[Seyi Agboola]

The previous February Update Thread was deleted by accident so if you haven't posted your thoughts here you go!
The main points are:

• Stainless Steel Core
  
• New Connector
  
• NCVM Coating
  
• New charger
  
• Extra Battery Module
  
• Android 6.0
  
• Survey
  

[Alessandro G.]

I thought about linking my comment from the other thread here, but then I'd send readers away from here! So, here's what I said before, with a couple corrections.
These are in my opinion PROs and CONs of the "new" BLOCKS.

PROs:

• Stainless steel Core: it makes the Core look less "gimmicky" and more classic and professional. Not to mention that it is tougher and helped make the Core slimmer, something I was very concerned about. If someone wanted to use BLOCKS as a no-plastic watch, he/she would only need to get a leather strap and use it.
  
• Slimmer profile of the Core.
  
• Faster and more convenient connectors, you just have to push two small buttons to release a module.
  
• Newer processor.
  
• Android 6.0.
  
• Slim charging connector that should make DIYers quite happy.
  
• An easy to use dock included, to be used as a charging station.
  
• IP68 should be quite near thanks to the sacrifices made to reach full waterproof certification.
  
• FLASH NEWS EDIT: There will be a button on the Core, supposedly in the position where normal watches have the crown!
  

CONs:

• 100mAh less of battery capacity of the Core, in order to slim it.
  
• Differently sized battery module (I don't particularly like asimmetry).
  
• The new connector might be less sturdy than one based on through pins, like regular watches have.
  
• Battery modules limited to 1 per watch, and only on the bottom side of the wrist. IMHO this will cause a slight decrease in the sales of this module, as many were interested in 2 or 3 battery modules (with spares) per watch. It might also reduce the maximum number of modules wearable at the same time.
  
• No more interchangeable shells. I don't really like this, not just because I won't be able to make my own shells, but because to change one I will have to get a new module, and there will be no aftermarket for fancy shells alone. But commercially it's a good move, IP68 appeals a wider number of people, and doing all personalizations in-house will be a nice source of extra money. They deserve it.
  
• No changes in terms of RAM and memory even with the upgraded hardware.
  
• The four months delay in production, even if I have always thought that May was just too near for them to get everything ready for shipping.
  

The bottom line:
All things considered I liked the update. There are only two things I really didn't like. The new battery module limited to one per watch, but there is still room for new technologies and reduced sizes in the future, without having to get a new Core. The shells that will no longer be interchangeable, but this is a sacrifice I'm willing to make in order to get IP68. Everything else (steel core, faster-release connectors, slim charging port, etc.) is absolutely wonderful news to my ears! Well, apart the delay, clearly!

[Snyper493]

I have to agree with Alesso here about his Pro/Con list. I do have to add though, if it is a sturdy, and thick enough outer shell, there is a small way to customize it with laser cut printers. GlowForge is one that I was thinking. https://glowforge.com/

Some DiY places might have that and might let you use it to do custom engravings on said modules. I plan to find one of those places with a GlowForge and do one custom etching on my Envy 360 laptop. It has a nice silver magnesium alloy lid which could be engraved by a laser quite easily. This might be possible for the modules in the GlowForge.

[a_guy]

I agree with everthing Alessandro G. said,
BTW the core button would be awesome

[LittleHuba]

I'd like to know what material the new connectors of the modules are made of. I fear they are made of plastic and therefore will wear of after some time of usage. The images in the update are too small to see anything except the general usage.

Could you post a few pictures and some specs on those connectors?

[a_guy]

(02-08-2016, 05:15 PM)LittleHuba Wrote:  I'd like to know what material the new connectors of the modules are made of. I fear they are made of plastic and therefore will wear of after some time of usage. The images in the update are too small to see anything except the general usage.
Could you post a few pictures and some specs on those connectors?

This image is from the ambassador pack so it might be just a prototype created for pictures.
Based on the image I believe that the connectors are made of plastic but don't quote me on that (just an observation).

[Yousif]

(02-08-2016, 05:34 PM)LittleHuba Wrote:  I'd like to know what material the new connectors of the modules are made of. I fear they are made of plastic and therefore will wear of after some time of usage. The images in the update are too small to see anything except the general usage.

Could you post a few pictures and some specs on those connectors?

On my Surface Book, I have a very similar connecter. I have detached and attached the keyboard many times but nothing has happend

[Neil Shah]

The connector in the new update are open and closed with a button release, I don't think they're using this spring bar anymore.

[Heurazio]

As said by others and me before, i don't like the new battery module. I don't like that it is:

1. Fixed in position
   
2. has a different size
   
3. may make problems with the heart rate sensor
   
4. can only be placed once
   

everything else in the update is cool / ok (the delay ).

[PippiMD]

As far as I am concerned, almost everything in the update is a plus. The downsizing of the core battery is balanced by a sleeker design - I would rather have a little more bulk than the trimmer watch, but can easily live with this. The move to a differently sized module for the battery is one that leave me scratching my head, though. I know it has increased capacity, but one of the prime selling points of this product is its modularity - and interchangeability of any and all modules - and this change goes against that prime concept. Does anyone like this particular change? None of the comments I have read consider this to be a positive move.