Kickstarter Tech Project of the Week: Omate TrueSmart

Project name: Omate TrueSmart: Water-resistant standalone Smartwatch 2.0
Category: Design
Goal: $100,000
Currently funded: $581,071
Deadline for pledging: September 20, 2013

It seems like everything is getting "smart" these days and the wristwatch is no exception. Top tech companies—most recently, Samsung and Qualcomm—are unleashing smartwatches in droves, but all rely on companion devices. Until now that is. The Omate TrueSmart bills itself as a truly standalone water-resistant smartwatch that works independently from (and with!) all smartphones.

The watch promises to support voice calling, text messaging, social media platforms, GPS navigation, gesture control, voice-to-text, fitness apps, and anything else you can access in the Google Play store. It is powered by a 1.3GHz dual-core processor and runs Android 4.2. It has a 1.54-inch multi-touch display along with an embedded 5MP camera, a speaker, and a microphone. And while wearable technology is generally not particularly sexy, Omate takes pride in design being "a mindset, not a department."

Omate does not need your help bringing the TrueSmart to fruition as it's already exceeded its goal fivefold, but you can join the other 2,500 backers and pledge support to get your hands on a unit. For $199 you'll receive a TrueSmart with an estimated delivery date this November. Tack on $30 and you can add a personalized message on the back of the watch (up to 12 characters). Better still, the project creators set and surpassed a stretch goal of $500,000; the extra funds mean each watch shipped will be upgraded to scratch-proof sapphire crystal glass.

The question remains, do we really need another smartwatch?

Watch the project video below for more details, and to see an adorably tiny kitten make an appearance at 1:18.

Interested in backing other cool tech projects? Check out the PIP—The Pet Recognition Project, which uses facial recognition to find missing pets, and the Microfactory, a machine shop in a box.