Timex Datalink

Image:Datalink models 50, Ironman Triathlon and Ironman USB.JPG appearance): Datalink model 50 (1994), Ironman Triathlon, with the Ironman Triathlon logo on the upper part of the face (1997) and Datalink USB sports edition (2003). The small lens is seen on both model 50 and the Ironman. Note also the inverted circular arch digital display frame design on the model 50, compared to the frame design of the other two models. The Microsoft logo appears at the top, while the Datalink logo appears at the bottom for model 50. The lower button arrangement and platform is the same for both model 50 and Ironman triathlon, but Ironman sports an additional start/split button on its face, indicating its additional chronograph functions. All three models are water resistant to 100 m. The model 50 (Timex models 70502/70518) was worn by astronaut James H. Newman on STS-88.]]

Although there are other watches capable of storing all kinds of data, most had either a small keyboard[http://support.casio.com/en/manual/009/qw2888.pdf Manual for Casio watch module 2888], typical databank watch with keyboard input or buttons,[http://support.casio.com/en/manual/009/qw2747.pdf Manual for Casio watch module 2747], typical databank watch with button input which could be used to input data. In most cases data was lost when the battery expired. 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".

The Timex Datalink watches downloaded data wirelessly by illuminating a computer screen with a changing display encoding information to transfer, which was detected by the watch's sensor.{{cite magazine | last1=Henricks | first1=Mark | magazine=Kiplinger's Personal Finance | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JP4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA120| accessdate=18 November 2012 | date=June 1996 | publisher=Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc.| page=120 | title=Wrist Rockets | quote=Wrist-based organizers that store data banks of phone numbers, schedule appointments and manage to-do lists have been around for a while. The difference with the Timex Data Link ($130) is how you get all this minutiae into the watch. ... Instead of fiddling with pinpoint-size buttons on a postage-stamp keyboard, you simply point the watch at your personal-computer screen.|issn=1528-9729}} 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. Textual labels for various categories could be up to 15 characters in length, with such text scrolling across an eight character display. Although the time could be set through normal use of the watch, the software also permitted the time to be updated using the transfer mechanism. Selecting the "Send to Watch" option in the Datalink software and pointing the watch face towards the screen at a distance of between six and twelve inches, guided by beeping sounds from the watch, resulted in the transfer of data at a rate that permitted around 1 KB or 70 entries to be sent in less than a minute. However, the mechanism required the use of a cathode-ray tube monitor, as opposed to a liquid-crystal or other kind of display. Transfer of data from the watch to the computer was also not permitted by this mechanism, but entries could be deleted on the watch or, in the case of to-do items, marked as done.{{ cite magazine | title=Portable shopper | magazine=Computer Shopper | date=May 1995 | last1=Kidd | first1=Graeme | pages=571–573 }} When the watch's battery expired the data would be transferred again after replacement of the battery.{{cite news |last=Edwards |first=Benj |title=The Digital Watch: A Brief History |url=https://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/296609/the-digital-watch-a-brief-history/9 |accessdate=13 March 2022 |date=April 15, 2012 |quote=Watches with built-in database functionality first appeared on the market in the 1980s, but they weren't very useful without a way to transfer the data to and from a more permanent medium like a computer (otherwise, the watches would lose their data if the batteries died). |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121220022042/https://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/296609/the-digital-watch-a-brief-history/9 |archive-date=20 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}

