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Hello people,
I am planing to get myself a smartwatch
since I use Xperia Zu , the Sony SMW2 seems interesting ,
but is it right time to get it now since pebble steel is out and there might be a Sony SMW 3 ( maybe)
shall I wait or is the watch itself good enough to buy or are there must needed improvments , expected to be there in the next gen ?
Thank you
abdallahmemon said:
Hello people,
I am planing to get myself a smartwatch
since I use Xperia Zu , the Sony SMW2 seems interesting ,
but is it right time to get it now since pebble steel is out and there might be a Sony SMW 3 ( maybe)
shall I wait or is the watch itself good enough to buy or are there must needed improvments , expected to be there in the next gen ?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sw2 is pretty good as it is but there are still some issues that needs to be resolved. Hopefully a firmware upgrade will solve some of them. Soon I hope.
But if you are into customization, than you should look into other options as this watch really does not allow third party watchfaces that can replace the native ones. Yes there are some alternative watchfaces but they are merely apps that can not run without a connection to the phone, and you loose full page notifications. Battery life is also affected by these apps.
There are some really nice smartwatches coming so I suggest you wait a bit longer. But if you get the SW2 and don't care much about the customization then you should be happy. SW2 can do pretty much everything pebble can and more except the watchfaces. But I heard pebble has some issues/limitations too such as the ability to install only 8 apps at once including the watchfaces.I maybe wrong on this one but check the review on pebble steel at http://www.smartwatchfans.com
Sent from my HTC One SV using Tapatalk
thearif said:
Sw2 is pretty good as it is but there are still some issues that needs to be resolved. Hopefully a firmware upgrade will solve some of them. Soon I hope.
But if you are into customization, than you should look into other options as this watch really does not allow third party watchfaces that can replace the native ones. Yes there are some alternative watchfaces but they are merely apps that can not run without a connection to the phone, and you loose full page notifications. Battery life is also affected by these apps.
There are some really nice smartwatches coming so I suggest you wait a bit longer. But if you get the SW2 and don't care much about the customization then you should be happy. SW2 can do pretty much everything pebble can and more except the watchfaces. But I heard pebble has some issues/limitations too such as the ability to install only 8 apps at once including the watchfaces.I maybe wrong on this one but check the review on pebble steel at http://www.smartwatchfans.com
Sent from my HTC One SV using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I usually have a watch on my wrist , so I am not into fancy watchfaces at all. I am not willing to go for the pebble steel because , 1-It is pebble ,
2- Its expensive and
3- the availability in my local market .
and there many other reasons , colour screen , screen size , touchscreen and you name it .
Please mention any other flaws in Sony SMW2 .
I would like to add that with the android 4.3 update for the xperia devices , sony added the downloadable themes feature to the devices , so people waiting for the changeable watchfaces (ones which make sense and are practical) should keep their fingers crossed
abdallahmemon said:
Hello people,
I am planing to get myself a smartwatch
since I use Xperia Zu , the Sony SMW2 seems interesting ,
but is it right time to get it now since pebble steel is out and there might be a Sony SMW 3 ( maybe)
shall I wait or is the watch itself good enough to buy or are there must needed improvments , expected to be there in the next gen ?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont think we see smw3 before autumn, maybe not even on this year. It is very difficult to say, but Sony isnt Samsung and makes new toys on every month...
Is it ready for you depends on lot of what you like to have and do with the watch. Simple notification? Then yes. Playing games? No.
It is almost working like a charm, some bugs like apps dont always open immediately - you may need to tap the app couple times. There is an issue with a4.3. I have a4.1.2 so everything is working good - except that I need to couple times tap the app before it opens (calender app).
It is always the same thing - to buy or to wait. There will always better choices if you wait, but how long are you willing to wait? 3weeks, 3 months, 6 montsh, a year...? If you want it now, I think sw2 is the best - working fine, looks classy and stylish, can be weared with a suit or with a college pants or whatever...
Sent from my GT-N8000 using Tapatalk 4
Agree with what has already been posted. I bought my SW2 for $199 and lucked out to see Best Buy had a one day sale for $160. At $199 it was a decent deal, and at $160 it is a good deal. I was looking at the plain Pebble at about the same price. The Pebble has a few advantages: more and better developer community, more customization of watch faces and apps available, a bit longer battery life. I chose the Sony due to better build (metal vs plastic), better looking, and touch screen.
I use the SW2 to notify and read texts, email, sports scores and news, answer calls, catch tweets, and Facebook updates. I also use it to control music, view pictures on my gallery, access news feeds via RSS, and Yelp. I have tried the GPS extension and while it works I prefer to wait until an extension that does turn by turn arises. Other than email I am pretty happy with how the SW2 works going all of the above.
Downsides of the Sony? Wish email notifications were handled better. I have 4.3 and the stock extension doesn't work (not a Sony phone) and the stock Gmail extension does not work with 4.3 on my phone. Sony says they are working on it, in the interim I have my email read by Gmail on my phone, which is then read by K9 on my phone, and then the K9 extension on my watch reads the email. With all the hops it delays seeing the emails and it doesnt seem to catch all the emails. So I also use Watch it to notify on email and Watchify notify on Gmail. Better to get a few duplicate notifications than miss an important one.
To be honest, if HOT watch was out I probably would have purchased that one. More of a "smart" watch. And truthfully I am getting swayed by the Galaxy Gear. If it was closer in price and if my phone was running 4.3 at the time I purchased the SW2 I may have looked more at the Gear. Again, more "smart" things you can do. Plus, it is really cool what you can do with watch faces. Maybe down the road when the price and size comes down.
