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Google Nears Smartwatch Launch

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Re: Google Nears Smartwatch Launch

#11

Post by smackfu »

DigitalSea wrote: post #5

Will smartwatches ever be a real thing? Everyone in the developed world has a mobile phone, do we need another device that does the same things albeit rather limited that our phones are already capable of doing? I like the idea of Google Glass, but a smartwatch, really?

Standalone smart watches won't get anywhere, but I think there's a market for "second screen" smartphone accessories from the phone manufacturer. Just a screen with a basic processor that talks Bluetooth LE to your phone. It may be a niche, but I suspect these will destroy the current high-end GPS watch category.

Re: Google Nears Smartwatch Launch

#12

Post by aymeric »

I can't wait for the moment I can Google something in the middle of a conversation (to verify some points of the discussion) without disrupting it.

Do you guys use Siri for that? (I have an "old" 3GS)

Re: Google Nears Smartwatch Launch

#13

Post by ccozan »

lmg643 wrote: post #10
ccozan wrote: post #6

But I already have one : http://www.motorola.com/us/MOTOACTV-16GB-Golf-Edition/121481... is technically not a watch ( it does display the hour though) , but I saw its power and I use the features daily. And looks totally geeky on my hand.

i'm in the same camp. exercise + music is the best use case i know for a smart watch. if you could merge the garmin forerunner 610/620 (or equivalent running program), and a bluetooth music player, that would be nirvana for me. https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod122785.html#specsTab i like the running apps for iphone but i hate wearing it during a run or workout. just extra weight i don't need.

Yes, the nice thing about the MOTOACTV is that it runs independently, you can sync it when you are at home, or near your Android phone. The music player is surprisingly good and the headset is OK too.

Another nice one: if you decide to take the phone with you, it functions as a wireless headset!

And the best of all: is fully hackable!! Some reference : http://blog.martinh.net/2013/05/hacking-google-smartwatch.ht...

Re: Google Nears Smartwatch Launch

#14

Post by twistedpair »

parktheredcar wrote: post #9
DigitalSea wrote: post #5

Will smartwatches ever be a real thing? Everyone in the developed world has a mobile phone, do we need another device that does the same things albeit rather limited that our phones are already capable of doing? I like the idea of Google Glass, but a smartwatch, really?

Having had a pebble since shortly after they started shipping, I have found that it's helpful to be able to glance at a summary of each notification that comes in so I can address the urgent stuff and ignore the less important ones. This is only for me personally, but quickly glancing at a sentence vs pulling out the phone (,turning on the screen, getting distracted by other things on that screen) is far less disrupt…

The long running hardware design fallacy is that the new form factor must have all the features of the precursor. Remember ~2000 when all smartphones attempted to run a Windows desktop, poorly?

Despite all of efforts in the wrist space, the Pebble is the best in my mind. Why do you want a stylus? Who would type emails on their wrist? My Pebble kicks butt as it reduces the needs I have for my phone, just as the smartphone and tablet reduced the need to find a desktop, but didn't replace them.

Re: Google Nears Smartwatch Launch

#15

Post by mynameisvlad »

jonnathanson wrote: post #7
DigitalSea wrote: post #5

Will smartwatches ever be a real thing? Everyone in the developed world has a mobile phone, do we need another device that does the same things albeit rather limited that our phones are already capable of doing? I like the idea of Google Glass, but a smartwatch, really?

If smartwatches are ever going to be a thing, they're going to have to not look like watches. Who wants a clunky, dorky looking watch like the Samsung version? Maybe a few of us geeks in the Valley, but certainly not mainstream and appearance-conscious consumers. I imagine I'd have had my ass kicked if I wore something like that to high school. (Nike got it right with the Fuel Band: if you're going to put something o…

> Maybe a few of us geeks in the Valley, but certainly not mainstream and appearance-conscious consumers. I imagine I'd have had my ass kicked if I wore something like that to high school.

I get your point, but using high school as an example is detracting from it. We're not in high school anymore, nobody is going to get their asses kicked for wearing something. I'm sure if the most popular guy in high school showed up with the Samsung watch, he wouldn't get his ass kicked, either.

Re: Google Nears Smartwatch Launch

#16

Post by wmeredith »

aymeric wrote: post #12

I can't wait for the moment I can Google something in the middle of a conversation (to verify some points of the discussion) without disrupting it. Do you guys use Siri for that? (I have an "old" 3GS)

Ugh, I'm an iPhone junkie, but talking to it in front of others is something I can never see myself doing. Siri is a powerful tool (on the occasion that it takes less than 45 seconds to respond), but using it like hopping on a Segway. There's something so obnoxious about it, I can't bring myself to do it unless no one is around.

Re: Google Nears Smartwatch Launch

#17

Post by zackmorris »

My ideal smartwatch would recharge itself from my body heat/movement, be waterproof, have a cell phone/wifi, and best of all be pay-as-you-go. 90% of the time I'd be on wifi so it would be free anyway like T-Mobile. GPS and bluetooth would be nice but not critical.

But just being able to never worry about forgetting it, or having to charge the dang thing, and be able to contact anyone anytime would be very sci fi. And of course the most important feature of all would have to be: disabling it easily to prevent interruption.

Re: Google Nears Smartwatch Launch

#18

Post by mp01 »

DigitalSea wrote: post #5

Will smartwatches ever be a real thing? Everyone in the developed world has a mobile phone, do we need another device that does the same things albeit rather limited that our phones are already capable of doing? I like the idea of Google Glass, but a smartwatch, really?

This sounds like a similar argument that was made against tablets a few years ago. Tablets aren't inherently much different than smartphones, but there are some things that just make more sense to do on a tablet.

Re: Google Nears Smartwatch Launch

#19

Post by bergie »

Google Now sounds like something that would indeed work a lot better on a smartwatch than it works now in a semi-hidden screen on your phone. Adding it as a lockscreen widget sort of helps, but you still have to dig up your phone and activate the screen to see the next bus departure or the status of your flight.

Together with notifications it could easily be a big enough reason for getting a smartwatch, sort of Google Glass on your wrist.

Re: Google Nears Smartwatch Launch

#20

Post by ZeroGravitas »

ccozan wrote: post #6

But I already have one : http://www.motorola.com/us/MOTOACTV-16GB-Golf-Edition/121481... is technically not a watch ( it does display the hour though) , but I saw its power and I use the features daily. And looks totally geeky on my hand.

Technically not just a watch might be more accurate since they describe one of its functions as a "GPS sports watch" and sell watch straps for it (as well as bike mounts, armbands, clothing-clips).
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