[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Economical Android Watch? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 10/8/2015 6:18:50 PM EDT
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At my new job my boss is a stickler for not having our phones in meetings. However, it's important if my wife texts me or my kid's day care calls me, I know about it. I'm thinking a way to circumvent the boss is to get a watch that'll let me see texts and possibly who's calling (even if I can't talk through the watch). That way I can excuse myself and go deal with whatever if need be.
I've seen some Android watches for around $200. But are there any that are significantly cheaper? I am fine if the ONLY things they can do is tell time and show me texts and/or calls. Don't need a fancy one. Also, do I have to have my phone in my pocket/nearby or do these serve as an independent device that I have to add to my plan? Is there a separate monthly charge for them? Thanks -Emt1581 |
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I have an Android Gear S which is more than you want to spend.
I recently downloaded an app called Geek. They have a smart watch for $21 and I odered one. What the hell, its $21. I haven't gotten it yet, so I can't tell you if it's worth a shit or not. My Gear S can operate completely independently from a phone. It can operate with cellular network. It can operate over WiFi, or Bluetooth tethered to a phone. It can (mine does) have its own phone number. But it also gets calls and texts forwarded from a phone. |
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I have an Android Gear S which is more than you want to spend. I recently downloaded an app called Geek. They have a smart watch for $21 and I odered one. What the hell, its $21. I haven't gotten it yet, so I can't tell you if it's worth a shit or not. My Gear S can operate completely independently from a phone. It can operate with cellular network. It can operate over WiFi, or Bluetooth tethered to a phone. It can (mine does) have its own phone number. But it also gets calls and texts forwarded from a phone. You bought a $21 smart watch from an app called Geek? Do they have a website that shows the watch? I'd love to take a look. Again, I'd like simple and cheap...don't need tons of bells and whistles. Thanks! -Emt1581 |
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Will your boss be pissed if he sees you poking at the mini smartphone on a wrist band to check a text? I wouldn't poke at it. It would just be time to hit the head. Again, this is just for the somewhat rare occurance that my wife or son's day care needs to get in touch with me immediately. Might happen once a month if that. But when it happens I need to be able to know and respond. -Emt1581 |
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I have a moto 360. I have been pretty happy with it. Battery life is good for a day or a little more, it looks good (especially with customized faces), and the featureset is handy.
I love telling my watch to navigate to x location and having the map pop up on my wrist with directions. It means I don't have to consult my phone which makes for fewer distractions when driving. I can also answer calls by sending them direct to speakerphone. Very handy if you wear your phone on your person or have it in your cupholder. It also does most everything a fit bit does, if you care about that. For the first few days, battery life drains quickly, but now when I put it on and go to work, I get back home with it in the high 60 percents or so. It also charges very quickly. It's pretty much a gimmicky gadget but has some nice features and is fun. |
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Quoted: I wouldn't poke at it. It would just be time to hit the head. Again, this is just for the somewhat rare occurrence that my wife or son's day care needs to get in touch with me immediately. Might happen once a month if that. But when it happens I need to be able to know and respond. -Emt1581 Quoted: Quoted: Will your boss be pissed if he sees you poking at the mini smartphone on a wrist band to check a text? I wouldn't poke at it. It would just be time to hit the head. Again, this is just for the somewhat rare occurrence that my wife or son's day care needs to get in touch with me immediately. Might happen once a month if that. But when it happens I need to be able to know and respond. -Emt1581 |
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I have a first gen Moto360. It works fine for what you'd want, Emt. Sometimes the vibration is a little weak feeling, but it does work. I can get through a whole day (as in 24 hours) on a charge. You'll need to plan on charging it every day.
