Related
The phone interface totally sux! Is there anything better out there? When I get a call I have to drag the thing over to answer. This is very hard to do with 1 hand. Also half the time the screen goes black and I have to unlock it or whatever. Is there any way to just tap to answer?
Making calls is 10 times worse, you have to unlock the phone, find the phone app, open your contacts, tap your contact, tap make call, and then tap call!! It’s like I have to type a freaking paragraph just to make a call! Is there any way to just press one button to open the phone and then press 1 button to speed dial??
Also I turned on Google Voice to make all my calls. It nice and I know how to turn that off, but now all my incoming calls it says "incoming call from so-and-so... Press 1 to accept" so I have to tape the dial pad, and then tap 1, adding 2 more taps just to answer a freaking call! How do I turn that off?
I love everything else about this PDA, but the phone sux! Please help...
---signed, frustrated
P.S. I think I used less key strokes typing all this than I need to to make a call! lol
Any chance they will improve this interface in v2.2??
Very constructive. And I see it’s your 11th post. It’s not a matter of being impatient. It’s a matter of missing calls because its nearly impossible to do while driving, walking a dog with a leash in one hand, caring groceries, almost every real life situation that keeps you from using both hands on your phone. And as I described it’s a lot more than the 1 swipe.
If you don’t agree with me you don’t need to reply but I find the swipe open to be unacceptable and I'm asking if there is another interface out there that is just a tap open. Or a way to map a hard key to answer the freaking phone!
I'm sitting here at my work phone calling myself over and over to "practice" answering with the swipe. I can do it with one hand but it’s a pain in the ass and just thoroughly a really, really bad design. There has to be an app or mod or something that does away with this.
I just saw the new "Rule the air" Droid commercial. Cool commercial... Notice the one thing they didn’t show anyone doing? Getting or making a call!!!
All these new devices are fantastic PDAs with a really bad phone function slapped on top...
BTW with an 2.2 Froyo official release or rom, when the call comes up theres no need to unlock or swipe, just a click of a button.
What are you running 2.1, 2.01/0 or 2.2? Why don't you try finding an app on the store or searching here? You never know....
So I literally called myself 10 times and practiced answering the phone with one hand. Then I went out to bars and got actual calls and it was like impossible to answer them. That drag thing is just ridicules!! You have to drag it all the way across the screen!! Cany they at least meet me half way?? Even with 2 hands it’s hard to answer!!
Come on, you guys all know this is true. This design is just awful!
I understand why they did it, so when you get a call while it’s in your pocket it doesn’t tap against something and answer when you don’t know it… but it’s just terrible!! And like I said making calls is even worse. It’s like a ton of taps so there is no way to make a call while driving.
The Bluetooth headset would help but we all know anyone that actually uses that looks like a total D-bag..
So here is my solution… Someone will make a killing on this and it will make a mockery of the Android phone interface at the same time. We need a little, lightweight Bluetooth dumb phone that has physical answer and hang-up buttons as well as the full number pad that you can assign speed dials too like a NORMAL F-ING PHONE!! If this was out there on the market I would pay $100 easy for! Leave your brilliant PDA that sucks as a phone in your pocket and use the Bluetooth handset to actually make and take calls like a normal human!!
1. how tiny are your hands that you can't slide the bar down with your thumb?
2. i think there's an app called dialer one that will open a keypad where you can see all your contacts and spell their names out with the numberpad to make it easier
Just because some of you don't have the same issues as the OP doesn't give any of us the right to respond in this manner.
The OP has been called dumb, amateur, told he shouldn't have a smartphone; and the list goes on.
I personally have the EVO; there's not a damn thing wrong with my hands and I come from a very long time of smartphones. MORE times than I can count, I'm swiping the screen and not a damned thing is moving. By the time it unlocks, the caller is gone.
So until you have the same problem, some of you might want to get your head out the clouds and stop replying like these *smart* phones are perfect and the people using them are too dumb to know what they're doing.
On HTC phones with Sense you simply press a button to answer. No swiping. I'm surprised there's no app out there to do this on other Android phones.
Just cleaned this thread. All deleted posts are in violation of rule 2.
Please be aware of the rules before posting. Nothing constructive to say; then don't post!
WB
gtg465x said:
On HTC phones with Sense you simply press a button to answer. No swiping. I'm surprised there's no app out there to do this on other Android phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to slide to answer my phone if it's locked before I get a call. I prefer the swipe because I don't want to accidentally answer a call while the phone is in my pocket. That said, I would recommend the op check out the app I mentioned or root his phone and find a sense based rom
there are apps for this kind of problem search market and google
gtg465x said:
On HTC phones with Sense you simply press a button to answer. No swiping. I'm surprised there's no app out there to do this on other Android phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do not be surprised, because there is an app to achieve this. It is called ed's Droid Tools.
