Why not make a smartwatch with old-style electronics?

[Brian Stirling]

I used to have, probably still do some where, a Seiko watch that I liked a lot but since I've worked in the semiconductor industry for 32 years and watches are not permitted I was broken of the habit of wearing one. Then, when cellphones and later smartphones came out there was little need for watches as everything a watch could do a smartphone can do and usually better.

I'd look at others with there heavy assed expensive watches and even if I had a need for a watch you wouldn't catch me dead wearing one of the monsters.

So, with smart watches I'm not yet convinced of the need beyond the fitness/health functionality and for that application I think the slim design of the Gear Fit is much more in line with it's use. There is some additional features that such a band has, or can have, that may offload some features from a smartphone or complement it in other ways.

One neat thing about the Gear Fit, and I have yet to test it, is that if you have the Gear Fit paired to your Samsung smartphone and the smartphone has a password to unlock, if the Gear Fit is within range you only need to swipe to unlock as it assumes the true owner is the one doing it -- great idea.

I can see other things like unlocking your front door (home/apartment).


Brian

 

[dainthomas]

So in other words, since you don't see the appeal it must not be worthwhile for anyone else?

Pretty much.

Techy types on here may like it for the novelty, but the average person will get tired of something that redundant.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Techy types on here may like it for the novelty, but the average person will get tired of something that redundant.

All these average people buying Fitbits and Jawbone UPs seem to disagree with you.

Wearables will be a thing. Will current smartwatches be a thing? No, they look super nerdy. Heck that is why I want a square one- to rub it in everyone's faces I am a nerd.

But people do want wearable devices, and eventually someone will make one that isn't so nerdy.

 

[Ramses]

I was really looking forward to being excited about smartwatches and wearables and such, but they all do the same half dozen things, and none of it's really anything new. I'm not sure how they are going to sustain them when they can't put bigger and bigger screens and batteries in them like phones. I hope someone invents a neat new way to utilize them in the near future though.