Hope this helps.
Sent from my TouchPad using xda app-developers app
Thanks for the detailed info.
What can the Sony Smartwatch 2 do as a stone-alone watch (when its not connected to a device)? if you can list then please.
Time?
Alarms?
...?
Thx.
Built-in app: time, alarm, calculator, torch (just max brightness), timer, stopwatch.
Also there's that snake game.
How long has it been out? What's it's future look like? How does it compete with the competition? How much has it evolved? Are things gonna keep looking better or worse?
the SW2 was released late september, 2013
i don't expect a very bright future, to be honest
even though it evolved to a very useable smartwatch, thanks to firmware updates, i think the next batch of smartwatches will be much more popular
several google wear watches are expected to be announced during google i/o, one of them the Moto 360, which might just be the smartwatch a lot of people have been waiting for because of it's looks (watches ARE considered juwelry, so why not have something good looking)
compared to watches currently released, the SW2 still has an edge i think, thanks to:
-transflective display, sure it's cool to have a high-res display, but if you can't read it outside...
-extensions, giving you all kind of extra functionality notifications
-watch face editor, i think they really hit the mark there
-battery life, 3-4 days
but the watch is showing it's age
i don't know if it's because Sony added the watch face widgets so long after releasing the watch, or that the watch simply isn't that popular, but somehow i expected an explosion of watchface widgets, which simply hasn't happened
and i don't think it will happen
don't get me wrong, i'm a very happy user, thanks to the last update, watchface widgets and notifications (too bad Sony won't listen and give me (us?) a selectable screen timeout), if i leave my watch at home i miss it all day long
but the Moto 360 does look amazing...
Had mine 2 days & I love it but, yeah, ^ what he said.
JarlSX said:
the SW2 was released late september, 2013
i don't expect a very bright future, to be honest
even though it evolved to a very useable smartwatch, thanks to firmware updates, i think the next batch of smartwatches will be much more popular
several google wear watches are expected to be announced during google i/o, one of them the Moto 360, which might just be the smartwatch a lot of people have been waiting for because of it's looks (watches ARE considered juwelry, so why not have something good looking)
compared to watches currently released, the SW2 still has an edge i think, thanks to:
-transflective display, sure it's cool to have a high-res display, but if you can't read it outside...
-extensions, giving you all kind of extra functionality notifications
-watch face editor, i think they really hit the mark there
-battery life, 3-4 days
but the watch is showing it's age
i don't know if it's because Sony added the watch face widgets so long after releasing the watch, or that the watch simply isn't that popular, but somehow i expected an explosion of watchface widgets, which simply hasn't happened
and i don't think it will happen
don't get me wrong, i'm a very happy user, thanks to the last update, watchface widgets and notifications (too bad Sony won't listen and give me (us?) a selectable screen timeout), if i leave my watch at home i miss it all day long
but the Moto 360 does look amazing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think a lot of People don't even know that there are Smartwatches from other Manufactures, here in Switzerland (where I live), the only official selled Smartwatches are the Samsung ones...The most People here don't know that Sony made Smartwatches too.
Except from that, a lot of People don't see why they should need a Smartwatch, they're always on the Phone, so why should they buy an Accessory which hasn't any use for them?
And then, there's the look of these things. The most Smartwatches are in a rectangular shape...How many People have you seen wearing a "normal" Watch with a rectangular design? Maybe a few, but not much. People like their watches with circular design - and that's where the Moto 360 comes in.
The Sony Smartwatch 2 will probably get a replacement soon with the same (or slightly upgraded) firmware of the SW2, but it hasn't any chance to sell as good as Android Wear devices will, for that, Sony has to deliver more than one Watch, Maybe a circular and rectangular, and a few color options sure won't hurt, and they have to advert this thing! I have never seen any Ad for the SW2 here in Switzerland (The Gear Ad is running almost 24/7 on TV - well , not as much, but it feels like), and there are posters everywhere with the Gear on it! You even get the Gear for free if you buy a new Samsung- Phone here...
Sony should get the marketing right for the upcoming SW3, otherwise they will loose the fight.
i actually don't know anyone (friends, family, co-workers) who has a smartwatch
people respond amazed when they see i get email/facebook/twitter/etc notifications on my watch (or if someone calls me), but that didn't result in anyone wanting one as well
maybe that will change when they see a more fashionable watch like the Moto 360...
Same here! Got SW1, 2 and a Pebble and everyone is astonished but never saw another smartwatch in the wild...
Envoyé depuis mon SM-N9005
at homedepot
I'm a cashier and I see probably around 30% OF WATCHES ARE SQUARR. ITV WAS OBVIOUSLY COMMON IN OLDER DESIGNS
In my opinion - no, it is not aging well when compared with the Android Wear devices on the horizon. On it's own the SW2 is not a bad device and I have enjoyed using mine over the last few months but I have now sold it in anticipation of the new Android Wear products and I shall be picking up a Moto 360 or LG G Watch.
Why's everyone buying into the Android Wear hype? It's basically a screen for your Google Now notifications. With a microphone built in. And batteries 10 times the size of the SW2 but with less lifetime.
ngoonee said:
Why's everyone buying into the Android Wear hype? It's basically a screen for your Google Now notifications. With a microphone built in. And batteries 10 times the size of the SW2 but with less lifetime.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because Google supports it natively meaning app devs will be able to easily adapt their apps to utilize it. No hacks and third party apps needed in order to function on the watch. Obviously there are many things still unknown like battery life and general functionality but it's likely to be better supported.
