Smart watches 2013

[Eug]

All of these new smart watches royally suck IMO. Does anyone feel like it's 1980 all over again? Cuz these things all remind me of the calculator watches of 30 years ago, except that in 2013 they're much worse since they're pointless as nobody wears watches anymore in 2013 and we all carry devices with us already that are much more convenient and capable..

 

[AViking]

Is there any reason to get one?

I honestly feel like Apple basically stuck it to the rest of the industry by leaking a rumor that they were working on it and then letting all those suckers dump resources into something nobody wants, needs, or will buy.

 

[QueBert]

Is there any reason to get one?

I honestly feel like Apple basically stuck it to the rest of the industry by leaking a rumor that they were working on it and then letting all those suckers dump resources into something nobody wants, needs, or will buy.

I would buy a smart watch if it was actually worth buying. I'm almost never watch less, and a slick smart watch would definitely be a must buy for me. With that said, Samsungs up coming offering looks horrible. I don't like that Pebble one much either. If Apple makes an iOS watch that has tight Nike+ integration I'd pre-order it day 1 without having to even think about it.

 

[kasakka]

The argument that nobody wears watches anymore is false. Plenty of people do, including me. I like them aesthetically plus they tell the time and date easier than digging up my smartphone from my pocket. Yes, they could be considered more of a fashion item nowadays.

The problem with the current batch of smart watches is that they're butt-ugly. I would not wear one based on that alone. The second problem is that nobody has figured out a good reason to use one. Trying to make them an extension of your smartphone doesn't seem like the right way to go about it.

 

[AViking]

Most watches that my friends wear look really nice.

Why they think people will suddenly want ugly watches with stupid functionality is beyond me.

If you have to tether them to your phone and all that you might as well just pull out your phone since it's much easier to operate than a 1 inch screen.

 

[WelshBloke]

All of these new smart watches royally suck IMO. Does anyone feel like it's 1980 all over again? Cuz these things all remind me of the calculator watches of 30 years ago, except that in 2013 they're much worse since they're pointless as nobody wears watches anymore in 2013 and we all carry devices with us already that are much more convenient and capable..

I think the problem is that people think they like the idea of a smart watch but when you ask them what they want it to do they get pretty vague about the idea.

Admittedly I don't like wearing a watch much anyway but I can't really see much of a draw to having a smart watch. We moved on from devices with tiny screens a long time back.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

These toys will never replace my expensive automatics.

 

[ControlD]

I think a smart watch aimed at the exercise crowd could work. I would be interested in something that has the following:

- Bluetooth
- GPS
- 8GB (or more) of storage
- Waterproof
- App support for fitness / mapping
- Perhaps the ability to call 911. Full phone support certainly not needed.

 

[AViking]

I think a smart watch aimed at the exercise crowd could work. I would be interested in something that has the following:

- Bluetooth
- GPS
- 8GB (or more) of storage
- Waterproof
- App support for fitness / mapping
- Perhaps the ability to call 911. Full phone support certainly not needed.

Why though when you can just bring your phone?

 

[ControlD]

Why though when you can just bring your phone?

I've never really loved the idea of running with my phone. Getting caught in rain storms or heavy perspiration can damage a phone. Having to swipe to unlock sucks when on the move and trying to see your current pace is awkward with a phone strapped to your arm. It is just easier with a watch like my Garmin, but running watches are a bit limited too so I am always carrying a second device (usually a MP3 player).

That and I have a Note 2. I love the phone but that sucker is a little large to strap to my arm.

 

[Red Storm]

These are first generation devices, naturally they're going to be lacking. Remember the first gen iPhone? Give it another year or two and we'll see some much better products.

 

[Eug]

I think a smart watch aimed at the exercise crowd could work. I would be interested in something that has the following:

- Bluetooth
- GPS
- 8GB (or more) of storage
- Waterproof
- App support for fitness / mapping
- Perhaps the ability to call 911. Full phone support certainly not needed.

I can understand it being useful for the exercise crowd... while they're exercising. I too have worn such devices for specific times, but never wear the watch otherwise.

These are first generation devices, naturally they're going to be lacking. Remember the first gen iPhone? Give it another year or two and we'll see some much better products.

The first generation iPhone had an excellent OS IMO. The form factor was also very good. Its main problem was the speed. The smart watches just suck overall. The OS and integration does not impress, and the form factor is just wrong.

 

[thescreensavers]

I bought a metawatch Analog watch when they came out. It was just an extension to my phone. It vibrated and told me who was calling when my phone was ringing and same for Texts.

I got rid of it because the battery life was really bad and support for the analog version was becoming non existent.

I am willing to try the watch thing again but I will personally wait a few years for it to mature.

 

[redhotiron2004]

All of these new smart watches royally suck IMO. Does anyone feel like it's 1980 all over again? Cuz these things all remind me of the calculator watches of 30 years ago, except that in 2013 they're much worse since they're pointless as nobody wears watches anymore in 2013 and we all carry devices with us already that are much more convenient and capable..

You are wrong about wearing watches. If you don't use them then it doesn't mean that the whole world have stopped using them. How come then companies like Rado, titan, roles etc-2 making there profits. They would have stopped its manufacturing long ago. I still find it uncomfortable to take my mobile out every time I need to see time.

Now coming on to smart watches. You seemed to have never used one. Because, if you had then you would be talking about the usefulness or things you never thought could make things so simple.

Anyways, I am looking for a watch in a sexy formfactor like pebble. With fitness tracking features like calorie meter, pedometer, heart beat meter without the aid of chest band. Along with a good battery life and must be waterproof.
I would love to buy something like that any day.

