Life with the Moto 360: has Motorola’s smartwatch turned a corner?
When the Moto 360 first hit the scene, its reception was… mixed. That round display was eye-catching, but it couldn’t make up for the smartwatch’s all-too-short battery life and undercooked software. Times have changed, though. Motorola trotted out updates that addressed the 360’s early problems, and the Lollipop upgrade gave Android Wear a new lease on life through custom watch faces and a few other useful tweaks. But does that mean it deserves a second chance, especially now that rivals like LG’s G Watch R are vying for your wrist?
I’ll tackle the big question up-front: battery life wasn’t an issue. I could wear the Moto 360 throughout a typical day and still have a significant charge left when I was ready to go to bed. That was no mean feat for me, since I usually have to deal with a steady stream of Hangouts messages and work email. Having said this, I was very, very thankful for the 360’s wireless charging dock. Smartwatches needing clip-on cradles or cables are often a hassle, but Motorola’s wristwear was so easy to top up that I hardly even thought about it.
I’m also a fan of the design, for the most part. I never completely forgot about the black strip at the bottom of the display that creates a “flat tire” look, but it also wasn’t distracting (at least not on my all-black model). The leather strap makes the 360 extra comfortable, and the circular design is subtle enough that I didn’t feel conspicuously geeky most of the time. However, there’s no question that it could stand to be smaller. That 46mm-diameter case is enormous, at least on my moderately sized adult male arm. That’s true of a lot of smartwatches (the ASUS ZenWatch is particularly huge), but there’s something to be said for the discreetness of a smaller device like the 38mm Apple Watch.
The software is a tougher call, even if it’s mostly a positive experience. Android Wear is supremely handy for the basic information I like to see over the course of a day, like weather or sports scores. And in a chilly Ottawa winter, it was more than a little helpful to respond to Hangouts messages or check in to Swarm without reaching for my phone and freezing my hands in the process. The Lollipop update also added quite a few features and overall polish that were missing the first time around. It was nice to have a wide choice of watch faces, for example, and I could tune out most alerts if I set the 360 to only give me priority notifications. I didn’t have to use that last mode very often, but I was happy to know I could avoid information overload when necessary.
However, it’s all too apparent that Android Wear still needs more time in the oven. For one thing, its approach to apps is backward — unless I was launching something I had recently used, I had to go to the very bottom of a long menu just to start browsing the app list.
The interface isn’t that great at surfacing the information I need at the time I need it, for that matter. Spotify’s Android Wear card always showed up on cue, but Sonos’ controls appeared inconsistently even when there was music playing. And the watch frequently defaulted to showing apps that weren’t really relevant to the situation at hand; no, I don’t need to check out my fitness goals in the middle of the workday. Google may be right that watches are primarily about receiving passive streams of information, but that doesn’t excuse doing a poor job when I want to be more active.
Even with those quirks in mind, it’s pretty clear the Moto 360 has turned a corner in half a year’s time. It’s no longer the underdeveloped novelty that it was on launch, and it’s now my pick of the current Android Wear crop. True, it doesn’t have the G Watch R’s true circular display, the ZenWatch’s custom software or the Sony Smartwatch 3’s GPS, but I’d say of the three, it strikes the best balance between looks, functionality and price. About the only thing holding back the 360 is the software, but it’s already apparent from the Lollipop update that Google is determined to quickly improve Android Wear. If you’re happy with the current feature set, the 360 is a great buy — and I’m glad I can say that given its rough start.
LG’s Watch Urbane LTE will soon be available in South Korea for $590
LG is releasing the Watch Urbane LTE in South Korea within the next few days, which means we now have an idea how much one will cost. Turns out the fancy mobile internet-connected smartwatch is priced at 650,000 won or $590 in its home turf. That amount is comparable to the regular Apple Watch that will set you back at least $549, but it could still change when the device arrives stateside. As you might know, the smartwatch has its own SIM card and can make voice calls even without a phone. It can connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth, though, provided it runs Android KitKat or later.
Inside, its components include a 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor and a 700mAh battery, powering its 1.3-inch round P-OLED display. A few Korean outlets are reporting that the device runs Android Wear, but when we tested one during Mobile World Congress, it was loaded with a proprietary platform based on webOS. Notable features include NFC payment capability, GPS location sharing, speech translator and the choice to use it like a walkie-talkie. Unfortunately, the device’s US availability is still unclear at this point. Since AT&T’s bringing the LTE-less Watch Urbane to the US, though, we’ll keep a close eye on the carrier’s new announcements, just in case.