I've used Gesture Search (by Google) since it was released on the Market for finding and calling and/or texting my contacts. Put it on your home screen, then when you want to call somebody, open Gesture Search then write their first initial with your finger (or thumb) then touch the phone icon to call or the message icon to text. Works well for me. Never tried it driving, but then again, I'm one of those guys who yells at idiots who drive and talk on their cell at the same time (it's illegal here).
The standard Droid UI doesn't have a skin, so you get the basic Android dialer. While I don't think the slide-to-answer is all that bad, I'm also coming from a Blackberry Storm, which was wicked-terrible when it came to doing... well anything, so I don't complain much about the stock android experience. One thing Android is good for though, is allowing UI replacement apps (ala Dialer One) so poke around the Market and I'm sure you can find something that changes the answer experience for you.
Love windows
Love windows
i am also fooled by android
power user any thing u want to do go with windows mobile
Droid9 said:
The phone interface totally sux! Is there anything better out there? When I get a call I have to drag the thing over to answer. This is very hard to do with 1 hand. Also half the time the screen goes black and I have to unlock it or whatever. Is there any way to just tap to answer?
Making calls is 10 times worse, you have to unlock the phone, find the phone app, open your contacts, tap your contact, tap make call, and then tap call!! It’s like I have to type a freaking paragraph just to make a call! Is there any way to just press one button to open the phone and then press 1 button to speed dial??
Also I turned on Google Voice to make all my calls. It nice and I know how to turn that off, but now all my incoming calls it says "incoming call from so-and-so... Press 1 to accept" so I have to tape the dial pad, and then tap 1, adding 2 more taps just to answer a freaking call! How do I turn that off?
I love everything else about this PDA, but the phone sux! Please help...
---signed, frustrated
P.S. I think I used less key strokes typing all this than I need to to make a call! lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey dude
to help you out with your dialing problem all you have to do is put the phone/contacts app on your homescreen. the way you described calling the contact is the same way you'd have to do it on almost every other phone so don't act like its a huge task.
organize your homescreens to your preference so that it could make your life easier.
also you can add people to your favorites list so you dont have to scroll through your whole contact list.
as for answering calls, its not that bad. you just gotta hold that green button and slide your finger over. I don't understand how that's difficult or why you'd need practice
phone doesn't suck at all bud
Hi There,
I was thinking of getting one of those because most of my calling during driving...
do you advice me to do so? i mean is the hardware bad? or it is just a matter of waiting for sometime to get an update solving all these problems?
Thank you in advance.
Is the turn by turn working properly for you guys? If i want directions read to me, i have to tap the screen. Just wondering if this is like this for everyone, if so it must just be part of the beta. or maybe it's has something to do with the fact that i'm in canada...
A Dustman said:
Is the turn by turn working properly for you guys? If i want directions read to me, i have to tap the screen. Just wondering if this is like this for everyone, if so it must just be part of the beta. or maybe it's has something to do with the fact that i'm in canada...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's how it works. It does not automatically read to you. You tap anywhere on the screen to have it talk. An different implementation.
well that's kinda silly in my opinion, why would they do that? I noticed my screen also times out during navigation, and when i turn it back on it has to reacquire a gps lock...
A Dustman said:
well that's kinda silly in my opinion, why would they do that? I noticed my screen also times out during navigation, and when i turn it back on it has to reacquire a gps lock...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dunno. In some regards, it probably makes sense. I use a Garmin for normal GPS navigation, and really, i'm terribly annoyed every time it has to talk. Especially when it repeats itself over and over (such as "recalculating"). The fact that I simply tap the screen and the phone will tell me directions when I need to hear it is rather useful to me. Also the phone doesn't automatically recalculate, which I think makes the most sense. When I drive, and I accidentally go off course, I dont need my GPS to recalculate every 5 seconds. I need to slow down, get my bearings, and then have it recalculate. Because I tell the phone when it recalculate, its not yelling at me every 5 seconds that its recalculating. In other words, I have more control over the GPS this way.
At the same time, I do see the value in automatic direction narration and automatic recalculation. It would have been nice to be able to choose between the two.
Ah. My only real beef with Mango. While not too terribly offputting, I'm wondering if MS was trying to be too different here.
I don't use GPS at all as I'm mostly in Dallas and know my way around the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. But, I do travel from time to time and GPS can come in handy. That being said, the design choices here seem a wee bit weird.
You tap it to get voice and it only notifies you if you've made a correct or incorrect turn. By that time, it's too late. And, you have to turn around. Now, you don't have to look at he screen as you can tap while watching the road. So, it's not as if it's any less safe but... really?
Edit: Reading prjk's post above, I guess if MS revealed the reason behind this particular design choice, it might more sense for all of us.
Yea it still kinda sucks compared to....
It is very weak, compared to every real navigation system in existence. Not having the option to have the instructions automatically read to you, and not providing any kind of audible warning when you approach a turn, and not automatically rerouting you when you miss a turn, all combine to make the system almost useless.
I'll either be keeping AT&T Navigator, or switching to T-B-T from GPS Tuner if they ever get all of the kinks worked out of their system.