Sent from my XT1080 using XDA Free mobile app
Gahh! Having a bit of headache over this question too. Will android wear kill the SW2? Reason is I´m planning to get a smartwatch for a gift to an event this weekend. The SW2 and Pebble is out here in Sweden, but there´s no word on release for the Android wear watches (we´re not one of the contries google announced the other day).
And I really want to hand over a real, physical device. Not a gift certificate saying "you´ll get a cool device sometimes in the future".
Was really set on getting the SW2 for this gift but now I don´t know...
Hey guys, I am pretty much here to express why the Gear 2 was such a good idea on paper but terrible in reality. The fact of the matter is the Gear 2 sucks. The apecs are great the screen is beauitful the design isnt half bad if you ask me. But the sheer lack of apps is what makes the smartwatch so gimmicky. Yes I can pick up calls but I mean we can do the same thing with a pair if $20 headphones; so why did i buy a $300 'smart'watch? Well, here us the answer. I though it was better than android wear. For some reason I thought "hey, samsjng makes great products!" Which in reality it does, but Tizen was not the way to go. The sheer lack of apps makes this app a brick if you ask me. Also the lack of compatability! (What were they thinking?!) I mean have you seen how fast android wear is developing?! Its absolutely insane. I guess this a call to action if anythjbg for Samsung to either open up tizen or port Android Wear to the Gear 2 or make it incredibly easy for devs to use Tizen because if it doesn't itll suffer the same fate as any other OS besides Android or Apple (not a threat LOL.)
Post your ideas below.
adr14ng said:
Hey guys, I am pretty much here to express why the Gear 2 was such a good idea on paper but terrible in reality. The fact of the matter is the Gear 2 sucks. The apecs are great the screen is beauitful the design isnt half bad if you ask me. But the sheer lack of apps is what makes the smartwatch so gimmicky. Yes I can pick up calls but I mean we can do the same thing with a pair if $20 headphones; so why did i buy a $300 'smart'watch? Well, here us the answer. I though it was better than android wear. For some reason I thought "hey, samsjng makes great products!" Which in reality it does, but Tizen was not the way to go. The sheer lack of apps makes this app a brick if you ask me. Also the lack of compatability! (What were they thinking?!) I mean have you seen how fast android wear is developing?! Its absolutely insane. I guess this a call to action if anythjbg for Samsung to either open up tizen or port Android Wear to the Gear 2 or make it incredibly easy for devs to use Tizen because if it doesn't itll suffer the same fate as any other OS besides Android or Apple (not a threat LOL.)
Post your ideas below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you, the potential is extraorinary with this watch, but Samsung is failing to use this potential. I really hope we get an android wear update some day.
Interesting but I just bought a Gear 2 after selling two Gear Neo and trying Android Wear and also a Sony - for me the simplicity of the Gear is just right.
It's a notification device not a replacement for your mobile.
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app
Guys I know you might not want to here this but after coming full circle back, I setup my Gear today (this time the Brown/Gold), absolutely loving it.
The grass always seems greener ...
But guess it depends on expectation.
had the original gear then the sony but once wear came out I grabbed myself a lg g watch which i liked but missed the camera all the way through all of them. Picked up a gear 2 changed the strap for metal one and could not be happier Love the camera which is a major need for me and function wise its fine although I'll admit the notifications are not on par with my lg but I prefer a peep to a vibrate too
In short .... I love mine and trust me it turns heads when people notice it.
it might be good on paper but it depends on how someone use a device. I got a free Gear 2neo when I bought my Tab S 8.4, sold the neo and bought myself a gear 2 basically for the camera, and the love-love (no love-hate here for me) relationship began, installed fleksy keyboard and i never have to pull out my tablet when travelling (i commute to one of the most dangerous place in the world LOL) added a few needed apps by editing my tab S build prop so I have the latest gear app list. answering calls with this looks a bit odd but awesome to others, although you hate it when people eavesdrop, so got me-self a gear circle, paired everything up and im a happy man.
camera wise, 2mpxl is enough for those quick snaps, like when a cool lambo stops beside you and you want a quick snapshot.
in the end, it all boils down on how you use it, it may not have all the bells and whistle that other platform has, still.. worth every penny i invested in.
As an owner of the gear 2 neo I feel this device is nearly useless. Unfortunaltey, I couldn't choose the smartwatch as it was a present..
Right now I'm just using it to quickly check notifications, nothing else. Why? Because I hate Touchwiz so:
I don't use their email app -> can't use email feature on the gear
I don't use their sms app -> can't really reply to any message if not through SVoice (but that doesn't work that good)
Can't reply to most of the messages on whatsapp/telegram: maybe with flesky you can but since I'm not english mothertongue, I need to write into another language and I read it's a pain replying this way (if possible, haven't tried).
SVoice is SLOW: you ask for something, it spends too many seconds processing; try google now and you'll see the difference.
Now I'm using a touchwiz based custom rom on my GS4 to take advantage of the little things I can do (read notifications, check calendar, use svoice for replying to sms, check time!) but TW is sluggish and it's just not a good experience.
Also the total lack of any useful app for this smartwatch make it even more useless if possible.
