In my opinion, a device needs two very simple things going for it in order for it to be successful as a consumer device: appearance and function. It needs to look good, and have functions or features that the consumer would want to use.

Modular devices are set to become the only devices that could guarantee that consumers will always get a device that has the functions that they want, and therefore will already be half-way toward becoming a successful device. In terms of appearance, they will get there, eventually.

Blocks envision a wearable device that will be tailor made to fit the unique needs of every single consumer, and at the same time be very elegant and comfortable to wear. An early Blocks prototype was quoted by WIRED as being “more ergonomic than many other smartwatches” that they have tested, “most of which have been created by more experienced consumer electronics manufacturers.”

The Blocks Modular Smartwatch

Blocks modular smartwatch will have functions that are very similar to your average smartwatch, but at the same time very unique because of its modular nature. It will have a main core block/module which will house a display, processor, Bluetooth and motion sensor. A battery module will be needed to power the device, and in addition, you can add multiple modules of your choice. Of course, the amount of modules you can add will be limited to the size of your wrist. The Blocks modular smartwatch will connect to your smartphone and allow you to read texts, emails, and other notifications. You will also be able to track your sleep and other activities.

In addition to having all basic functions of a smartwatch, the Blocks modular smartwatch will also offer many additional modules that you can purchase to add very unique functions to the device. Functions such as contactless payments, infrared, camera and much more will be available through the addition of modules.

How It All Started

Blocks is a UK based company that is currently making the world’s first modular wearable device, the Blocks modular smartwatch. The idea for a modular smartwatch all started when two British students from the Imperial College in London, one computer science PhD student Serge Vasylechko and a biomedical engineering undergrad Alireza Tahmasebzadeh, came up with the idea to make a smartwatch.

The smartwatch idea started with Alireza, he wanted to make a gesture based smartwatch that he thought would be cool to use as a device to control a TV set. The idea was then passed on to Serge, who thought adding life-changing instruments such as heart rate monitors, and activity trackers to his wrist would be a great idea. They couldn’t settle on what features to add to their smartwatch, but eventually the perfect solution appeared in the form of a modular smartwatch. With a modular smartwatch, they could make all the features available, and the consumer could choose what features they need, everyone wins.

Alireza and Serge’s modular smartwatch idea was then passed on to their friend and schoolmate Hakeem Javaid, a graphic designer whom they had met on a trip to Silicon Valley. Hakeem loved the idea and was asked to join the team. To visualize their idea, they turned to another schoolmate Omer El Fakir, a Mechanical Engineering PhD student who was skilled in 3D modeling. Together the team made their first viral video which you can see below.

With interest in the Blocks modular smartwatch now confirmed, the team needed to prove that a modular smartwatch was actually possible. They eventually did this for a competition that was put on by the Imperial Create Lab in London. It was during this time that Karl Taylor became a part of the team. They managed to put together a device that proved their modular concept, and made it to the final of the Imperial Create lab competition where they were placed second.

During this time the team got invited to the Wearable Technology conference Europe 2014, and took part in multiple events including the Intel Make It Wearable Challenge. They got funding from Intel, and have since gotten other companies on board, one such company is Barclay. Barclay plans on creating a block similar to their smartphone apps, this block will be capable of simulating a contactless credit card.

Current Development Of Blocks

After making a successful proof of concept, the Blocks team has been working nonstop to refine the design, and to consider which OS to choose. They have added a feedback section to their website where fans can go and suggest features, designs or different functions which they would like to be added to the Blocks modular smartwatch.

To manufacture the modular smartwatch, Blocks has been working very closely with one of the world’s top manufacturing consultancies, Dragon Innovations. If you are familiar with the Pebble smartwatch, then you should know that it was Dragon Innovations that worked with the Pebble team to help bring their smartwatch to consumers. The Blocks team mentioned that they are working with Dragons Innovations to “perfect every single detail of our design to not only make it comfortable and long lasting, but also ready for a manufacturing process.”