Most people use this thing called a radio when they're driving, or they're having conversations in the car, and I think this approach works perfect during those situations. My car has a built in navigation which automatically lowers the radio and then gives my the direction, but the phone, unfortunatelly, can't do that... So it's best if, when you need the direction, you put the radio down, just randomly tap, and have the kind woman give you the information rather than missing it or it interrupting you... Just my opinion though.
FiyaFleye said:
Most people use this thing called a radio when they're driving, or they're having conversations in the car, and I think this approach works perfect during those situations. My car has a built in navigation which automatically lowers the radio and then gives my the direction, but the phone, unfortunatelly, can't do that... So it's best if, when you need the direction, you put the radio down, just randomly tap, and have the kind woman give you the information rather than missing it or it interrupting you... Just my opinion though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another great example. I always have my music blasting in the car so I can't hear the directions anyway. With this method, I can pause the music, tap the screen to hear my directions, and resume my music. I'm not trying to hear directions over my music, or having to bend to the will of the GPS and have it tell me what to do when it wants to.
prjkthack said:
Another great example. I always have my music blasting in the car so I can't hear the directions anyway. With this method, I can pause the music, tap the screen to hear my directions, and resume my music. I'm not trying to hear directions over my music, or having to bend to the will of the GPS and have it tell me what to do when it wants to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm definitely not trying to rain on anybody's parade here, but there isn't a person here (unless they're a complete weirdo) who can tell me they haven't been annoyed at the GPS interrupting them. Or at missing the directions, and having to struggle to find them. The phone DOES make a noise when a correct turn was taken, and a different one for an incorrect turn, so it does alert you to some degree, but I like the power being in your hands...
I'm sorry guys, but you're really reaching here, and I don't see why you are being so zealous about it.
First of all, the app telling you that you made a correct or incorrect turn after the fact serves no purpose at all. If you are in an unfamiliar area, you need the app to alert you that the turn is coming up, or you are very likely to miss it.
Second, it's kind of insulting to imply that anyone who has a different opinion is a "weirdo".
Third, most people prefer to keep their eyes on the road when they're driving, not fish around for their phone so they can check to see if they are still on course. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the anti-texting laws in some areas might also cover the kind of distracted driving that Microsoft's implementation might cause.
And fourth, we're talking about an option here, not forcing you to join our weirdo brigade. You want to be forced to find your phone, unlock it, and tap the screen to get your next instruction (while potentially driving in congested traffic in an area you don't know)? Fine. I don't. I want the Mango app to behave the same way every other professionally designed GPS navigation system currently available does.
Uh... Do you know what an opinion is? A navigation device interrupting isn't an opinion, but nice try though... I really apologize that my actual opinion is "reaching" for you... I like it, if you don't, sucks, never told you that you should feel the way I do
Sent from my HD7 using Board Express
RoboDad said:
I'm sorry guys, but you're really reaching here, and I don't see why you are being so zealous about it.
First of all, the app telling you that you made a correct or incorrect turn after the fact serves no purpose at all. If you are in an unfamiliar area, you need the app to alert you that the turn is coming up, or you are very likely to miss it.
Second, it's kind of insulting to imply that anyone who has a different opinion is a "weirdo".
Third, most people prefer to keep their eyes on the road when they're driving, not fish around for their phone so they can check to see if they are still on course. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the anti-texting laws in some areas might also cover the kind of distracted driving that Microsoft's implementation might cause.
And fourth, we're talking about an option here, not forcing you to join our weirdo brigade. You want to be forced to find your phone, unlock it, and tap the screen to get your next instruction (while potentially driving in congested traffic in an area you don't know)? Fine. I don't. I want the Mango app to behave the same way every other professionally designed GPS navigation system currently available does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not being zealous, but seeing it from both perspectives. They both make sense just fine. Course some people prefer one over the other, and that's perfectly fine too.
IMO, any device whether its your regular Garmin GPS or your Windows Phone device is possible cause for distracted driving. And obviously not understanding or knowing how to use said devices is even more cause for distracted driving.
I'm not sure how you use your GPS devices, but I certainly don't fumble around in my car so it can tell me directions. That sounds like a cause for distracted driving no matter what device you are using. Haha. I would have my phone mounted and already set to navigate. Then when directions are necessary, you just tap on the screen. You tap anywhere on the screen. So you don't even have to look at your phone to hunt for a specific repeat button or something, and that eliminates the need to turn away from the road as well. You would be no more distracted than if you were to have to look at your map on your good old Garmin GPS, or have to tap your Garmin to have it repeat directions that you missed because your music was too loud or because you just weren't paying attention to it. The sounds indicate whether I made my turn or not, then I just tap anywhere on my phone again when I'm ready for the next set of directions. If I go off course, my phone also won't repeatedly yell "recalculating" at me every couple seconds while I try to get back on the right track. I can tell it to recalculate and resume when I'm ready to get back on course.
Its not perfect, and certainly its not for everyone, but for those who like a little more control over their GPS experience, and a little less annoyance, it makes sense.