 

[RandomFool]

I wear a watch all the time but smart watches aren't all that appealing yet.

If I were to get one, I'd want it to replace my fitbit flex and it would need a week's worth of battery life, to be waterproof.

 

[boomhower]

I'll buy one once they get aesthetics down with a decent feature set and price.

 

[nOOky]

I have a Motoactv. Way ahead of it's time, and it was exactly what people into fitness were looking for, with the exception maybe of lack of water-proofing.
I don't see the need for a smart watch for daily wear or use, when I carry my phone every where with me. I assume that typical smart phone owners carry their phone with them, and are able to reach in their pocket to check messages etc. and don't need the "convenience" of a watch that mimics their smart phone.
The largest use of a GPS by far in a watch is for physical fitness tracking I would imagine. In my mind if Garmin simply put an mp3 player in their GPS watches and added detachable mounts to be able to carry it on the upper arm etc., that would be the ticket.

What are you going to do with a smart watch, shake your wrist to wake it up, look down to see you have a text, and then pull out your phone to reply? Seems silly to me.

 

[ControlD]

I have a Motoactv. Way ahead of it's time, and it was exactly what people into fitness were looking for, with the exception maybe of lack of water-proofing.
I don't see the need for a smart watch for daily wear or use, when I carry my phone every where with me. I assume that typical smart phone owners carry their phone with them, and are able to reach in their pocket to check messages etc. and don't need the "convenience" of a watch that mimics their smart phone.
The largest use of a GPS by far in a watch is for physical fitness tracking I would imagine. In my mind if Garmin simply put an mp3 player in their GPS watches and added detachable mounts to be able to carry it on the upper arm etc., that would be the ticket.

What are you going to do with a smart watch, shake your wrist to wake it up, look down to see you have a text, and then pull out your phone to reply? Seems silly to me.

Yep, agree with this 100%. It wouldn't have to be anything fancy either, just USB storage, drag and drop.

**Edit: Plus Bluetooth! That would make it the complete package.

 

[Red Storm]

What are you going to do with a smart watch, shake your wrist to wake it up, look down to see you have a text, and then pull out your phone to reply? Seems silly to me.

See what notifications are coming in without having to look at your phone. I get emails/texts/messages all the time, doesn't mean I need to respond to them right away. Would be nice to know if it was a message that needed a quick reply or one that could be dealt with later.

Create appointments and reminders via voice without needing to bring out your phone.

Make and take phone calls.

Send commands to your phone (Play X song or open X app, etc.) which could be in your pocket, plugged into a media dock, across the room on the table, etc.

Locate your phone (i.e. say "Locate phone" into your watch and then your phone starts beeping), including having access to stuff like Android Device Manager from your phone which would be useful.

Edit: NFC in the watch for mobile payments.

 

[Graze]

All of these new smart watches royally suck IMO. Does anyone feel like it's 1980 all over again? Cuz these things all remind me of the calculator watches of 30 years ago, except that in 2013 they're much worse since they're pointless as nobody wears watches anymore in 2013 and we all carry devices with us already that are much more convenient and capable..

Ugh. Pulling out my bloody phone to check the time is stupid as hell.
Nothing beats a classy watch(Omega or TAG).

 

[WelshBloke]

...

Create appointments and reminders via voice without needing to bring out your phone.

Make and take phone calls.

Send commands to your phone (Play X song or open X app, etc.) which could be in your pocket, plugged into a media dock, across the room on the table, etc.

Locate your phone (i.e. say "Locate phone" into your watch and then your phone starts beeping), including having access to stuff like Android Device Manager from your phone which would be useful.

Most of those you could do with a Bluetooth headset.

Admittedly you'd look a bit dorky but as you seem happy to talk to your watch that doesn't seem to be an issue.

 

[Red Storm]

Most of those you could do with a Bluetooth headset.

Admittedly you'd look a bit dorky but as you seem happy to talk to your watch that doesn't seem to be an issue.

I will never, ever wear a bluetooth headset. Besides the commands could be done via gestures on the watch so no talking needed. Heck you could even add video chatting with the watch.

 

[Eug]

You are wrong about wearing watches. If you don't use them then it doesn't mean that the whole world have stopped using them. How come then companies like Rado, titan, roles etc-2 making there profits. They would have stopped its manufacturing long ago. I still find it uncomfortable to take my mobile out every time I need to see time.

The whole world hasn't stopped using watches, but the majority have. As mentioned, they're mainly jewellery now, or else for some they serve a specific purpose (eg. diving watches).

Now coming on to smart watches. You seemed to have never used one. Because, if you had then you would be talking about the usefulness or things you never thought could make things so simple.

Like what? No, I haven't used any of the recent smart watches, because reading the summaries of them, I have no interest in buying one. They just suck.

We do have GPS and exercise watches in our household, but like I said before, they're different and serve a very specific purpose and are not meant to be worn all day.

Anyways, I am looking for a watch in a sexy formfactor like pebble. With fitness tracking features like calorie meter, pedometer, heart beat meter without the aid of chest band. Along with a good battery life and must be waterproof.
I would love to buy something like that any day.

But you can't. I'm not very impressed with Pebble either.

 

[denyc]

I would never replace my daily watch with a smart watch, no matter how good future models would be. Some things are meant to be part of your personality and a watch is such a thing. Yeah, I'm sentimental

 

[Red Storm]

But you can't. I'm not very impressed with Pebble either.

It's the first generation, give it time. Smartphones have had years to get to where they are now.

Worst case you still don't like them and don't buy one. So what?