Neat idea, been done before. The Sunto n3 Smart Watch is a great idea but the price insures that it will not be very successful. An early adopter’s dream come true, the n3 offers stock quotes, instant messaging, automatic time updates and timezone changes according to your location, weather, and news. The catch? The watch costs $300 and the service is $9.95 a month or $59 a year. For those prices you can get a 56K dialup account and a new computer. Monthly fees are a marketers dream but at some point they need to realize that we are only willing to pay for so much. After paying for my mobile phone, mobile phone data, home phone, broadband, power, gas, waste, waste water, Tivo, cable, etc. I am not inclined to toss another ten bucks out the window.

Data service is offered via a subscription to MSN Direct, a Microsoft offering available in more than 100 metropolitan areas. MSN Direct allows for various customization options including synchronization with your Outlook calendar.

While there are cheaper MSN smart watches, some costing as little as $130, the whole smart watch thing has been done before. Seiko gave it a go several years ago and abandoned the idea pretty quickly. Do people have more spare change today? Or perhaps with Microsoft behind the idea it can’t fail… Uh huh.

The n3 has nice curves and unlike the Fossil line, the antenna is built into the face and not the wrist strap which is a definite plus. It is also waterproof to 330 feet. Five navigation buttons will let you navigate quick but the lack of a keyboard renders instant messaging useless.

When you can pick one up for $130 and it includes free lifetime service I expect that smart watches will become successful. Until then, heed the lesson that Seiko taught, or pay the early adopter price. Of course, if you are an early adopter, run out and buy one now - it is very, very cool.

Find out more at the Suunto site.