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Google releases smart watch for kids

store.google.com

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Re: Google releases smart watch for kids

#31

Post by andrewla »

We've been happily using the Verizon Gizmo watch for a while now. It's a deliberately crippled smart watch. No games, no apps (it has a step counter and a stopwatch, but that's about it) -- some calling functionality, some messaging functionality, tons of oversight (limited contacts, all contacts must be approved by a guardian), and location tracking.

It's kind of bad at all of these, but our primary thought is to have it be a limited capability device -- similar to a flip phone but a wearable.

This looks like it's trying to enter the same market, but with a bunch of really really really really stupid shit.

"Meet the eejie. The eejie is the center of the Fitbit Ace LTE. The more your kids move, the more goals they hit and the happier they make the eejie."

You'd have to be an "eejie"-it to buy into this cutesy bullshit.

Re: Google releases smart watch for kids

#33

Post by bradfa »

janice1999 wrote: post #25
wmf wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple Watch exists if that's what you want.

Does Apple have a children's version of their smartwatch? I was not aware of that.

As mentioned by others in this discussion, Apple does have a way to limit the functionality of an Apple Watch, as outlined: https://support.apple.com/en-us/109036

Re: Google releases smart watch for kids

#35

Post by crims0n »

$59.98 a year for unlimited connectivity is a pretty good deal. My kids are getting to the age where we leave them for things like soccer practice or summer camps. Not really interested in giving them a phone yet... but want them to be able to keep in touch. This seems like a decent compromise.

Re: Google releases smart watch for kids

#36

Post by mkoryak »

mhaberl wrote: post #22
bradfa wrote: post #8

There's no mention of software support lifetime. If this is just another multi-hundred dollar electronic gadget that's going to be useless in 2 years, why would I buy it for my kid? I can get a refurb Apple Watch SE 2nd gen direct from Apple for $209. I'm clearly not going to buy this Google watch because of the price.

> going to be useless in 2 years, why would I buy it for my kid Don't worry about it. I will be broken or lost far before those 2 years :)

And if that doesn't happen, the battery will be such crap that your kid will do nothing but complain about it 24/7.

You will wish it was lost.

Re: Google releases smart watch for kids

#37

Post by okso »

janice1999 wrote: post #11

Anyone else who would be uncomfortable opting your child into location, behavior and health surveillance by the world's largest advertising company?

Does anyone else feel uneasy about the idea of children having to curb their behavior because they know they're being constantly monitored by their parents?

This product concerns me not only due to corporate advertising surveillance but also parental spying.

Re: Google releases smart watch for kids

#39

Post by philomath_mn »

ZiiS wrote: post #26
philomath_mn wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

100%. My kid is not getting a smartphone until he's ~16 but we're looking at a restricted smart watch right now (a flip phone would also be acceptable but a watch is physically attached which is ideal for 7 year old).

Not getting a phone you know about!

A minor is going to get a phone plan w/o a guardian signing for it? And use it in my house without me knowing?

There is a lot my kid is going to do under my nose, getting a smartphone doesn't seem too likely (esp. if he has alternatives like a desktop).

Re: Google releases smart watch for kids

#40

Post by playingalong »

miketery wrote: post #27
philomath_mn wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

100%. My kid is not getting a smartphone until he's ~16 but we're looking at a restricted smart watch right now (a flip phone would also be acceptable but a watch is physically attached which is ideal for 7 year old).

I think the issue at hand is yes you can enforce this at the family level. However unless high maturity / self awareness the kid will struggle if his peers all have phones. This needs to be a campaign pushed at the school or even county level.

Yep. Their class at school has a WhatsApp or similar group chat.
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