[Alessandro G.]

100% sure it is passive only. Here's the quote from KS: "Yes so for now we will only have a passive NFC module [...]. We will have an active NFC payment system also in the future [...]" and this is the specific description of the module itself: "NFC is a passive chip that allows payments to be made. It is loaded with payment capability credentials securely at a special facility. There is no communication between nfc and core (except for connection/disconnection events) but data can be read via 3G connection (via bluetooth via phone or cellular connection within the watch)".
I'm already considering how to make an active NFC module, based on the PN7120, NXP's latest NFC chip made specifically to be easily and rapidly integrated in the Android (and Linux) environment. It sounds just about perfect IMHO, BLOCKS is Android and the chip was made for that!

[Yousif]

(02-09-2016, 06:29 PM)Alessandro G. Wrote:  100% sure it is passive only. Here's the quote from KS: "Yes so for now we will only have a passive NFC module [...]. We will have an active NFC payment system also in the future [...]" and this is the specific description of the module itself: "NFC is a passive chip that allows payments to be made. It is loaded with payment capability credentials securely at a special facility. There is no communication between nfc and core (except for connection/disconnection events) but data can be read via 3G connection (via bluetooth via phone or cellular connection within the watch)".
I'm already considering how to make an active NFC module, based on the PN7120, NXP's latest NFC chip made specifically to be easily and rapidly integrated in the Android (and Linux) environment. It sounds just about perfect IMHO, BLOCKS is Android and the chip was made for that!

A passive NFC chip won't sell very well. I think you have a good idea. I researched the PN7120 and it's advertised as "plug'n play" which is basically what BLOCKS is about

[Alessandro G.]

(02-09-2016, 07:17 PM)Yousif Wrote:  A passive NFC chip won't sell very well. I think you have a good idea. I researched the PN7120 and it's advertised as "plug'n play" which is basically what BLOCKS is about

Glad to see that you agree with me! I'll post the specs on the hardware developers section, as usual. Unfortunately I'll have to wait some time before the SDK becomes available. But hey, at least I'm getting a steel, AMOLED, and modular smartwatch!

[Womblestew]

Heart Rate Module

What tech is being used in this module? How is accuracy being addressed?
I have used Fitbit heart rate monitoring on and off for a year, and I am pretty unimpressed with how their trackers perform in this area. No mater where I wear the trackers on my arm, be it as Fitbit recommend, to as far up the arm as the strap will allow, wearing the tracker on the inner side of the arm, and any combination of the above or in between I get constant loss of "signal" along with readings that are way out from where a chest strap monitor, worn at the same time indicates. I know Fitbit denies that there is anything wrong, but from experience, friends who find the same problem, and many online also reporting the same, there is definitely something not quite right with the system they use, be it hardware or software.
I'm just hoping that the heart rate module will not have the same problems. I would be interested in ordering one but it will not be until the accuracy can be proven to be true.

[Alessandro G.]

(02-11-2016, 08:48 PM)Womblestew Wrote:  What tech is being used in this module? How is accuracy being addressed?
I have used Fitbit heart rate monitoring on and off for a year, and I am pretty unimpressed with how their trackers perform in this area. No mater where I wear the trackers on my arm, be it as Fitbit recommend, to as far up the arm as the strap will allow, wearing the tracker on the inner side of the arm, and any combination of the above or in between I get constant loss of "signal" along with readings that are way out from where a chest strap monitor, worn at the same time indicates. I know Fitbit denies that there is anything wrong, but from experience, friends who find the same problem, and many online also reporting the same, there is definitely something not quite right with the system they use, be it hardware or software.
I'm just hoping that the heart rate module will not have the same problems. I would be interested in ordering one but it will not be until the accuracy can be proven to be true.

So, as far as hardware is concerned, the following comes straight from their KS campaign: "Advanced heart rate monitoring module will be developed in partnership with PixArt Imaging, a leading provider of optical sensors, with inbuilt tri-LED pulse sensor". This is a link to PixArt website, to the specs page of their 3-led heart rate sensor: PixArt Heart Rate Sensor. The specs are certainly high-grade. All of this said, how effective and accurate is the Heart Rate module? Well, there's no way to know for sure, but the team stated in the latest update that they're doing extensive tests on the module, to find out if there might be some position constraints for it to work at full capacity. The new longer battery module must have caused some delays in the tests, as the HR sensor behavior, already quite difficult to predict as different people have different wrists and might place the module in different positions, would be affected by the presence (or the absence) of a battery module, that would cause it to be positioned in slightly different locations. What I know for sure is that the team knows how important the HR module is from a commercial point of view, so there's no way they're releasing a module with reading issues.

[Seyi Agboola]

(02-02-2016, 04:27 PM)Alessandro G. Wrote:  Hi everyone, and welcome to the Modules Info Thread! This is the thread for all questions related to modules already developed or planned by BLOCKS. Just in case you didn't know what they are, here is a small list:

• Phase 1 modules, to be released in May 2016 alongside the first shipments of BLOCKS smartwatches to Kickstarter backers and pre-orders: 1) Extra battery module, 2) Heart rate module, 3) GPS module, 4) NFC module, 5) Adventure module.
  
• Phase 2 modules, planned modules whose development will begin after the fulfillment of all first shipments of BLOCKS: 1) SIM card module, 2) Fingerprint module, 3) LED module, 4) Programmable button module.
  
• Phase 3 modules, modules the team consider the most interesting to work on in the future: 1) Air quality module, 2) Camera module, 3) Flash memory module, 4) Stress level module, 5) Body temperature module, 6) Expansion module.
  