The watch had a small lens at the top of its face used for data transmission by visible light.{{cite journal|author=IDG Enterprise|title=Computerworld|journal=Computer World: The Newsletter for Information Technology Leaders|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_zoRFtRiLmtAC|accessdate=18 November 2012|date=16 December 1996|publisher=IDG Enterprise|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_zoRFtRiLmtAC/page/n103 104]|quote=TIMEX DATALINK WATCH When I first got Timex Corp. 's watch (www.timex.com), I ea My wasn't sure why I would want to use it. But after I had the $130 watch in my office for a few days, it was clear to me that this is a timepiece to lust after. | issn=0010-4841}} Data was transmitted from the CRT of the computer through a series of pulsating horizontal bars,{{cite journal|author=Bonnier Corporation|title=Popular Science|journal=The Popular Science Monthly|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VWYCwRFRpJUC&pg=PA14|accessdate=18 November 2012|date=October 1994|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|page=14|quote=Timex and Microsoft hove teamed up on the Timex Data Link, a watch that downloads data by light pulses when it's pointed at a personal information manager's calendar, phone book, or ttxlo list on a desktop computer screen. In about 20 ...|issn=0161-7370}}[http://datalink.fries.net/transfer.html Datalink programming notes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203104009/http://datalink.fries.net/transfer.html |date=2007-02-03 }} 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.{{cite journal|author=Hearst Magazines|title=Popular Mechanics|journal=Popular Mechanics Magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MWYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT41|accessdate=18 November 2012|date=January 1995|publisher=Hearst Magazines|page=41|quote=DATA LINK WATCH Tlmex Corp. Wristwatches are telling much more than time these days. Timex's Data Link uses optical scanning technology and built-in programming software to easily transfer information — appointments, phone numbers, ...|issn=0032-4558}}{{cite journal|author=New York Media, LLC|title=New York Magazine|journal=Newyorkmetro.com.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0gEIXx4VywEC&pg=PA58|accessdate=18 November 2012|date=20 March 1995|publisher=New York Media, LLC|page=58|quote=S. FELDMAN HOUSEWARES/ 1304 Madison Avenue, near 92nd Street/289- It's All in the Timex You don't necessarily have to throw away your Filofax or your Sony Magic Link, but once you have a Timex Data-Link watch on your wrist, your...|issn=0028-7369}}

The original Timex Datalink software with CRT synchronization support is compatible with Windows versions Windows 3.1 to Windows XP. The watch was compatible with Microsoft's Schedule+ time management software. For the Datalink 70 model, the time needed to download seventy phone numbers was about twenty seconds.{{cite book|title=Kiplinger's Personal Finance|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WP4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA108|accessdate=18 November 2012|date=October 1996|publisher=Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc.|page=108|quote=to the Timex Data Link personal-organizer wrist watch (see "Technology," June). It also comes with tools to organize your life along the lines of Stephen Covey's The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. One disadvantage of Schedule + ...|issn=1528-9729}}

Image:Timex Datalink 50 with resin strap.JPG ASCII code translating as: "Listen To The Light If You Can See"]]

On the resin strap of the Timex Datalink 50 model 70301, there is a print with binary numbers which are actually ASCII. The numbers on one half of the strap encode, including capitalization, the text 'Listen To The Light'.[http://anton-c.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-digital-space-watch-collection.html Picture of model 70301 with resin strap] (Including capitalization the visible code in the picture reads: "Listen T") 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'.

The earlier models were the Datalink 50, Datalink 70, Datalink 150 and Datalink 150s, where the "s" was for small and it was intended to be a lady's watch.[http://www.toebes.com/Datalink/datalink.html Datalink 150 Open Source Development Tools] Developer website The 150 and 150s models are essentially the same, except that the 150s, having a smaller display, has different display addresses from the 150, and thus it needs its own programming code.

The programming code is provided in the Timex Datalink software v 2.1 for all models. These watches were programmed using the same software and computer GUI. To download the settings to these early models, the user was prompted to choose the relevant watch model number.

File:STS088-E-5124 (12-11-98) Robert D. Cabana, Jerry L. Ross and James H. Newman.jpg (right) wears the Timex Datalink 50 model 70502 on STS-88]]

The menu choices were the same for all models. The only differences were the amount of available memory in the watches, and the quantity of phone numbers, appointments, lists etc. which could be downloaded to each model.{{cite book|title=InfoWorld|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FjoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA93|accessdate=17 November 2012|date=16 December 1996|publisher=InfoWorld Media Group, Inc.|page=93|quote=PIM WATCH Timex Data Link 1 50 I he latest entry in Timex's combination watch and personal information manager (PIM) lineup is the Timex Data Link 150. A thorough redesign of the original, the Data Link 150 has twice as much storage...|issn=0199-6649}}

