Be Like Kirk with Neutrano’s Nutec WristFone (nerdy Star Trek uniform sold separately)

We cover a lot of different product categories at Trender Research, so it is not often we get to talk about a product that covers, well, ALL of them. Or just about. The new Nutec WristFone by Neutrano was launched at the CTIA trade show in Las Vegas yesterday and it puts checkmarks down the list: mobile- check, communications- check, photography- check, audio- yup, video- sure, accessory- yes, the thing can EVEN tell time!

In all seriousness, this device would make Dick Tracy and Captain James Tiberius Kirk jealous. Certainly it is bling for the nerdiest among us, but the guys at Neutrano solved some pretty challenging technical and usability issues. After more than two years of R&D, discussions with leading industry carriers and professionals, and focus group research, a light bulb went on.

“Consumer focus groups told us the main barrier to purchasing a phone watch was the awkwardness of listening and talking to a phone on your wrist,” said Gary Rotman, president of Neutrano. “So we developed the first ever detachable cell phone watch in the world.”

Now folks can talk on the removable watch face like a normal cell phone instead of chatting Kirk style.

Neutrano has not been afraid of a challenge when it comes to innovating in the time piece category (not to mention all those other categories). They already have a watch that imbeds a powerful flashlight beam, one that combines 4 GB of USB storage into the watch, another that acts as a digital photo viewer, and also an alarm clock that uses voice commands to set the alarm (how great would that be to say “snooze” instead of rolling over to hit the alarm clock— I could sleep through just about any important meeting that way).

The Nutec Wristfone supports Bluetooth and USB inputs. It plays audio and video in a variety of formats including MP3, WAV, 3GP, and MPG and has a 1.3 MP digital camera that produces JPG and GIF files. It also has a voice recorder and FM radio if you get bored of your digital songs. 1 GB memory is included, but you can upgrade to 2 GB.

Neutrano is previewing two unlocked, GSM models at the CTIA show. Both are scheduled to ship on June 15th and will retail between $300 and $400.