I think they're running $150 or so on Amazon. Not a bad deal. |
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So you can't have a phone at all at work? I was thinking this was more of a "don't whip your phone out during a meeting" kind of thing. Quoted:
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Will your boss be pissed if he sees you poking at the mini smartphone on a wrist band to check a text? I wouldn't poke at it. It would just be time to hit the head. Again, this is just for the somewhat rare occurrence that my wife or son's day care needs to get in touch with me immediately. Might happen once a month if that. But when it happens I need to be able to know and respond. -Emt1581 Sounds more like the "don't whip your phone out in a meeting" thing. Android watches are tethered devices - they don't really work without a phone. Actually ones like the Moto360 do have WiFi, but I haven't played around with that feature much. |
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The new Samsung Gear S2 are coming out but they won't be cheap but they sure look nice IMO or at least like a watch.
I think they're releasing a 3G version that doesn't have to be tethered but if you can keep your phone in your pocket that won't matter and no there is no additional cost tethering your phone to your smartwatch. Also I think the first gen Samsung Gear only worked fully with Samsung phones. The S2 will work with any Android phone. Down part is the S2 watches use Tizen instead of Android. Moto360 look nice also |
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Quoted:So you can't have a phone at all at work? I was thinking this was more of a "don't whip your phone out during a meeting" kind of thing. Yes we can have phones....it's the whipping it out at a meeting (and certain other times) that's a no-no. Thanks -Emt1581 |
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Ok, so it sounds like I'll have to have the phone in my pocket or bag in order for the watch to work. Not a big deal. But are there any that don't look like I strapped a beeper to my wrist or got them from a Happy Meal? Thanks -Emt1581 Moto360 is round, and easily has tens of thousands of watch faces you can put on it. I put a TAG watchface on mine and took a picture of it. I had people in the watch subforum here fooled for several pages in one thread about it. The screen does turn off, so most of the time it will look black to people. When it's on, it can look as goofy or as much like a real watch as possible. It doesn't beep, so people won't hear that. It doesn't flash lights and shit, so no one will see that. If you're running a newer version of Android on your phone, it will automatically silence the phone when your watch is connected. You can control this if you'd rather have your phone beep, ring, and ding anyway. |
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Ok, so it sounds like I'll have to have the phone in my pocket or bag in order for the watch to work. Not a big deal. But are there any that don't look like I strapped a beeper to my wrist or got them from a Happy Meal? Thanks -Emt1581 Moto360 will probably be the cheapest and one that sort of looks like a watch that I would probably buy To me the Samsung Gear S2 looks the best out of all of them at the moment but they're using Tizen OS but pair with any android smartphone and not cheap. $299 and up 
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this FitBit surge is $250 and will do that.
https://www.fitbit.com/surge |
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Wait, so your boss tells you to leave the cell out of the meeting even on vibrate? Ok, I know calls can be annoying when you're holding a meeting but come on.
As for Andriod watches, I would say skip from what I've seen. An Apple Watch would be a better option but then your boss would tell you to take it off. |
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Wait, so your boss tells you to leave the cell out of the meeting even on vibrate? Ok, I know calls can be annoying when you're holding a meeting but come on. As for Andriod watches, I would say skip from what I've seen. An Apple Watch would be a better option but then your boss would tell you to take it off. If he's using an Android phone, Apple watch won't work with it... whereas an Android watch will work with an iPhone, albeit more limited in functionality. I'd still recommend OP look at an first gen Moto360. They're in his price range and will work fine for him. |
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If he's using an Android phone, Apple watch won't work with it... whereas an Android watch will work with an iPhone, albeit more limited in functionality. I'd still recommend OP look at an first gen Moto360. They're in his price range and will work fine for him. Quoted:
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Wait, so your boss tells you to leave the cell out of the meeting even on vibrate? Ok, I know calls can be annoying when you're holding a meeting but come on. As for Andriod watches, I would say skip from what I've seen. An Apple Watch would be a better option but then your boss would tell you to take it off. If he's using an Android phone, Apple watch won't work with it... whereas an Android watch will work with an iPhone, albeit more limited in functionality. I'd still recommend OP look at an first gen Moto360. They're in his price range and will work fine for him. Agreed and also to me the iWatch just doesn't look good to me but hey everyone is different. I would also go with the Moto360 1st gen if he wanted to keep it cheap or maybe wait till Black Friday and see if deals are to be had. |
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I bought the same one. Figured what the hell. Mine should be here today. |
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I bought the same one. Figured what the hell. Mine should be here today. Quoted:
I bought the same one. Figured what the hell. Mine should be here today. Any reports? -Emt1581 |
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"Concealed means concealed."