Months have passed since the release of this product and there is no real development, so to me this is a dead product.
OP is partially right, if Samsung ports this to android wear we can still save something, otherwise Tizen isn't going anywhere and this watch will be just junk...
Kwbmm said:
As an owner of the gear 2 neo I feel this device is nearly useless. Unfortunaltey, I couldn't choose the smartwatch as it was a present..
Right now I'm just using it to quickly check notifications, nothing else. Why? Because I hate Touchwiz so:
I don't use their email app -> can't use email feature on the gear
I don't use their sms app -> can't really reply to any message if not through SVoice (but that doesn't work that good)
Can't reply to most of the messages on whatsapp/telegram: maybe with flesky you can but since I'm not english mothertongue, I need to write into another language and I read it's a pain replying this way (if possible, haven't tried).
SVoice is SLOW: you ask for something, it spends too many seconds processing; try google now and you'll see the difference.
Now I'm using a touchwiz based custom rom on my GS4 to take advantage of the little things I can do (read notifications, check calendar, use svoice for replying to sms, check time!) but TW is sluggish and it's just not a good experience.
Also the total lack of any useful app for this smartwatch make it even more useless if possible.
Months have passed since the release of this product and there is no real development, so to me this is a dead product.
OP is partially right, if Samsung ports this to android wear we can still save something, otherwise Tizen isn't going anywhere and this watch will be just junk...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think everything is relative. I love my Gear 2 Neo. I initially was not so sure (have also a pebble) - but now, after wearing it for a couple of days I will be selling the Pebble.
I love the amazing screen - with long battery life (do not want to charge daily - like android wear), the very fast notification; the good selection of useful apps (IR remote; remote view of phone camera; calendar; fitness apps; simple games; many many good watchfaces etc.); the ability to take a quick call on the watch itself...
Also, being able to send SMS messages directly from the watch is in many cases very handy.
I have shown the watch to a few colleagues of mine - now they also want one...
I understand you dont like it - I do. So do people I have showed mine to. ( I do not use Svoice - see no need for it; so I cannot comment on how good or bad it is)
Android Wear may have more apps - but the short battery life and lack of some features (use the watch as a phone, IR blaster etc.) - make Android Wear (for me) quite inferior to the Gear 2 Neo
If Samsung would port Android Wear to the gear 2 neo, so we can keep the features we have AND have the more apps: that would be of course best. But I would think that Android Wear would bring us the "feature" of needing to charge once per day - and that is not a feature I would want
adr14ng said:
Hey guys, I am pretty much here to express why the Gear 2 was such a good idea on paper but terrible in reality. The fact of the matter is the Gear 2 sucks. The apecs are great the screen is beauitful the design isnt half bad if you ask me. But the sheer lack of apps is what makes the smartwatch so gimmicky. Yes I can pick up calls but I mean we can do the same thing with a pair if $20 headphones; so why did i buy a $300 'smart'watch? Well, here us the answer. I though it was better than android wear. For some reason I thought "hey, samsjng makes great products!" Which in reality it does, but Tizen was not the way to go. The sheer lack of apps makes this app a brick if you ask me. Also the lack of compatability! (What were they thinking?!) I mean have you seen how fast android wear is developing?! Its absolutely insane. I guess this a call to action if anythjbg for Samsung to either open up tizen or port Android Wear to the Gear 2 or make it incredibly easy for devs to use Tizen because if it doesn't itll suffer the same fate as any other OS besides Android or Apple (not a threat LOL.)
Post your ideas below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can see the point you are making, you expected a james bond type watch and got somthing far from it. but your conclusion for it terrible is because of your expectations. I see i a lot of people saying lack of apps is a factor that gear 2 is no good, have you seen android wear it does not have any apps, it only works as an extension to your existing apps. the only thing good about the android wear is the OK Google hot word, and as much as it sounds and looks good in the videos it just doesnt work when you want it to.
Also what do you want from a smart watch, give me an example of an app that is so badly needed on the watch and it does not exist?
and finally its a watch you are not suppose to spend time on it its just there to make little things easier, you dont want to be engaged with it for more than 10-20s.
Also as far as my knowledge goes gear 2 fit perfectly in the middle of being a long lasting eink watch (pebble) with very little things and the android wear that has the "ok google" thing and always on display but last at max 2 days). my experience with gear 2 has been 5 days of use and i am very happy with it.
I see it as something of a conversation starter among friends and keeps my phone in the pocket to experience the real world more.
here are examples of some apps you might like,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gear-2/themes-apps/nownotifier-development-t2914013
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wearablewidgets
I agree with Wear, but it is still great for me!
I love my Gear 2. I do agree that Wear is probably better in many ways, and I may go for a Wear next time, but this is far from useless. I use it for:
Shows my next appointment when I look at the time - this is the most used and useful of all IMO.
Notifications of email and SMS
Possible reply to SMS (rare)
Control of media (often, and it avoids the need to take the phone out or keep it out when travelling)
Locking my phone if I leave or lose it
Finding my phone or watch when I lose them
To Do list (not that useful, sometimes as a short shopping list)
Voice memo - great to record fleeting ideas
Remote for TV in case I lose it
Turning off TVs in public (without being obvious) - I love that!
Simple Italian phrases with sound - a quick and easy reminder
answering the phone without getting the phone out and missing the call (all too often)
answering my phone from the pool - I love being able to do that!
