SMS Technology shipping the M500 watch phone on August 31st?

We'll admit, there's a few sects who've already crossed SMS Technology's M500 watch phone off as vaporware in its finest form, but apparently, the firm is finally coming through on its most recent declaration. Yep, those wearable phones the company has been promising all this time are finally shipping soon, at least, we think. According to the company, "the final version of the M500 production model has been given full clearance to be supplied with full metal strap bracelets," and it sounds like deliveries should begin within a month. Furthermore, the final production model sports a longer stylus, a battery upgrade, and a few software tweaks including support for POP3 email and IM. Hang tight, the "global retail launch" is slated for September 10th, with the keyword here being "slated."

[Via PMPToday]

[DickHardknocks @ Aug 8th 2007 1:39AM]

Unless you are Jason Bourne or Sam Fisher I don't see an SMS watch being very neccesary since even the cheapest pre-pay cellphones offer SMS.

However...

If they want my money, include a wireless keyboard that I can keep in my pocket, about the size of a small calculator.

Come to think about it, PSP should have a wifi keyboard.

[dream_scape @ Aug 8th 2007 1:50AM]

It's not just for SMS... it's a full-featured phone. I think it looks fantastic, and it's a good way to reduce the number of gadgets to carry in your pockets. I'm considering one, depending on the final price.

[scarlett @ Aug 8th 2007 2:08AM]

he M300 Wrist Phone watch made by brando china,is now banned from ebay for copyright infringment.The M300 was first developed by an Australian Company SMS Technology and was to be released last yr Sept, but because it was not a practical Unit to be sold and shipped worldwide the company no longer wanted to distribute this model.A chinese company made a fake pirated version of this watch and started selling them on there website and ebay.SMS quickly got them removed and banned.I4Unews did a review on the watch I4U News - M300 Wrist Mobile Phone User Review and has now just recently updated there website saying not to purchase the watch because it is a fake pirated copy of the original.New Buyers Beware of this… look and make sure that whomever has purchased this watch,check quality standards and FCC passed and inspected.The new wrist phone M500 from SMS Technology has been now released and being shipped worldwide
http://readyondirectory.com/?x=&Directory=/World/Deutsch/Computer/Internet/Unified_Messaging/SMS_-_Short_Messaging_Service/

http://fallindirectory.com/?x=&Directory=/Society/Issues/Science_and_Technology/Cell_Phones/

I personaly own this watch and it has passed FCC standards and is not a copy or fake.Overall it is more practical with a color touch screen so you can dial numbers alot easier and send sms text messages ,blue tooth headset , MP4 and MP3 technology and only 15mm thick.The Usability and Practicality of the M500 was worth the wait for the improvments over the M300………….Just thought i should let you guys know the M300 wll soon be removed from most retail websites

[Ryan @ Aug 8th 2007 3:39AM]

Call me a sceptic, but how do you have this watch/phone since they haven't even shipped any yet? Do you work for this company? I have a friend that has had dealings with this company directly in Australia and they didn't have very nice things to say about them and their business practices.

[thecolor @ Sep 13th 2007 12:22AM]

OK everyone... http://www.m500.org is up and running with a forum that is not closed (cough cough mymobilewatch). ;) It should help you keep up to date with this awesome product!

Please run through things, sign up for the BB, and let me know how things feel work. I've run many a server in the past and still do, but, strangely enough, I've never run a forum. So, this should be fun. :) Feel free to start things off by adding what we've discussed if you so choose.

If you feel there should be a category in the forum, let me know. There is a contact page that goes to me on the site. :)

Ciao,
~TC

[Larry @ Aug 8th 2007 2:11AM]

I try to post on all these SMS Watch threads, because I was a mark who ordered one a year ago, when they announced a "Christmas Delivery Guaranteed."

Not only did I not receive my watch (which was paid for) but all of my emails went unanswered, save one where they emailed me and asked if I'd like to order a SECOND WATCH for a friend of loved one. Talk about nerve. When I emailed back to say I never got my FIRST watch, I received no response.

I'll believe it when I see it - but it's 13 months and counting for me, $600 lighter.

Again - buyer beware!

[Will @ Aug 8th 2007 6:27AM]

Why did you not take your case to the credit card companies. Sure it was pretty poor behaviour on their part but it sounds like you wouldn't have to be $600 down.

[Dustin Frazier @ Aug 8th 2007 4:04AM]

I don't understand why this is hard to do. There are many phones out there that are thin enough to be a watch. If you removed their keypad, made the screen smaller, and reduced the battery size you could have a watch phone just on existing technology.....almost no R&D needed. I love the idea of a watch phone and I hope someone comes with it soon.

