Instead of storing your files in the cloud, an upcoming smartwatch wants to put them on your wrist.
The ReVault watch packs 32GB of storage, and connects with phones, tablets, and computers over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Users will be able to sync data to the watch from one device, and then have retrieve the data wirelessly from any other iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, or Linux device.
Of course, online storage services such as Dropbox and Google Drive operate on a similar principle. The idea with ReVault is that you don’t need an Internet connection to grab your files, and don’t have to worry about the security of storing data in the cloud. (ReVault notes that only trusted devices will gain access through single- or two-factor authentication, and data is encrypted on the watch with AES-256.)
Going with a wrist-based solution does have some inherent drawbacks. You must remember to take the device with you and charge it every few days, though ReVault will support Qi Wireless charging to make that a bit simpler. And if you’re already inclined to wear another smartwatch, you’ll probably want to stuff ReVault in your pocket or wear it like a pendant with an optional neck strap.
For tech specs, ReVault is promising 32GB of storage for $199, or 128GB for $299. It has a 1.54-inch color display, Gorilla Glass 3, an accelerometer, Bluetooth 4.0, and 802.11b/g/n W-Fi. The watch case is stainless steel, and comes with a choice of tapered steel, steel mesh, or black leather bands. This is an Indiegogo project, and while estimated delivery is January 2016, these kinds of projects aren’t immune to delays or disasters.
Why this matters: This is the kind of thing that could eventually become a smartwatch feature rather than a full-blown product. But most smartwatches these days max out at 4GB or 8GB of storage and are focused on other things besides serving up data to other devices. That makes ReVault an interesting idea for the present day—provided it becomes a real product after the crowdfunding campaign is over.