Will smart watches change the face of the industry?
Discussion
I'm not a big watch fan like lots of you on here but do appreciate a nice watch.
Late last year I received a Moto 360 watch with my new phone. I now wear it all the time and miss it almost a much as I would miss my phone (to which it is connected). I can't imagine not having one now and wonder if this is a reflection of the greater market trend over the next few years. I still have 2 nice 'normal' watches but when I wear them I constantly look at them and realise they simply look nice and tell the time.
What are your thoughts on this? Flash in the pan or game changer?
Late last year I received a Moto 360 watch with my new phone. I now wear it all the time and miss it almost a much as I would miss my phone (to which it is connected). I can't imagine not having one now and wonder if this is a reflection of the greater market trend over the next few years. I still have 2 nice 'normal' watches but when I wear them I constantly look at them and realise they simply look nice and tell the time.
What are your thoughts on this? Flash in the pan or game changer?
Apple aren't going to change the face of it. They are late to market with this one but their profile will improve sales of other smart watches. I don't see them being redundant after a couple of years, they can probably carry on quite a long time but fashion, as with phones, will dictate replacement cycles.
But this is not the same thing. Digital and analogue watches both only tell the time essentially. Smart watches are part of smart phones and will do far more. People will use them for a whole range of things, one of the least important being to tell the time (shown on phones/computers anyway). I think kids one day will look at watches and be bewildered that they only tell the time. A bit like how kids expect to see every photo they have taken instantly when, in the past, you had to wait to develop film first.
Of course this is just my opinion based on my own usage of a smart watch and I am not a particularly tech - savvy person. I like tech but am not into it any more than the majority of people but if this Moto 360 can change they way I use the device on my wrist to the point that I really miss it if I don't have it, I am sure it will for others, many others.
Of course this is just my opinion based on my own usage of a smart watch and I am not a particularly tech - savvy person. I like tech but am not into it any more than the majority of people but if this Moto 360 can change they way I use the device on my wrist to the point that I really miss it if I don't have it, I am sure it will for others, many others.
No-one expects a smartphone to last 10 years but that's not the point of them, people will buy them because they get used to being able to see messages more conveniently (you can reply using voice recognition on mine) and do lots of other things (manage fitness, see sat nav directions, check weather, etc).
They will not, I am sure, replace Rolex etc but that is not the general market but it could have an impact at some point on the distant future, just not now.
They will not, I am sure, replace Rolex etc but that is not the general market but it could have an impact at some point on the distant future, just not now.
Ikemi said:
Hoofy said:
I am sure Apple will design an intuitive way of texting so it's possible that many will ditch their smartphone. Dunno what it'd be like to web surf on a 1 inch screen though.
Difficult! I work in IT and had a meeting with a supplier yesterday. I noticed his smart watch, didn't recognise it, and inquired. Apparently it's currently in beta testing, but essentially, the watch does not require a phone to be 'smart'. It runs Android, has 4G/wireless connection and you can download a multitude of apps to it! You can also link it to a computer and do this, as the screen is pretty small ... It had voice recognition for surfing, built-in phone (has a nano SIM slot) and an onscreen keyboard, which was a bit tricky to use! However it wouldn't be particularly good for surfing forums; maybe just finding out some contact info quickly ... I can't remember the name of it though. It was a Chinese firm of some sort.
For me, I'm staying away from smart watches. I love my mechanical watches too much. I usually have my phone on my desk, so I can answer calls, texts and e-mail with ease.
If smart watches explode in popularity, I reckon social gatherings and work meetings will be littered with awkwardness, as everyone continually checks their watches for updates/new messages. To everyone else, it'll just look as though they're bored!
. Its true, my business partner commented on how he thought i was always looking at my watch to see how close just as to 'home time' until he cottoned on to the fact that I am just glancing at incoming messages. of course they aren't suitable for 'proper' surfing' but they can do a lot of other things. How long before responsive websites need a watch sized option?Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff