That's $100 off the regular price of this phone-friendly timepiece, which is among the better-looking products in its class.
The Martian Passport looks more like a traditional watch than the typical smartwatch, and it offers Dick Tracy-style calling.
(Credit: Best Buy)I've rarely talked about smartwatches in this space, largely because the category is so new, there haven't been any deals. And even today's I offer up with a grain of salt, for reasons I'll explain momentarily.
For now, this: Amazon has the Martian Passport smartwatch for $199.99 shipped. That's the black-and-silver version with the black wristband. (Best Buy has it for the same price, but you'll be on the hook for sales tax.) It lists for $299.99, and I've rarely seen it for much less than that.
So. Smartwatches. Long before anybody coined that term, I was itching for a simple wristband that would vibrate to let me know when a call or text message came in. When my phone is in my pocket, it happens far too often that I can't hear it beep or feel it buzz, hence calls and messages get missed.
Flash-forward to today. Most pundits expect smartwatches to be the Next Big Thing, but to my thinking not a single current product gets it right. And by right I mean inexpensive, elegant, and simple.
The Passport comes fairly close on those last two counts. To me it looks like a stylish man's watch (sorry, ladies), not some geeky, clunky wrist PalmPilot. And its single-line OLED display keeps it simple, scrolling the text of incoming messages or notifying you who's calling.
There's more to it than just that, of course -- the Passport has some nifty Dick Tracy features, including a speaker and microphone so you can have phone conversations with your wrist. Plus, a single button-press activates Siri or Google Now, allowing you to place calls, send text messages, set reminders, and so on, all while leaving your phone in your pocket.
When I test-wristed the Passport a few months back, I liked it quite a bit, though wasn't prepared to spend $300 for it. Even at $200, it's on the pricey side -- my ideal smartwatch will cost $99 -- but I do think it's one of the cooler watches currently available. Be sure to check out Scott Stein's review, then hit the comments and let me know what you're looking for in a smartwatch -- and whether you think this might be it.
Bonus deal: A simple wireless Webcam can be great for home security, but they tend to be expensive. For a limited time, and while supplies last, DealFisher has the Linksys WVC80N Wireless-N Home Monitoring Camera for $57.99 shipped. It lists for $129.99 and sells elsewhere for around $85-90. But do check the user reviews over at Amazon, which suggest that setup can be a little tricky. Once it's working, though, most people seem to love this security-oriented eyeball.
Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers.
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