. “Like a traditional watch, Toq displays information at a glance with no on/off switch. And paired with a smartphone to receive notifications and content, it allows the watch to seamlessly merge our physical and digital lives.  Leveraging these and other industry-leading technologies, we and our partners will enable new product opportunities and consumer experiences.”

Toq is proof of concept, an idea that asked to be materialized; a way to show off IMOD and MEMS technology, combined beautifully with advanced wireless charging technology and fantastic use of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Behind it can stand a challenge or a business deal, or both. Perhaps someday we’ll know, until then, Qualcomm’s Toq wins the smartwatch of 2013, both in functionality and in design and its selling price is $350.

Are you wearing a smartwatch yet?