Has a propper driving 3d mode been implemented yet? kida seems pointless what they have implemented here to be honest. Hopefully the nokia driving app will be available on the store once they sort themselves out and release a phone for wp7.
edit. Acording to an article i read earlier nokia apps will be available for every wp7 phone, but most likely not ovi maps or navigation, those are being reserved for the nokia handsets.
I think we can all agree that having the directions automatically read to you would be a good *option*, even if it's not enabled by default. I only use the GPS when I have no idea where I'm going, so I need something that tells me how far a turn is, then reminds me as I'm approaching, then tells me that I need to turn now.
The old bing app on WM6.5 worked remarkably well. I wish the WP7 navigation could be configured to function like that. Yes it did talk A LOT and got annoying at times if someone else is in the car, but to have tapping the screen constantly be your only choice for being read directions is even more annoying especially if you are in unfamiliar territory.
Aside from that, I'd also like the option to have it automatically recalculate directions when you make a wrong turn. I can't think of an instance of where I'd miss a turn, then not want it to tell me how to get back on track.
To give the navigation some credit though, I use the Zune software for my music when I'm in the car, and it does pause the music when saying something and then resume it after, which is nice.
I used the gps nav for the first time last night and I must say they have some work to do.
I get what some are saying about it's nice not to be interrupted, but last night I needed to know my directions as they were coming up. Make it an option to not automatically read aloud for those that like that. Currently I wouldnt call this turn by turn voice navigation. Most gps units have the ability of getting details or just the bare minimum as far as guidance goes.
Second thing that really annoys me is the layout of buttons. when you are in the directions mode, and then go to the large map, it's annoying to go back to the directions view. Clicking the directions button brings up the new directions field. Also when in large mode, why can't i get voice guidance.
Lack of landscape mode is annoying as well and seems more like a forgotten feature than anything, there's no reason not to have it since metro isn't in use
There also needs to be the option to allow gps to track you if you have to leave the application to do something else. It takes to long, even though it's pretty fast, to re-aquire the satelites.
ken52787 said:
Aside from that, I'd also like the option to have it automatically recalculate directions when you make a wrong turn. I can't think of an instance of where I'd miss a turn, then not want it to tell me how to get back on track.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can. If you are driving in a city or very populated area with tiny blocks and roads everywhere. If you miss just one turn, then your GPS starts recalculating for you. It'll tell you to take the next right, but it doesn't recalculate in time because the blocks are so small and the next turn is so close, so by the time its telling you to make the next turn to get back on track, you've missed it. Then GPS has to recalculate again, and you miss your next turn again, and this repeats over and over, along with your GPS yelling "recalculate" "take the next right" over and over again.
This is where I think I'll enjoy the manual recalculation the most. If I miss the turn, I simply wait until I know I can respond properly to the next turn direction, maybe on a longer stretch of road, or maybe I can simply stop or slow down somewhere, then have the phone recalculate once, and get right back on track.
prjkthack said:
Not being zealous, but seeing it from both perspectives. They both make sense just fine. Course some people prefer one over the other, and that's perfectly fine too.
IMO, any device whether its your regular Garmin GPS or your Windows Phone device is possible cause for distracted driving. And obviously not understanding or knowing how to use said devices is even more cause for distracted driving.
I'm not sure how you use your GPS devices, but I certainly don't fumble around in my car so it can tell me directions. That sounds like a cause for distracted driving no matter what device you are using. Haha. I would have my phone mounted and already set to navigate. Then when directions are necessary, you just tap on the screen. You tap anywhere on the screen. So you don't even have to look at your phone to hunt for a specific repeat button or something, and that eliminates the need to turn away from the road as well. You would be no more distracted than if you were to have to look at your map on your good old Garmin GPS, or have to tap your Garmin to have it repeat directions that you missed because your music was too loud or because you just weren't paying attention to it. The sounds indicate whether I made my turn or not, then I just tap anywhere on my phone again when I'm ready for the next set of directions. If I go off course, my phone also won't repeatedly yell "recalculating" at me every couple seconds while I try to get back on the right track. I can tell it to recalculate and resume when I'm ready to get back on course.
Its not perfect, and certainly its not for everyone, but for those who like a little more control over their GPS experience, and a little less annoyance, it makes sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand how tapping the screen is a good feature? If your voice navigation doesn't tell you to make a turn ahead of time, then that makes the navigation useless...If you're in an unfamiliar area, how are you supposed to know when to tap?
mmian said:
I don't understand how tapping the screen is a good feature? If your voice navigation doesn't tell you to make a turn ahead of time, then that makes the navigation useless...If you're in an unfamiliar area, how are you supposed to know when to tap?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That'e easy. Anytime is a good time to tap if you are in an unfamiliar area. That's the point of manually controlling when you need (or do not) need directions. You choose when you want your phone to tell you where to go. Then once you've started, the phone makes a sound when you are on track, just tap again right after the sound when you are ready for the next set of directions.