At the time of their introduction, these watches were known as "PIM" watches, i.e. personal information managers.{{cite book|author-link=CXO Media|author=CXO Media|title=CIO|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TwcAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA110|accessdate=18 November 2012|date=May 1997|publisher=CXO Media, Inc.|page=110|quote=Even Bill Gates has one: a personal information manager designed to look like a wristwatch. The Timex Data Link Watch, the product of a collaboration between Microsoft Corp. and Timex Corp., not only shows you how much time you have...|issn=0894-9301}} Bill Gates was known as an owner of one, and had also shown the capabilities of the watch on television.{{cite book|author=Elizabeth Olson|title=Microsoft Exchange Plain and Simple|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8rW_cImjP_0C&q=Timex+DataLink+First+watch|year=1996|publisher=Sybex|isbn=978-0-7821-1873-5|page=267|quote=Suppose you bought the Timex Data Link watch Bill Gates demonstrated so dramatically on television.}} The Datalink 150 was also offered as a mail-in gift upon purchase of Office 95.{{cite web|author1=Tim Ellis|title=Apple Watch? Whatever. Reviewing the Timex Datalink, the world's first smartwatch|url=http://www.geekwire.com/2015/reviewing-worlds-first-smartwatch-timex-datalink/|website=geekwire.com|date=14 April 2015|quote=Released in 1994, the Timex Datalink was the first watch to synchronize personal data from a computer. Yes, I have one, and that’s my wrist pictured above.}}

The model number indicated the maximum number of phone numbers that could be downloaded to the watch. For example, the model 150 could store a maximum of 150 phone numbers if nothing else was stored. Available storage was shared by phone numbers, appointments, anniversaries, lists, wristapps and watch sounds. These models lacked countdown timers or chronographs, but a simple chronograph could be added as an external application also known as a wristapp. The wristapps also included a notepad capable of storing forty words.{{cite journal|author=IDG Enterprise|title=Computerworld|journal=Computer World: The Newsletter for Information Technology Leaders|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VC3W_xG-bg4C&pg=PT135|accessdate=18 November 2012|date=15 July 1996|publisher=IDG Enterprise|page=135|quote=Timex in Middlebury, Conn., has upgraded the Timex Data Link watch, which uses wireless technology to download info-nuggets such as telephone numbers and appointment dates from a PC to the watch. Anew version provides more|issn=0010-4841}}

The time and date parts of the digital display of the Datalink watches consisted of two main rows of seven segment displays, while the lower portion was a dot matrix display with scrolling capabilities. In time display mode, the dot matrix portion of the display showed the day of the week to the left, and the time zone to the right. The default time zone was indicated as TZ1 (time zone 1), and was fully user customizable to designate any city in the world, usually using IATA naming conventions. The earlier Datalink models featured dual time zone settings.[https://web.archive.org/web/20061230070350/http://www.timex.ca/en/instructions/150Instr.pdf Timex Datalink Model 150] Quick Start Guide via the Internet Archive Retrieved 16 July 2008 The secondary time zone had the option to become the local (primary) time by pressing and holding a button until the changeover was effected. All Datalink models had the Indiglo night light.

Image:Timex Ironman Triathlon Datalink.JPG on the STS-72 Space Shuttle Endeavour and cosmonaut Sergei K. Krikalev, Expedition 1, on the ISS, Maksim Surayev during Expedition 22, and others.]]

File:Russian cosmonaut Maxim Suraev ISS022-E-036262 (21 Jan. 2010).jpg wearing the Timex Ironman Triathlon Datalink model 78041 during Expedition 22 21 January 2010]]

The earlier models included many PDA-type functions such as anniversaries, appointments and phone directory, but did not have functions such as stopwatch and countdown timer. They had five alarms.

To add functionality, in 1997 Timex introduced the Ironman Triathlon Datalink series with features of the Ironman series, such as a choice of timers, multi-lap stopwatches, and customisable display appearance. The number of alarms increased to 10 in the new series. 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.[https://web.archive.org/web/20070330161140/http://assets.timex.com/instructions/IDL_QCKG.PDF Ironman Datalink Quick Start Guide] via Internet Archive Retrieved 29-07-2008

File:Sergei Krikalev s97e5086.jpg.]]

The new features came at the expense of some older ones. For example, the "Anniversary" and "Appointment" modes of the previous Datalink models were no longer available, and the number of phone entries for the Ironman Datalink was reduced to 38, from a maximum of 150 of the older Datalink model 150. The "Make a List" function of the Datalink 150 model was also gone. 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.

The optical sensor and the method of data transfer were retained. The display of the new series had the same architecture as that of the older models. As with the earlier models, the Triathlon Datalink included dual time zones with local time selectability. Its battery life was approximately three years under normal use.

