MetaWatch Strata ‘smart sportwatch’ on Kickstarter features nifty widget interface

Thanks to the huge support the Pebble smartwatch got on Kickstarter, we all somehow knew that it wouldn’t be the last ‘smartwatch’ to hit the site looking for funding (and it wasn’t). Well, here’s another one: this is the Strata by MetaWatch, a ‘sport smartwatch’ that, like the ones that came before it, hooks up with a smartphone via Bluetooth, sending notifications and alerts on your wrist.

It does offer a few extras past the usual text, call and email notifications though. The watch features a configurable ‘widget’ interface that allows the user to load favored apps and functions, with messages and social network alerts, as well as weather, stock, and calendar widgets, music control, and integrated running and cycling apps built-in. A ’Lost Phone Alarm’ should also be a handy feature; it lets you know when you’re moving too far away from your phone (or in case your phone is inexplicably moving away from you).

MetaWatch’s SDK and the watch’s open source code lets app developers create their own apps for the Strata to give it more functions that can be loaded onto the watch itself, without needing to go through a dedicated app store.

It’s also built with a bit more rugged protection compared to the competition. Designed to be a sportwatch, the Strata is fronted by hardened glass with an anti-glare coating and a titanium finished stainless steel top ring, as well as a waterproof case to help you check your own lap times at the pool.

Under the screen, the Strata also features Bluetooth 4.0 support, a 3-axis accelerometer and ambient light sensor, as well as a rechargeable battery that’s rated to last up to a week between charges.

While it’s listed to work with both iOS and Android, it looks to be more focused on Apple’s devices, offering early support for iOS 6 for ‘enhanced functionality’.

It’s currently listed on Kickstarter until August 20 starting at $159. The first batch of deliveries are expected by September 2012.