Smartwatch what is the point? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: sony mavica
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 12:40:39 am
content: i cant see anything a Smartwatch can do that a phone cant do plus you need to have it connected to Bluetooth that is just a waist of the phones batteriesare people getting so lazy that they cant spend an extra like 5sec to get there phone out of there pocket ?also a watch is meant to be to tell the time i own a digital watch i bought back in 2005 and its still working to this day i have never replaced the batteries where is you have to recharge a Smartwatch after a week or soi could understand if it worked the same as a mobile phonelike had a simcard in it and you did not need to have it connected to another phone to make calls and txt ectto me a Smartwatch is just a big waist of money

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 12:46:44 am
content: I own a Pebble 'smart watch' and actually find it quite handy. For example if I'm around the house and someone is calling me but my phone is in another room, I can quickly see who's calling and decide whether I want to fetch my phone or reject it there and then.The other advantage is I get e-mail and SMS messages straight to my wrist which is great during meetings or if I'm driving. It's subtle and I can glance at my watch without taking my attention away from what I'm doing or being perceived as rude or uninterested. I also don't need to touch my phone while driving so I'm not infringing on any road rules.That's about the extent I use it for. But I agree, if you're actually using the watch for taking phone calls or writing SMS, just take your damn phone out of your pocket.

author: kolonelkadat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 02:04:26 am
content: Quote from: Halcyon on June 26, 2015, 12:46:44 amWhere I come from, looking at your watch is considered to be incredibly rude. I always thought it was pretty much the universal sign for "Is this going to take much longer? I've got a million trillion things Id rather do than be interacting with you."The only real benefit I can see to wearing a watch is that when you walk down the street and take your phone out, theres a good chance someone will snatch your phone out of your hand, and if youre particularly unlucky, theyll snatch your life as well. A watch is physically attached to your body though, and its small so its not a giant glowing beacon to thieves when it's dark out.Having said that though, I consider a watch to be jewelry, and I don't think a man ought to wear jewelry.

author: 0b01010011
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 02:58:59 am
content: Your experience of Bluetooth is much better than mine! I use my phone to stream to my AVR's Bluetooth receiver and if they go out of line-of-sight the connection fails. In another room forget it.Back on topic I don't really like the smartwatch concept. I do have a smartphone but my main use for it is internet, youtube, and very occasional SMS or phone calls, and even more occasional google maps.

author: ivaylo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 07:09:19 am
content: The phone finder feature of those is handy, for two reasons:- find your phone- make your phone ring so you have an excuse to leave a boring meeting

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 07:17:45 am
content: Quote from: ivaylo on June 26, 2015, 07:09:19 amNot sure what meetings you attend, but the ones I have to deal with I have to ignore incoming calls.It has to be a really good reason for me to pick up my phone and leave, no matter how boring the meeting is.Edit: I don't recall ever leaving a meeting because of a phone call.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 07:36:53 am
content: If it wasn't for the battery life I'd love one. I'd be roaming around the Dales pretending it's a post apocalyptic wasteland with my trusty Pip-Boy always at hand...

author: Fred27
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 07:49:20 am
content: It's a geek toy. There doesn't have to be a point.I got my Moto 360 knowing this and wondering if the battery life would annoy me and it would end up at the back of a drawer. I also have a few watches so it could just get "rotated out". I still really like it and wear it daily. It's useful but definitely not indespensible.[Unlike iWatch wearers I don't feel the need to point it out to people and talk about it given any opportunity. It's just a watch and I didn't build it, I just bought it.]

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 07:54:57 am
content: Quote from: Mechanical Menace on June 26, 2015, 07:36:53 am$120 gets you the Fallout 4 Pip-Boy Edition but you'll look silly going around with this in your armEdit: Phone/Tablet/Phablet/Mini Tablet or whatever goes in there, is not included, you gotta supply your own.I think the App is available for iOS, Android I think is coming out soon (month or so).

