Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 10, 2026

IBM WatchPad

The IBM WatchPad was a line of earlier smartwatch prototypes, produced in 2000-2002.

Last revised
Jun 10, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
386 w
Citations
12
Source
Wikipedia ↗
IBM WatchPad
WatchPad 1.5
TypeSmartwatch
ReleasedJune 2000 (2000-06)
Discontinued2002 (2002)
CPUARM V7
Memory8 MB
Display320×240 STN Monochrome
Websitetrl.ibm.com/projects/ngm at the Wayback Machine (archived 2002-06-09)

The IBM WatchPad was a line of earlier smartwatch prototypes, produced in 2000-2002.12345

Overview

In June 2000, IBM displayed a prototype for a wristwatch that ran Linux. The original version had only 6 hours of battery life, which was later extended to 12.6 It featured 8 MB of RAM and ran Linux 2.2.7 The device was later upgraded with an accelerometer, vibrating mechanism, and fingerprint sensor. IBM began to collaborate with Citizen Watch Co. to create the "WatchPad". The WatchPad 1.5 features a 320 × 240 QVGA monochrome touch sensitive display and runs Linux 2.4.89 It also features calendar software, Bluetooth, 8 MB of RAM and 16 MB of flash memory.1011 Citizen was hoping to market the watch to students and businessmen, with a retail price of around $399.11

Models

  • IBM WatchPad (2000)
  • IBM WatchPad 1.5 (2001)
See also

See also

References

References

  1. "From IBM to Microsoft - A Brief History of The Smartwatch". International Business Times UK. 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  2. "Les smartwatch avant l'Apple Watch - Page 11 sur 21". Tom’s Hardware : actualités matériels et jeux vidéo (in French). 2015-02-20. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  3. "The Smartwatches That Paved The Way". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  4. "IBM, Citizen update WatchPad wearable computer - PC World Australia". www.pcworld.idg.com.au. Archived from the original on 2021-12-18. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  5. "Apple Watch and beyond: The strange history of smartwatches, in pictures". ZDNet. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  6. Shankland, Stephen (23 March 2001). "IBM clocks in with new Linux watch". Cnet.com. Archived from the original on 17 June 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  7. "Linux on a Wrist Watch". IBM. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  8. "WatchPad 1.5". IBM. Archived from the original on 5 December 2001. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  9. grc15r (20 June 2010). "WatchPad 1.5". YouTube. Archived from the original on 25 November 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. Kanellos, Michael (11 October 2001). "Linux watch: Only time will tell". Cnet.com. Archived from the original on 17 June 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  11. Miyake, Kuriko (11 October 2001). "Is That a PC on Your Wrist?". PC World. Archived from the original on 24 September 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
External links