Just put your phone in your pocket on vibrate, and don't pull it out during a meeting, it isn't rocket science. 
ETA: Oh, its a standing "Don't pull it out during a meeting, or while doing something important." order You don't need a smart watch, all you need is some common sense not to pull it out while at a meeting, or while your boss is trying to converse with you.
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"Concealed means concealed." Just put your phone in your pocket on vibrate, and don't pull it out during a meeting, it isn't rocket science. That doesn't work. Means I'd be excusing myself every time I get a text/call. The point of the watch is so I can just pull my sleeve back as if checking the time and see whether I need to respond or not....I agree...not rocket science. 
-Emt1581 |
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That doesn't work. Means I'd be excusing myself every time I get a text/call. The point of the watch is so I can just pull my sleeve back as if checking the time and see whether I need to respond or not....I agree...not rocket science.
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"Concealed means concealed." Just put your phone in your pocket on vibrate, and don't pull it out during a meeting, it isn't rocket science. That doesn't work. Means I'd be excusing myself every time I get a text/call. The point of the watch is so I can just pull my sleeve back as if checking the time and see whether I need to respond or not....I agree...not rocket science.
-Emt1581 You aren't disciplined enough just to check them at regular intervals? 
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You aren't disciplined enough just to check them at regular intervals? Quoted:
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"Concealed means concealed." Just put your phone in your pocket on vibrate, and don't pull it out during a meeting, it isn't rocket science. That doesn't work. Means I'd be excusing myself every time I get a text/call. The point of the watch is so I can just pull my sleeve back as if checking the time and see whether I need to respond or not....I agree...not rocket science.
-Emt1581 You aren't disciplined enough just to check them at regular intervals? Do you actually have anything constructive to contribute about your experience with Android watches? -Emt1581 |
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Any reports? -Emt1581 Quoted:
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I bought the same one. Figured what the hell. Mine should be here today. Any reports? -Emt1581 I got my cheap smart watch today. It worked instantly for making and receiving phone calls. But, you need to install an app (Bluetooth Notification) for texting and pushing alerts of other kinds to the watch. I can't get the app to work. I am obviously not the only one either because there are several YouTube videos about it. So far, they haven't helped me but I haven't spent much time messing with it. It is obviously cheap. Make no mistake about it. It looks like something you would buy at a flea market. But, for $21, it does make and receive phone calls and the people on YouTube have theirs working with texts. |
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I got my cheap smart watch today. It worked instantly for making and receiving phone calls. But, you need to install an app (Bluetooth Notification) for texting and pushing alerts of other kinds to the watch. I can't get the app to work. I am obviously not the only one either because there are several YouTube videos about it. So far, they haven't helped me but I haven't spent much time messing with it. It is obviously cheap. Make no mistake about it. It looks like something you would buy at a flea market. But, for $21, it does make and receive phone calls and the people on YouTube have theirs working with texts. Thanks for reporting back. 