Here's a number of common questions this thread will cover:

1. Can the [any module mentioned above] do this?
   
2. What are the specs of the [any module mentioned above]?
   
3. When will I be able to buy the [any module mentioned above]?
   
4. Waht do you think about the [any module mentioned above]?
   

If your question looks similar to any of these, then you're in the right place! Post here, and let the community help you!

Here's some new info:

1. Heart Rate Module
   

The sensor being used here is by one of the leading manufacturers of low power tiny heart rate sensors. We will be using PPG technology with LED to detect the heart rate and will be providing the BPM. We are working hard to make sure we can keep this sensor on all the time so we can take a reading in short intervals allowing you to track your heart rate throughout the day.

1. Adventure Module
   

The Adventure module is a 3-in-1 sensor which combines digital humidity, pressure and temperature sensors in one. This low power sensor allows us to provide the environmental temperature, pressure, altitude and humidity. Perfect for people who love to go exploring and want to track different aspects of their route.

1. NFC Module
   

The NFC module in this phase is a passive NFC. It is manufactured to support loyalty cards (such as membership cards etc) but on shipping it will only support contactless payments.

1. GPS Module
   

This tiny GNSS module provides us with accurate positioning and a minimal acquisition time. We will be using GPS and GLONASS to ensure we provide the best location data possible. We will be providing longitude and latitude data as well as location data and accompanying accuracies.

1. EBM
   

The EBM is designed to extend the battery life of your watch and charge it even when the watch is turned off. While using the extra battery module we will be providing the mAh remaining as well as the charge remaining in the battery. We will also provide the state such as charging/discharging etc.


Please bear in mind, there may be changes as we update our backers within the monthly updates

[Dbirney]

[quote pid='870' dateline='1455538668']
.

1. NFC Module
   

The NFC module in this phase is a passive NFC. It is manufactured to support loyalty cards (such as membership cards etc) but on shipping it will only support contactless payments.


How exactly is the passive nfc module going to support wireless payments? Will it link to an app, like android pay, or will we have to have it preprogrammed with a credit card?
[/quote]

[PippiMD]

Any chance the heart rate module will have both Bluetooth and a ANT+ connectivity? That would make it more flexible.

[Alessandro G.]

(02-15-2016, 01:51 PM)Dbirney Wrote:  How exactly is the passive nfc module going to support wireless payments? Will it link to an app, like android pay, or will we have to have it preprogrammed with a credit card?

One way or another it will have to be programmed from the outside, as it is basically just a tag. I don't know if such programming could be done directly from the smartwatch (but then it would be very much like an active NFC module, and this is a passive one) or from an external writer, like and Android smartphone. The NFC module of Apple devices is still reserved to ApplePay at the moment.

[Little Kitten]

(02-15-2016, 12:17 PM)Seyi Agboola Wrote:  

(02-02-2016, 04:27 PM)Alessandro G. Wrote:  Hi everyone, and welcome to the Modules Info Thread! This is the thread for all questions related to modules already developed or planned by BLOCKS. Just in case you didn't know what they are, here is a small list:

• Phase 1 modules, to be released in May 2016 alongside the first shipments of BLOCKS smartwatches to Kickstarter backers and pre-orders: 1) Extra battery module, 2) Heart rate module, 3) GPS module, 4) NFC module, 5) Adventure module.
  
• Phase 2 modules, planned modules whose development will begin after the fulfillment of all first shipments of BLOCKS: 1) SIM card module, 2) Fingerprint module, 3) LED module, 4) Programmable button module.
  
• Phase 3 modules, modules the team consider the most interesting to work on in the future: 1) Air quality module, 2) Camera module, 3) Flash memory module, 4) Stress level module, 5) Body temperature module, 6) Expansion module.
  

Here's a number of common questions this thread will cover:

1. Can the [any module mentioned above] do this?
   
2. What are the specs of the [any module mentioned above]?
   
3. When will I be able to buy the [any module mentioned above]?
   
4. Waht do you think about the [any module mentioned above]?
   

If your question looks similar to any of these, then you're in the right place! Post here, and let the community help you!

Here's some new info:

1. Heart Rate Module
   

The sensor being used here is by one of the leading manufacturers of low power tiny heart rate sensors. We will be using PPG technology with LED to detect the heart rate and will be providing the BPM. We are working hard to make sure we can keep this sensor on all the time so we can take a reading in short intervals allowing you to track your heart rate throughout the day.

1. Adventure Module
   

The Adventure module is a 3-in-1 sensor which combines digital humidity, pressure and temperature sensors in one. This low power sensor allows us to provide the environmental temperature, pressure, altitude and humidity. Perfect for people who love to go exploring and want to track different aspects of their route.

1. NFC Module
   

The NFC module in this phase is a passive NFC. It is manufactured to support loyalty cards (such as membership cards etc) but on shipping it will only support contactless payments.

1. GPS Module
   

This tiny GNSS module provides us with accurate positioning and a minimal acquisition time. We will be using GPS and GLONASS to ensure we provide the best location data possible. We will be providing longitude and latitude data as well as location data and accompanying accuracies.

1. EBM
   

The EBM is designed to extend the battery life of your watch and charge it even when the watch is turned off. While using the extra battery module we will be providing the mAh remaining as well as the charge remaining in the battery. We will also provide the state such as charging/discharging etc.


Please bear in mind, there may be changes as we update our backers within the monthly updates

Im very interested in the Heart rate one and adventure one and ofcourse the battery. and the 4th gps. dont really need the nfc one