Filed under: Wearables, Google, LG
Source: LG, The Korea Bizwire
Apple is training its store staff to offer fashion advice
Now that the Apple Watch is close to launch, Apple is getting its stores ready to sell the wearable — and apparently, that involves turning its T-shirt-wearing staffers into fashion gurus. A 9to5Mac leak has revealed that the company is asking retail employees to suggest different watches based on how you dress and your lifestyle, much like you’d expect when buying a pair of designer glasses. Yes, that specialist may suggest a colorful watch because you have a “fun style” (ack), not just because it’s the best your budget allows. Apple is reportedly aware that you might want to skip the spiel and will have areas for people who already know what they want, but you’ll want to be prepared for some beauty banter if you’re undecided.
The notion that a plainly dressed, modestly paid worker could become a fashion expert is a bit silly, and Apple’s example customers don’t always make sense. What kind of waiter makes enough money to drop $1,000 on a steel smartwatch without flinching? However, this shows just how far Apple is willing to go to get its new device on your wrist. It’s willing to hire sales execs from non-technical fields and have them replace the conventional electronics store sales tactics with ones you’d expect from a boutique. Will they work? Not necessarily (this is still an expensive and strictly optional piece of silicon), but it’ll be interesting to see how the experiment shakes out.
Source: 9to5Mac
Could this be a box full of the new Moto 360?
The Motorola Moto 360 is the top-selling Android Wear smartwatch and one of the most popular smartwatches to date. Of course, being the first iteration, there are a few niggling issues that have been pointed out by critics and consumers alike, ones we’re hoping Motorola address in the new Moto 360. And what might that […]
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More details emerge about TAG Heuer’s Google/Intel collaboration smartwatch
We know TAG Heuer is jumping into the smartwatch game, backed by Google and Intel, but we haven’t heard any concrete details about the watch just yet. Some new details have surfaced from Jean-Claude Biver of Swiss watch-making fame.
He didn’t divulge too much about the inner workings and specs of the watch, but he did give some insight into how much the watch will cost and how it’ll fare against Apple’s upcoming watch.
When asked about how likely it is that people would want a TAG Heuer luxury smartwatch, Biver seems to think there will be plenty of appeal for the device, even at $1,000. That direct, specific number seems to hint at what price point the companies are planning on going for, which is pretty high comparatively speaking. However, this is one of the first efforts by a major watch-maker to step in and create something that would sell like a traditional watch, and if you compare that $1,000 price tag to some other watches TAG Heuer makes… well, let’s just the the $1k comes in at the very low end against some of the other styles they offer.
So, for $1,000, you’d think you’d get a ton of functionality that beats out Apple’s watch, right? Not quite. Biver admitted that there will likely be some things that Apple’s watch will do that the TAG watch won’t, and vice versa. However, he’s not expecting to blow Apple away on the feature list. That might be some disappointing news to some, but I think it’s becoming pretty apparent that this watch is going to appeal to traditional luxury watch buyers, not the tech crowd that the likes of Pebble and Motorola are trying to snatch up.
It’s tough to say just how this will pan out since it’s the first of its kind, but it’ll be fun to see whenever it does hit the market later this year.
source: Hodinkee
Come comment on this article: More details emerge about TAG Heuer’s Google/Intel collaboration smartwatch
Vector smartwatches promise a 30-day battery life
Tag Heuer’s Android Wear device wasn’t the only smartwatch at this year’s Baselworld. Other devices were also shown and launched during the annual luxury watch fair in Switzerland, including the new Vector Watch. It’s slated to come out in two different shapes — Luna with a round face and Meridian with a rectangular one — but the most intriguing thing its developers are promising is its 30-day battery life. Not 30 hours, but 30 days, though we’ll bet the watch can’t last that long if you use its features often. It can display your messages on screen, which you can dismiss with a flick of the wrist, and it works with IFTTT commands.
The company, headed by a team of execs including former Timex CEO Joe Santana and ex-Nike Designer Steve Jarvis, didn’t delve into those features’ specifics. It didn’t even say what platform the watch will run, but the devices’ PR mentioned that it will be compatible not only with iPhones and iPads, but also with Android and Windows devices. Vector Watch will hit the shelves this late summer, but you can pre-order some models right now.
