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Gameband: The World's most Powerful Smartwatch

A powerful Smartwatch with a built-in upgradable MicroSD drive, gaming design and exclusive content.

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Gameband: The World's most Powerful Smartwatch

Gameband: The World's most Powerful Smartwatch

Gameband: The World's most Powerful Smartwatch

Gameband: The World's most Powerful Smartwatch

Gameband: The World's most Powerful Smartwatch

A powerful Smartwatch with a built-in upgradable MicroSD drive, gaming design and exclusive content.

A powerful Smartwatch with a built-in upgradable MicroSD drive, gaming design and exclusive content.

A powerful Smartwatch with a built-in upgradable MicroSD drive, gaming design and exclusive content.

A powerful Smartwatch with a built-in upgradable MicroSD drive, gaming design and exclusive content.

Feargal Mac Conuladh
Feargal Mac Conuladh
Feargal Mac Conuladh
Feargal Mac Conuladh
1 Campaign |
Menlo Park, United States
$325,996 USD by 1,708 backers
$325,996 USD by 1,708 backers on Mar 17, 2017 with another platform
Overview
A powerful Smartwatch with a built-in upgradable MicroSD drive, gaming design and exclusive content.

A powerful Smartwatch with an upgradable MicroSD

....and retro Gaming Design....

We're building the greatest Smartwatch, ever....not crammed with every sensor available, just engineered around what we believe is really important: A kick-ass processor, a stunning display, outstanding connectivity, a big battery and a great OS. 

We also added a MicroSD port to give access to massive amounts of data, right on your wrist; and finally, because there's more to life than just raw power ;) we brought it to life with retro gaming design and content. 

 

The result? Gameband. One of the fastest, most powerful, thinnest, stunning Smartwatches money can buy. Oh, and we also made it one of the most affordable. 

In a world where most big-brand wearables from are 'cookie-cutter', Gameband gives you the opportunity to be part of something different. 

 

Smartwatch comparison chart (internal)
Smartwatch comparison chart (internal)

 

We've built Gameband and its design around the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor, arguably one of the fastest and most capable wearable processors in the market today.

Rather than over stack Gameband with every conceivable component available to us, we focused on picking the core components essential to what we want Gameband to be: an amazing Smartwatch for people who love to game. 

That approach has several other benefits from a technical point of view: 

  • Less components = more space = larger battery & MicroSD slot
  • Less components = more affordable product
  • Less components = less manufacturing & quality risk
  • Less components = more budget for better processor & display

Another benefit of the Snapdragon processor is that it has already been designed for MicroSD support, which will further de-risk our development efforts.

Other key hardware areas for us are the inclusion of a square, 1:1 AMOLED 1.63" display, WiFi 802.11 and Bluetooth 4.2 (way better for audio).

For those worried about getting your Gameband wet, have no fear: Gameband will be be IPX7 compliant! 

Learn more about Qualcomm and Gameband by viewing the full interview with Jim Merrick, Director of Marketing, Qualcomm. 

The upgradable MicroSD capability turns Gameband into a high-speed portable drive, hosting your PC Games, photos, music, files and more. 

Our software & unique IC switch mean that when plugged into a computer the MicroSD runs our PixelFurnace game management and launch platform at USB3.0 speeds, and when connected via Bluetooth data can be accessed via mobile or audio devices.

Plug and Play from your MicroSD using PixelFurnance
Plug and Play from your MicroSD using PixelFurnance

 

PixelFurnance is basically like an iTunes for Games, that you can take with you and plug in anywhere. 

PixelFurnace, Gameband's proprietary management and launch platform

 

We're running Android Nougat 7.0

Gameband is compatible with iOS and Android, and will have access to iOS and Android Phone based Companion Apps to help manage your Gameband. 

Apps shipping with Gameband include:

 

Technically there are four key areas that make Gameband work:

  • Hardware (processor and connectivity)
  • Software: (Android Operating System & companion Apps)
  • MicroSD solution (accessible by PC)
  • PixelFurnace (game launch software)

Our team has already shipped a product, to over 20 countries and 35 retailers, that required experience in all of the above areas.

With Qualcomm support we have been introduced and are working with a leading ODM with over a decade of experience in Android development and deployment, with multiple products already in market. Together we are making sure every feature we want to integrate in Gameband will be delivered as promised.

The core functionalities we have been testing and prototyping are as follows:

  • Basic Android Operation
  • General productivity app use
  • Companion App capability
  • Bluetooth Audio
  • Voice control (Alexa)
  • Mini-game operation
  • PixelFurnace launch via MicroSD
  • Backup and other backend services

 

Gameband was designed in San Francisco by MATTER; a design studio with a portfolio that includes Samsung, Google, Sonos, and Logitech. Their Chief designer, Max Burton, has been involved in almost 100 wearable projects, from Smartwatches to luxury watches.

 

We had specific requirements for our design. It needed to be robust, as durable as a watch, while incorporating gaming influences and giving us the flexibility to create special editions, without overly complicating the manufacturing process. Drawing inspiration from rugged weaponry, vehicles and tools seen in games, the goal was to bring about a real-world device that you could just as easily imagine inside a game.

The result was a two-piece frame, held in place with 4 bolt screws, delivering both a design objective, and a functionality objective all in one.

