There are smartwatches for everyday life, for runners and for bikers, but what about surfers? California-based Nixon hopes the wave-riding community will spring for its Ultratide, a smartwatch that provides real-time info on tides, wave height, wind, water temperature and a number of other factors every surfer needs to know. The watch gets all its data from the much-used Surfline service, and lets you not only check in on conditions, but also get alerts when they meet certain criteria. Use the companion iOS app to set up combinations of location, wave height, wind direction and so on (or just when things are "epic" by Surfline's estimation), and the watch will let you know when it's time to grab your board.
Unlike other smartwatches, you won't be receiving texts, getting directions or playing games on the Ultratide. It's all business — or rather, no business allowed, just what's relevant to getting in front of a wave. The watch is designed to be rugged and, of course, waterproof, and although the battery will die after a year or so, you can ship it back to Nixon to get it replaced for free. The Ultratide goes on sale later this month for $300.
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