Problem with the one you got is it seems to be slighlty smaller than a beeper...or am is it pretty compact? Saw an Apple watch this weekend...one that size would be perfect and not to blatantly obvious. Only one I saw that was that size and on the cheaper side was the Pebble which is a non-touch screen that seems to be really REALLY crappy quality. But please let me know about the size. Might be worth a shot for under $20. Thanks again! -Emt1581 |
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How long are these meetings? What is the absolute worst possible thing that could happen if you don't respond immediately? I'm as bad about checking my phone as anyone but I leave it in the car when I go to the movies. Can you seriously not go without your phone for an hour? What's the day care going to do? Lock your kid in a closet? Will you not get laid for a month if a text goes 30 minutes without a reply? Get a watch if you want, but damn - maybe your boss has a valid point here? The no phone policy is very quickly going to become a no distractions policy. The boss wants your full attention. You are going out of your way to make sure he doesn't get it. If he finds out that you're checking your watch for texts from the Mrs., he's going to be pissed. |
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How long are these meetings? What is the absolute worst possible thing that could happen if you don't respond immediately? I'm as bad about checking my phone as anyone but I leave it in the car when I go to the movies. Can you seriously not go without your phone for an hour? What's the day care going to do? Lock your kid in a closet? Will you not get laid for a month if a text goes 30 minutes without a reply? Get a watch if you want, but damn - maybe your boss has a valid point here? The no phone policy is very quickly going to become a no distractions policy. The boss wants your full attention. You are going out of your way to make sure he doesn't get it. If he finds out that you're checking your watch for texts from the Mrs., he's going to be pissed. I'm getting the same feeling I get when hearing "why do you need a gun?" And my boss is on HER phone throughout most of the meeting. Corporate policy is the bad guy here and it's mainly aimed at the lower level workers that LIVE on facebook. -Emt1581 |
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Check out Pebble. I have one and it's great. I'm a teacher where phones are forbidden in the classroom. I can be teaching and quickly check the watch to see if the text/email/call is important. The app support is awesome as well. Glad you chimed in. I mentioned it earlier but the pebble seems really unimpressive up front. No touch screen, no real back-lighting....kinda like the 1980's game-boy of smart/andoid watches. If you could, please share your experience with screen visability, working through the fuctions via side-buttons, and any issues you've had. Thanks -Emt1581 |
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Glad you chimed in. I mentioned it earlier but the pebble seems really unimpressive up front. No touch screen, no real back-lighting....kinda like the 1980's game-boy of smart/andoid watches. If you could, please share your experience with screen visability, working through the fuctions via side-buttons, and any issues you've had. Thanks -Emt1581 Quoted:
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Check out Pebble. I have one and it's great. I'm a teacher where phones are forbidden in the classroom. I can be teaching and quickly check the watch to see if the text/email/call is important. The app support is awesome as well. Glad you chimed in. I mentioned it earlier but the pebble seems really unimpressive up front. No touch screen, no real back-lighting....kinda like the 1980's game-boy of smart/andoid watches. If you could, please share your experience with screen visability, working through the fuctions via side-buttons, and any issues you've had. Thanks -Emt1581 I had an original Pebble when they came out through Kickstarter. They are very basic in comparison to Android watches... but they have matured. I think they have a new one now that does have a color screen. The best advantage of the Pebble was the battery life. 5-7 days on average. |
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Some of the 'Activity Trackers' have Bluetooth and will read your your texts. And a shitton of people have those now. It's not my thing, but if it works...
I personally have a Garmin Fenix (hiking GPS) that will talk to my smartphone. Though I rarely use it, except when I'm camping and my phone is plugged into my Avatar. I run with it, I hike with it, but I'm not a 'wear something' guy. That said, it works, and it looks like a watch. I don't have this problem, though. I have a corporate cell, if it's important, call me on that, and I'll answer it like it's an important customer and walk out of the room. 
