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Are you buying an Android Wear smartwatch today? [POLL]
- Thread starter phandroid
- Start date
i've waited til 2014 and i can wait a few more years. think i'll wait 4 or 5 iterations, and let the market refine and stabilize....and miniaturize further. still too big(too thick to be precise).
i have trouble seeing the utility of these since they don't yet have internal speakers, and therefore still too much reliance on the phone it is paired with.
i have trouble seeing the utility of these since they don't yet have internal speakers, and therefore still too much reliance on the phone it is paired with.
I have receive my Samsung today and want to buy a smart watch for it, can use a smart watch with my phone ? here it ishttps://www.yixooh.com/product/sams...e-4-3-android-4-2-1-5ghz-3g-smartphone-white/
Thanks for your help guys
welcome to AF!!!!!!
found this on the gear 2 site:
Samsung Gear
TARANCHULA
Lurker
I bought the Gear Live and I'm surprised that the biggest problem I have is the voice recognition which reviews bragged about being good. 90% of the time doesn't even show me any text and instead takes me to the watch menu selections. Very disapointing because I like a lot of the features like email and message alerts. The vibration notice is weak and hard to even feel. I've had it on for 8 ours and the battery life is 80% but I haven't used it all that much, but I'd say the battery life is not too bad.
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
I cannot find these in any store here in town. I'm guessing this Wear series is just a bad joke from Google?
There's a couple of them in the UK Play Store. When/whether they'll make it to bricks and mortar stores I don't know - I've not been into a phone shop for months, which is the place I'd look rather than a watch shop.
I suspect size might be an issue for me - the Moto 360 looks nice, but I suspect it's at least twice as thick as the Tissot I wear, and probably larger too. Would definitely have to see one for real before I could consider buying.
I suspect size might be an issue for me - the Moto 360 looks nice, but I suspect it's at least twice as thick as the Tissot I wear, and probably larger too. Would definitely have to see one for real before I could consider buying.
I have a Movado and a Raymond Weil that are about large as I want while still being comfortable. Plus I prefer a steel bracelet as opposed to leather or plastic. I just can't see myself locking into the current styles.
A co-worker has a Note 3 with a Gear and while it looks okay on them, I'd probably not wear it much.
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
I won't buy anything until I see it in person and demo it, so Play Store isn't an option. But one would expect Best Buy to carry them since they've been out this long...
The tech malls of Hong Kong didn't even have the thing, didn't see any in London either. Actually what's wrong with buying it from Play, it's simple, if you don't like it or is unsuitable, just send it back for a 100% refund.
AnonGuy
Android Enthusiast
The only really usable ones at the moment are those from Samsung (Running Tizen). Android Wear looks more beta than anything at the moment.
Most of them look too geeky at the moment. The Moto round watch looks nice, but I'd have to see one in person to make the final determination.
Also think it would be extremely distracting in social settings, to have your watch constantly vibrating or whatever whenever your phone got a notification (and especially with all these Context and Location-Sensitive alerts people are starting to get these days).
Most of them look too geeky at the moment. The Moto round watch looks nice, but I'd have to see one in person to make the final determination.
Also think it would be extremely distracting in social settings, to have your watch constantly vibrating or whatever whenever your phone got a notification (and especially with all these Context and Location-Sensitive alerts people are starting to get these days).
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
If I am going to spend $299 on something I want to know all there is. Is the screen gorilla glass or cheap plastic? Google claims that the screen never turns off. So how does the battery hold out? Is it color or chintzy black and white? Is the build quality durable? I need to test the UI and voice commands for accuracy. Is there a camera? See I cannot get that by seeing vague Google features and pictures with simulated images. I need to demo the thing.
Plus, if I'm to wait six to eight weeks for the thing to be delivered I am probably not getting any benefit seeing as they would probably be available locally by then. I prefer buying local.
Plus, if I'm to wait six to eight weeks for the thing to be delivered I am probably not getting any benefit seeing as they would probably be available locally by then. I prefer buying local.
The Gear 2 and the Gear Neo? They look nice and are all the rage in HK from what I seen. Thing is they only work with the current Samsung flagships, like S4, S5 and Note 3. Sure Samsung could make them work with all their current phones if they wanted, but they want to keep it as an exclusive lock-in instead I think.
Didn't see anything of Android Wear at all, not in the UK or HK recently. And I'm certainly not going to see any now I'm back home in Inner Mongolia.
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
Just got a Gear 2. like the new build material and relocated camera and speaker (the original one i had the speaker finally gave out and one microphone also died--located in the clasp--bad place for it) but other than that, and i admit i haven't messed with it other than resetting the screen brightness to subtle vs. brigher than the sun, and setting it up to pair with my Note 3. but the UI looks exactly the same, save for a background pattern. so is Tizen that close to Android?
i really like the Live better but it's not going to be available here--Best Buy quotes next year if that. we always get things late.