I have tried a lot of other apps, all sorts of games and drawing/writing apps, but the screen is too small. I use the camera occasionally, but not for much. I like it for what it is and am more than happy with it. Battery life is amazing, too. I get the feeling that some people just expect too much from smart watches.
My first post here, and I'd like to express some frustrations with the Gear 2 as well. I got it as a xmas present from my wife and initially, I really liked it.
After a couple of updates though, it seems like Samsung has made this "smart" watch a bit less smart. I was once able to tell S-Voice not to "talk" after giving it a command, but now that's no longer an option and can only reduce the volume down to "1".
Instead of increasing the level of tweaks in the app, they've removed a lot of them (running it on an S5).
Every time there's a software update, some of the apps stop working and I have to re-install them.
Creating tasks on the watch works great, but I only get reminders on my phone.
Does anyone know if there are plans to continue developing the Gear app for this watch? It almost seems like they're abandoning it as far as I can tell.
OTOH, I realize these types of devices are still in their infancy, so I'm not expecting this to be perfect, but my point is that in the last four months that I've had this thing, it keeps getting less and less useful after every update!
LuiFranco said:
My first post here, and I'd like to express some frustrations with the Gear 2 as well. I got it as a xmas present from my wife and initially, I really liked it.
After a couple of updates though, it seems like Samsung has made this "smart" watch a bit less smart. I was once able to tell S-Voice not to "talk" after giving it a command, but now that's no longer an option and can only reduce the volume down to "1".
Instead of increasing the level of tweaks in the app, they've removed a lot of them (running it on an S5).
Every time there's a software update, some of the apps stop working and I have to re-install them.
Creating tasks on the watch works great, but I only get reminders on my phone.
Does anyone know if there are plans to continue developing the Gear app for this watch? It almost seems like they're abandoning it as far as I can tell.
OTOH, I realize these types of devices are still in their infancy, so I'm not expecting this to be perfect, but my point is that in the last four months that I've had this thing, it keeps getting less and less useful after every update!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately they moved to Android wear, and you're right in thinking they basically abandoned tizen development. My issue is that the three key "bonus" features for me were : speaker phone, ir remote, and camera and I can't find those things on any other device! Otherwise only looks seem to set apart the other watches
I agree .... I loved my gear 2 with all its camera goodness but had to move onto wear when I changed to a nexus 6 still miss her even though I would change my nexus for anything .....
Since this update I got a 360 and honestly. Wear does notifications better. They have the whole thread of messages and it doesn't get mixed up no matter what client you use. I'll admit I miss the tizen battery life. But I will say both are giving me issues with fitness tracking, the fit app is incompatible with my s5 and s health is always a mess if you ask me.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
I entirely agree with you.
adr14ng said:
Hey guys, I am pretty much here to express why the Gear 2 was such a good idea on paper but terrible in reality. The fact of the matter is the Gear 2 sucks. The apecs are great the screen is beauitful the design isnt half bad if you ask me. But the sheer lack of apps is what makes the smartwatch so gimmicky. Yes I can pick up calls but I mean we can do the same thing with a pair if $20 headphones; so why did i buy a $300 'smart'watch? Well, here us the answer. I though it was better than android wear. For some reason I thought "hey, samsjng makes great products!" Which in reality it does, but Tizen was not the way to go. The sheer lack of apps makes this app a brick if you ask me. Also the lack of compatability! (What were they thinking?!) I mean have you seen how fast android wear is developing?! Its absolutely insane. I guess this a call to action if anythjbg for Samsung to either open up tizen or port Android Wear to the Gear 2 or make it incredibly easy for devs to use Tizen because if it doesn't itll suffer the same fate as any other OS besides Android or Apple (not a threat LOL.)
Post your ideas below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am happy that you wrote it.
Worse thing i did with my life is probably buying this watch. After using it a few months I threw it away. Its sitting in its box. I bought a LG G Watch for 70€ (was on discount for 1 day) it has 5000 times more features you can use
kadeve said:
Worse thing i did with my life is probably buying this watch. After using it a few months I threw it away. Its sitting in its box. I bought a LG G Watch for 70€ (was on discount for 1 day) it has 5000 times more features you can use
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"5000 times more features" bit of an exaggeration and purely your opinion, if that is the worse thing in your life then you must have a great one or sit at home doing nothing.
For the added advantages of android I saw none that made me want to change, major one was lack of camera.
jeffnz said:
"5000 times more features" bit of an exaggeration and purely your opinion, if that is the worse thing in your life then you must have a great one or sit at home doing nothing.
For the added advantages of android I saw none that made me want to change, major one was lack of camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
with all due respect jeffnz but I think you are an entry level user. Even the comparasion between Tizen and Android Wear is unfair. Tizen is stuck with poor SDK and HTML5 only support. If your user experience has been limited you wont see the difference because you are using the smartwatch just as a regular watch.
Android Wear has Tasker support and by using AutoApps you end up having infinite amount of features. But again I think you are an entry level user. I have a server and a raspberry pi that I use for my projects and home automation.
Just a few simple examples so you could maybe understand.
- When a video is played on computer lights go off, ambient light is set to match the video (ambilight) , Watch gets a Controller screen that has basic play/pause next fullscreen etc. buttons on low level brightness.
- When phone is charged , I get a notification and the smart wallplug cuts off the electricity that feeds the adapter. This is done by a raspberry pi with 433Mhz Receiver/transmitter kit ( which allows me control wall plugs individually)
check youtube for AutoWear app and you will understand better what you are missing.
