Sony Ericsson and Fossil join hands on Bluetooth watches
Sony Ericsson MBW 100 and Fossil Abacus Bluetooth watches launched.
 Brace yourselves for Bluetooth- enabled wristwatches. Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications and Fossil Inc. on Thursday (Sept. 28) separately launched these watches to seek a new twist on mobile communications.
Sony Ericsson rolled out its MBW-100 watch, which is equipped with a Bluetooth-enabled chip. The MBW-100 will provide caller ID and other functions within the watch. Callers' names or numbers are displayed on an OLED display beneath the watch face. When calls can't be answered, users can press a key on the watch to send the caller to voice mail, the company said.
This bluetooth watch is designed to serve as a control panel for MP3-based cellphones. The Sony Ericsson MBW-100 lets you control your calls and music from your watch. It also notifies you of the incoming text messages. The watch control also allows the wearer to play, pause and skip to the next track on a phone-based music player. The Sony Ericsson MBW-100 watch will be available during the fourth quarter for $399.
 Fossil separately rolled out its Abacus MobileWear and Caller ID watches that also integrate Bluetooth technology. The watches are similar to those from Sony Ericsson. Fossil is selling its FX6001 watch for $249. It will begin shipping in November, Fossil said.
"Watches are the perfect 'glanceable' display. They are simple to use, fashionable and well accepted," Bill Geiser, Fossil's vice president of watch technology, said in a statement. "The immediate opportunity is for watches to deliver convenient new services."
OEMs have long tried to bring more functions to the simple wristwatch, including a cellphone capability. While others have always questioned the need for a James Bond-like, all-in-one gadget!
Casio, Fossil, Samsung and others have developed cellphone wristwatches, but consumer reaction has been mixed and sales have lagged.
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