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 07:57:52 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on June 26, 2015, 02:48:35 amWill do, there are enough terrible drivers out and about, the less the better. ;-) Believe it or not it is possible to look at a watch whilst watching the road. Although I notice many people don't use peripheral vision when driving a car or have the ability to concentrate on more than one thing at the same time. Those people should probably refrain from smart watches.You might be more reassured to know that I drive over 30,000KM/yr and have never had an at-fault collision. I don't plan to change my style of driving.Quote from: wilfred on June 26, 2015, 02:48:35 amI don't think I've argued myself into anything. It's a system that works for me. I don't carry my phone around in my pocket all the time. More often than not when I get home, I empty my pockets and get changed into something more comfortable. I don't need to be in ear-shot of my phone at all time. But I do wear a watch all the time. It's a fairly common habit.

author: sony mavica
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 08:04:32 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on June 26, 2015, 07:54:57 amhaha you would look a bit strange

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 08:09:50 am
content: Quote from: kolonelkadat on June 26, 2015, 02:04:26 amGeeze, what city do you live in?The minute I have to worry about that, is the minute I get the heck out.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 08:11:23 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on June 26, 2015, 07:54:57 amThey were all snapped up within hours of release, before I heard about them. Prices are already up to the £200/$315 mark plus like £45 delivery

author: ivaylo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 08:30:04 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on June 26, 2015, 07:17:45 amRelax man, it's a joke. I know your meetings are cool...

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 08:33:07 am
content: Quote from: ivaylo on June 26, 2015, 08:30:04 amNope, they are not, still I just can't get up and leave. Well, I guess I really could but that might entail a 2nd followup meeting so I rather not.

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 10:17:07 am
content: The main advantages are increasing your knobheadness ranking whilst surrounded by other knobheads drinking extremely expensive coffee.Oh, and to read emails and text message whilst bombing along the road but "without breaking any road rules."

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 05:34:21 pm
content: I'll buy something like a Pebble when it costs $50, that is, more or less like a casual watch. If not, the price is too much to justify it, as it isn't so essential. It has to be like the Pebble. Not like these Android watches which are basically Samsung S3 hardware strapped to your wrist.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 05:45:39 pm
content: QuoteI have a Sony SW2 which I rely on for two things:1. It vibrates when I get an SMS. My phone vibrates too, but I never feel it. I also rarely see it light up when a call comes in (I am looking elsewhere if I am static, or it's deep in a waterproof pocket when on the road).2. The SW2 vibrates if I leave the mobile behind and go somewhere. For instance, I might go to make coffee across the way, and without taking my phone with me I would miss an SMS (I am on call for stuff, so need to be instantly contactable). Or I might egress the car and end up in reception of wherever without the phone (so, again, uncontactable).That's it - I don't use it as a watch or for reading SMS or any of the clever stuff it also does. Indeed, I would be happy with a plain wristband that did nothing but vibrate when a call comes in (thought about making one, but it wouldn't be as neat).Nevertheless, I would kill for the chance of having an Apple watch that actually matched the Apple hype. If you think this is only about saving 5 secs on getting the phone out of your pocket, I'm surprised you are using an online forum and not still writing letters to your local newspaper instead. Do you use a mobile? What's wrong with just spending a few seconds more and using the landline?

author: Sigmoid
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 07:36:06 pm
content: The point of smartwatches is so that grown ass people can cosplay as Dick Tracy or Michael Knight while pretending they are being serious adults.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 09:17:23 pm
content: Actually it does make sense for women that use handbags or purses and must have the ring on high because they won't know if someone is calling. Most women won't put a phone on their pockets.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 09:39:34 pm
content: QuoteThat's a bit sexist, isn't it? If I got over the embarrassment and found myself a manbag, it would be because I need somewhere to carry the phablet (which nowadays tends to be too big for jeans pockets anyway).

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2015, 10:06:32 pm
content: No sexist at all, just a fact of life.Women don't like to carry stuff in their pockets, maybe a card or two on their back pocket but that's about it.

