Smart watches 2013

[Ganiy]

That's a wrong point of view as to that nobody wears watches today as to my mind. I know and see many people wearing watches. I belong to those people who wear watches. I like watches and have some of them. It does not only look well, but it is very convenient to my mind wearing watches, looking at them quickly when you need to know time and date. It takes less time in comparison with taking your smartphone out of bag and watching time.

 

[Eug]

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

The iPhone essentially revolutionized the smartphone market overnight.

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

Well, that's my point. There is very little interest in this from the consumer side, because there is basically nothing compelling (yet) being talked about by the smart watch manufacturers that makes people actually want to consider these, especially when the general public has already largely discarded the idea of wearing watches.

Anyways, that's one of the reasons I named this thread "Smart watches 2013". They all just suck... in 2013.

It kind of reminds me of the ever popular Apple iTV rumours. I cannot fathom why the analysts keep saying its release is imminent. Maybe Apple does have it in development and has some sort of killer implementation I dunno, but so far everything talked about (by non-Apple people) is just stupid for iTV, and would mean it would likely be an utter failure if it ever got released.

 

[WelshBloke]

I will never, ever wear a bluetooth headset...

But you'd wear a big, clunky smart-watch on your wrist and talk to it?

I'd not be entirely comfortable wearing either but at least with one of the more discrete earpieces they aren't that noticeable and not everyone in the vicinity gets to listen to your entire conversation.

 

[Eug]

This might have been cool in 1995.

 

[s44]

Hey! I had a calculator watch in the 80s.

Not going to get a watch now, though. Only wearable I'm interested in is a Glass-type thing... but only if/when Rand Paul is President.

 

[cronos]

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.

This.

I have been watchless for at least five years but I'll wear a watch again if they come out with something really nice that fits my needs. I'll wait patiently. Maybe next year.

 

[Eug]

Hey! I had a calculator watch in the 80s.

So did I, and so did Sting.

But that was 30 years ago.

 

[tvdang7]

Well i am in need of a watch and that sony smart watch first gen on slick deals for 75 bucks is cheaper than I can buy a regular fossil watch. I would jump the gun but I'm a lazy person and probably will never charge it.

 

[Red Storm]

The iPhone essentially revolutionized the smartphone market overnight.

Did not happen overnight. The first iPhone laid the groundwork for better phones going forward, but as a standalone product it was pretty lame and not worth buying.

But you'd wear a big, clunky smart-watch on your wrist and talk to it?

I'd not be entirely comfortable wearing either but at least with one of the more discrete earpieces they aren't that noticeable and not everyone in the vicinity gets to listen to your entire conversation.

Who said anything about a big, clunky watch? I'm not talking about the Galaxy Gear, I'm talking about future iterations of smart watches that will no doubt be thinner, longer lasting, more powerful, etc.

 

[Brian Stirling]

I've been working in semiconductor FABs for a long time and you can't wear a watch in most of them so the habit of wearing one was broken long before cell phones made them redundant. At my present project I'm not permitted to use either my personal or business phone as they have cameras and have been issued a crappy Kyocera Sprint flip phone for use in the FAB. I just don't have much need for a watch of any kind, but I could see having one for exercise or hiking. In addition to GPS it would be nice to have an altimeter.


Brian

 

[WelshBloke]

... Who said anything about a big, clunky watch? I'm not talking about the Galaxy Gear, I'm talking about future iterations of smart watches that will no doubt be thinner, longer lasting, more powerful, etc.

No matter how fantastical the tech it's going to need a screen with some usable real estate. The smaller the screen the less utility the watch will have, the larger the screen the more clunky.

 

[lothar]

This.

I have been watchless for at least five years but I'll wear a watch again if they come out with something really nice that fits my needs. I'll wait patiently. Maybe next year.

What needs do you have specifically with a smart watch?

 

[QueBert]

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..

On my cell phone I use PIE, which the status bar at the top completely. If I wanted to pull out my phone to check the time, I'll have to pull my phone out my pocket, press the power buttom, swipe to unlock then go into an app to see what time it is. Seem's like way too many steps to find out what damn time it is if you ask me. Even if I wasn't using PIE and all I had to do was pull my phone out of my pocket and press the power button to turn the screen on - too much work. How are either of those scenario's more convenient than a watch? And it's not like my watch is taking up room, it's on my wrist, totally out of the way of everything.

 

[lothar]

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.

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.

Back in the day when I grew up, 90+% of the people I was with wore watches.
Nowadays, it more like 50:50 or 40(watch):60(no watch)

Based on this poll, a lot of people here have also followed this trend.
47.5% of the posters that voted don't wear any kind of watch, period.
I'm sure if you were to remove the people that only wear watches as a fashion statement or some sort of jewelry, that number could easily cross the 50% mark.

