It looks like those famous Omega Speedmasters might not be cutting it anymore. And NASA’s choice of the Samsung Gear 2 for the hardware reference is interesting, considering the common use of iPads to run operating procedures on the global Space Station.
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“We (NASA) are interested in the emerging world of smartwatch technology and are looking to leverage this technology to create a smartwatch app that could be helpful to astronauts”, says NASA in the posting. The app needs a timer and a way to easily display the crew’s calendars and agendas for each day; it also needs to send them warnings or alerts in case they are in danger, perhaps if they need to find shelter from orbital debris.
NASA intends to sign up freelancers across the world for its smartwatch app. The contest was kicked off onFreelancer.com a prominent website where freelancers are matched with contracts and engage in negotiations and gigs. Either way if you have an idea of what a good astronaut smartwatch will be like, head on over to Freelancer for the details where the victor will earn themselves $1,500.
And the smartwatch would offer more than the watch, stopwatch and counter functions of the manual-wind Speedmaster, as classy as that is.
Besides, gardening is fun on Earth, and NASA said astronauts likely will use it as a recreational activity on long missions. The agency is now running an open competition on Freelancer.com, with the only stipulation being that developers are limited to designing apps that will work on the Samsung Gear 2. It should also be able to display color-coded warnings and cautions.
The app should also provide feedback for an astronaut’s actions and, of course, fit its displays on a smartwatch-sized screen.
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