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Galaxy Note 3 & Galaxy Gear
- Thread starter john248
- Start date
Can the Gear be used as a "phone" without a headset? For example, can I leave my real phone in my pocket, initiate and/or answer a call on my gear, and hold it up to my ear like a regular phone?
My hope is to leave my larger Note 3 in my pocket when I'm in my car or walking around and handle phone calls on the Gear, without having to use a headset. I'm even hoping to get rid of the watch band (although I doubt I can, it's connected electronically and also probably has antennas) and carry it around like a mini phone.
My hope is to leave my larger Note 3 in my pocket when I'm in my car or walking around and handle phone calls on the Gear, without having to use a headset. I'm even hoping to get rid of the watch band (although I doubt I can, it's connected electronically and also probably has antennas) and carry it around like a mini phone.
It's my understanding that the Gear watch can answer calls as it also has a built-in speaker and mic on the watch band.
MISS DIVA
Android Enthusiast
Maybe Samsung will release the 'Flavor Flav' version
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Simon_Gardner
Android Expert
I'm just very glad to have got rid of watches - period. I certainly never want to go back to having one on my wrist ever again.
Call me cheap, but a $400 watch had better tell me the time, give me weather, texts, mail, make calls, give directions, and make me breakfast in the morning 
Since I have a PHONE that does all but one of the above, I guess I just need breakfast.
When my Darling Bride retired, I told her good, she could start making me a hot breakfast before work. She said "you want a hot breakfast?" I said of course. She handed me a lighter and said "here, sport, set your corn flakes on fire."
No lie
Since I have a PHONE that does all but one of the above, I guess I just need breakfast.
When my Darling Bride retired, I told her good, she could start making me a hot breakfast before work. She said "you want a hot breakfast?" I said of course. She handed me a lighter and said "here, sport, set your corn flakes on fire."
No lie
Simon_Gardner
Android Expert
I just never want anything on my wrist, thanks.
And I think this whole class will fail commercially because not enough people will.
redpill2016
Well-Known Member
I wear an Omega Seamaster Chronometer. Good news is that, apart from being quite the handsome timepiece, I don't ever have to charge it (it's an automatic), bad news is all it does is tell me the time and date 
It would be great if they could figure out a way to power a smartwatch based upon movement, or at least as a supplement to the battery so it lasts longer between recharges.
It would be great if they could figure out a way to power a smartwatch based upon movement, or at least as a supplement to the battery so it lasts longer between recharges.
Its funny, when I was younger I wore a watch and was always asked the time but the watch stopped working. I then for some reason got a new one and started wearing it on the other wrist and folks thoughts that was weird. then in my mid 20's I stopped completely.
I don't need a watch, but for some crazy strange reason I really want this Gear. (or at least see it in person)
TS
twister6
Android Expert
Perhaps you might want to wait until early next year for Gear 2
Just read this: Samsung planning Galaxy Gear 2 for CES or MWC launchAs for the whole concept of smartwatch, and I hope soon we are going to have a separate section for it on AF
, once you understand it's functionality - you will realize that you can't live without it lol!!! I have been using my MetaWatch for a few months now, and can't imagine a day at work without it. At home, I take my watch off and "disconnect" it from the phone so I don't drain battery. At work my phone is always on mute (I get phone call notifications on my wrist), I have all my home/work email notification going straight to my phone so I discretely glance at my wrist during meeting to see who sent me email, I have all my calendar notifications and text messages pop-up on my watch, I have today's weather and 3-day forecast on my watch screen and also battery percentage of the phone indicator. I control my bluetooth speakers from my watch where I can skip through playlist of songs on my phone. I also no longer forget my phone in the car (where I use it as GPS) since I get a buzz on my wrist when phone left behind; and in general when I'm driving I just glance at my wrist to see who sent me email, etc. instead of playing with a phone.That is a principle of smart watch - not to replace your smart phone but to be it's remote extension where you keep your phablet in the pocket or the purse or somewhere buried under the papers on your desk and get notifications which you can act upon if you decide to explore email/messages further.
Simon_Gardner
Android Expert
Christine of Samsung in London with the Galaxy Gear. People kept calling it just to see her jump.
twister6
Android Expert
I don't know, but just don't feel any excitement about Gear. There is a possibility I might get a chance to run my "Twister" reviews of Gear, SW2, and Kreyos. But to be honest, I'm more curious about those rather then excited. The smartwatch which I'm anxiously waiting to test and possibly will get my wish is Omate TrueSmart. And thank God its IP67 water resistant 'cause I'm going to be drooling all over it
Simon_Gardner
Android Expert
I think it will be a commercial failure - but what do I know?
Simon_Gardner
Android Expert
mrex
Android Enthusiast
Specs of Omate sounds cool, but the watch itself... Oh boy... They were talking about a designing on the vid, but the watch looks exactly the same as I used to have when I was a kid. A 10 dollars rubber watch around my wrist - only the mickey mouse is missing. Omate doesn't look cool, it looks like having an army kind "everybody sync your time now!" watch They should design it again and look around to see what kind of watches everybody wears. But the best part is that there will be a competition between manufacturers and smart watches will be as good as we are expecting them to be for less money. I bet Samsung will give us better specs soon and Apple is busy copying... ehm.. sorry... designing iAmazing watch, so it will be a win scenario soon for customers =p I cant wait to see premium watches from Samsung and Sony, Gear was just an opening and Sony is already offering second round...
