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Samsung unveils Galaxy Gear smartwatch with built-in camera, 70 apps

engadget.com

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Re: Samsung unveils Galaxy Gear smartwatch with built-in camera, 70 apps

#11

Post by mratzloff »

plg wrote: post #4

prediction 1: we will soon see smartwatches incorporate biometric measurement full force. After all unlike a mobile phone, a smartwatch is (typically) always attached to your body, right up against the skin. prediction 2: once prediction 1 starts to happen, and people realize that (1) there is a device measuring physiological signals from their body, (2) it also has a gps tracker, (3) it is also connected to "the clo…

> there will be (I hope) a new imperative to have an honest discussion about privacy

No, people will be excited that they can have a Fitbit, camera, and phone all in one.

Re: Samsung unveils Galaxy Gear smartwatch with built-in camera, 70 apps

#12

Post by clone1018 »

cliveowen wrote: post #6

Who in their own mind would ever wear a 4-pounds brick on his or her wrist? Am I having a bad trip or we're headed in a dystopian future where tech companies are managed by a pack of monkeys designing useless gadgets to strap on the lesser humans?

Source for "4-pounds"?

Re: Samsung unveils Galaxy Gear smartwatch with built-in camera, 70 apps

#13

Post by corresation »

ddeck wrote: post #9

This really feels like a "because we can" product. Given the specs and features, it seems to be purely a companion device...and for $300? After reading the press release, I'm still trying to understand what legitimately useful functionality is provides beyond your phone. I'm amazed they didn't at least include some bio measurement capability (beyond accelerometer). I would have thought it would be a key potential app…

The pricing seems ridiculous, but it is unabashedly a companion device, and is almost certainly Samsung testing out form factors to see what demographics they work in. Being able to check and respond to messages and do basic operations without pulling out your smartphone may appeal to some people.

Recall when the Galaxy Note first came out it was almost universally mocked (including on here, it should be mentioned. I recall the pages of people declaring it DoA, etc). Turned into an incredible success.

And let's bring this full circle -- in selling larger and larger smartphone/tablet devices, it almost makes a market for a device like this.

At $300 this isn't going to go far, but I'm sure the $200, 800x600, quad-core successor is just around the corner, and then the $100 model, etc.

Re: Samsung unveils Galaxy Gear smartwatch with built-in camera, 70 apps

#15

Post by cliveowen »

clone1018 wrote: post #12
cliveowen wrote: post #6

Who in their own mind would ever wear a 4-pounds brick on his or her wrist? Am I having a bad trip or we're headed in a dystopian future where tech companies are managed by a pack of monkeys designing useless gadgets to strap on the lesser humans?

Source for "4-pounds"?

I was being sarcastic, the point is it's big, no, not even big, it's enormous and unwieldy.

Re: Samsung unveils Galaxy Gear smartwatch with built-in camera, 70 apps

#16

Post by antsar »

plg wrote: post #4

prediction 1: we will soon see smartwatches incorporate biometric measurement full force. After all unlike a mobile phone, a smartwatch is (typically) always attached to your body, right up against the skin. prediction 2: once prediction 1 starts to happen, and people realize that (1) there is a device measuring physiological signals from their body, (2) it also has a gps tracker, (3) it is also connected to "the clo…

I agree with both, but the discussion will probably be similar to the ones being had today. We're all upset, but "we" are the minority.

Even if smartwatches become a trend, they will still be worn by some limited percentage of the population. Out of that limited percentage, an even further limited percentage will understand the privacy issues. And a smaller yet percentage of those folk will actually care about the privacy issues enough to do something about it.

Re: Samsung unveils Galaxy Gear smartwatch with built-in camera, 70 apps

#18

Post by kamjam »

cliveowen wrote: post #6

Who in their own mind would ever wear a 4-pounds brick on his or her wrist? Am I having a bad trip or we're headed in a dystopian future where tech companies are managed by a pack of monkeys designing useless gadgets to strap on the lesser humans?

4-pounds is about 1.8kg, the weight of most notebooks. I think you have your weights all mixed up. In comparison, the Samsung S4 weighs 130 grams, iPhone 5 is 112 grams.

I wouldn't expect this to weigh more than 100 grams. In comparison, a Rolex Sea Dweller weighs 220 grams (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolex_Sea_Dweller).

For me this would be useful when going to the gym, I could listen to music, see urgent emails and if it had GPS then track bike rides and runs. If it had a heart rate monitor then perfect. I don't like the fact it has to connect to your phone, standalone would be preferred.

Re: Samsung unveils Galaxy Gear smartwatch with built-in camera, 70 apps

#19

Post by Mikeb85 »

cliveowen wrote: post #15
clone1018 wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Source for "4-pounds"?

I was being sarcastic, the point is it's big, no, not even big, it's enormous and unwieldy.

Most luxury watches are bigger, and much heavier....
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