[ScOObyDoo @ Aug 8th 2007 8:14AM]

Meh... Motorola had a WORKING cellphone watch back in 2000, I know because I used it at their CeBit booth. If moto couldn't find a market for it, I doubt some no-name Ozzie company will do much better.

[Juice @ Aug 8th 2007 9:10AM]

People are quick to send tech to the grave. And I understand that. But you all aren't looking at it right. It's a watch with a phone in it. Not a phone that is a watch. C'mon now. A phone, that's a watch, now that's just stupid. :P

Seriously if I were still in my youthfull clubbing days I'd totally use this. First you dont' have to worry about losing/carrying a phone and/or missing calls because the music is too loud(I presume this has vibrate). And it's a total attention grabber/converstaion piece. Maybe on the "nerdy" side but it's all on how you play it off. Also some chicks digg nerds. This could totally be used convienently in certain scenerios. Biking, running, filming. It's not going to replace my main dog but it could come in handy.

Oooorrrr.......

Buy it wear it use it get wrist cancer sue them get money. Which they probably don't have.

[wmw @ Aug 8th 2007 12:07PM]

I'm waiting for a version that supports video calling as well for the full 70s sci-fi experience.

[James @ Aug 8th 2007 4:27PM]

"Come in, Chief Brandon... Chief Brandon, please come in!"

[JohnT @ Aug 14th 2007 5:05AM]

I have the M500, since June. I was one of the first to receive it (initial batch of 100 watches send). I am living in Greece, and the watchphone works very well with Vodafone. The only negative was short battery life (2 days with normal usage), but I think this is fixed now with the improved version.

[thecolor @ Aug 17th 2007 12:28AM]

I just ordered mine, can't wait, although I'll have to at least till 20070831.

I'm really writing though to comment on vibration.

As that would be a nice feature I did not see it mentioned. Can someone comment who has one?

As for likelihood, I'd think probably not... as it would need enough room in the device to allow the weight to spin (the vibrator)... which would make it thicker still.

So, despite not personally having the device yet to say, I'd guess that would be a design feature they probably left out till a silicon chip can vibrate without the assistance of a spinning weight inside the phone (as all vibrating phones currently use).

[JohnT @ Aug 17th 2007 3:22AM]

It has a vibrating feature, in fact with a tiny weight spinning inside the watch.
I have opened the watch (fairly easy - 4 screws only), and it contains the mainboard, 2 sheet antennas that go around the casing (one for phone transmit/receive and one for bluetooth), a small vibrating device, and the controller chip which is covered by a metal housing (I guess for heat reasons).

I have it for 2 months now, and it works fine.

[winston030 @ Sep 4th 2007 8:15AM]

for JohnT,this is my email [e-mail],send me your id of mesenger,i want talk to you about M500,i order this phone,and i wait...urgent

[thecolor @ Sep 13th 2007 12:21AM]

OK everyone... http://www.m500.org is up and running with a forum that is not closed (cough cough mymobilewatch). ;) It should help you keep up to date with this awesome product!

Please run through things, sign up for the BB, and let me know how things feel work. I've run many a server in the past and still do, but, strangely enough, I've never run a forum. So, this should be fun. :) Feel free to start things off by adding what we've discussed if you so choose.

If you feel there should be a category in the forum, let me know. There is a contact page that goes to me on the site. :)

Ciao,
~TC

[thecolor @ Aug 17th 2007 7:09PM]

That is just SWEET to hear!! :) I am so stoked to get it... and like said before, just can't wait! :( Out of curiosity, what other features does the WAP provide beside email/pop3 and mms? (although I never use mms, but email all the time).

Thanks

[Eduardo @ Aug 20th 2007 12:14AM]

Visit our Web: http://perso.wanadoo.es/innovationfortis Here you can buy the mobile watch-phone model M300, M500 and more. Messenger: [e-mail]

[mikey @ Aug 26th 2007 3:59PM]

i have just ordered this from mymobilewatch.com.
Is it a def. we are going to get these? why dont they answer emails?
will it come with metal strap?

in that order please, lol

[Josh @ Aug 28th 2007 2:57AM]

Guys, have you ever think about 1 thing... like.. "Why SMS tech , alway announce their shipping dates on Fridays?"

[thecolor @ Aug 30th 2007 12:14PM]

They have updated their web site with more news and updated photos of the version with the metal band. At least someone is updating their site. I did call them and someone took my order over the phone, so, (If your concerned)... I'd copy their contact info from the web site before they shut off online ordering... in case it goes with.

Otherwise, I anticipate one of three order dates (45 days from the date I ordered it)... the 31st (tomorrow)... or 45 days from the 31st. :) Hopefully the 31st... but we'll see. I keep wanting to call to get more info on whether I'll be notified, etc... but I'm going to try and be patient so not to jinx myself and only call after at least 15 or perhaps 30 days to check if I still have not received it.

When I bought my laser keyboard from i-tech, I waited for 2 1/2 years for that (and purchased it the same way I've purchased this (before it was released). (excluding those early Christmas buyers).

I wish the best for everyone in hopes we've not lost a lot of $$. :(

[thecolor @ Sep 3rd 2007 12:20AM]

You can go to their website www.mymobilewatch.com (that is where it's being sold). I'm from the US and I called to make my order... just 'cause at the time I ordered it, they did not have the metal banded version on their site and that's what I wanted)... so it was more or less a pre-order of which they stated would be shipped on the 31st and (of course) have already billed me for.

Now, I'm simply trying to get the tracking information so I am here when it arrives. I'd REALLY hate for it to go back because I missed it or something! :(

[thecolor @ Sep 4th 2007 11:59PM]

You can view another discussion about this device here:

http://www.intomobile.com/2007/06/14/dick-tracy-is-dying-watch-phone-m300-available-for-300-bucks.html#comment-40517

[thecolor @ Sep 4th 2007 11:59PM]

oh, and I've collected three videos on my blog I located on YouTube about it:

cypher-sec.org

Those videos on Youtube really make me wonder. I mean, it would take some serious time and effort to fake the videos, why would someone go through that trouble?

[theproducer @ Sep 6th 2007 3:13PM]

The Color

Not to worry about your order from SMS Tech arriving.It will.I thought at first i was getting scammed because it took a very very long time for my order to come in.But it finally did,it is a great watch you will enjoy it.It has vibrate, touchscreen and all the other bells and whistles that gadget freaks like myself love.Oh yes and thanx for posting my videos on your website.I will follow up with some more in the days to come.

[Speedzter @ Sep 6th 2007 7:44PM]

Just mailed a little with Alana at sms tech..

Alana:

Shipment is about to commence mid September, We do thank you for your patience with our delay, SMS decided to upgrade all the soft ware on the M500. We are very proud of our product and only want to distribute the best to our customers we look forwards to supplying you with the M500.

As long as you are in the payment received section all will be fine.

Me:

Thank you very much for the quick reply... :D preciate that...
I really like the new look with the metal band.. looks so much better..
but now i have a question... back when it was leather bands the black one definitely looked better... but now the silver is actually better...

So is there anyway you can change my order so i get a silver instead...
If not i can definitely live with the black one... :D

Alana:

Well you can actually have both the black band will be the first distributed and a few weeks behind that will have the metal strap ready. So people who have received the black strap don’t miss out we are going to sell the metal strap on our website so you can actually have both.

Me:

Well does that mean that when i get the watch it will still be with the leather band and later on you can get the metal band... or did i completely miss that one...

Alana:

No that is correct once we have produced the metal band you will be able to purchase it online.


So point is they say it's gonna get ship mid september but still with the leather bands...

[thecolor @ Sep 6th 2007 11:51PM]

thanks for the info As well, Speedzter... that was a similar conversation I had with Alan (although not about the band) just about the shipping. I' excited. Might be kind of bummed, if it's a leather band, as I requested the metal. Hope if I have to buy it separate it's not costly or difficult swap, as I frequently break bands and one of the two reasons I rarely wear a watch (band breaking and battery dead). At least with a rechargeable battery, that should not be an issue. :)

[Speedzter @ Sep 7th 2007 12:03AM]

yeah i was kinda sad reading that it comes with the leather band.. so yeah i hope the metal band is cheap aswell.. :D cause it looks so much better and i doubt it brakes as easy as the leather..

[thecolor @ Sep 6th 2007 11:53PM]

I was told that we should receive them 9-20 (although it's possible words could be inaccurate so, either shipped 9-20 or received 9-20. With the new Fed-EX statement on their site, I'd hope received 9-20. :)

[thecolor @ Sep 6th 2007 11:55PM]

:)

[thecolor @ Sep 7th 2007 4:10PM]

Sadly, it appears the 7 day FEDEX statement has been removed. :(

[Speedzter @ Sep 7th 2007 5:08PM]

Jesus fucking crist.. will this shit ever end.. damn that better not mean that it's gonna be delayed one more time..