Part of me is glad these things are 'unsuccessful' because that means they're more rarely seen. many people stop me asking me 'hey is that a computer watch?' and are dazzled with all i can do with it, citing the benefit of avoiding the need to remove the phone from one's pocket or being able to take calls with your hands full as the biggest cool factors.
others like the weather being shown with the date/time. i personally like the science-fiction feel. it does do a great job of being a 'second phone' when you're so busy at work and need the benefit of not having to take your phone out, unlock the screen just to delete a junk email.
The price of my original Gear was worth it to me, at $249 it had great durability and hardly has any scratches on it and i would expect much the same from a good $299 Citizen watch, even though the Gear does ten times more in addition to justify the price even more so. the speaker technically still works but you have to be in a completely silent room, plug your other ear, and shove the clasp next to your opposite ear to hear it, and then it's extremely quiet. the volume is maxed out but it just lost most of the output. one microphone is dead so while i could still take calls on the thing, i could not use voice commands. S-Voice no longer picked up my voice.
the old one had the speaker and one mic located in the clasp--which is almost always exposed to water, dirt, grime, gasoline and what not. the rest of the watch isn't. my original one also started getting finicky to charge. i'd close it in the cradle and it wouldn't indicate it was charging and it was not--it would still lose charge. licking the pins and trying again might get it to work, but the only 100% successful method was putting it in the cradle, ignoring that it wasn't showing anything, wait half an hour, take it out and put it back in--always started charging then. not sure what that was all about.
i really like the Live better but it's not going to be available here--Best Buy quotes next year if that. we always get things late.
Part of me is glad these things are 'unsuccessful' because that means they're more rarely seen. many people stop me asking me 'hey is that a computer watch?' and are dazzled with all i can do with it, citing the benefit of avoiding the need to remove the phone from one's pocket or being able to take calls with your hands full as the biggest cool factors.
others like the weather being shown with the date/time. i personally like the science-fiction feel. it does do a great job of being a 'second phone' when you're so busy at work and need the benefit of not having to take your phone out, unlock the screen just to delete a junk email.
The price of my original Gear was worth it to me, at $249 it had great durability and hardly has any scratches on it and i would expect much the same from a good $299 Citizen watch, even though the Gear does ten times more in addition to justify the price even more so. the speaker technically still works but you have to be in a completely silent room, plug your other ear, and shove the clasp next to your opposite ear to hear it, and then it's extremely quiet. the volume is maxed out but it just lost most of the output. one microphone is dead so while i could still take calls on the thing, i could not use voice commands. S-Voice no longer picked up my voice.
the old one had the speaker and one mic located in the clasp--which is almost always exposed to water, dirt, grime, gasoline and what not. the rest of the watch isn't. my original one also started getting finicky to charge. i'd close it in the cradle and it wouldn't indicate it was charging and it was not--it would still lose charge. licking the pins and trying again might get it to work, but the only 100% successful method was putting it in the cradle, ignoring that it wasn't showing anything, wait half an hour, take it out and put it back in--always started charging then. not sure what that was all about.
James Howard Jr
Lurker
Umm maybe, after i got my google glass.
But it's unnecessary for now. Maybe in couple years after smartwatch can replace smartphone
But it's unnecessary for now. Maybe in couple years after smartwatch can replace smartphone
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
Does anyone not see how a Google Glass would be more invasive than a watch? most people are used to wearing watches, but glasses of any kind would not be very good indoors or on the job, and would just get in the way. i can see how Glass might benefit those who already wear glasses but otherwise it's like wearing sunglasses indoors to me. plus anyone using them come off like freaky Borg. I also find it odd how we discredit the smartwatch due to price, but the Glass is what? $1500? now that is overpriced!
I don't think the Android Wear or any smart-watches look any more out of place or geeky than those hockey puck like Casio G-Shock rubber things that people have worn for decades. Glass might attract some curiosity and staring though, especially to anyone who's never seen one before. The Glass I saw on display in HK a couple of weeks ago grabbed my attention, having never seen one for real before, only pictures and YT videos. I don't think Borg like LEDs would be a problem, just ask the masses who wear BT headsets in public, especially at night.
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
try the Target-brand Mossimo watches for a huge puck on your wrist.
I like the convenience. there have been times i got a call and couldn't get my phone out of my pocket and it was easier and far more handy to say 'answer' to my watch and have it work through that. getting the weather is also handy, faster, and then the camera works wonders in tight spaces such as the innards of a golf car engine for reference photos during disassembly.
leaving my phone in my pocket avoids the chances of dropping it, and reduces battery drain from the screen. people have been decrying that watches are obsolete for a long time, saying 'people just pull their phone out of their pocket and hit the sleep/wake key to get the time' (in fact, that was even mentioned in the movie about Google--forgot its name) but am i alone in thinking that is extremely inefficient?
i hardly use my BT headset because having anything shoved in my ear is uncomfortable. watches blend in better. but i have noticed a serious decline in BT headsets and only seen them worn by older folks who carry very beat up flip phones--aka the anti-smartphone set...they appear to be dying off though, much like Buick owners. my headset, a very nice but expensive Plantronics Voyager Legend, is only used on nature walks for music, since my watch cannot play music that way, not without it being distracting to others, and i can still hear the sounds of wildlife out of my other ear. i tend to listen to soft '70s music on those walks.
but Google Glass is very limited in what it can do, and is more invasive, not comfortable, and looks odd. i cannot see how you would work on the job with one on, and at the price, i wouldn't risk it at the job i got. Glass would also be distracting during driving with a HUD always on in your line of sight.
