Smartwatch that charges via microusb, without docks?

[cdl]

Is there a smartwatch that can be charged simply with a microusb cable, i.e. without some kind of proprietary cable or dock? The only such smartwatches I know of are some Sony, but they are really ugly. In fact, I don't even care if it's an Android watch or some other system, as long as it can connect to my Android phone and display notifications, at least whatsapp, email (I use k9 email) and SMS messages.

By the way, is there a specific reason why almost all smartwatches come with a proprietary charging dock? Is it to make the watch more waterproof? In an era of ubiquitous microusb, I struggle to believe manufacturers have a great incentive in selling their one proprietary spare docks.

 

[mikedt]

Many of the cheapo ones charge with micro-USB. But from what I've seen they can be really horrid and crummy, and are not water resistant. I think wireless/induction charging with a dock can make it easier to waterproof a device though, i.e. no external electrical contacts.

FWIW, a few weeks ago there was someone reporting a verdigris problem with the micro-USB port of a Samsung S7 that had been wet a few times, and that phone is supposed to be water resistant.

All academic for me anyway, because I've still not seen a smart-watch that I'd want or could use anyway.

 

[psionandy]

Sigh.. Pebble watches didn't need a cradle... shame they've been killed by fitbit. probably not worth recommending now

 

[cdl]

So the short answer is that none of the big brands (LG, Fossil, Huawei, Casio, Nixon) make one that can be charged without a dock?

 

[lunatic59]

None that I can think of. I would think it'a also a matter of aesthetics. Who want's a USB port on their watch? Plus it would have to add to the bulk of what are already admittedly bulky devices.

As for the dock thing, I have owned two smartwatches so far. A moto360 (1st gen) and a Fossil Q Founder. Both use a Qi type charging cradle so there are no external contacts. And either cradle will charge either phone. I've even charged my watches on the desktop hockey puck style charges. And, in the 2-1/2 years I've been using smartwatches I've never had to replace a charging cradle. I doubt it's a profit center for the manufacturers.

 

[cdl]

Thanks.
My gripe is that I am sure there will be times when I forget to carry the cradle around, and I'll be on the road unable to charge the thing. Microusb ports fit on tiny devices like bluetooth headsets, plus the First Sony smartwatches came with one, so I figured it wouldn't have been a huge deal.

How do you like the Fossil?

 

[mikedt]

Thanks.
My gripe is that I am sure there will be times when I forget to carry the cradle around, and I'll be on the road unable to charge the thing. Microusb ports fit on tiny devices like bluetooth headsets, plus the First Sony smartwatches came with one, so I figured it wouldn't have been a huge deal.

How do you like the Fossil?

Fossils are wireless charged from a cradle or pad aren't they? They use standard Qi wireless charging AFAIK, so depending on what phone you've got there, if it's wireless charged as well, you might not forget the cradle. .