I am an mechanical engineer, electrical engineer and a programmer. I am trying to make use of my skills at home as well as my professional life. Yeah android wear cant take a goddamn photo but I can give chain voice commands to start the freaking oven downstairs meanwhile the amblight is in disco mode...
kadeve said:
with all due respect jeffnz but I think you are an entry level user. Even the comparasion between Tizen and Android Wear is unfair. Tizen is stuck with poor SDK and HTML5 only support. If your user experience has been limited you wont see the difference because you are using the smartwatch just as a regular watch.
Android Wear has Tasker support and by using AutoApps you end up having infinite amount of features. But again I think you are an entry level user. I have a server and a raspberry pi that I use for my projects and home automation.
Just a few simple examples so you could maybe understand.
- When a video is played on computer lights go off, ambient light is set to match the video (ambilight) , Watch gets a Controller screen that has basic play/pause next fullscreen etc. buttons on low level brightness.
- When phone is charged , I get a notification and the smart wallplug cuts off the electricity that feeds the adapter. This is done by a raspberry pi with 433Mhz Receiver/transmitter kit ( which allows me control wall plugs individually)
check youtube for AutoWear app and you will understand better what you are missing.
I am an mechanical engineer, electrical engineer and a programmer. I am trying to make use of my skills at home as well as my professional life. Yeah android wear cant take a goddamn photo but I can give chain voice commands to start the freaking oven downstairs meanwhile the amblight is in disco mode...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for telling me all about yourself but isn't necessary as I stand by what I said it is purely your opinion and to you it may be 5000 times better in your mind but to most a gross exaggeration.
Also please don't try and guess what i am as you do not know me and it is clouding your judgement ven if you prefix your post with "all due respect" which is usually the opposite.
oh and I know tasker but just because you cuan run on Android wear doesn't mean it is a great reason to dis Tizen, once again that is the way you use your watch not all will do that. One size does not fit all
Hi,
I'm tempted to get a gear s2, initially I liked the moto 360 and even the LG Urbane was quite tempting, but the gear s2 is just the perfect smart watch design with the rotating bezel. My only concern is lack of apps at the moment. Sadly I can't seem to access the gear s2 app store without owning an S2 so I can't look at apps available. Also a shame google now isn't part of it despite it running tizen, is S-voice any good on the S2?
For those who own the S2, what apps are available at the moment and are apps like facebook, gmail etc available or at least a good alternative so that you can look at newsfeed or something? Also do you feel like apps are being developed quite quickly or do you reckon developers wouldn't bother with the gear s2?
Best reason to have this watch is its look, especially Classic variant with its interchangeable bands. Rotating bezel is also a great feature which makes this watch unique.
Battery is much good comapred to its rivals, you can be sure it will last full day with very high usage. I charge my watch once per 2 days. appstore is poor for now though.
Some find this watch small, but it`s matter of taste.
For those who own the S2, what apps are available at the moment and are apps like facebook, gmail etc available or at least a good alternative so that you can look at newsfeed or something? Also do you feel like apps are being developed quite quickly or do you reckon developers wouldn't bother with the gear s2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Development pace is not as quick as I`d wish for now. You have few apps for news like CNN, Flipboard News Briefing and Bloomberg.
No social apps and to be honest, I don`t need them on my watch. You can always get notification form Facabook, Twitter, Gmail, etc.
Would you recommend this watch over an android wear watch?
I have had the pebble, lg g watch, and moto 360 but i enjoy my gear s2 the best
I tried the S2 Classic, Moto 360 2nd Gen, LG Urbane and the Huawei Watch and the Huawei is BY FAR My Favorite Watch...
I still prefer the Gear 2.
Samsung do the basics well but S Voice is useless. App wise Samsung are much the same bet I think these watches are just for key notifications not dozens of clumsy apps.
I have Moto 360, Huawei Watch and just ordered Gear S2 (dont tell the wife!) I love the Huawei Watch but the rotating bezel is the killer function for me.
Sent from my SM-N9208 using Tapatalk
Yeah the Huawei watch looks nice, only thing bad about it is the way it charges, moto360 and gear s2 is how a smart watch should be charged. But agreed the gear s2's rotating bezel is the best smart watch control shame it doesn't run android wear like a custom version of it so it works well with the bezel. Just hope app developers see the potential in the gear s2 over the previous gear watch as compared with android wear watches and the apple watch, I'm not sure developers are going to see any point in spending time and money developing for a watch that isn't going to sell. So I'm hoping the rotating bezel is enough to get people to buy it and get developers wanting to develop apps for it.
I bought a Huawei watch at the same time I got my Gear S2 Classic, and I returned the Huawei a few days later. My feelings are much the same as they were a year and a half ago when I was choosing between the original Pebble and the LG G Watch: while Android Wear might have more developer support and therefore more apps, it is a horrible OS. Google has put all its faith into a combination of voice control and automated content; most of the time you're relying on what Google Now decides you want to see, rather than what you actually want to see, and getting anything else without using voice control means hunting through a menu system that is downright irritating - an impression that's made worse by the swiping every whichway on notifications, which often doesn't work how you'd expect. Tizen doesn't have a lot of developer support yet and if you don't have a Samsung phone it's even worse since you can't get paid apps at this point, but it is a much better OS, hands-down. And really, what is a smartwatch for? Do you need to be able to browse eBay and swipe people on Tinder from a tiny screen on your wrist? I don't. I want a smartwatch to eliminate all the times in a day I would otherwise pull my phone out of my pocket for ten seconds or less, and that means showing me notifications, letting me send quick responses, displaying my calendar and the weather, and maybe other useful watch tools like timer/stopwatch. The Gear S2 does all that perfectly well, with a better OS and better hardware than any Android Wear device. With all the coverage this watch is getting apps may come in larger numbers, but if they don't, I'm happy.
