Retro cool: The smartwatch formula up to this point has been pretty straightforward: cram as many health, fitness, and connectivity features as possible into a sleek package and call it a day. The problem, of course, is that one size doesn't fit all. Not everyone needs or wants such a feature-rich wearable, and the cookie-cutter basic slab design doesn't appeal to everyone. If that sounds like you (and you happen to be on a retro kick), Casio's WS-B1000 might be worth a look.
The Verge recently spent some time with the wearable and came away impressed. Its retro styling looks like something straight out of the Indiglo and calculator watch era of the 90s, complete with button-activated backlit LCD. It's light on the wrist at just 36 grams, and the two-year battery life from the standard coin cell battery is plenty acceptable.
The WS-B1000 can connect wirelessly to your phone via Bluetooth, allowing it to automatically set the time so you don't have to go fumbling through a manual. You also get an accelerometer to track steps along with the usual gamut of digital watch features like a stopwatch and alarms. The step tracking feature proved ballpark reliable, within 500 to 1,000 steps of an Apple Watch Ultra in The Verge's testing.
Perhaps the best aspect of the Casio WS-B000 is one we haven't mentioned yet: price. It is currently available over on Amazon for $55.95 in black, blue, or silver. That is a little more than your basic non-connected watch but far less than a feature-packed, flagship smartwatch.
In short, what you've got is a retro-styled wristwatch with a step counter. For many, that is all they need from a watch. For others (myself included), the smartphone era has rendered the wristwatch irrelevant. There once was a time when you couldn't find me without a watch strapped to my wrist (and perfectly synced with the school bell), but those years are long behind me as the smartphone does everything I require from a watch (and more).