They should design it again and look around to see what kind of watches everybody wears. But the best part is that there will be a competition between manufacturers and smart watches will be as good as we are expecting them to be for less money. I bet Samsung will give us better specs soon and Apple is busy copying... ehm.. sorry... designing iAmazing watch, so it will be a win scenario soon for customers =p I cant wait to see premium watches from Samsung and Sony, Gear was just an opening and Sony is already offering second round...I find myself not as into this watch as before. The barely 1 day charge is what's holding me back. I do like most everything else though the design could be much better. I'm almost certain Crapple will make their's look similar to the Nano watch that they had. The rubber wrist bands don't bother me as much since I use them as well on my Panerai at times.
twister6
Android Expert
Specs of Omate sounds cool, but the watch itself... Oh boy... They were talking about a designing on the vid, but the watch looks exactly the same as I used to have when I was a kid. A 10 dollars rubber watch around my wrist - only the mickey mouse is missing. Omate doesn't look cool, it looks like having an army kind "everybody sync your time now!" watch
Just think about basic concept of any watch. What makes it stand out is a watch face and a wristband. Having all those non-replaceable wristband with built in functionality is kind of asking for trouble, especially if you want your watch to be waterproof. Having an option to be replaceable - opens up an opportunity to spice it up later. So the biggy is watch face. Have you seen selection of watch faces offered with Omate? Take a look HERE. Watch closely, they all animated to show you dynamic notifications and time change. I believe the watch face will be off by default to preserve battery life (similar to what Sony is doing), but there might be a power safe mode or something like that for constant glanceable option, sometime in a future. A few of XDA developers already looking into this.
What I would like to see is for Omate to use Mirasol display technology (similar to Qualcomm TOQ announcement) with a color display that can stay on constantly for days on a single battery charge. Other then that, the design and the spec is very serious! Oh, and btw it was confirmed that Samsung themselves ordered 3 pairs of Omate TrueSmart watch developers edition just to get their hands on it next month. Surprised?
mrex
Android Enthusiast
But it is not the faces, animations or even functionality. It is the design and are you able to wear it. Omate looks bulky, looks 80's, it's not attractive at all... I bet it might be the best watch for sport, running in the forrest and taking time on the pool but would you wear it at a work, restaurant...? Would it be comfortable with long sleeves or do you need to let buttons open to get the sleeve over the watch? If you cannot wear it IRL, it doesnt matter how many animated faces it has an how cool it is.
Samsung also made some bulky, abit over stuffed watch. The cam on the band is just a cool stuff to add, but it had to pay the prize over the design and usability.
Oh, and btw it was confirmed that Samsung themselves ordered 3 pairs of Omate TrueSmart watch developers edition just to get their hands on it next month. Surprised?
As they all do...
Sony is on the right way in smartwatch business. It look classy, simple and wearable. Samsung has nice, modern design, but it looks abit bulky. Omate, their part, are going to make a sport watch for guys who like to have some tech around their wrists.
But that was only my opinion. Im looking for a smartwatch that i can use 24/7. I was quite disappointed in Gear - maybe was hoping and expexting too much.
twister6
Android Expert
Well, that was my original thinking as well, regarding bulk. Since I reviewed MetaWatch smartwatches, I originally had their STRATA model which is sportier and more rugged one. I do work in R&D of a large telecomm labs and have my share of lab and office work. I figured FRAME version of that watch (the same guts, different design) would be more appropriate; a detailed comparison is here: http://androidforums.com/6072792-post9.html
Once I got it, I started to realize how much more careful I'm with my watch because FRAME is not as rugged. Furthermore, I started to notice how many Casio G-Shock watches are people wearing. The more people I talked to, the more I realized that guys at my work either don't wear a watch (using phone instead) or they wear G-Shock instead. And G-Shock is bigger then Omate. As a matter of fact, G-Shock now has Bluetooth version so you can receive call, txt, emails, and calendar notifications.
Bottom line, I will be switching back to STRATA, especially closer to winter season when I spend more time playing with my kids in the snow
Or perhaps, I will be wearing Omate at that time or maybe Sony SW2. Will see. My only concern with all these watches is that display stays off to preserve battery. I wish they would all use Mirasol display as demonstrated by Qualcomm TOQ. Coincidentally, Qualcomm just announced they will not sell TOQ 
I agree Sony SW2 looks promising, especially since v2 is back with micro-usb port which is easy to use without removing watch from the bracelet and it's also splash proofed. Plus, a developer behind a popular app Augmented SmartWatch Pro joined their team on consulting basis to help them with notifications - a huge plus for SW2 usability.
Regarding Gear - I wish there would be more people on AF chiming in (probably from UK for now) with their comments and impressions. So far from everything I have read in other places, people are saying its a very cheaply made design and poor implementation where a lot of the software doesn't work well with N3. Battery life is 1-2 days with a light to medium use. IMHO, software will be updated and optimized, this is a new product and people getting it now are just beta testers. But hardware will stay the same until rev 2 is released
Would have been great to have a separate smartwatch section here on AF. I'm sure a lot of the people would be interested to chime in with their discussions and opinions
K
KOLIO
Guest
I wish they would all use Mirasol display as demonstrated by Qualcomm TOQ. Coincidentally, Qualcomm just announced they will not sell TOQ
Where are you hearing this?
Extremely disappointing,to put it mildly.Was looking forward to even having a chance,or better,actually getting one of these.
twister6
Android Expert
Where are you hearing this?
Was looking forward to even having a chance,or better,actually getting one of these.
Qualcomm will not be selling the Toq smartwatch after all | The Smart Watch Review