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I wouldn't poke at it. It would just be time to hit the head. Again, this is just for the somewhat rare occurance that my wife or son's day care needs to get in touch with me immediately. Might happen once a month if that. But when it happens I need to be able to know and respond. -Emt1581 Quoted:
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Will your boss be pissed if he sees you poking at the mini smartphone on a wrist band to check a text? I wouldn't poke at it. It would just be time to hit the head. Again, this is just for the somewhat rare occurance that my wife or son's day care needs to get in touch with me immediately. Might happen once a month if that. But when it happens I need to be able to know and respond. -Emt1581 If it's that important, they should call your work number, and give instructions that your meeting isn't as important as whatever the issue with your kid is. If you can excuse yourself for a couple minutes for a phone call and return to the meeting, it was not a time pressing issue. |
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I'm getting the same feeling I get when hearing "why do you need a gun?" And my boss is on HER phone throughout most of the meeting. Corporate policy is the bad guy here and it's mainly aimed at the lower level workers that LIVE on facebook. -Emt1581 Quoted:
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How long are these meetings? What is the absolute worst possible thing that could happen if you don't respond immediately? I'm as bad about checking my phone as anyone but I leave it in the car when I go to the movies. Can you seriously not go without your phone for an hour? What's the day care going to do? Lock your kid in a closet? Will you not get laid for a month if a text goes 30 minutes without a reply? Get a watch if you want, but damn - maybe your boss has a valid point here? The no phone policy is very quickly going to become a no distractions policy. The boss wants your full attention. You are going out of your way to make sure he doesn't get it. If he finds out that you're checking your watch for texts from the Mrs., he's going to be pissed. I'm getting the same feeling I get when hearing "why do you need a gun?" And my boss is on HER phone throughout most of the meeting. Corporate policy is the bad guy here and it's mainly aimed at the lower level workers that LIVE on facebook. -Emt1581 You're at work, if it's an emergency, then you can be contacted. I assume you're old enough to have worked, or had a parent working at a time when cell phones weren't common. Every "emergency" I called my dad at work about when I was a kid that his secretary couldn't help me with, he was pulled from a meeting. If that happened, it meant he was coming home because it was a legit emergency, or our asses were in trouble for calling him for some dumb shit that really wasn't that important. It is true that 99% of the time, you don't need a gun or cell phone. But it is a fact that 87%+ of cell phone use age is mindless, and useless. |
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You got a Samsung Gear S2? Which model? Classic or Sport and do you like it? Quoted:
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No, it is not large. It is roughly the size of a normal watch. Maybe slightly bigger. Not as big as a Casio G-Shock for sure. It is half the size of my Samsung Gear S II You got a Samsung Gear S2? Which model? Classic or Sport and do you like it? I don't know if it is a classic or a sport. Yeah, I like it. But I am a gadget freak. I buy stuff like this, not for any practical purpose, but because I love electronic gadgets. Obviously typing a text on it is a pain in the ass with a keyboard not much bigger than a quarter. But, I do it and it works. Phone calls are fine, but obviously it is "speaker phone" everyone can hear the conversation and it might annoy some people (like me) when people have a phone conversation in public. But, most of the time, this isn't an issue; like I am at home or in the car. Otherwise I just answer my cell phone rather than the watch. Although, you can connect a bluetooth headset to the watch if you want to. Again, let me repeat that this watch does NOT need to be Bluetooth tethered to a cell phone. It IS a cell phone. It has it's own number and you can call the watch. It also works over WiFi. So it can be totally stand alone, or it can be used over Wifi, or it can be used over Bluetooth to your phone. When it is not tethered to your phone, your calls and texts are forwarded to the watch. This is really nice if you don't want to carry your phone, like if you are the gym or running or something. One thing that pisses me off about it is the "error" messages. Such as, when you have the watch connected to your phone via bluetooth and then you walk away out of range. Despite the fact that the watch is capable of working without bluetooth, it instantly puts a message on the screen that the watch is no longer connected to the phone. And you can't do anything else until you acknowledge the masseage. Then another message comes on saying your calls are being forwarded to the watch, and you have to answer this message before you can do anything else.................... I hate shit like this is electronics. Especially when