Explanation of the poll options:

a) Yes, I will buy it regardless.
b.) Very interested. AKA...Would consider buying it depending on it's features and function.
c.) Not interested, because I already have a watch that serves my needs(whether those needs are either to function as a time piece, swimming, fitness, or as a fashion statement is irrelevant) and I don't need a replacement.
d.) Not interested, because I don't wear watches, period.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2302761

 

[Eug]

On my cell phone I use PIE, which the status bar at the top completely. If I wanted to pull out my phone to check the time, I'll have to pull my phone out my pocket, press the power buttom, swipe to unlock then go into an app to see what time it is. Seem's like way too many steps to find out what damn time it is if you ask me. Even if I wasn't using PIE and all I had to do was pull my phone out of my pocket and press the power button to turn the screen on - too much work. How are either of those scenario's more convenient than a watch? And it's not like my watch is taking up room, it's on my wrist, totally out of the way of everything.

Well, what you say is true, but the truth of the matter is a lot of people don't find pressing the power or home button on a phone a big problem, as evidenced by the huge decline in watch-wearing consumers. I certainly don't mind that. EVERYONE I knew used to wear a watch, but I'd be surprised if it was even 25% of my friends and family do now.

I'm guessing it is because you don't have to remember to bring a watch, and you don't have to spend money to buy a watch. And for mechanical watches it also means you don't have to adjust the date or the time. In that context, I personally find having only the smartphone more convenient than have both a phone and a watch.

What's also telling from your comment is that it sounds like you'd also think Smart watches suck, at least as currently implemented. You want something extremely convenient and out of the way, that you just glance down quickly to see the time and date. That is not the purpose and design of a smart watch in 2013.

 

[redhotiron2004]

Well, what you say is true, but the truth of the matter is a lot of people don't find pressing the power or home button on a phone a big problem, as evidenced by the huge decline in watch-wearing consumers. I certainly don't mind that. EVERYONE I knew used to wear a watch, but I'd be surprised if it was even 25% of my friends and family do now.

I'm guessing it is because you don't have to remember to bring a watch, and you don't have to spend money to buy a watch. And for mechanical watches it also means you don't have to adjust the date or the time. In that context, I personally find having only the smartphone more convenient than have both a phone and a watch.

What's also telling from your comment is that it sounds like you'd also think Smart watches suck, at least as currently implemented. You want something extremely convenient and out of the way, that you just glance down quickly to see the time and date. That is not the purpose and design of a smart watch in 2013.

Beleive me! Wearing a proper watch can not only make you look good. But, it might be the difference between looking professional/serious and looking causal or non serious. These are stubble things that can add up to make the big impression when you are out to get client etc.

I have seen people peeking other places for a quick view of time when they are doing something or waiting for someone even when they have a mobile phone in there pant pocket/ purse. There is nothing like having a watch whenever you are driving/commuting through the public transport.

Tablets were termed useless when they were first released by Apple in the era when desktops and laptops ruled the roost. But, now tablets have created a whole new market for themselves. And people who thought them to be useless realized after using them that they are actually convenient and fulfilled a need that they never thought existed.

My point is smart watches are here to fill a gap that people don't know exists. But, once you would use it then only you would realize what was missing till now. I can easily predict that just like the tablets smart watches too would become a necessity and people who don't wear watches till now. Would actually start wearing them.

Smart watches are not only going to be smaller and thinner. But, they are going to be the jack of all trades. While looking ultra cool and sexy. I know that bands can be changed to different colors even now. And watches are looking like the expensive black Rado's which give the watch a monochrome look.

Screen size doesn't really restrict its capability. Because you are not going to watch movies on your watch. Vibration, light,sound,voice etc are some of the many ways that can be used to process/recieve info through and from the watch even without the use/need of a big screen.

 

[Chrono]

I saw a pebble kickstarter edition on craigslist for $100. looks pretty nifty. Should I bite? Retails for $150.

 

[redhotiron2004]

I saw a pebble kickstarter edition on craigslist for $100. looks pretty nifty. Should I bite? Retails for $150.

Those look better than any other smart watch in the market at present. Also, the time is displayed all the time. So, no need to shake or press/touch anything to know the time. Its much closer to a real watch with good battery backup. And is waterproof as well.

Though, on the downside it doesn't have a touch screen so the operations are a bit difficult to do. Still its a great buy. Competition have just started to warm up now. So, you can except some pretty good alternatives coming up in the market. But, at present pebble is the best looking smart watch for me. At 100 bucks it's a pretty good deal.

 

[Mopetar]

Did not happen overnight. The first iPhone laid the groundwork for better phones going forward, but as a standalone product it was pretty lame and not worth buying.

It was the idea of the iPhone and what it represented that changed everything. Look at the mobile landscape before and after the iPhone. Apple's idea of what a smartphone could and should be completely changed everything. The major players who were on top of the smartphone business are all now gone or in the process of being sold off.

Nothing happens overnight, but there was a line drawn that day and on the other side of it is history.

Eventually someone is going to make a smartwatch the changes the way we think about them and suddenly everything else on the market is going to be a has-been, also ran, relic from a soon to be bygone era. That might be something that almost changes overnight, if only because the current market for smart watches is almost non-existent and there's no contracts that tie consumers to a a device.

 

[Red Storm]

It was the idea of the iPhone and what it represented that changed everything. Look at the mobile landscape before and after the iPhone. Apple's idea of what a smartphone could and should be completely changed everything. The major players who were on top of the smartphone business are all now gone or in the process of being sold off.