A Luna with either a black nylon or a brown leather strap will set you back $349, while a Meridian with a black nylon strap has a much affordable price tag of $199. There are fancier models with stainless steel straps on the way (as you can see in the images in the gallery above), but those look like they will cost quite a bit more $$$.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/122553046?color=ffffff&portrait=0
Filed under: Wearables, Mobile
Source: Vector Watch
Pebble pledges $1 million to development of smartstraps for Pebble Time
With the announcement of the Pebble Time, Pebble also briefly touched on what they’re calling “smartstraps.” These smart watch bands are basically just a platform so developers can create smartstraps that do different things and add a little functionality to the base Pebble Time.
Today, the company has opened a million dollar fund towards the development of these smartstraps and they’re showing off a few different early ideas from what others have already been working on. Pebble will be taking money from that fund to help back Kickstarter projects for smartstraps, so if you have an idea for one, get to work on a prototype.
The first concept is from Xadow, and it creates a completely modular watch band that you can swap out for things like NFC readers, barometers, and heart rate monitors, which should definitely add some length to the lifespan of the Pebble Time.
The second prototype is from Spark, and it might be a solution to a problem that doesn’t quite exist. The Spark Electron is a module that takes a SIM card so your Pebble can connect to mobile networks. On the bright side, you’d be able to use your Pebble without being tethered to Bluetooth’s relatively short range, but I’m not sure many people would pay their carriers extra per month for that convenience.
Regardless, these are the kinds of things Pebble hopes developers do for their smartstrap platform. With this new fund, it’s pretty likely we’ll see more of these by the end of the year.
source: Pebble
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Xiaomi planning on releasing a smartwatch of its own
Xiaomi, is looking to respond to the Apple Watch with a smartwatch of its own. Also known as ‘China’s Apple’, the Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer is reportedly gearing up to take on Apple in a new product category. As per the rumors, the Xiaomi smartwatch is expected to feature a round dial and a brushed […]
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New details for Samsung’s new round smartwatch surface
Samsung has flooded the Smartwatch market with a number of smartwatches. The Android Wear packing Gear Live, the Tizen powered Gear S, Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, Galaxy Gear and its smart-fitness band Gear Fit (though technically not a smartwatch) brings Samsung’s count for wearables up to six, but hey who’s counting? While we expected Samsung to unveil a new smartwatch along side the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, to our surprise Samsung did not and the company confirmed a change in philosophy.
According to Samsung’s Executive Vice President of Mobile Marketing, Young-hee Lee, the company wanted to break its tradition of simultaneous smartphone and smartwatch releases and hold back on releasing another smartwatch.
Lee said, “We’ve been introducing more devices than anybody else. It’s time for us to pause. We want a more perfect product.”
According to new details, a new round smartwatch with rotating bezel ring (that serves as the navigation tool for the watch) will sport device object and image recognition (above). Not only that but it will also support a barcode register for products that can be purchased through Samsung Pay and gesture controls. It will be able to be used as a remote for your TV, serve as a key to open or remote start your vehicle and determine health information. Chances are, the smartwatch will also sport a camera as well.
The device will also take advantage of wireless charging as well. From the information at hand, it looks like the watch will have a fall announcement. We’re not sure if Samsung will feature Tizen or Android Wear with its new watch but we’ll let you know when we find out.
source: SamMobile
Come comment on this article: New details for Samsung’s new round smartwatch surface
Report says Samsung is currently the top smartwatch vendor in the world
Samsung has been in the wearables game since 2013 as we all know. This was a time when the concept hadn’t matured as it has today. The Galaxy Gear as it was known, turned out to be a failure for the company.
But after that, the company launched a series of wearables running the Tizen operating system. All these factors have collectively made Samsung the top smartwatch vendor in the world with 17.65% of the overall wearables marketshare. The data was gathered by Statista.
The Korean manufacturer has reportedly sold 1.2 million smartwatches until the end of 2014. At second place is Pebble, which is believed to have sold 700,000 wearables by the end of 2014. The third, fourth and fifth spot were taken by Fitbit, Sony and Lenovo respectively.
Samsung’s last known wearable, the Gear S was announced back in September and packed cellular connectivity, letting users operate the device independently. The company also has an Android Wear smartwatch called the Gear Live which was unveiled in June, but it hasn’t quite seen the success that the company had hoped for.
Source: Seeking Alpha
Via: GSM Arena
Come comment on this article: Report says Samsung is currently the top smartwatch vendor in the world
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