[thecolor @ Sep 7th 2007 5:49PM]

:(

[thecolor @ Sep 10th 2007 1:17PM]

updates to the news on mymobilewatch.com have been made, to include:


10-09-2007
USA Distributor Appointed
SMS Technology are please to announce the appointment of Brightpoint INC as the USA distributor for the M500 Cell Watch.

http://www.brightpoint.com/Brightpoint/NorthAmerica/33/English/73/Home/1.html

[thecolor @ Sep 10th 2007 1:19PM]

And they put the fedEx statement back (this time flashing)... so, let's just assume they wanted to make it flashy and it was taken down over the (non-working) weekend to be replaced on Monday. :) Positive thinking? ;)

[thecolor @ Sep 10th 2007 1:22PM]

TPro,

What type of Im services did they install and what type of wap browsing (if at all) does it have?

Can you demonstrate the web surfing and/or im capability?

Thanks,
~TC

[thecolor @ Sep 10th 2007 1:50PM]

I've emailed Alan about the FedEx statment on their site, the lack of the "order Now" button and how this can be if we are suppose to have ours shipped the 20th (10 days fro now).

Understanding it's 0348 in AU, I don't expect her to reply now.... but will post her reply once she does.

~TC

[Speedzter @ Sep 10th 2007 5:13PM]

Thanks for the updates guys.. damn i'm almost begining to see the bright light at the end of the tunnel.. :D

[thecolor @ Sep 10th 2007 5:26PM]

It's 0725AM in AU. :) Should we wake them up! ;)

[Speedzter @ Sep 10th 2007 5:28PM]

yeah lets do that... :D

[thecolor @ Sep 10th 2007 9:58PM]

After my query to Alana at smstech… (requesting info on the 7 day fedex shipping statement on their site)… it seems their IT dept has a mind of their own.

She was unaware they had placed such a sign on their site and will be checking into it and getting back to me.

As for the date, she still states we will receive it around the 20th… (shipping the 15th). She did not mention the 15th earlier to prevent hopes from rising. Understandably so.

Keeping up on the news. :) FYI… I bought m500.org… as I get the pages up and some sort of forum, we can have another place to discuss, dedicated to it if all would like. :)

Ciao,
~TC

[Speedzter @ Sep 10th 2007 10:02PM]

Wow that's great man.. i'm soo looking forward to recieving it.. and i think it's gonna happen now.. cause the m600 is already released in stores in pretty much every country..

But damn it's ugly.. and huge.. 61*43*17,1 mm who the F.. have a 61 mm wrist.. i sure as hell dont.. :P

But for the forum.. that would be great.. count me in as your first member.. :D

[thecolor @ Sep 11th 2007 10:03AM]

I figured that m600 developer was in trouble. (see legal action being taken on mymobilewatches site.)

[thecolor @ Sep 11th 2007 2:53PM]

Ok... at least I was not the only one. I just got the request last night, stating it needed to be done before 72 hours, or the funds would be put back into my account and the order would be canceled. :( Needless to say, I was prompt about replying. :)

[Speedzter @ Sep 11th 2007 3:21PM]

Yeah i had some second thoughts when i recieved that email.. cause hmm why would they need those things.. so spent the next 24 hours deciding if i wanted it or not.. and just thought, what the hell i already payed so why not leave it at that and decided to fax it.. :D afterall now it seems to be paying off.. :D

[thecolor @ Sep 11th 2007 3:28PM]

I sent Alana a PDF of those things requested (after calling her last night concerned.) She said that would be ok, I hope she replies soon (before the 72 hours are up)... to advise as to whether that was or was not. I don't want to have to go through all this again. :( (order, wait, etc.) :(

[Speedzter @ Sep 11th 2007 3:59PM]

yeah lets hope that...
I was think it was kinda weird when i faxed mine in i never heard from them again.. the least they could do was just like send me another e-mail saying they got the fax and everything is okay..

[thecolor @ Sep 11th 2007 4:05PM]

Well, thanking my stars I've got two phone numbers, I just keep bugging them. And... thank the stars for VOIP! :) Costs less than making a rglr phone call and I can do it from my cell.

FYI for those that want to use their home or cell for calling AU... use jajah.com (Unlike Skype or Vonage, you don't need to use their phone or download their software). Not a plug, just nice for instances like these! :)

[thecolor @ Sep 12th 2007 12:07AM]

Well, got my confirmation and "we'll be shipping it soon". ;) Guess we'll see on the 15th. (or the 20th).