I like the convenience. there have been times i got a call and couldn't get my phone out of my pocket and it was easier and far more handy to say 'answer' to my watch and have it work through that. getting the weather is also handy, faster, and then the camera works wonders in tight spaces such as the innards of a golf car engine for reference photos during disassembly.
leaving my phone in my pocket avoids the chances of dropping it, and reduces battery drain from the screen. people have been decrying that watches are obsolete for a long time, saying 'people just pull their phone out of their pocket and hit the sleep/wake key to get the time' (in fact, that was even mentioned in the movie about Google--forgot its name) but am i alone in thinking that is extremely inefficient?
i hardly use my BT headset because having anything shoved in my ear is uncomfortable. watches blend in better. but i have noticed a serious decline in BT headsets and only seen them worn by older folks who carry very beat up flip phones--aka the anti-smartphone set...they appear to be dying off though, much like Buick owners. my headset, a very nice but expensive Plantronics Voyager Legend, is only used on nature walks for music, since my watch cannot play music that way, not without it being distracting to others, and i can still hear the sounds of wildlife out of my other ear. i tend to listen to soft '70s music on those walks.
but Google Glass is very limited in what it can do, and is more invasive, not comfortable, and looks odd. i cannot see how you would work on the job with one on, and at the price, i wouldn't risk it at the job i got. Glass would also be distracting during driving with a HUD always on in your line of sight.
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
still no dice here in town. Best Buy currently has the Meta Strata, Gear 2 and Gear Neo, Gear Fit, two Pebble watches (that are very cheap plasticy junk--had one that hardly lasted a couple months and had tons of issues with the weather losing sync to the phone) and that's it. no sign of any of the Wear watches. if these are Play Store exclusives Google can simply forget it. the only two things i wish the Gear 2 had was always-listening voice control and that beautiful UX. well, there's always the Gear 3, perhaps saying 'hi galaxy' will work then?
Google is extremely vague about them, and that isn't helping. i'd like a better more elaborate spec sheet and build quality test before i buy anything. is the screen color? is it backlit? how does it stay on without killing the battery? is it plastic or metal? see Google's vague crappy info is not cutting it. i need to know more about the thing. even XDA has no ROMs for it on any rooted Gears, and i have no idea what the Wear runs. does it run Android? Tizen? or some proprietary Google crap?
Google is extremely vague about them, and that isn't helping. i'd like a better more elaborate spec sheet and build quality test before i buy anything. is the screen color? is it backlit? how does it stay on without killing the battery? is it plastic or metal? see Google's vague crappy info is not cutting it. i need to know more about the thing. even XDA has no ROMs for it on any rooted Gears, and i have no idea what the Wear runs. does it run Android? Tizen? or some proprietary Google crap?
Got my gear live from best buys website. Was delivered a couple of days ago. Like the look of it doesn't feel any bulkier than any digital watch. Always liked a square watchface so waiting for the moto 360 wasn't for me. S far have had no issues. Full day of use still leaves 45% of the battery if I probably turned off the always on screen I probably could make it 2 days. The charger isn't great but if you pay attention to how you put it on and understand just the slightest touch will disengage it there won't be any problems. There is more misinformation out there that information. Read one blog yesterday that the guy was giving up on android wear completely, Why? Because he would forget to charge it. Think he should give up on technology doesn't see suited for it LOL.
nickdalzell
Extreme Android User
So other than touch less controls, what does the live do that the Gear 2 doesn't? Does it allow you to make/receive calls from the watch? Does it have an IR blaster? Camera? Since there is only Google's vague spec sheet with zero elaboration I literally have no idea what it does. I need a comparison review. The camera is extra handy at work and avoids damaging the Note 3, and the phone feature is excellent while driving or when one's hands are full. The only thing that's missing is the beautiful UX the live has and touch less control. But what is the sacrifice? Is it built the same as the Gear 2 or more like a plastic Pebble? What is the screen and how is it protected? Is it gorilla glass?
I'd kill for the ability to trigger voice control via voice to save it from nasty smudges.
I'd kill for the ability to trigger voice control via voice to save it from nasty smudges.
juliealexis12
Lurker
I only like the design, it looks awesome on the wrist. Compatible with android mobiles and tab but only with new kitkat version.