it is unnessessary (the watch will work anyway). This happens to me at the shooting range: I leave my phone on the charger in the car. Every time I walk down range to check my target, the watch HAS to tell me that I am out of bluetooth range to my phone. You can run various apps on the phone including a web browser. But, the size of the screen makes a lot of this ridiculous. You can remote control the camera on your phone which is nice. You can remote control the music playing on your phone which is nice. It has a mapping app, but I haven't really used it to any degree but again, the screen size is limiting. Battery life isn't all that great if you are actively using the watch. If you are using it AS a watch to tell time and you read your texts, email, and other messages with an occasional sent text; the battery will last over 24 hours. I work 24 hour shifts and it lasts from the time I get up until I get back home. However, if you start making phone calls and playing with it a lot, the battery won't last all that long (depending on how much you are using it). Talking on the phone really taxes the battery. I use it as an adjunct to my phone. I use it when I dont' want to pull out my phone: so the battery life is fine for me. Normally, if I am texting someone, I use my phone. But throughout the day, I read my texts and email when I get them and if I just need to acknowlege a text with a quick answer, I use the watch. If I am going to have a conversation, I use my phone. All in all, I like it. But I am not going to tell anyone that it is something you can't live without. But, if you like gadgets, it works well. The thing about this Samsung watch as opposed to something like this cheap $21 Chinese smart watch I just bought is that it is a finished, commercial product that works without all kinds of apps and fixes and what-not. And it works pretty much flawlessly without jumping through any hoops. |
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If you want to go cheap, DX has them for around $20 delivered. http://www.dx.com/p/u8-outdoor-sport-nano-smart-bluetooth-v3-0-android-wrist-watch-w-remote-shutter-pedometer-black-390808#.Vh091CueTm4 |
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No, it is not large. It is roughly the size of a normal watch. Maybe slightly bigger. Not as big as a Casio G-Shock for sure. It is half the size of my Samsung Gear S II I think the cheap one is popularly known as the u8 smartwatch. But it doesn't seem like it can send texts. Then again I have to check if the pebble can. Any idea on either? Thanks -Emt1581 |
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I think the cheap one is popularly known as the u8 smartwatch. But it doesn't seem like it can send texts. Then again I have to check if the pebble can. Any idea on either? Thanks -Emt1581 Quoted:
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No, it is not large. It is roughly the size of a normal watch. Maybe slightly bigger. Not as big as a Casio G-Shock for sure. It is half the size of my Samsung Gear S II I think the cheap one is popularly known as the u8 smartwatch. But it doesn't seem like it can send texts. Then again I have to check if the pebble can. Any idea on either? Thanks -Emt1581 I don't think the Pebble can. Android Wear will let you respond to messages. I have only used voice to do so, but there are keyboards. If a text is that important, I'll break out the phone. |
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I had an original Pebble when they came out through Kickstarter. They are very basic in comparison to Android watches... but they have matured. I think they have a new one now that does have a color screen. The best advantage of the Pebble was the battery life. 5-7 days on average. Quoted:
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Check out Pebble. I have one and it's great. I'm a teacher where phones are forbidden in the classroom. I can be teaching and quickly check the watch to see if the text/email/call is important. The app support is awesome as well. Glad you chimed in. I mentioned it earlier but the pebble seems really unimpressive up front. No touch screen, no real back-lighting....kinda like the 1980's game-boy of smart/andoid watches. If you could, please share your experience with screen visability, working through the fuctions via side-buttons, and any issues you've had. Thanks -Emt1581 I had an original Pebble when they came out through Kickstarter. They are very basic in comparison to Android watches... but they have matured. I think they have a new one now that does have a color screen. The best advantage of the Pebble was the battery life. 5-7 days on average. The screen has the same tech as the Kindle paper. Therefore, even with direct sunlight hitting the face of the watch it is clear and easy to read. There are so many developer apps you can get just about any type of face you want for your watch (up to 8 different ones stored on the watch at one time). What I like are the variety and multitude of apps. Again, because it is open development, people are creating apps for it all of the time. I'm a rugby coach and looked up rugby specific apps and low and behold there are some rugby timers/scoring apps that are perfect for a ref or coach. The navigation on the watch is done through four buttons. One is a home/back button. The other three are used to navigate up/down or select. Depending on the app the buttons can serve different functions. One thing that's harder is texting. However, there are apps that have preloaded responses or even ones where you can create your own preloaded responses. Then when a text/email comes in, you look at your watch, push a button to select the response and another button to send. Nobody even notices you sending texts/emails. It just looks like you are checking your watch. Battery life is awesome. I regularly go over 7 days without charging. It charges quickly as well. I don't think I could do the charge every day thing. That's what has kept me from using other makes. I hope that helps. |