Nothing happens overnight, but there was a line drawn that day and on the other side of it is history.

Eventually someone is going to make a smartwatch the changes the way we think about them and suddenly everything else on the market is going to be a has-been, also ran, relic from a soon to be bygone era. That might be something that almost changes overnight, if only because the current market for smart watches is almost non-existent and there's no contracts that tie consumers to a a device.

My point is that people look back fondly on the iPhone 1 not because of the product itself, but because of what it helped usher in. Looking at the product itself it was pretty lackluster. The same thing applies to smart watches, these are first gen devices. Just like the iPhone, give it time and we'll see what the market looks like in a few years.

 

[Eug]

Beleive me! Wearing a proper watch can not only make you look good. But, it might be the difference between looking professional/serious and looking causal or non serious. These are stubble things that can add up to make the big impression when you are out to get client etc.

So, in summary, it's jewellery.

Tablets were termed useless when they were first released by Apple in the era when desktops and laptops ruled the roost. But, now tablets have created a whole new market for themselves. And people who thought them to be useless realized after using them that they are actually convenient and fulfilled a need that they never thought existed.

Smart watches are not tablets. Lots of people saw the need for tablets. Plus, consumers jumped all over tablets. Smart watches, not so much.

My point is that people look back fondly on the iPhone 1 not because of the product itself, but because of what it helped usher in. Looking at the product itself it was pretty lackluster. The same thing applies to smart watches, these are first gen devices. Just like the iPhone, give it time and we'll see what the market looks like in a few years.

The original iPhone was friggin' awesome for its time. The main problem with it was that it was 2G.

BTW, here is the comparison of the original iPhone vs. the iPhone 3G:

Look at an iPhone, and you instantly knew that it was a revolution. Look at a Smart watch, and it just seems moronic.

 

[dighn]

So, in summary, it's jewellery.

nowadays watches are jewelry and i don't see smart watches competing in that market any time soon. functionality-wise i don't see the appeal either; i find google glass-like devices much more interesting. smart watches are trying to restore functionality relevance to an archaic concept. glass is the next evolutionary step.

 

[MrX8503]

What Steve Jobs said about the iPad, is true for Smartwatches.

A device has no reason for being if it can't do tasks significantly better than other devices.

"Netbooks aren't better at anything" -Steve Jobs

Thinking about that, a smart watch has to do more than just extend your current smartphone. It has to have super long battery life and do tasks that refrain you from grabbing your smartphone.

Ever since I got an iPad, I use my laptop less and less for browsing. That's how you create a new market out of nothing.

My point is that people look back fondly on the iPhone 1 not because of the product itself, but because of what it helped usher in. Looking at the product itself it was pretty lackluster. The same thing applies to smart watches, these are first gen devices. Just like the iPhone, give it time and we'll see what the market looks like in a few years.

Dude, the iPhone 1 was pretty much a magical device. The software was unlike anything MS nor RIM could ever dream of. Watch the 2007 keynote, and you'll see how far ahead the iPhone was.

Not sure if Apple would be able to pull the rug from under their competitors again for the iWatch.

 

[redhotiron2004]

So, in summary, it's jewellery.


Smart watches are not tablets. Lots of people saw the need for tablets. Plus, consumers jumped all over tablets. Smart watches, not so much.


The original iPhone was friggin' awesome for its time. The main problem with it was that it was 2G.

Look at an iPhone, and you instantly knew that it was a revolution. Look at a Smart watch, and it just seems moronic.

I don't know whether you are making things up or you have a low General knowledge. Just read the market analysis and history of the tablets. Google it. And you would know that people didn't jump on the tablets straight away. There was no market for them when they were released. No other company was interested initially because of that. The market was created afterwards only. Even now people don't see tablets as a viable alternative for laptop. But, tablets have become a complementary gadget for them. It doesn't fulfill/satisfy any need except convenience that a laptop cannot do. It's just a complementary gadget which won't make a difference if you don't have it in the first place if you have a laptop.

Same is for smart watches. It would become an important complementary gadget for mobiles. For me it makes more sense to put the various sensors like magnetometer, barometer, temperature, heart beat. Precipitation, accelerometer on the watch rather than the mobile in your pocket.

Jewellery you say. Everybody can have a different perception about the same thing. Clothes are worn to not only look good but the main purpose is to hide the internals. Similary watches can be worn to look good. But, there main purpose is telling what time, day,date,alarm it is. You can say they are jewellery. I say it's good as they don't look awkward like the tablets or phablets that people use to talk to other people on there ear.

 

[Chrono]

Those look better than any other smart watch in the market at present. Also, the time is displayed all the time. So, no need to shake or press/touch anything to know the time. Its much closer to a real watch with good battery backup. And is waterproof as well.

Though, on the downside it doesn't have a touch screen so the operations are a bit difficult to do. Still its a great buy. Competition have just started to warm up now. So, you can except some pretty good alternatives coming up in the market. But, at present pebble is the best looking smart watch for me. At 100 bucks it's a pretty good deal.

Thanks... I was thinking of buying it but I'm still on the fence. It may be just a stupid buy...