To each his own, I love Android Wear. For me the Rotating Bezel is cool and all, but APP support is the HUGE issue. I think by the time Developers make APPS the S2 Classic will be obsolete. I have both and the one thing I notice is that the display (to me) is a lot clearer and I love the fact that you can change watch faces. I'm keeping the S2 Classic to see what the future has in store for it. For now the Huawei Watch is my Daily Driver.
So far I'm thinking no its not. Hardly any apps mostly just watch faces. My battery makes it half a day and I think that's because it's always lighting up even when I'm not looking at it. No social apps. Ebay only works if connected by bluetooth so no notifications on an item ending soon if your away from your phone. I just don't see it as a stand alone device if I can't text or use apps without my phone nearby. O and there is no browser at all which is weird seeing as how it has 3g connection.
I moved from a 360 to the S2 because sometimes I don't want voice commands. No regrets. I love the build quality, bezel and how Samsung decided to manage access, notifications to the left and apps the the right then widgets more to the right. It does most of the things I want on my wrist and a great job of passing off to my phone. I would like a search and loyalty card app. More important than tizen apps is getting continuing to improve the Gear app so it hooks in better with non Samsung watches and iPhones.
Sent from my SM-T710 using Tapatalk
I've been wearing a Gear S3 daily for almost a year. I'm old enough to remember life before everyone carried a computer in their pocket. The Gear S3 restored a sense of freedom that I didn't realize had been lost, by allowing me to feel comfortable leaving the house without my cellphone. But I'm atypical, that's been mostly a novelty (despite the efforts of Samsung, LG and a few unknown Chinese watch makers putting full Android OS on watches) until now. Within a few months there will be millions of folks wearing phone watches.
Apple is rarely at the forefront of technology, they are excellent at the implementation of technology.. Samsung (as usual) had a lead and an opportunity to set the standard for smartwatches. But they lacked a clear strategy, the apps were never developed, and support was abysmal. Now Apple will deliver on the potential that the Gear S3 had.
Still, many folks haven't bought into the Apple ecosystem. So all is not lost yet. Samsung's best chance at this point it is to abandon Tizen and work on creating the best Android Wear watch available. It can still become a giant in this niche if applies its technology, manufacturing, and marketing expertise before yet another player overtakes them.
At least now Apple will provide all the obvious features we've been missing, and everyone else will be forced to finally check all those boxes as well.
afblangley said:
Now Apple will deliver on the potential that the Gear S3 had.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh? Do you have a LTE Gear? I've had a cellular equipped Gear since the original Gear S came out. What does the Apple Watch LTE do that the Gear S3 LTE can't? If anything Apple's playing catch up to Samsung/Android. An AMOLED display and wireless charging are going to change the Apple faithful's lives. We've had that for years. Samsung's app implementation may be different than Apple's and sometimes not for the better but I don't see any huge deficiencies in the Gear S3 based on Watch 3 being released. We can still use MST for payment where Apple Pay is still NFC only both on the phone and watch. Regardless I think few people will change eco-systems over a wearable.
I had a Gear 2 Neo(Tizen) and a Gear Live (Android) which was basically the same exact hardware and design.
The Gear Live was much worse in comparison. Poorer battery life, would occasionally crash and lag, gestures were a bit confusing even after a good amount of time with it.
The Gear 2 Neo never crashed and barley lagged, battery life was excellent, and the UI was extremely easy to maneuver around. Also, notifications were better.
I know both Android wear and Tizen has much improved since then, but I still prefer today's Tizen over Android Wear 2.0 as my smartwatch OS.
I would rather Samsung work on more app integration with Tizen, rather than taking the easy way out and using Android Wear.
Even on my Apple Watch S2, I barely use much of the app integration, and I have a ton of apps installed. Yes, app integration is nice to have for when you want to use it, but I wouldn't choose to get rid of Tizen because of lack of. Tizen is the best smartwatch OS, IMO.
I would also like it, if Sammsung would make a top Android Wear watch with the rotating bezel etc.
The main reason for that wish are a lot of compatibility problems with many Android phones, also with my Huawei Mediapad X2, which isn't supported yet for unknown reason, but runs without any issue on Android Wear!
Also, I like Ok Google and Maps implemented
More examples are here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...d-samsung-gear-app-android-n-samsung-t3547035
The only reason I'd like Android Wear version of the Gear Sport is for apps that allow breadcrumbing of hikes, walks, and whatever else using the GPS. Neither Watch OS, Tizen, or Android Wear offer that feature natively, and Tizen is the only one to lack a 3rd party app that does that. But, devices from Garmin(either natively or some via a 3rd party app), Suunto, and Polar(I think the M600 Android wear watch has it natively with the Polar app).
Maybe the Apple watch will force the Gear Sport to offer even more software features, which is why Samsung won't tell us a release date for the device.
Had a apple watch for a year and a half...