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The screen has the same tech as the Kindle paper. Therefore, even with direct sunlight hitting the face of the watch it is clear and easy to read. There are so many developer apps you can get just about any type of face you want for your watch (up to 8 different ones stored on the watch at one time). What I like are the variety and multitude of apps. Again, because it is open development, people are creating apps for it all of the time. I'm a rugby coach and looked up rugby specific apps and low and behold there are some rugby timers/scoring apps that are perfect for a ref or coach. The navigation on the watch is done through four buttons. One is a home/back button. The other three are used to navigate up/down or select. Depending on the app the buttons can serve different functions. One thing that's harder is texting. However, there are apps that have preloaded responses or even ones where you can create your own preloaded responses. Then when a text/email comes in, you look at your watch, push a button to select the response and another button to send. Nobody even notices you sending texts/emails. It just looks like you are checking your watch. Battery life is awesome. I regularly go over 7 days without charging. It charges quickly as well. I don't think I could do the charge every day thing. That's what has kept me from using other makes. I hope that helps. Quoted:
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Check out Pebble. I have one and it's great. I'm a teacher where phones are forbidden in the classroom. I can be teaching and quickly check the watch to see if the text/email/call is important. The app support is awesome as well. Glad you chimed in. I mentioned it earlier but the pebble seems really unimpressive up front. No touch screen, no real back-lighting....kinda like the 1980's game-boy of smart/andoid watches. If you could, please share your experience with screen visability, working through the fuctions via side-buttons, and any issues you've had. Thanks -Emt1581 I had an original Pebble when they came out through Kickstarter. They are very basic in comparison to Android watches... but they have matured. I think they have a new one now that does have a color screen. The best advantage of the Pebble was the battery life. 5-7 days on average. The screen has the same tech as the Kindle paper. Therefore, even with direct sunlight hitting the face of the watch it is clear and easy to read. There are so many developer apps you can get just about any type of face you want for your watch (up to 8 different ones stored on the watch at one time). What I like are the variety and multitude of apps. Again, because it is open development, people are creating apps for it all of the time. I'm a rugby coach and looked up rugby specific apps and low and behold there are some rugby timers/scoring apps that are perfect for a ref or coach. The navigation on the watch is done through four buttons. One is a home/back button. The other three are used to navigate up/down or select. Depending on the app the buttons can serve different functions. One thing that's harder is texting. However, there are apps that have preloaded responses or even ones where you can create your own preloaded responses. Then when a text/email comes in, you look at your watch, push a button to select the response and another button to send. Nobody even notices you sending texts/emails. It just looks like you are checking your watch. Battery life is awesome. I regularly go over 7 days without charging. It charges quickly as well. I don't think I could do the charge every day thing. That's what has kept me from using other makes. I hope that helps. Great info there!! What model do you have? I had no clue pebbles were $200-ish. I thought they were $50-$75 but only the used ones go for that. Seems the pebble is worth an extra look. Thanks! -Emt1581 |
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I actually have two.
I have a Kickstarter version that an awesome Arfcom member gave me. My other one is a newer version that I picked up for $50. The band is a bit smaller but is pretty much the same as the first version. I don't have the color, but I don't really need that. For $50 I think the monochrome works just fine and suits my needs. I don't wear it to impress anyone. I see it as an added tool. One last thing about it: driving is so much easier now. You don't have to worry about checking the phone or anything. If some ing comes up, you just check the watch. If you need to respond, two clicks and the message is sent. Easy. |