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 06:00:52 am
content: Quote from: dunkemhigh on June 26, 2015, 05:45:39 pmNo criticism of dunkemhigh - but there was a period in my twenties when I thought this was a good excuse, and in my thirties when professionally - everyone was clamoring to be the 'one in charge'...- but now in my 50s, I realise there is a lot more to life than being 'indispensable' or 'in charge'!Society has grown toask more from us as individuals than as a community! A big problem for harmony and public spirit.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 09:51:16 am
content: QuoteApproaching my 60s (rather too rapidly) I figured it would be good to give something back to society whilst I am still able. This is nothing to do with 'indispensable', although it is very close to being a matter of life and death:Blood bikesI normally frown upon edge cases being used to make a point, but this seems like a good opportunity to make people aware of 'backroom' stuff happening under their noses which they wouldn't normally notice, and to point out that we survive only via voluntary donations. As well as being out all night, we spend a lot of time fundraising at local supermarkets and the like (you wouldn't believe how much it costs in fuel alone to do this), as well as holding down a normal life and job.I would encourage anyone who thinks this is a useful service to consider a donation. Please don't feel left out if you're on foreign shores - I am sure there will be a local equivalent, or similar services (the Samaritans springs to mind, for instance). Thank you for your patience in listening to thisEr... so that's my usage scenario. There are probably many who fit the 'indispensable' profile you note, but if that's what floats their boat it is surely between them and their health. A watch, I would note, would at least save the rest of us from seeing them check their phone every 30 seconds...edit: That isn't me in the video, by the way. Far too good looking

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 10:00:17 am
content: I could be wrong, but I believe that activity would be illegal here in (most states of) Australia.Although I do see blood couriers out in the day, but they are private entities (often tied to pathology corporates) that operate under exclusive government contracts- like speed enforcement...That old saying... follow the money trail!'On the other side -many thanks to people like you that perform these valuable services!There is a light at the end of the tunnel, I'm just concerned that it's the end of the tunnel that is slipping away behind us!

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 10:15:46 am
content: The ironic thing is, I still can't find a sensible cheap, long battery life plain old pocket watch. Which I need since I usually don't carry a mobile phone, and don't like to wear a wrist watch.And by 'sensible', I mean robust, rubber buffer casing so it's fine if you drop it on concrete, tough glass, recessed adjuster knob so it doesn't keep getting 'adjusted' in your pocket, large face with clear numbers and luminescent hands, and a keyring attachment point.I usually just buy a wristwatch and grind the band stubs off, or nurses' watches and remove the shirt clip. But they don't survive long.The iWatch makes me laugh. There are some sidesplitting 'critiques' of it around. The Jobs pied piper hypno-magic seems to have dissipated somewhat.

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 10:17:39 am
content: take a look at SuuntoExpensive, but their baseline range might suit you.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 10:46:42 am
content: QuoteThat would be a shame. It's indicative of a problem that things like blood bikes exist, but cool that problems like that can be solved in this way. And I have to say that 'making progress' at 2am when there is a light mist in the fields illuminated by a full moon and your headlight scythes a twisting path... I'd pay someone to let me do that

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 10:47:34 am
content: Quote from: SL4P on June 27, 2015, 10:17:39 amThanks, but no. I haven't the slightest interest in 'style'.Every pocket watch gets destroyed or lost eventually. So the primary requirement is 'under $20', and the second issue is how long will it survive?Here's a lineup of past victims, plus one that's currently working.

author: MikeW
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 11:06:35 am
content: Different people have different wants and needs. You could critisise any product on the basis that it's not what you personally want. Which is what a lot of people in this thread seem to be doing.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 03:25:19 pm
content: Quote from: MikeW on June 27, 2015, 11:06:35 am+1Desktops, laptops, tablets, phones and watches, are like solder iron tips. You use the one that you think is the best fit for the job. Some people have a single tip, some have a dozen. It's a personal choice. Criticizing other people for their computing device choice is silly.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 07:25:17 pm
content: One of the things I really like about my Galaxy Gear is the full fledged scientific calculator. With it, I can get quick calculations done before I could even get my phone out of my pocket.What I would really like is a smartwatch with a built in thermal imaging camera.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2015, 07:35:55 pm
content: Mike and Dave did make prototypes of them...........

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2015, 03:00:23 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on June 27, 2015, 07:35:55 pmAnd now FLIR sells their sensors on Digi-Key... It's just waiting to happen. Who wants to start a design team with me?