Okay so its been a while since the release of the first Android Wear devices, whats Changed ? Is it Worth It ? Was star trek onto something ?
Android Wear is still in its infancy, and clearly has a LONG way to come.
If your still undecided about getting android wear before the holiday period let me help you make your decision.
I have used both the Moto 360 & Lg's G Watch, so Im ignoring device Specific additions because thats not really anything to do with Android Wear its to do with the supplied hardware so don't expect to hear me talking about screen quality this is SOFTWARE ONLY !
After a summers use of Android Wear i have come to a conclusion that many may find hard to swallow and ill go through my reasons and thoughts lets start with what it does well.
From Now on Android Wear will be : AW
Driving :
It works perfectly in theory for driving, you can "Okay Google" and send a SMS or place a call ( provided it is safe to do so, or via BT in car audio ) Great ! you think but now the problems of reality occur.
If your Travelling to and from work / home e.c.t you may need to send a SMS or place a call to Standard numbers ( Home / Work / Mum / Dad e.c.t ) however asking to call " Joe Blogs *Insert work place name here* " is not always picked up correctly and AW.
The Screen will show a turning loading / thinking icon and do one of two things ( 1 ) Finally work it out but by this time you've given up or have tried again : (2) Sits there thinking and just times out and forces the watch to disconnect from your paired device.
Then you hit the issue of no phone signal and whilst driving you don't have time to check the tiny screen to see if the microphone icon shows that its ready and connected to accept your voice task again your sat there talking to your watch like an idiot.
Now android Wear has no way of telling you without looking that you have signal / Connection / ready to accept a command, so you may aswell have your phone hooked up Via BT audio in your dock and do it all via the stock Google now because its faster and easier to tell if you have reception.
As a Pedestrian :
This is a massive sticking point, you can glance at your watch to see the time ( and there should be a better option for the Date for all watch faces ) and the weather and that's about acceptable in society.
Talking to your watch to send an SMS e.c.t get you some funny looks and personal space, also you don't want the general public to know / hear about whats for dinner and your plans for the working week(end).
This can all be done from your phone and you won't look like you got beamed down by a passing space ship.
However Turn by Turn Navigation on your watch is great ! no longer glued to your phone screen burning up battery time trying to do a 15min walk you have never done before, AW handles this perfectly turn by turn !
Searching :
Google Android Wear , asking your watch to give you the 5 day forecast for your next holiday destination next week is a no go, your presented with a unreadable card crammed with search results and a swipe option to open it on your phone !? this bemuses me the whole point was to show us fast easy information.
This kind of task is better done on your phone and so are many other common searches like show me the nearest cash machine / Mc Donalds / Navagate to " Cinema e.c.t " this totally renders AW useless !
Asking for weather and time in other places or in your current region is fine as it seems to do these automatically as long as location reporting is activated on your handset.
Asking for anything beyond this well you may as well have used your phone or asked a passer by.
Alarms / Notes / Fitness Tracking :
These Functions work as advertised and as you'd expect on your phone and some even work offline ( Alarms / reminders / notes ), provided your hardware supports fitness tracking you can grab data using 3rd party apps or the soon to be released google FIT, however lots of phones already do this via a pedometer and there for this function is rendered useless because you end up with two sets of data that are quite different from each other ( I have logged 15,000 steps on my watch to find around 8,000 on my handset.
Phone Tasks :
Calling ( apart from the niggles described in the Driving section ) well here is a mess, accepting / declining a call is partly pointless accepting a call forces you to grab your phone and answer, so this option should be removed so you can only decline or view whos calling, I can hear my phone ringing from my pocket so i'll take it out to look if I can.
There is no option to answer a call and force it to be taken via speaker phone so if your doing a two handed task with your phone near by and some one calls you still have to stop, otherwise in situations like driving the accept call function is fine provided you can pass the phone to a passanger or are hooked up via BT audio.
Final Thoughts :
It works great In car provided you have signal and can shout at your wrist simple names and messages, and you don't already have a in car phone cradle set up where you have voice activation enabled - All of this will be super seeded by android auto so having AW for this reason alone is totally negated and you may aswell wait for Android Auto or carry on with your BT set up.
As of above the rest of AW is pretty useless because using AW is best in a car or doing two handed things where you can't stop and answer the phone, basic function is great and it looks nice but well though out functions are lacking and the actual deployment scenarios where its is applicable are far and few between for several reason stated.
Personally its a gimmick, and even for the G Watch's cheap price its still not worth it and i can't see it ever being.
Google's own voice actions on phones far surpasses AW's usefulness.
Possibly in developing markets I can see it being worth an investment for under $80 to pair with an android one device.
With my BT car stereo / Nexus 5 / Nexus 7 / PC computer its a nice luxury but thats about it, it doe snot let me achieve day to day tasks any faster than just having my phone around its just an annoyance.
I have a G watch and today it is pretty useless. I preferred my old Sony Smartwatch 2, it had better apps, I was able to check twitter, facebook, Whatsapp, call registry, whole sms emails in my phone. With android wear, by now I cannot.