Image:Timex Datalink Notebook Adapters.JPG can program the watch by blinking and is visible on the saucer portion of the adapter to the right of the serial port connector]]

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, in 1997, Timex introduced a notebook adapter that incorporated a red LED and connected with the laptop through the serial port. During download, the LED flashed and the flashing programmed the watch much like the horizontal bars of the CRT.

For systems without a serial port, a USB to serial adapter can be used to connect the Timex adapter to a USB port. Alternatively, DIY Notebook Adapter emulators can be used with the original and third-party software, like [https://github.com/synthead/timex-datalink-arduino timex-datalink-arduino].

File:Datalink USB Analog Digital.JPG

The Datalink USB was introduced in 2003. It included the Timex Ironman Datalink USB (sport edition) and the Timex Datalink USB (dress edition) models. Apart from their external appearance, and the fact that the sport edition is water-resistant to 100 metres, while the dress edition is water resistant to 30 metres, the two models had identical specifications.

File:Daniel Tani iss016e014192.jpg wearing two Datalink USB watches during Expedition 16]]

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.

Its modes are user customizable, with hundreds of phone numbers, alarms and timer settings.{{cite book|title=CIO|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vQkAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA28|accessdate=18 November 2012|date=1 December 2005|page=28|quote=The Times of Your Life The Ironman Datalink watch from Timex doubles as a personal organizer. A USB link connects the ... A bonus for frequent travelers: The watch keeps track of three different time zones. Find additional details at ...}} It also features three time zones, each of which can be chosen as the primary time display with the press of a button.[https://web.archive.org/web/20061230070711/http://www.timex.ca/en/instructions/DataLinkUSB.pdf Datalink USB Quick Start Guide] through the Internet archive Retrieved 16 July 2008 The Datalink USB also introduced data protection through the use of a user generated password,[http://www.timex.com/gp/product/B00029432K?timexBrand=core Timex Datalink USB product specs] a feature that the earlier models did not offer. The USB models also feature a rotating crown known as the Timex i-control.

File:Datalink USB Dress Edition.JPG

The Datalink USB supports software programs developed specifically for the watch similar to its predecessors. These programs are called wrist applications or wrist apps for short, and they are created by independent software developers. Timex has developed an application called WristApp SDK Installer. 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.

Unlike its predecessors, the display of the USB series features full dot matrix architecture with no seven segment display sections. Only a small section at the top right corner uses a nine-segment display layout.{{Cite web|url=http://www.timex.ca/en/developer/datalink/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229203905/http://assets.timex.com/developer/accept/index_download.html |title=Datalink Developer weblink|archivedate=29 February 2012}} Many programs have been developed, and their applications include video games, screen savers, golf score keepers, watch display contrast and scrolling speed adjustment, as well as analog watch displays, phase of the moon calculations and associated display graphics and others. The wristapps are written in assembly language.[http://datalinkwristapps.free.fr/index.php5?n=Main.Wristapps Wristapp details]

Invasion is an example of a game developed specifically for the watch. It is designed along the lines of Space Invaders, created by Jordi Perez.[http://www.ooparts-universe.com/prgs/index.html Jordi Pérez (Freelance developer of entertainment software)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903194915/http://www.ooparts-universe.com/prgs/index.html |date=2011-09-03 }} The game has been developed to showcase API instructions for primitive pixel displays such as the one used in the watch. The term primitive refers to displays of low resolution where one can discern the individual pixels.

Among the many programs and utilities which have been developed for the watch, such as football schedules, weather reports and others, there is also a screen saver which blanks out the display of the watch on the minute or the hour, appropriately called Screen Saver – Blank.

Another application called Antikythera emulates some of the functions of the Antikythera mechanism by calculating the phase of the moon. It is accurate to within one day in 500 years. In the future, it will also be able to calculate the sun's position in the zodiac and upcoming eclipses.[http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/timexdatalinkusb/message/8838 Antikythera app message 8838 in Timex Datalink USB Yahoo Group (signup as group member required for viewing)]{{dead link|date=December 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Image:Datalink USB Normal Display.JPG|Datalink USB Sports Edition with normal display.

Image:Datalink USB Moon Phase.JPG|Datalink USB with Moon phase wrist app display. The arrow below the moon phases points to the exact phase.[http://datalinkwristapps.free.fr/index.php5?n=Wristapps.MyWatch Wrist app development site]

Image:Datalink USB with Golf wristapp.JPG|Datalink USB with Golf wrist app

File:Timex Datalink USB Paddle game.jpg|Datalink USB with Paddle wrist app, similar to Pong. The ball is close to the net at the center. The paddle moves using the crown.

