Android Wear - Are you getting one?
Discussion
With all the reviews about Android Wear I'm almost at the stage of pulling the trigger and getting a G Watch but want to wait for long term reviews about the platform. I'm currently using a Motoactv for running and golf duties but Wear seems to be a more all round device with voice integration which is great on a phone but looks fantastic on a watch.
Are you getting one and if so then why? What is your main reason for getting one?
Are you getting one and if so then why? What is your main reason for getting one?
I have a pebble which works well with my Nexus 5 (previously with N4 too). They just look and feel a bit too tacky/geeky/cheap. Maybe these devices available through Play will be better quality, colour screen will be much better, clearly.
I'll look at them with interest but unlikely to buy one just yet.
I'll look at them with interest but unlikely to buy one just yet.
edeath said:
I'm looking forward to the Moto 360 specs and price as I don't really like square watches. I have a first gen Sony Smartwatch as well which is pretty useless and hasn't been looked at in maybe 12 months - but it was only £20 or so.
When you say first gen, do you mean the SE/Fossil watches (which gave incoming calls, SMS, AVRCP) or the ones released in the last year or so? I think the latter, so not really first gen ...If the screen was still working, I'd still be using the MBW-150. Damn good looking watch, blighted by a typical early OLED screen - it has now faded to the point of being useless. Well, I'd still be using it if the screen worked and there was a WP client.
Android wear is effectively 3rd (or even 4th?) generation.
Just received a U8 Smart watch from China via eBay.
Generally pleased with it, but with one slight flaw, which I hope is addressed in a setting that I haven't yet found.
When paired by Bluetooth, an incoming call goes directly to the watch, so you have to talk to the watch and the caller is on speakerphone from the watch! I haven't yet found how to retain calls on the phone, with text messages etc shown on the watch.
I suspect the novelty will wear off quickly but its amazing what £30 will buy.
Generally pleased with it, but with one slight flaw, which I hope is addressed in a setting that I haven't yet found.
When paired by Bluetooth, an incoming call goes directly to the watch, so you have to talk to the watch and the caller is on speakerphone from the watch! I haven't yet found how to retain calls on the phone, with text messages etc shown on the watch.
I suspect the novelty will wear off quickly but its amazing what £30 will buy.
clonmult said:
When you say first gen, do you mean the SE/Fossil watches (which gave incoming calls, SMS, AVRCP) or the ones released in the last year or so? I think the latter, so not really first gen ...
Sorry didnt realise Smartwatch is a sony product I meant smart watch - it's a 1st gen LiveView.Tycho said:
I was the same with the Sony Smartwatch, good idea but poor implementation. The Moto 360 looks really nice but IIRC the rumours are that it will cost 2X the current devices.
The 360 was given away as a prize in a competition by Motorola where they said it was an equivelant value RRP of $249 (£145) so imagine it will be the same price as the other 2 once not-murica tax is added......Moto360 looks the pick of the current bunch IMHO - just the fact its round makes it look like a watch that happens to be smart rather than a smart device you happen to wear on your wrist.
I've had a pebble for awhile and really enjoyed it - I liked the simplicity of the screen and the functionality was good for what it was.
I'll get one if/when it comes out.
I think if you live in the android ecosystem then a "wear" watch makes an awful lot of sense.
I've had a pebble for awhile and really enjoyed it - I liked the simplicity of the screen and the functionality was good for what it was.
I'll get one if/when it comes out.
I think if you live in the android ecosystem then a "wear" watch makes an awful lot of sense.
edeath said:
Tycho said:
I was the same with the Sony Smartwatch, good idea but poor implementation. The Moto 360 looks really nice but IIRC the rumours are that it will cost 2X the current devices.
The 360 was given away as a prize in a competition by Motorola where they said it was an equivelant value RRP of $249 (£145) so imagine it will be the same price as the other 2 once not-murica tax is added......edeath said:
clonmult said:
When you say first gen, do you mean the SE/Fossil watches (which gave incoming calls, SMS, AVRCP) or the ones released in the last year or so? I think the latter, so not really first gen ...
Sorry didnt realise Smartwatch is a sony product I meant smart watch - it's a 1st gen LiveView.
The MBW range had decent battery life (iirc, about a week with bluetooth on); I don't see any major use in the android wear, but could imagine that in a generation or two they'll start to be truly interesting devices. It'll also be interesting to see what Apple do when they reinvent the smartwatch.
I have a box with a Samsung Gear Live waiting for me at home 
Just delivered.
i chose the Samsung because I've always wanted a heart rate sensor (LG / Motorola don't have one). I cycle quite a bit and am forever getting notifications on my phone when I'm out. I hope it will be easier to glance ay the watch rather than stop and get my phone out of my pocket.
Time will tell, I'll keep you updated!
Just delivered.i chose the Samsung because I've always wanted a heart rate sensor (LG / Motorola don't have one). I cycle quite a bit and am forever getting notifications on my phone when I'm out. I hope it will be easier to glance ay the watch rather than stop and get my phone out of my pocket.
Time will tell, I'll keep you updated!