I find it troubling that it has as much power under the hood as a low end smartphone but can't do nearly as much. If I was extremely busy and had bad memory I would use it more but for now it is just a fancy watch to me. I want to be able to actually open an app like Google music. Scroll through albums/tracks/etc. like I do the Google now cards. Use it as a remote for chromecast instead of pulling out my phone. I dunno. I can think of lots of cool things it COULD do but doesn't or won't ever do. Hopefully it is like chromecast and gets some updates and more features in the future. My Sony smartwatch 2 also had more function than the new aw.
Edit: I have read that the new sw3 will allow you to sync music to it and use it seperately from the phone as a music player. I will probably switch to that device simply for that feature alone. G watch is currently in its cradle collecting dust.
---------- Post added at 03:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:21 PM ----------
One more thing. This is silly, I'm sure its some kind of disorder, but I don't like to talk much. I prefer text or email when people contact me or I contact someone else. I don't like to use the voice commands in Google now or on wear. I just don't like to talk much at all unless I am in a real conversation with real people in person. That makes it hard for me to utilize this tech in its current state. If they just add more touch functionality I would be grateful.
I find that accepting calls is actually very helpful when walking or riding a bike.
I usually have a headset on, a quick glance at my watch shows me who's calling and I can decide whether it's appropriate to take the call while in traffic, noisier surroundings etc.
Having the option to accept calls with speakerphone would be nice though.
From my experience the main use case for Wear watches is quick access to notifications w/out reaching into one's pocket. As of now it's only a small usability improvement but the platform has more potential.
Thanks for the overview of your experience. I tend to agree with most of your observations. I have had the Sony, Galaxy Gear, Qualcomm Toq, and now the LG. All have their pros/cons. Everyone wants something different/specific out of their smart device. I am enjoying the AW experience but miss several capabilities I had with the other platforms. I want some ability to look at history of email/messages/etc.. that I lose after I swipe a card. Battery life is manageable but needs to improve if they expect the masses to embrace (Toq with low energy Mirsol screen 5 days continuous use).
I question who Google uses to test their software. They need to use others from outside their company to beta test this. Get a wide variety of testers (XDA Developers/College kids/Business professionals) to slap on a beta watch/software and listen to what they say. I know the Google developers have a vision of how they want the software, but quite frankly the Google Now experience is not my favorite.
AW 2.0 is due out soon. I don't expect a radical departure from the current approach. I do hope that the development kit will open up more so 3rd party developers can put in some of the capabilities myself and others like.
I am still a smartwatch geek and genuinely enjoy my AW watch. I think by next year we will have hardware and software that can accommodate the vast variety of different things we all want out of our devices.
I would use the navigation on my AW watch a lot more if when google maps navigation started up on the phone it could have an option to not unlock the screen. My phone is always in my pocket and screen always pointing inward to protect the screen if I walk into a table. If I set AW navigation, the phone screen will wake up and my phone often will register screen swipes through my pocket material next to my leg and do random things.
I feel that kicking off AW navigation, then having to take out the phone and switch off the screen and put back in my pocket makes the AW part a bit redundant.
Likewise with making calls if I am using a Bluetooth speaker or headset with phone in pocket.
I would much prefer Waze had android wear function than google maps anyway.
Also i find of I go to do a Google command on my watch about a third of the time the dumb options list with 'drink a glass of water' comes up and the watch stops listening. Then if I have my hands full I end up having to swipe the screen downwards with my damn nose to resolve the situation. I use mini launcher & would love a way to stop the stock app drawer from coming up at all.
That said I do have a really busy work life and find the reminder feature really useful & I use it for everything.
However, the alarm function which I thought would be useful is rendered pointless by it's insistence to only set any alarm to go off every day at that time, rather than a one off. The few times I have used it I end up at the same time the next day having to go into the menu & deleting the alarm once it has gone off pointlessly the next day as well.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
I can't help but agree with all the points the OP makes, my G Watch is currently gathering dust and awaiting the new update but I am not expecting much. Just like ruben46 I found my old Sony SW2 to be a much more useful device despite the superior hardware of the G Watch.
good thread.
i mostly agree with what's been posted, but much like when Quicktime 1.0 came out (160x120 video playing at 3-5 fps) AW has alot of growing up to do.
i'm a little depressed with the lack of activity in the watch & AW forums on here..there's not the kind of volume forums like the N4 and N5 enjoy..but that's to be expected with less than a dozen watches on the market that nobody is rushing out to purchase.
i'm excited about 2.0 and also the refresh (when it happens).
one thing not mentioned on here is the 'tinycam' webcam app. i have a webcam purchased for baby watching and when i get it set up, i think the webcam app could be useful anytime we're downstairs or something to get a notification if the baby is moving. same for using it as a security device.
i should point out i also bought a pebble for my brother but not sure if he really took advantage of it..i sure had fun setting it up for him.
so yeah..AW is very 'meh' so far but i think once the devs start digging in it will start to ramp up with new possibilities.
i'm holding onto the G and we'll see how it goes.
Ok as some of the members of this forum may know I got off to a shaky start with my Android wear watch (a Sony SW3).
I've now had it about four weeks and have over come the major problems I initially had, so I thought I would start a tread highlighting the things I love and the things I hate so others can assess if a smart watch is for them.
Firstly, what I love:
- Reading messages from Text, Email, Whatsapp and Messenger
It's so simply to just quickly look at my wrist see if I'm interested, if not I delete, if I am, may read further on the watch or if the message is to long, find my phone and continue there.
- Voice control
A really unexpected plus for me. I thought 'OK Google' was a bit of a gimmick at first, but how wrong could I have been. It's fantastic (OK, I feel a bit of a nerd saying OK Google to get it started, but that's a tiny problem). Driving and going to be late, OK google, Send text message to XXXX, then speak your message eg ' Sorry running late will be with you in 30 minutes. The translation is actually pretty accurate and it's done, you don't have to take your eyes off the road!
- It's an accurate watch, not sure where it gets it's time from but I guess it comes from the phone which in turn gets the time from the network which means no more setting, not running fast or slow. Not sure how it works when you change time zone though but I'll find that out soon enough.
- It's waterproof. Don;t forget to turn the touch screen off, but I've now been swimming with it, I regularly shower with it. Not a hint of a problem.
- Control you music system. I use Sonos around my home and I can turn the volume up and down, change track. Ok it's limited but it still an unexpected benefit.
- Control Bluetooth music with Spotify. Really a feature best used in the car. There's an app that will fire up Spotify on your phone which in turn will use the blue tooth audio to connect to your car. No more digging around to find you phone, unlock it, fire up spotify, find your play list etc etc etc.
- Incoming calls. Nice feature as I can decide if I want to take the call without having to find my phone to see who's calling.
What I hate (ok hate is a bit strong, but)
- The UI I think is not properly thought through You have al these options, tilt to wake, tilt to scroll through cards. Clumsy at best and a battery drain at worst (tilt to wake particularly) Even the touch screen to wake is not that cleaver as it can be operated but a lot of things touching the screen not just me, eg a sleeve, particularly one that is damp
- Voice control Ok I know I've said above that voice control is fantastic but it has one major down side, it needs internet connectivity. If it doesn't have it, it just doesn't work! Wish it would use the processing power of my phone to process voice.
- Wifi, ok I accept this is probably a bug, but wifi doesn't currently work properly, for some reason it will drain all the all the battery for no apparent reason and it does it very fast. I've now turned it off and only turn it on on the occasions because it's great to have full functionality
- Screen, the screen is fine, but that's damming it with faint praise. I would really like to see a higher quality screen and a little bit bigger would be nice.
- Incoming calls. When rejecting a call, it would be good to be offered a 'rejection message' that is sent via text giving a reason for the rejection.
When rejecting calls you can slide up instead of left por right swipe ano it will show up predefined messages that it will automaticly send to The caller.
::enviado do meu oneplus one via tapatalk::
My complaints (1 month usage) is the app tray feels bloated. Not every app needs to be displayed. Not every app has options set through the watch. Also the layout feels cramped to me. I would prefer some options (icons only, 1x2, list mode, 1x1 mode, text/no text, recent shortcuts at top on/off, etc.)
2. Embedded speaker for taking quick calls without digging for your phone last minute. 1 problem a watch introduces is that your phone starts to be left behind. I now leave my phone on the counter while I buzz around my home. Phone rings, its a mad dash down stairs to find my phone.
3. Some sort of keyboard. I'll take the old school T9 input. Just let me type a few things.
player911 said:
My complaints (1 month usage) is the app tray feels bloated. Not every app needs to be displayed. Not every app has options set through the watch. Also the layout feels cramped to me. I would prefer some options (icons only, 1x2, list mode, 1x1 mode, text/no text, recent shortcuts at top on/off, etc.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download wear mini launcher from the playstore. It's a brilliant replacement that let's you customise the watch to how you want it.
I totally agree with you. I also use Android wear for
Reading messages from Text, Email, Whatsapp and Messenger
Voice control
Agree with some points according to my experience with my old android wear.
Hope my new one will work better.
My most of my complaints are solved with the Asus ZenWatch2. It is a solid upgrade to the LG G Watch. Once Marshmallow drops, we'll get a new app tray and speaker support (Zenwatch2 and Huawei) for calls.
I tried the alt launchers and it doesnt replace the stock launcher but runs over top of it. So it just adds to the chaos. However after the nostalgia wore off, I dont really use apps thus dont need to go into the app drawer.
Keyboard: try FlickKey
player911 said:
3. Some sort of keyboard. I'll take the old school T9 input. Just let me type a few things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try FlickKey Keyboard for Wear. It adds a keyboard to any app that wants to call it. Right now, that is limited to Wear Messenger, Coffee for Wear, and K-9 for Wear - you need one of those messaging apps to be able to use it. BTE, FlickKey is not a T9 style keyboard - it works better than that.