For connecting the modules on the Blocks modular smartwatch, audio jacks were first used, but they have since been replaced by a new and improved custom connector, one which the Blocks team considers to be more versatile, durable and is much better looking. We are still waiting to see what this new connector will look like. We expect that information on this and more will be made public very soon.

The Design

The design of the Blocks modular smartwatch has come a very long way since the first concept was put together by Omer.

With focus on its aesthetics and comfort, along with feedback from fans, Blocks was able to move away from the first design which was somewhat uncomfortable looking, to one which had curved metallic blocks that would fit similar to any common wrist watch.

Three different display designs for the modular smartwatch were also introduced.

But there was still a need to improve the design. The metallic finish was great but it wasn’t pleasing to all. There was need for a more comfortable fit and freedom to customize the look of the watch to appeal to the needs of individuals, this lead to another big improvement in the design of the Blocks modular smartwatch.

Instead of only metal, there will be another option where the Blocks modules will be made with a two tone like design that is completely customizable. This new additional design will see the bottom half of each module made with a comfortable rubber finish and the top with a removable cover. The removable cover will be fully customizable.

The Operating System

Initially the Blocks team had planned on using Google’s Android wear OS for the Blocks modular smartwatch, “We previously looked at Tizen, and were going to use the open-source elements of Android to build our own software, but Android Wear is ideal.” Android wear is compatible with multiple screen sizes, and along with an already growing app ecosystem and Google’s support, this would most certainly be the ideal OS for the Blocks modular smartwatch. But there was another hurdle for the Blocks team, they also wanted their modular smartwatch to be compatible with iPhones, and having only Android Wear would mean no iPhone support.

With support for iPhones a top priority, the blocks team has decided to create a new custom operating system that will support both Android and Apple smartphones. They haven’t made public what this new operating system is, but we are promised an update soon. As for Android wear, we are told that this will be an optional OS that will be released in future software updates.

For the new software that the Blocks team is working on, they have recently created a special communication protocol; this protocol will determine how modules will communicate with each other when connected. This new protocol further improves the modularity of the device by removing any limits that users would have faced when choosing modules. The Blocks team explains that this new protocol will now give user’s customization options such as allowing them to “connect as many extra battery modules as they wish”.

Blocks Modules

The Blocks team already has a vast assortment of modules/Blocks planned for their Blocks modular smartwatch. They have also put together small groups of modules which they think will be perfect for different class of people such as: business, fitness and adventure.

Here is a list of all the modules that are planned for the Blocks modular smartwatch.

Rectangular screen module

Circular screen module

E-ink screen module

Microphone module

Motion sensor module

Gesture control module

GPS module

Heart rate module

Blood oxygen module

Environment sensor module

Fingerprint scanner module

Audio jack module

Camera module

Battery module

MicroSD card module

NFC/RFID module

Flash light module

Programmable button module

Sim card (standard/micro/nanao sim) module

Kinetic charger module

In addition to all the modules listed, it is important to note that Blocks is an open platform which means that hardware developers can also make modules for the device.

The Blocks team hard at work

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The Blocks modular smartwatch Release Date

Blocks plans on launching a crowd funding campaign on kickstarter in the spring of 2015. They plan on doing this after they have completed and made an official version of the device which they are tirelessly working on now. If you plan on being one of the first to get your hands on the Blocks modular smartwatch, you should visit their website and sign up to be notified when the Kickstarter date becomes official.

After the Kickstarter campaign, Blocks plans on shipping the first batch of their modular Smartwatches to backers towards the end of 2015. After Kickstarter backers get their devices delivered, we expect to see Blocks modular smartwatches on sale some time towards the end of 2015.

Edit 10/11/2015: Kickstarter campaign date set for October 13 2015 and the device is set to ship 7 months after campaign launch, this gives it a May 2016 release date.

The Price Of A Blocks modular smartwatch

The price for a Blocks smartwatch will vary, and it will all depend on the additional modules that one needs connected to the device. Blocks plans on having an entry model with all the basic functions of a smartphone, available for $200-250 and a premium model available for $300-350. Additional Blocks/modules are estimated to cost anywhere from $20 to $40.

I will be updating this post whenever additional information is available, so stay tuned.