Honestly, I used a apple watch (though it was a series 1) but I found it to be very boring after a while, you get way less level of customization as opposed to a Frontier, plus its just mostly buttons, one of the things that swayed me on getting a Frontier is the rotating bezel (stupid reason, i know) although the gear has some connectivity issues with using a iphone, in my opinion, it's just a bit more interesting than a apple watch since all three apple watches are similar in design and can sometimes get boring.
LancerEvoDrifter said:
Honestly, I used a apple watch (though it was a series 1) but I found it to be very boring after a while, you get way less level of customization as opposed to a Frontier, plus its just mostly buttons, one of the things that swayed me on getting a Frontier is the rotating bezel (stupid reason, i know) although the gear has some connectivity issues with using a iphone, in my opinion, it's just a bit more interesting than a apple watch since all three apple watches are similar in design and can sometimes get boring.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought gear s3 frontier because of the rotating bezel! :highfive:
Two things:
Android Wear is crap. It hasn't grown up and doesn't know what it wants to be once it grows up.
Apple. Nothing else need be said. I'd go without a smarthwatch before I'd put anything Apple on my wrist.
dkb218 said:
Two things:
Android Wear is crap. It hasn't grown up and doesn't know what it wants to be once it grows up.
Apple. Nothing else need be said. I'd go without a smarthwatch before I'd put anything Apple on my wrist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes and yes. AW is way too heavy to be used with watch specs. you don't get the advantages of having a full OS on the watch, just the disadvantages.
apple watch looks like a tiny tube television strapped to the arm. i'm sure it works great but you look like a dum dum wearing it.
As it stands your head line is fake news. Apple watch changes nothing. Even the fit bit is outselling it!
afblangley said:
I've been wearing a Gear S3 daily for almost a year. I'm old enough to remember life before everyone carried a computer in their pocket. The Gear S3 restored a sense of freedom that I didn't realize had been lost, by allowing me to feel comfortable leaving the house without my cellphone. But I'm atypical, that's been mostly a novelty (despite the efforts of Samsung, LG and a few unknown Chinese watch makers putting full Android OS on watches) until now. Within a few months there will be millions of folks wearing phone watches.
Apple is rarely at the forefront of technology, they are excellent at the implementation of technology.. Samsung (as usual) had a lead and an opportunity to set the standard for smartwatches. But they lacked a clear strategy, the apps were never developed, and support was abysmal. Now Apple will deliver on the potential that the Gear S3 had.
Still, many folks haven't bought into the Apple ecosystem. So all is not lost yet. Samsung's best chance at this point it is to abandon Tizen and work on creating the best Android Wear watch available. It can still become a giant in this niche if applies its technology, manufacturing, and marketing expertise before yet another player overtakes them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol, kidding me bro? Tizen is the best OS for smartwatch
supac said:
lol, kidding me bro? Tizen is the best OS for smartwatch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I tried Android Wear for a good while and when I picked up my gear S3, that's when the game changed.
I love my watch. Don't spoil it with aw
I stopped at "Apple is rarely at the forefront of technology"
If you like Apple.. get the watch. If you like Gear get it. Or get both. There not the same
Zeblade said:
I stopped at "Apple is rarely at the forefront of technology"
If you like Apple.. get the watch. If you like Gear get it. Or get both. There not the same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean if you have an iPhone get the iwatch.
As far as that statement, this is one of those trying to sound deep but not anything at all statements.
Apple does innovate or at least buys companies innovations. The credit is lost when they push things that have already existed as if they created. The thing is though that history doesn't often remember as much who invented something on a mobile device as much as they remember who perfected it and it's often where apple gets credit.
I mean hell Android would look like the palm treo if Google hadn't went back to the drawing board after the first apple iphone announcement.
I feel users need to stop thinking every thing needs to be the same to compete, I was so concerned about the lack of app support on tizen when I picked the 360 2nd gen over the gear S2.
Now that I have the gear S3 since release, I can say appreciate what a device is designed to do and everything the gear S3 does, it does well.
You CANNOT wear an Apple watch without owning an iPhone... this is a FACT. However, you can buy a Gear S3 without owning WHATEVER smart phone. An example was clear from a family member that wanted to give a birthday present to his 12yr old, she didn{t have a phone yet because her mom did not want her to have one, so the watch seemed like a great fit to be able to take calls, make calls and get text messages all on her wrist. Well that was the idea BUT all out the window since Apple REQUIRES you to have an iPhone to setup, an NO, setting up the watch with Mom's Phone or Dad's did not work because if a call comes in for them, she will get it on her watch as well.
Can safari run on apple watch? I know not everyone want a browser on such small screen, but the real reason im purchase gear s3 because of this! in fact im sending this post on my gear s3!
Here's what the Apple Watch has. Better health and fitness tracking. It has all the latest features that u can expect from a smartwatch. It is the smartest of all smartwatches. It can sense when ur working out, gives u daily goals, alerts u when ...
Ankusha5674 said:
Here's what the Apple Watch has. Better health and fitness tracking. It has all the latest features that u can expect from a smartwatch. It is the smartest of all smartwatches. It can sense when ur working out, gives u daily goals, alerts u when ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shame I'll never own an iPhone to experience it.
Ankusha5674 said:
Here's what the Apple Watch has. Better health and fitness tracking. It has all the latest features that u can expect from a smartwatch. It is the smartest of all smartwatches. It can sense when ur working out, gives u daily goals, alerts u when ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With all these features, no wonder it needs to be charged everyday. I can use my s3 almost 4 days on a single charge.