I have tried various keyboards. What I was referring to was an option, by default, in Android wear to have a keyboard input. I don't use any of those apps, thus having a keyboard right now would be irrelevant.
What apps would you like to use a keyboard with?
player911 said:
I have tried various keyboards. What I was referring to was an option, by default, in Android wear to have a keyboard input. I don't use any of those apps, thus having a keyboard right now would be irrelevant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I certainly agree that users should be able to decide for themselves if they want to use a keyboard or not, and which one they want on their smartwatch. What apps would you like to use a keyboard with? FlickKey can be added to any app with just about 15 lines of code. So message the dev who makes the app you want FlickKey in and let them know they can easily add it for free.
I find Android Wear to be very useful - when it works. Performance on my original 360 hasn't been very consistent either but I'm sure the S400 watches fare much better. Seriously though - every Android OEM needs to switch to AMOLED as soon as possible since it's much more suitable for smartwatch use.
I have installed AW on a Samsung Gear 2 (ported to the watch by @biktor_gj) and it runs really great !
Much much better than the default Tizen where it comes with normally.
Since I am using AW, I'm really hooked on it.
I love to be able to navigate with my watch and/or get notifications (from Google Maps) about any traffic jams or hold ups on my route.
I love to be able to use my voice to respond to whatsapp messages or even use my voice to make a new message without even holding my phone.
Really looking forward to the upcoming version (Marshmellow?), which suppose to have speaker support, because the Gear 2 has a build-in speaker.
So that means I can make calls too again from my watch (which is now only possible in Tizen, but not AW).
Hangouts and Messenger and Email (I know there are email clients that support wear and flickkey). I doubt Hangouts or Messanger will get it support.
If I disable Voice Match, Google Now disables everywhere unless I re-enable the Voice Match. Then saying "Hey Google" while the screen is locked and off triggers it.
I need the good old way of Google Assistant only working when I am on Home Screen, not when I am in any app, not when the phone is locked or screen is off, only when I am either on home screen or app drawer.
Any way to do it? Any magisk module or anything?
rootSU said:
If I disable Voice Match, Google Now disables everywhere unless I re-enable the Voice Match. Then saying "Hey Google" while the screen is locked and off triggers it.
I need the good old way of Google Assistant only working when I am on Home Screen, not when I am in any app, not when the phone is locked or screen is off, only when I am either on home screen or app drawer.
Any way to do it? Any magisk module or anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not all functionality is available when locked such as I can turn my WiFi connected lights on without unlocking but need to use the fingerprint scanner to interact with apps most apps.
It's funny that I wanted my previous OnePlus 5 to be able to do this particularly with AutoVoice Tasker scripts but now that I have this feature with my OP7Pro but I'm not so comfortable with the phone and potentially Google always being the fly on my wall.
Sorry but I've not spend any time trying to address the issue as you described as I'm still deciding if the convenience is worth the voluntary surveillance.
I regularly watch the Daily Pocket now YouTube show and have seen him toss his spying Amazon Echo as he hates that it listens and then inundates him with adds related to what he was talking about. At least Google has only done that after I've done web searches although I'm sure this is just a ticking clock from changing.
rootSU said:
If I disable Voice Match, Google Now disables everywhere unless I re-enable the Voice Match. Then saying "Hey Google" while the screen is locked and off triggers it.
I need the good old way of Google Assistant only working when I am on Home Screen, not when I am in any app, not when the phone is locked or screen is off, only when I am either on home screen or app drawer.
Any way to do it? Any magisk module or anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would love to know this as well as I have Google/Nest hubs in almost every room of my house and hate that it turns on my screen every time.
3DSammy said:
Not all functionality is available when locked such as I can turn my WiFi connected lights on without unlocking but need to use the fingerprint scanner to interact with apps most apps.
It's funny that I wanted my previous OnePlus 5 to be able to do this particularly with AutoVoice Tasker scripts but now that I have this feature with my OP7Pro but I'm not so comfortable with the phone and potentially Google always being the fly on my wall.
Sorry but I've not spend any time trying to address the issue as you described as I'm still deciding if the convenience is worth the voluntary surveillance.
I regularly watch the Daily Pocket now YouTube show and have seen him toss his spying Amazon Echo as he hates that it listens and then inundates him with adds related to what he was talking about. At least Google has only done that after I've done web searches although I'm sure this is just a ticking clock from changing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is one of my main concerns, apart from battery drain that'd be there with constantly on mic (though have heard that newer QC chips have minimized that drain), google will always be on the listening mode, no matter if the phone is locked and in the pocket.
And I know that not much could be done from the lock screen, but it's annoying, my phone was on the table, and I was discussing something with my friend. I might have said something that would have sounded like hey google, and suddenly I hear "Here are the search results". Picked up the phone to see that it picked up certain words from the conversation, and had searched for it. As we were in a quiet room and the media volume was full, it wasn't very pleasing to suddenly hear that.