Any smartwatches announced at IFA a significant step forward?

[lopri]

Doubt we'll see any other watch with that feature http://www.sammobile.com/2014/11/27/samsung-patents-a-ring-operated-smartwatch-design/

A cursory search reveals Samsung filed that patent in the U.S. Patent Office but I did not learn much in which jurisdiction it has actually been granted the patent. Same goes for Apple's "Digital Crown," which Apple filed for and have yet to receive an exclusive right.

I hope neither patents will be granted. Both are proof of how messed up our patent system in general, along with the "rectangles with rounded corners" fiasco.

 

[jhansman]

Hmm, reading some first takes on the Gear S2 are more positive than I expected, considering it's running Tizen.

The lack of apps don't bother me since I'm not a big fan of doing a ton on my watch - just do time, notifications, and health tracking well. I prefer the Moto 360 over my older Gear 2/Fit watches just b/c Android Wear seemed more polished and reliable.

Any other round watches introduced use the bezel like the S2? Lookwise they all pretty much seem the same (moto, Huawei , Samsung, etc).

This. If I ever do spring for a smartwatch, this is likely the one I'll get. I just hope Samsung has the sense to price it reasonably.

 

[Ancalagon44]

I personally would only buy a smart watch next generation, not this one. So late next year at the earliest.

I want to see them move to newer generation SoCs and possibly lower power display tech.

 

[WelshBloke]

I personally would only buy a smart watch next generation, not this one. So late next year at the earliest.

I want to see them move to newer generation SoCs and possibly lower power display tech.

That seems fairly arbitrary. We are on, what? the third generation of smartwatches now?

There’ll always be better SOCs coming and better displays. Most smartwatches now will comfortably last a day.

Myself I wouldnt buy one as I dont really like them on a functional level but if you like the concept of a smartwatch it seems the time to buy. (Unless you like Apple, its always a good idea to let them get a few generations out of the door before buying)

 

[Ancalagon44]

That seems fairly arbitrary. We are on, what? the third generation of smartwatches now?

There’ll always be better SOCs coming and better displays. Most smartwatches now will comfortably last a day.

Myself I wouldnt buy one as I dont really like them on a functional level but if you like the concept of a smartwatch it seems the time to buy. (Unless you like Apple, its always a good idea to let them get a few generations out of the door before buying)

Third generation?

Only one Apple Watch generation exists and I think only one Android line before that (which I would consider the first generation).

You may or may not consider the new Moto watches the start of the second generation - but with the same SOC, I'm not sure I'd agree.

Consider iPhone vs iPhone 3GS and iPad vs iPad 2 - definitely worth waiting for the true next generation, even if it is 2 years away.

 

[Commodus]

Third generation?

Only one Apple Watch generation exists and I think only one Android line before that (which I would consider the first generation).

You may or may not consider the new Moto watches the start of the second generation - but with the same SOC, I'm not sure I'd agree.

Consider iPhone vs iPhone 3GS and iPad vs iPad 2 - definitely worth waiting for the true next generation, even if it is 2 years away.

Keep in mind Pebble, the Galaxy Gear, early Sony Smartwatches and the occasional one-offs from before that period.

Also, second-generation doesn't necessarily mean new internals (although the 360 did change to a 'new' chip). It really refers to that second try, that attempt at refining the ideas that you saw earlier. The new Moto 360 is obviously building on top of things Motorola learned over the past year.

My guess is just that some companies will have more dramatic transitions than others. Android Wear is partly hampered by Google's hardware support, but I'd expect Apple and Samsung at least to iterate quickly.

 

[poofyhairguy]

The LG Watch Urbane was obviously the first 2.0 Android watch. They talked about features it had at I/O before any other watch had those features.

The problem is a lack of consumer interest. If that Apple Watch would have been a crazy hit, or one of the Android smartwatches sold millions, then we would be on a solid second gen by now with new SoCs and everything else.

Now that it looks like smartwatches will be at best a minor revenue generator there is no reason to give them the best SoCs or a six month product cycle. There is only so much R&D you can do when Google controls the OS (and therefore restricts additional hardware).

 

[Mopetar]

Samsung rolled their own software as the new Gear is using Tizen, so I think they have a big leg up on the rest of the competition. I'm curious to see how well it sells in the market, but I have a strong feeling that it will perform better than most other offerings.

However, no matter what kind of hardware changes get added, I don't think smart watches have found the killer feature that marks a clear second generation line. I don't know if that's something that requires hardware and sensor improvements to reach or if it's something that will come as a result of software, but I'd say anything out so far falls into a first generation category.

 

[blackdogdeek]

FYI: Estimated delivery date on moto maker for black band/silver chamfer/silver case/42mm is 14 October. Last night the silver options were no longer selectable but they are today but delivery date moved 2 weeks back.

 

[gorcorps]

The LG Watch Urbane was obviously the first 2.0 Android watch. They talked about features it had at I/O before any other watch had those features.

The problem is a lack of consumer interest. If that Apple Watch would have been a crazy hit, or one of the Android smartwatches sold millions, then we would be on a solid second gen by now with new SoCs and everything else.

Now that it looks like smartwatches will be at best a minor revenue generator there is no reason to give them the best SoCs or a six month product cycle. There is only so much R&D you can do when Google controls the OS (and therefore restricts additional hardware).

The LG Watch Urbane was the first smartwatch I actually thought looked decent. It wasn't amazing, but with the right band I thought it looked pretty slick. We're getting more round face watches now that look good though, so I think maybe next year will be the year I find one I like enough to buy.

http://www.lg.com/us/smartwatch/urbane

 

[blackdogdeek]

bestbuy.com is currently selling pre-orders of the 2nd generation moto 360.

 

[MrSquished]

woohooo just got an email from moto that my 2nd gen moto 360 is now being assembled.

just being excited here. oye!

 

[Red Storm]

I really like the Huawei Watch, but right now I don't see myself spending $350 on one, and the lack of NFC (and support for NFC in Android Wear currently) is a big bummer. I consider the first Android Wear devices with NFC as the real gen 2.

 

[dawheat]

woohooo just got an email from moto that my 2nd gen moto 360 is now being assembled.

just being excited here. oye!

Cool - please share pics and your experience when you get it.

Since I have a Moto 360 right now, I'm going to give the Gear S2 Classic a try first in October. If Tizen blows, I'm going to return it and try the new 360 next.

 

[MrSquished]

Cool - please share pics and your experience when you get it.

Since I have a Moto 360 right now, I'm going to give the Gear S2 Classic a try first in October. If Tizen blows, I'm going to return it and try the new 360 next.

will do. it will be my first experience with a wearable. pretty geeky gadget guy so it should be a blast to use. can't wait.