Rating: 
Summary: I just hope it's not another flash in the pan
Review: This is a wonderful product. I love all the features, and it actually is a useful tool. BUT, it's not the first time this idea has been introduced. SEIKO had the same watch available about 6 years ago, every thing was about the same, capability, cost of watch and cost of service. I bought 3 to the tune of about $800 dollars, plus the connection fees about another $120,
with taxes I was into them for about a grand.
Within 6 months SEIKO discontinued the service and the watches became really expensive $30 dollar watches. SEIKO returned approximately $35 dollars a watch, and if I wanted that I had to sign a release. SO this time 1 watch, and I will wait and see if it flies.
Rating:
Summary: Good product. - Thick
Review: This is an awesome watch. Forget the naysayers. Just buy it.
Rating:
Summary: A pretty "smart" watch
Review: This watch is part of the first wave of Microsoft's Smart Personal Object Technology (SPOT) devices. Buying this watch is also buying into Microsoft's new MSN Direct service launched just last week (without it, this watch would really just be an expensive digital sports watch). I'll comment on both (briefly):The watch sports an oversized face, providing ample real estate for delivery of information through its digital display. It is styled in much the same way as many of Suunto's other sports watches, though because it has fewer features that those other models, it also has a 'cleaner' design. The face is covered by a mineral crystal (which, as watch aficionados know, is far from scratchproof) and ringed by a gold-toned bezel which, according to Suunto, also doubles as the antenna. The watch has all the standard digital watch features (e.g., time, chronograph, date, etc.), but because it is made to connect to the MSN Direct service, it doesn't need to be set manually (more on that later). The watch is clearly made for sports, with 330m of water resistance and a rubber strap. It looks like it could withstand quite a beating (though I haven't tried to test that theory). While oversized watches are currently 'in', one con for the watch has to be its size. It is fairly thick, somewhat heavy, and certainly bulky. For those that wear suits or dress clothes, don't get rid of your dress watch just yet -- and for those with small wrists, you're going to look (and feel) like you're walking around with an egg strapped to your wrist. The thing that really sets this watch apart from traditional digital watches is the MSN Direct service. MSN Direct uses the FM broadcast spectrum to send data to your watch. The data sent to your watch can be customized via the Internet, so that you can really custom your watch experience. The data includes various 'faces' for the watch, weather, stocks, news, etc. There is also supposed to be a sports channel, but it is not yet available as of this writing. You can choose to display the information you want to see or you can set the watch the present a 'slide show' of sorts, with information changing from one channel to the next. Unfortunately, the watch information updates itself ever so often, so you can't really get information on demand. However, for most purposes, this is really sufficient. You can also receive messages via MSN Messenger, allowing the device to act as a word pager. What's the catch? Well, in order to receive any information, you have to subscribe to the MSN Direct service by paying $9.95 per month or $59 per year (on top of the $299+ that you paid for the watch). As with any first generation device, most people who will buy this device will be the early adopters, and while it's a fairly neat device, it's not for everyone. As a digital watch, it's decent, but a bit bulky and some may be turned off by its size and price. As an information device, it's definitely very cool, though the fact that you cannot receive sports information will probably cause those looking to replace their sports pagers to pass on the device. As the devices and services evolve, we may see watches that are slimmer and/or more stylish, and we may also see more information services offered through MSN Direct -- those are reasons that those with patience (or those that lack gadget envy) may want to pass on the device. For all others looking to impress their friends with the coolest new gear in town, this is probably what you're looking for. Don't forget that there are other SPOT watches available by Abacus and Fossil. If you don't like the size or sportiness of the Suunto model (or if you're frightened by the price), you may want to check out those models as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Cool product which might not survive
Review: While an interesting idea, so far I can only recommend this gadget for junkies only. Plainly put, it's really just not ready for the 'average joe' consumer yet, for a couple of reasons. Most obviously is the cost. For what ammounts to a really high end pager, it's a really expensive piece at close to three-hundred bucks. However, if you have the money to spend and want a "new toy" the 'n3' does have two glaring advantages over it's Fossil counter-parts. First (and most obviously, in my opinion) it's waterproof. Although I'm certainly not an expert, I'd imagine a watch that's completely electronic would have a real weakness to the elements. Suunto (designer of various diving and hiking watching) seems to have taken as many precautions as possible to make the watch impervious to weather. It's second advantage is building the watch's antenna around the face. In each of the Fossil alternatives, the antenna is built into the watch band, making the band almost indespensable (not to mention easily breakable). So if you're in the market, amoung the handful of available products out there, Suunto's n3 is clearly WAY ahead of the curve. Hopefully the more SPOT watches catch on, the lower the price will go. As it is now though, between the watch and the subscription costs, it really is FAR too expensive to qualify as a must own.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Technology ...
Review: While an interesting idea, so far I can only recommend this gadget for junkies only. Plainly put, it's really just not ready for the 'average joe' consumer yet, for a couple of reasons. Most obviously is the cost. For what ammounts to a really high end pager, it's a really expensive piece at close to three-hundred bucks. However, if you have the money to spend and want a "new toy" the 'n3' does have two glaring advantages over it's Fossil counter-parts. First (and most obviously, in my opinion) it's waterproof. Although I'm certainly not an expert, I'd imagine a watch that's completely electronic would have a real weakness to the elements. Suunto (designer of various diving and hiking watching) seems to have taken as many precautions as possible to make the watch impervious to weather. It's second advantage is building the watch's antenna around the face. In each of the Fossil alternatives, the antenna is built into the watch band, making the band almost indespensable (not to mention easily breakable). So if you're in the market, amoung the handful of available products out there, Suunto's n3 is clearly WAY ahead of the curve. Hopefully the more SPOT watches catch on, the lower the price will go. As it is now though, between the watch and the subscription costs, it really is FAR too expensive to qualify as a must own.
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