File:Ironman Datalink USB Sports.JPG|Datalink USB with password prompt

File:Datalink Ironman USB Sports Edition.JPG|Datalink Ironman USB in screen saver mode. The screen saver activates automatically when the display is at :00 seconds.

Timex Datalink is flight certified by NASA for space missions and is one of four watches qualified by NASA for space travel.[https://web.archive.org/web/20061114025319/http://www.nasaexplores.com/show2_5_8a.php?id=02-024&gl=58 NASA Explores.com from Internet archive] Article 5-8 Quote: "Astronauts have a choice of four watches that are certified to fly in space, says Stephanie Walker, subsystem manager for flight crew equipment at Johnson Space Center. These watches are off-the-shelf models that can be purchased at retail stores. "The certification process assures that they can perform and not self-destruct in the vacuum of space. With pressure variances and temperature extremes, watch components may expand, rupture, or crack, causing a potential hazard to the crew." and "The new watch for astronauts is the Timex Ironman. This cutting-edge timepiece sells for less than $100. It has a light-emitting diode (LED) port to synchronize up to 10 alarms to the calendar of a personal computer, stores 38 telephone numbers, identifies messages, displays the time in two different time zones, and comes close to serving as a wrist computer, Walker says." Courtesy of NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate Published by NASAexplores: May 2, 2002 Retrieved 21 June 2008[https://web.archive.org/web/20080304191551/http://www.nasaexplores.com/search_nav_9_12.php?id=02-024&gl=912 NASA Explores] Article 9-12 Quote: "Astronauts are permitted to check the watches out before launch, take them home to familiarize themselves with a watch's operation, and in the case of the Ironman, program data into the memory." Courtesy of NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate

Published by NASAexplores: May 2, 2002 Retrieved 14 Oct 2009 via Internet Archive[http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=159191#post1087071 Assorted pictures of Datalink including model 50 in space missions] (Including the model 78401 worn by astronaut Daniel T. Barry on the STS-72 Space Shuttle Endeavour launched January 11, 1996) The various Datalink models are used both by cosmonauts and astronauts. For instance during Expedition 1 the crew log for January mentions:

File:James H. Newman and Sergei Krikalev STS088-E-5081 (12-11-98).jpg wears the Timex Datalink model 70502 on STS-88]]

File:William Shepherd sts098s98e5160.jpg wears the Timex Datalink 150 on his left wrist]]

We have been working with the Timex software. Many thanks to the folks who got this up to us. It seems we each have a different version of the datalink watch, and of course, the software is different with each. Yuri and Sergei are able to load up a day's worth of alarms, but Shep has the Datalink 150, and this has a 5 alarm limit. So 2/3 of the crew are now happy. All this is a pretty good argument for training like you are going to fly-we should have caught this one ourselves in our training work on the ground.[https://web.archive.org/web/20010605134457/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/crew/exp1/exp1shepjan.html Expedition One January Crew Log]

In another part of the January log it is mentioned:

Missed a whole comm. pass over White Sands. We need to get the timex watches working so we don't overlook these calls.

while in another segment of the same log:

File:Mikhail Tyurin Exp14 1.jpg, Expedition 14 flight engineer with the Test of Reaction and Adaptation Capabilities (TRAC) experiment in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station wearing Datalink 150 model 69721 in January 2007]]

File:Cosmonaut Yuri P. Gidzenko, Expedition One Soyuz commander iss01e5325.jpg, Expedition One Soyuz commander wearing Datalink 150 model 69931]]

As 5A is now delayed, we would like to request the "timex" watch software if it is available on the ground-a file that can be uplinked to us. This will help us manage our day as we can load comm. passes into the watches.

and from the February and March crew log of Expedition 1:

We copy the request from Houston on the timex watches. We will keep using the ones we have onboard-there are some workarounds we can apply that will help the limited "alarm" situation. We don't request any more watches be sent up on 5A, but thanks to all the crew equipment folks for asking. As a heads-up to Exp 2, any plans to use the timex download capability should include more laptop IR transmitters. We have 1 onboard, but more will be required if the next crew wants to fully use this capability.[https://web.archive.org/web/20010602100306/http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/crew/exp1/exp1shepmarfeb.html Expedition One February and March Crew Log]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20041031180316/http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/crew/exp1/exp1shepmarfeb.pdf February and March Crew Log in pdf form]

The laptop IR transmitter mentioned in the February and March crew log is the Timex notebook adapter. "Exp 2" refers to Expedition 2, and the log mentions they may need more notebook adapters for the upcoming expedition.