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2015, 04:23:45 am
content: I would like to see much better battery life on smartphones. The current state of it is slightly ridiculous. I really wish someone brought a more modern version of those color transflective LCDs that can be seen with the backlight on as well as off. The new Pebble color thing is an important step forwards. Battery life is 1 week.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 28, 2015, 05:53:13 am
content: Quote from: MikeW on June 27, 2015, 11:06:35 amBingo! Quite a common fault among people I've noticed. If something doesn't match their opinion of something, it's somewhat "wrong" or "less correct".

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2015, 05:54:15 am
content: Transflective doesn't really work well for colour ... the amount of light reflected is really low because of the colour filter.Liquavista greatly expanded their employee count not so long ago though, so maybe Amazon will have CMY electrowetting displays soon.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2015, 07:15:47 am
content: QuoteIt is undoubtedly true that a specialist item is far better for its purpose then a jack of all trades. Take cameras for instance. But people find the convenience of NOT having to carry loads of different things outweighs the benefits of being super-good. So long as whatever it is is 'good enough' it will do the job. Take cameras for instance.Would we all walk around with separate GPS, phone, tablet, camera, torch, laptop, etc? Especially when some of them we won't be using all the time but are there 'just in case'? No, of course we wouldn't. And we don't - we take a smartphone that cant do all of that. Most of it not as well as the specialist item, but so long as it is 'good enough' we are more than happy.The thing that weighs against the phone at the moment, apart from battery (and that is nearly at the 'good enough' point) is the necessity of taking a phone too (either for processing or just as a display you can see without glasses). It won't be long before we go off out without the separate phone, just wearing a watch will with be 'good enough' for the GPS, camera, etc stuff that we might want to take 'just in case'.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2015, 07:18:51 am
content: QuoteIndeed, but why not have transflective for normal non-use operation (just showing time, for instance) and then light up the backlight when you need colour for active use? My Sony watch does that and it is jolly decent, I have to say - always shows time, daylight readable, night readable, perfect colour when operated, battery life several days.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 28, 2015, 07:50:37 am
content: Quote from: ivan747 on June 28, 2015, 04:23:45 amI tried to go back to a dumb phone and just couldn't. I actually found day-to-day tasks more difficult, having to constantly find a PC to logon to. I don't use Facebook, Twitter or any of that rubbish. Just my internet banking, budgeting software and a couple of credential applications to generate keys.I did however find a happy medium with the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact. I can now have a lightweight smartphone which generally gives me 3-4 days of battery life with moderate use. (The "Ultra stamina" mode claims 30+ days but I haven't tested this yet).

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 28, 2015, 08:05:48 am
content: Quote from: MikeW on June 27, 2015, 11:06:35 amA lot of people had the same opinion of my unboxing, criticising my criticism of the out of box experience, saying I had no right to expect it to work out of the box because they don't expect it to do something useful out of the box

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 28, 2015, 08:07:06 am
content: Quote from: Halcyon on June 28, 2015, 07:50:37 amGot the wife one of these and I was impressed by the battery life, and the fact that it's water resistant.I'd probably get one if I had to upgrade.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 28, 2015, 09:29:06 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on June 28, 2015, 08:07:06 amI've actually abused mine a little (and it still works without fault). I may have taken it *into* the spa up at Cradle Mountain (Tasmania) this winter (when it wasn't being used, I just placed it in the snow). Attached is a photo of said spa.I've owned the Z3C for about 3-4 months now and I have to say I'm very impressed with it. The only downside I found were the applications that come pre-loaded but Android allows you to disable them. I think the only other phone of similar size that came close to being able to cop a substantial amount of abuse, without the need for any external cases, was the Motorola Defy (which I also own, and still works).

author: rcircuit96
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 02, 2015, 08:16:18 am
content: I've got a pebble and I love the thing for a number of reasons, the first of which being yes, laziness, but the ability to discreetly read text messages and emails during class or a boring event/meeting is really nice. being able to display weather, calendar events and unique watch faces is really useful and cool.