We love iFixit, and we're not disappointed this morning: it has a teardown of the Apple Watch the morning it's first supposed to get into people's hands. The core findings: it's really really really small, the battery takes most of the space, and (with the possible exception of battery replacement) it's not at all serviceable: Despite rumors (and hopes) of an upgradable … [Read more...]
Adafruit’s Ringly Teardown. Or, What $5.1 Million Buys You
We're suckers for a good teardown, so when the fine folks at Adafruit emerged from the New York snowstorm with a deconstruction of Ringly, we paid attention. Maybe we wouldn't have been so interested if Ringly hadn't closed that big funding round, but it did and we are. And a teardown that requires the use of a hammer, no matter how gently wielded? Sign us … [Read more...]
Want Glass? Go Right Ahead.
Google has now opened its Glass Explorers program to anyone (in the United States) with a spare $1500. If the devices are in stock, and you've got a US address, you can step right up and order one. Keep in mind, though, that Glass remains a pretty much roll-your-own kind of thing... And speaking of Glass, there's another estimate out of its material cost. IHS put the cost at … [Read more...]
Components for $1500 Glass Cost $80
Teardown.com has disassembled Google Glass, identified its components, and says the pieces can be had for about $80. Google tells the Wall Street Journal that's nonsense, and even severe Glass critics (like us) would have to acknowledge that the company has a point even if the bill of materials is accurate. There's lots more to a sophisticated piece of gear like Glass than … [Read more...]