Stiggolas said:
I have a box with a Samsung Gear Live waiting for me at home Just delivered.
i chose the Samsung because I've always wanted a heart rate sensor (LG / Motorola don't have one). I cycle quite a bit and am forever getting notifications on my phone when I'm out. I hope it will be easier to glance ay the watch rather than stop and get my phone out of my pocket.
Time will tell, I'll keep you updated!
Let us know how the heart rate monitor works as I'd love to be able to ditch the chest strap when I'm running. Just delivered.i chose the Samsung because I've always wanted a heart rate sensor (LG / Motorola don't have one). I cycle quite a bit and am forever getting notifications on my phone when I'm out. I hope it will be easier to glance ay the watch rather than stop and get my phone out of my pocket.
Time will tell, I'll keep you updated!
Stiggolas said:
I have a box with a Samsung Gear Live waiting for me at home Just delivered.
i chose the Samsung because I've always wanted a heart rate sensor (LG / Motorola don't have one). I cycle quite a bit and am forever getting notifications on my phone when I'm out. I hope it will be easier to glance ay the watch rather than stop and get my phone out of my pocket.
Time will tell, I'll keep you updated!
I'll be interested to hear how you get on, as I'm thinking about a Garmin GPS watch of some description with a heart rate strap. If the Gear Live works well, then I reckon I might get one instead. Just delivered.i chose the Samsung because I've always wanted a heart rate sensor (LG / Motorola don't have one). I cycle quite a bit and am forever getting notifications on my phone when I'm out. I hope it will be easier to glance ay the watch rather than stop and get my phone out of my pocket.
Time will tell, I'll keep you updated!
OK, first impressions of the Samsung Gear Live....
The origami of cardboard in the box is truly impressive!
It's lighter and neater than I was expecting. I have girly thin wrists and it still looks OK.
It took all of 5 minutes to get it set up and working with my Nexus 4.
The notification function has been turned off on the phone and now the watch just vibrates a bit for each email / facebook / twitter update (I don't do much of this so its not too intrusive).
The integration with google maps / Strava is really good and only an "OK Google" away.
Sending texts is simple, although if you have 2 people with the same name in your address book it asks you which one you want. I have yet to work this out fully, but it impresses the hell out of my co workers.
The heart rate monitor is not 'always on' but you can activate it by voice again or a press of the screen and it seems fairly accurate (nothing to compare it with though!)
There is a built in pedometer that is always on but i have yet to work out how to set targets etc.
For the apps, you download them to your phone and it sorts the watch out. Reading the internet, there is a problem at the moment with paid apps not syncing over correctly, I'll keep an eye on this one.
There are also problems reported with the charging system which is a bit naff. You have to clip a thingy on to the back of the watch and this is apparently damaging the case of the watch. Knowing this I'm being extra careful!
In summary.....BUY ONE....I'm loving it and can't wait for some more dedicated apps
The origami of cardboard in the box is truly impressive!
It's lighter and neater than I was expecting. I have girly thin wrists and it still looks OK.
It took all of 5 minutes to get it set up and working with my Nexus 4.
The notification function has been turned off on the phone and now the watch just vibrates a bit for each email / facebook / twitter update (I don't do much of this so its not too intrusive).
The integration with google maps / Strava is really good and only an "OK Google" away.
Sending texts is simple, although if you have 2 people with the same name in your address book it asks you which one you want. I have yet to work this out fully, but it impresses the hell out of my co workers.
The heart rate monitor is not 'always on' but you can activate it by voice again or a press of the screen and it seems fairly accurate (nothing to compare it with though!)
There is a built in pedometer that is always on but i have yet to work out how to set targets etc.
For the apps, you download them to your phone and it sorts the watch out. Reading the internet, there is a problem at the moment with paid apps not syncing over correctly, I'll keep an eye on this one.
There are also problems reported with the charging system which is a bit naff. You have to clip a thingy on to the back of the watch and this is apparently damaging the case of the watch. Knowing this I'm being extra careful!
In summary.....BUY ONE....I'm loving it and can't wait for some more dedicated apps
Yeah, I was reading about the charging issues that some people were having earlier on. I don't suppose you have any spare watch straps you can try and fit to it have you? I've also read something that suggests that you can't easily fit the charger if you have a NATO strap fitted.
The temptation to buy one is definitely growing.
The temptation to buy one is definitely growing.
Stiggolas said:
...
The heart rate monitor is not 'always on' but you can activate it by voice again or a press of the screen and it seems fairly accurate (nothing to compare it with though!)...
If you have a pulse, which is likely, it's usually found in your wrist or neck. Count how many times it beats in 15 secs and multiply by four. The heart rate monitor is not 'always on' but you can activate it by voice again or a press of the screen and it seems fairly accurate (nothing to compare it with though!)...
LordGrover said:
Stiggolas said:
...
The heart rate monitor is not 'always on' but you can activate it by voice again or a press of the screen and it seems fairly accurate (nothing to compare it with though!)...
If you have a pulse, which is likely, it's usually found in your wrist or neck. Count how many times it beats in 15 secs and multiply by four. The heart rate monitor is not 'always on' but you can activate it by voice again or a press of the screen and it seems fairly accurate (nothing to compare it with though!)...
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff