Sega and Swatch Access to Cyberspace

Sega Enterprises announced on Thursday that it has teamed with Swiss watchmaker Swatch to provide a new range of Internet services using the Dreamcast and Swatch watches with wireless communication features. This technology is being labeled by the two companies as wearable "Access to Cyberspace."

The system will lets users download data to the Dreamcast via its modem connection to the Internet and then transfer it to the watch, which includes a built-in RFID (contactless memory chip) with read and write functions. Although the data cannot be viewed on the watch itself, it can be transferred to other hardware units that can - such as different Dreamcast hardware units or special adapters that Sega intends to install in places such as cinemas.

"The cooperation with Swatch will bring the potential of cyberspace to game users," said Sega chairman Isao Okawa.

To transfer data from the Dreamcast to the watch, users will need to hold the watch up to an adapter connected to the Dreamcast.

The watch that will be used for the service is the Swatch Access model, which will need to be updated with wireless communications features. "I would be very disappointed if we don't sell one million watches in a short term," said Swatch president Nick Hayek.

Sega and Swatch intend to launch the watch worldwide between April and May at a price of 15,000-20,000 yen (US$130-180).