[Updated 1:00pm PDT] Earlier this week, LinuxDevices.com founder Rick Lehrbaum visited the IBM/Citizen Linux WatchPad, which was on display at IBM's developerWorks Live conference in San Francisco. Akihiko Mizutani, a researcher from IBM's Tokyo Research Laboratory, demonstrated the capabilities of the device, showing Lehrbaum how the WatchPad scans fingerprints (using a thermal sensor… made by Atmel), tracks motion, controls external devices with its Bluetooth signals, and . . . well . . . tells time.

Mizutani also took a photo of Lehrbaum wearing the WatchPad.

“The WatchPad is actually a lot larger than what I expected,” noted Lehrbaum. “It makes quite a fashion statement — perfect for those geek-intensive social events in Silicon Valley.” (See closeup photo.)

The WatchPad, announced in October 2001, resulted from a joint project of IBM Research and Citizen Watch. It contains the Linux kernel 2.4 and other open source software, running on a 32-bit ARM system-on-chip processor equipped with 8MB DRAM and 16MB Flash memory. Its display is a 320 x 240 monochrome LCD. Mizutani said IBM and Citizen have thus far built 150 WatchPads, with each of the two companies keeping 75. IBM's BlueDrekar project powers the Bluetooth capabilities.

When can you buy one? Don't hold your breath! According to Mizutani, the WatchPad continues to be in the realm of “research prototype”. For further details on the WatchPad, visit the project's website.

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