Image:Timex Ironman Triathlon Datalink velcro strap.JPG strap]]

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. In addition, many websites are dedicated to the programming and information exchange among its many fans. Yahoo groups also exist for fans and software developers alike, especially for the latest Datalink USB series.[https://archive.today/20130105145217/http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/timexdatalinkusbdevelop/ Timex Developer Yahoo Group][https://archive.today/20130105105238/http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/timexdatalinkusb/ Timex Datalink USB Yahoo Group]

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".[http://www.pcworld.com/article/125772-7/the_25_worst_tech_products_of_all_time.html PC World's The 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703122019/http://www.pcworld.com/article/125772-7/the_25_worst_tech_products_of_all_time.html |date=2008-07-03 }}

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.{{cite book|author=Jeffery Deaver|title=The Burning Wire: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel|url=https://archive.org/details/burningwirelinc00deav|url-access=registration|accessdate=18 November 2012|date=1 June 2010|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-1-4391-5633-9|page=[https://archive.org/details/burningwirelinc00deav/page/372 372]|quote=The date, the phases of the moon, the equinox, chimes.” Logan was surprised. Rhyme added, “Oh, I've studied watchmaking too.” Close to you . . . "The Timex Data Link. You know it?" "No", Rhyme said. "They are classics now-wristwatches that link to your computer. Telling the time is only one of a hundred things they can do. Astronauts have worn them to the moon."}}

They are also featured at the online exhibit of the National Museum of American History.{{cite web|title=Organizing Time|url=http://americanhistory.si.edu/ontime/expanding/organizing.html|publisher=National Museum of American History|accessdate=8 December 2012|quote=Electronic personal organizer, 1990s; a Data Link watch by Timex Corp., Waterbury, Connecticut, in collaboration with Microsoft Corp., Redmond, Washington; combining a timekeeper with a scheduling database that users download from their personal computers}}

File:Timex Data Link Bruno Z.jpg

• Popular Science's Best of What's New Award (1995) (Watch award).
• Design and Engineering Award from Popular Mechanics (1995) (Watch award).
• Innovations '97 awards (Awarded to both the Data Link Notebook Adapter and the Timex Data Link 150S watch).
• Byte Magazine Best of Comdex award.
• R&D Magazine Top 100 Products.
• Windows Magazine Outstanding Technology Award.

