Timex Datalink

[2][3] As the name implies, datalink watches are capable of data transfer through linking with a computer.

[18] Upon introduction of the Timex Datalink models, "data watches" such as those from Casio were noted as selling for "between a third and a half the price" of such models, but the "fiddly little buttons" (having to be pressed repeatedly to select letters from the alphabet) were regarded as less convenient and largely only appealing to those used to "doing things the hard way".

The Datalink models also offered water resistance to a depth of 100 metres, Timex's Indiglo backlighting, and "the build quality that helped make Timex a household name", although this robustness was reported as making the product more like "the kind of "chunky, clunky watches that divers prefer", being around one-and-a-half inches in diameter and standing "over half an inch proud of the wrist".

[5][20] Data to be transferred to Datalink watches was held in a database maintained by the Datalink software running on a Windows-based host computer, with alarms, appointments, anniversaries, phone numbers, reminders (or to-do items) being the supported categories of data for transfer.

However, the mechanism required the use of a cathode-ray tube monitor, as opposed to a liquid-crystal or other kind of display.

[5][21] Data was transmitted from the CRT of the computer through a series of pulsating horizontal bars,[22][23] that were focused by the lens and written to the watch EEPROM memory through an optoelectronic transducer operating in the visible light spectrum and employing optical scanning technology.

For the Datalink 70 model, the time needed to download seventy phone numbers was about twenty seconds.

[22][26] On the resin strap of the Timex Datalink 50 model 70301, there is a print with binary numbers which are actually ASCII.

[27] The numbers on other half of the strap encode the text 'If You [ASCII-24] See', which, given that ASCII-24 is the 'Cancel' character or just 'CAN', makes the complete message 'Listen To The Light If You Can See'.

[29] Available storage was shared by phone numbers, appointments, anniversaries, lists, wristapps and watch sounds.

[34] Messages could be displayed during an alarm, and they could be downloaded to the watch or input manually through scrolling characters, activated by two forward/reverse buttons.

This feature enabled the user to create short lists for various tasks, and import wristapps, special programs with custom applications which could be added to the watch.

[29][34] With the advent of portable computers which use active matrix LCD screens which did not refresh like CRT monitors and therefore could not be used for data transfer,[23] in 1997, Timex introduced a notebook adapter that incorporated a red LED and connected with the laptop through the serial port.

Alternatively, DIY Notebook Adapter emulators can be used with the original and third-party software, like timex-datalink-arduino.

Although initially a mild disappointment for the wireless datalink purists, it gained widespread acceptance, because, although now tethered to the computer through the USB port during data transfer, the new watch featured greatly improved data transfer rates, greatly increased memory capacity and many additional and customizable modes of operation, as well as two way communication between the watch and computer.

[35] The Datalink USB also introduced data protection through the use of a user generated password,[37] a feature that the earlier models did not offer.

[35] The Datalink USB supports software programs developed specifically for the watch similar to its predecessors.

This application can facilitate the import of any independently developed wrist app into the Datalink USB computer interface, and thus make it part of the downloadable program menu in the GUI of the watch.

For instance during Expedition 1 the crew log for January mentions: We have been working with the Timex software.

As a heads-up to Exp 2, any plans to use the timex download capability should include more laptop IR transmitters.

[47]The laptop IR transmitter mentioned in the February and March crew log is the Timex notebook adapter.

Due to its unique features and long tradition of innovation and utility, the Datalink watch line has achieved cult-like status among technically minded people.

Yahoo groups also exist for fans and software developers alike, especially for the latest Datalink USB series.

[48][49] The early Datalink 50/150 models received a tongue in cheek "[dis]honorable" mention in PC World's "25 Worst Tech Products of All Time" list in 2006 and were inducted in "the high tech hall of shame", with the rationale that "It looked like a Casio on steroids" and "To download data to it, you held it in front of your CRT monitor while the monitor displayed a pattern of flashing black-and-white stripes (which, incidentally, also turned you into the Manchurian Candidate)", referring to the earlier, flashing CRT method of data transfer, adding that "Depending on your point of view, it was either seriously cool or deeply disturbing".

[50] Timex Datalink watches are referred to as "classics" and as "worn by astronauts to the moon" in Jeffery Deaver's crime thriller novel The Burning Wire.

[61] Beepware also featured FLEXtime which, if supported by the service provider, could synchronise the time of the watch with that of the network.