Skip to Main Content
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

Modular 'Blocks' Smartwatch Rakes in the Kickstarter Cash

Forget software updates. To add new features to the Blocks modular smartwatch, you snap in special modules.

By Stephanie Mlot
October 13, 2015
Blocks modular smartwatch

From Acer to Google, a number of big firms are experimenting with modular tech. But the latest is a London-based start-up that recently secured $250,000 on Kickstarter to build a modular smartwatch.

The core Blocks watchface includes traditional smartwatch functionality (phone notifications, activity tracking, voice control, color touch screen, haptic feedback). To add other features, you snap in special modules, the first of which will add heart rate monitoring, GPS support, NFC support, an extra battery, or an adventure mode that measures altitude, pressure, and temperature.

New modules will be released on a rolling basis; the company has plans for fingerprint, LED, air quality, camera, flash memory, and stress level modules. Plus, as an open platform, developers can create more modules, too.

"We're done with compromise. We're over one-size-fits-all," the Kickstarter page said. "We want you to have the power to build a device that's truly yours."

The watch, which we first saw at CES, runs a Snapdragon 400 chip and 512MB of RAM. There's 4GB of storage, a 400 mAh battery, and support for Bluetooth 4.1 BLE and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n. The round, 1.35-inch touch screen has a 360-by-360 resolution, and there's an accelerometer and microphone.

If you're just looking to try out the latest smartwatch technology, a pledge of $195 earns you the Blocks core (watchface) and a generic strap. To add four modules of your choice, it'll cost $275 or $285 (the cheaper early-bird options are sold out).

Still up for grabs are the high-roller rewards, including a "friends and family" pack of five Blocks watches—with added modules ($1,350); the "distributor pack" of 10 devices ($2,650), and the "mega pack," chock full of 30 full Blocks ($7,800).

The device will work with devices running iOS 8+ and iPhone 4s and up, as well as Android 4.0 and above. Windows Phone functionality is under development, too. Blocks, however, said the device can work without a smartphone, and a SIM card module will arrive "in due course."

Early backers can expect their personalized smartwatch in May. The company will contact supporters later for a choice of color—black, white, or red—and preferred modules.

Get Our Best Stories!

Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning.

This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.


Thanks for signing up!

Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!

Sign up for other newsletters

TRENDING

About Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

Stephanie Mlot

B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)

Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)

Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

Read Stephanie's full bio

Read the latest from Stephanie Mlot