File:Timex Datalink Beepwear Pro.jpg

The Timex Beepwear Datalink series features wearable pagers, using the Timex datalink platform. These watches also function as electronic organisers.{{cite news|last=Fred Fishkin with Bootcamp|title=Pager & Organizer Built Into a Watch|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pager-organizer-built-into-a-watch/|access-date=18 November 2012|newspaper=CBS News|date=February 11, 2009}}{{cite web|title=beepwear|url=http://assets.timex.com/beepwear/|publisher=Timex.com}}{{cite journal|author=Bonnier Corporation|title=Popular Science|journal=The Popular Science Monthly|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j7_Qlmr7I6UC&pg=PA20|accessdate=17 November 2012|date=April 1998|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|page=20|issn=0161-7370}}{{cite journal|author=Hearst Magazines|title=Popular Mechanics|journal=Popular Mechanics Magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=McsARTqwnkQC&pg=PA90|accessdate=17 November 2012|date=May 2000|publisher=Hearst Magazines|page=90|issn=0032-4558}}{{cite book|author1=Woodrow Barfield|author2=Woodrow Barfield Thomas Caudell|title=Fundamentals of Wearable Computers and Augmented Reality|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-1w4367mu3QC&pg=PA500|accessdate=17 November 2012|year=2001|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0-8058-2902-0|page=500}}{{cite book|title=U.S. News & World Report|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IecpAQAAIAAJ|accessdate=17 November 2012|year=1999|publisher=U.S. News Publishing Corporation|quote=PERSONAL TECH Beepwear PRO ($159), made by Timex and Motorola, is going mainstream. The watch combines the functions of wireless pager and palmtop computer on your wrist for less than the price of a Palm organizer. The slightly}} The Beepware series is patented and was the product of a joint Timex-Motorola effort which resulted in a new company called Beepwear Paging Products.{{cite book|author=Henry Assael|title=Consumer behavior: a strategic approach|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P_nzAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=17 November 2012|year=2004|publisher=Houghton Mifflin|isbn=978-0-618-22215-5|quote=In 1998, Timex entered a joint arrangement with Motorola and introduced "Beepwear" functionality for its executive technology watches.2 This is yet another example of Timex introducing a watch based on a consumption situation}}{{cite book|title=Computer Buyer's Guide and Handbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6NEjAQAAMAAJ|accessdate=17 November 2012|year=1999|publisher=Computer Information Pub.|quote=Motorola and Timex have formed a new company, Beepwear Paging Products, and taken a step toward revolutionizing the wristwatch. The group's new line of pagers, Beepwear, is short on aesthetics but long on handiness. As a watch, the...}}{{cite book|title=Corporate Report|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vg4nAQAAMAAJ|accessdate=17 November 2012|year=1998|publisher=Corporate Report Inc.|quote=Beepwear from Timex and Motorola combines a watch and an alphanumeric pager that receives both phone numbers and short text messages}}{{cite book|title=Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office: Trademarks|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B1exnxAp_AYC|accessdate=17 November 2012|year=1997|publisher=U.S. Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office}} The Beepwear marketing motto was: "One beeping great watch".{{cite book|title=Adweek: Western advertising news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oesdAQAAMAAJ|accessdate=17 November 2012|year=1998|publisher=A/S/M Communications.|quote=Small type at the bottom delivers the news: "Timex and Motorola introduce the first full-text message pager in a watch." Do you immediately ... of the watch face? Meanwhile, the coy vulgarity of beepwear's motto — "One beeping great watch"}} It was the first watch/pager able to receive alphanumeric messages.{{cite book|title=Newsweek|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YdXjAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=17 November 2012|year=1999|publisher=Newsweek|quote=Wristwatches are getting more wired. Timex and Motorola's new Beepwear Pro pager/ watch (www. beepwear .com) is the first to accept text messages in addition to numeric ones. It can even automatically adjust to the time zone you're in.}}{{cite book|title=Bottom Line, Personal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-SMtAQAAMAAJ|accessdate=17 November 2012|date=January 2000|publisher=Boardroom Reports|quote=Timex, this watch stores phone numbers and your calendar... and sends and receives alphanumeric pages using SkyTel's nationwide network. Watchface diameter:}} It operates in the 900 MHz band.{{cite journal|author=Vibe Media Group|title=Vibe|journal=Vibe Vixen|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_CywEAAAAMBAJ|accessdate=17 November 2012|date=February 1998|publisher=Vibe Media Group|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_CywEAAAAMBAJ/page/n127 114]|quote=With Beepwear, Motorola and Timex have conspired to bring you the coolest watch this side 1 of a G-Shock. A 2 watch pager to * savor, Beepwear V ($129) can be ^. activated in all parts of the United States, courtesy of its gooMhzband. Plus ...|issn=1070-4701}} Beepware also featured FLEXtime which, if supported by the service provider, could synchronise the time of the watch with that of the network. It could also automatically adjust to the time zone of the wearer.

{{reflist|2}}

• [http://assets.timex.com/developer/datalink/#wad Timex official developer website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070629103543/http://assets.timex.com/software/?timexBrand=core Timex USB tools download]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070629103543/http://assets.timex.com/software/?timexBrand=core Datalink software download from Timex] via Internet Archive
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150122004320/http://www.pollensoftware.com/datalink/ Pollensoftware] Wrist app exchange website
• [http://www.toebes.com/Datalink/datalink.html Datalink 150 Open Source Development Tools]
• [http://wxdlusb.sourceforge.net Linux support for the Datalink USB]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131220120954/http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/timexdatalinkusb/info Yahoo Group for Datalink USB users]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131220124605/http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/timexdatalinkusbdevelop/info Yahoo Group for Datalink USB developers]

{{Smartwatch}}

Category:1994 introductions

Category:Timex Group

Category:Timex watches

Category:Personal digital assistants

Category:Smartwatches

Category:Computer-related introductions in 1994

Category:Pagers

Category:Microsoft initiatives