Learn more about our design process by viewing full interviews with the team here: 

Interview with Max Burton, Founder and Chief Designer, MATTER 

Interview with Toby Stopper, Industrial Designer, MATTER 

 

Special editions and mini-games: we've partnered for launch with two iconic brands to bring top name brands to your wrist. 

Atari, who brought gaming into the living room, are working with us to bring it to your wrist. Rewriting classic titles like Pong, Centipede and more for our 1:1 1.63" display, with flush glass format for easy swiping, Gameband Atari Edition comes in Atari Red, with a variety of straps that let you show your love for this timeless gaming legend. 

Terraria, one of the most amazing indie game titles on the planet, is another launch partner we are fortunate to have onboard. Incorporating some of the well known images and design elements of the game, we are also working with Terraria on an exclusive mini-game version that will incorporate both the technology and the context of Gameband: i.e. a product you will take into the real-world and your daily life. 

It's about movement, gestures, voice, steps, location and lots more.  We believe that by building the right product, with the right technology and OS, partnered with great gaming studios.....you are going to see some amazing gaming experiences come to Gameband, and we can't wait to share them with you. 

Play Atari Retro games like Asteroids directly on your wrist.
Play Atari Retro games like Asteroids directly on your wrist.

 

 

 

 

There are four Gameband Editions available: Gameband Edition itself, Atari and Terraria Editions and Droid Edition. The differences between the various editions are colors, straps, packaging, and watchfaces. Here's the overview!

 

Gameband Droid Edition 
The Gameband Droid Edition is a high-end Gameband offering that includes: Brushed aluminium finish, black leather strap and Gorilla Glass. 

Gameband Droid Edition
Gameband Droid Edition

 

1. Click on the images below to share Gameband on Facebook or Twitter. 

 

2. Tag 5 friends in your post/tweet

3. Fill out this Google Doc form with your info and we'll include this FREE gift with your Gameband order (limit 1 gift per person) Thanks!

Backer feedback on Gameband
Backer feedback on Gameband

Disclaimers and other stuff you should know

Shipping: We've done our best to be accurate on shipping fees, however please be aware that you may be on the hook personally for customers fees and import taxes.

International orders: We will be shipping to most countries in the world barring the following countries due to logistical issues: Argentina, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Myanmar/Burma, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Straps: There is almost no substance in nature or created by man that will not cause an allergic reaction to somebody, somewhere. Our straps are all made from basic and common materials (silicon, leather, canvas nylon) however it is up to you to ensure Gameband is safe to wear. If you have sensitive skin than contact your doctor before wearing!

Battery life: People use devices like Gameband in so many different ways that it is almost impossible to say that the battery will last 'x' days. If all you do is play mini-games and while doing so you also keep wifi/bluetooth on, then don't expect to get through the day. If all you do is use basic apps but then plug in and use the MicroSD (which automatically charges Gameband while in use) then you'll get a few days of use.  What we can say is that the 400mAh battery we've included is the upper end of what you normally see in Smartwatches, and together with Qualcomm and our ODM we will continually look for ways to extend battery life.

Water resistance: For those worried about getting your Gameband wet, have no fear, Gameband will be be IPX7 compliant. This means it is suitable for: Splashes Rain or Snow Showering Incidental exposure to water of up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes

HRM and GPS: In case you missed it in the specs: we do not have a heart rate monitor or GPS built in. This is so we had more room, and more money, for the things we did put in.  We are looking at partners who can help us build optional straps that do these things, for customers who really want this functionality.

Trademarks and IP: We've tried to respect everything we need to legally herein, both in terms of technology and marketing materials. If we missed anything it was not deliberate, please drop us a line and let us know. For clarity: this Gameband is not affiliated to Mojang SA in anyway (the makers of Minecraft), although our team has worked with them on a wearable band in the past. If you have a Minecraft license then it should work on the new and improved PixelFurnace that will ship with this Gameband. We'll test and post an update on that in the future.

Production: We are working with one of the worlds leading wearable manufacturers, with years of experience, and a design process that focused from day one on an objective of creating a product that can be produced on time and to scale.   

           

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Choose your Perk

Gameband Edition

Gameband Edition

$189 USD
Get your hands on a Gameband, the world's most powerful Smartwatch. This edition Includes: 1x Black Gameband with Black Silicon Strap, Gameband watchfaces and 5 exclusive mini-games.
Estimated Shipping
October 2017
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.
Gameband Atari Edition

Gameband Atari Edition

$189 USD
Get your hands on a Gameband Atari Edition, the world's most powerful Smartwatch. This edition Includes: 1x Atari Red Gameband with Black Silicon Strap, Atari watchfaces and 5 exclusive mini-games.
Estimated Shipping
October 2017
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.
Gameband Terraria Edition

Gameband Terraria Edition

$189 USD
Get your hands on a Gameband Terraria, the world's most powerful Smartwatch. This edition includes: 1x Black Gameband with Black Terraria Silicon Strap, Terraria watchfaces, and 5 Exclusive mini-games.
Estimated Shipping
October 2017
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.
Gameband DROID Edition

Gameband DROID Edition

$249 USD
A unique and elegant Gameband Edition; with brushed aluminium finish, black leather strap, and Gorilla Glass. (also includes: all watch faces and the 15 mini-games shipping across other editions)
Estimated Shipping
October 2017
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.

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