These look pretty good. How well do android smart watches work with iOS? Are vibration notifications etc for apps nicely configurable and is it possible to read whatsapp / telegram messages on the watch, or is one limited to SMS?
From my experience, it was severely limited to just displaying notifications that are showing up on iOS currently, with only a "dismiss" option, no other options.
Only basic watch faces were available, and there's no integration with iOS, IE no setting alarms via "OK Google" etc.
Still too thick, they are always careful to show images which hide it, but when you see it on someone's hand in real life it looks like they are wearing water meters.
If the industry had any brains, they'd move the batter away - it can be implemented in the strap - for example those segmented metal staps, and every segment can be a battery cell, with the strap connecting the cells to the watch. This way it would be possible to have much higher battery capacity and thinner watch at the same time.
Problem with putting the battery in the strap is you are suddenly locked to the strap it ships with. One of the reasons I got a Zenwatch 2 was that it used standard watch straps, so when(not if) the strap failed, I could replace it.
Certainly, metal straps wear far more gracefully than other constructions, but my arms are apparently exceptionally hairy, and the hairs are forever getting caught in the strap and yanked out. As I have no desire to shave my wrists... no metal straps for me.
Disappointingly, the OTHER reason I got a Zenwatch 2 is that it was square. I like square watches, and am greatly saddened that almost all Android watches are now round.
Battery in the strap means you can't swap the strap or use more comfortable (and, depending on the beholder, possibly more attractive) straps of leather or other materials that aren't heavy, cold, hard metal links filled with battery.
Although if you like the battery in the strap, the Microsoft Band does that.
You have obviously never seen a decent one. They are a tad thicker than some of my low end Invicta chronographs. I own no smart watch myself due to battery life but of all my co workers that own one I've never said "damn that looks thick" most own apple watches.
I personally like the form factor of the Samsung Fit2 but I don't need a fitness tracker I just like its dimensionsw.
If you're going to use the IP code for water resistance then you might want to just change the label to resistance. I wasn't familiar with the code until now. The first digit indicates protection against solid ingress protection, with the 6 indicating that it's dust tight. The second digit indicates the level of liquid protection, with the 7 indicating it can handle submersion to 1m depth for 30 minutes.
Honestly, it probably is. If you can multi-thread everything, you can probably run every core at really low voltage/frequencies. And if you can turn all but one off during normal walking, you won't be losing much. That seems like the idea, as the Snapdragon Wear 2100 (what a long name!) is clocked pretty low.
True but no one wants all the functionality of a smartphone on a wristwatch as we're no where near there with the battery tech yet. Actually, I still don't get the point of a smartwatch...
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zepi - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link
These look pretty good. How well do android smart watches work with iOS? Are vibration notifications etc for apps nicely configurable and is it possible to read whatsapp / telegram messages on the watch, or is one limited to SMS?RaichuPls - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link
From my experience, it was severely limited to just displaying notifications that are showing up on iOS currently, with only a "dismiss" option, no other options.Only basic watch faces were available, and there's no integration with iOS, IE no setting alarms via "OK Google" etc.
ddriver - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link
Still too thick, they are always careful to show images which hide it, but when you see it on someone's hand in real life it looks like they are wearing water meters.If the industry had any brains, they'd move the batter away - it can be implemented in the strap - for example those segmented metal staps, and every segment can be a battery cell, with the strap connecting the cells to the watch. This way it would be possible to have much higher battery capacity and thinner watch at the same time.
Lord of the Bored - Saturday, September 3, 2016 - link
Problem with putting the battery in the strap is you are suddenly locked to the strap it ships with. One of the reasons I got a Zenwatch 2 was that it used standard watch straps, so when(not if) the strap failed, I could replace it.Certainly, metal straps wear far more gracefully than other constructions, but my arms are apparently exceptionally hairy, and the hairs are forever getting caught in the strap and yanked out. As I have no desire to shave my wrists... no metal straps for me.
Disappointingly, the OTHER reason I got a Zenwatch 2 is that it was square. I like square watches, and am greatly saddened that almost all Android watches are now round.
kyuu - Saturday, September 3, 2016 - link
Battery in the strap means you can't swap the strap or use more comfortable (and, depending on the beholder, possibly more attractive) straps of leather or other materials that aren't heavy, cold, hard metal links filled with battery.Although if you like the battery in the strap, the Microsoft Band does that.
hpglow - Monday, September 5, 2016 - link
You have obviously never seen a decent one. They are a tad thicker than some of my low end Invicta chronographs. I own no smart watch myself due to battery life but of all my co workers that own one I've never said "damn that looks thick" most own apple watches.I personally like the form factor of the Samsung Fit2 but I don't need a fitness tracker I just like its dimensionsw.
sorten - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link
If you're going to use the IP code for water resistance then you might want to just change the label to resistance. I wasn't familiar with the code until now. The first digit indicates protection against solid ingress protection, with the 6 indicating that it's dust tight. The second digit indicates the level of liquid protection, with the 7 indicating it can handle submersion to 1m depth for 30 minutes.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_Code
sorten - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link
Good looking watch.psychobriggsy - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link
I, for one, am glad that I will have up to 21.6 GFLOPS of compute power on my wrist.Adreno 304 on http://kyokojap.myweb.hinet.net/gpu_gflops/
Glad the display is fully circular without a side taken away. Also, quad-core ... why!
zepi - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link
Everybody knows that more cores and MHz equals better. Duh!Drumsticks - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link
Honestly, it probably is. If you can multi-thread everything, you can probably run every core at really low voltage/frequencies. And if you can turn all but one off during normal walking, you won't be losing much. That seems like the idea, as the Snapdragon Wear 2100 (what a long name!) is clocked pretty low.Zingam - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link
What is smart about watch that drains the battery in 1 day?kyuu - Saturday, September 3, 2016 - link
You're running that screen, the SoC, and the sensors all in a cramped body that can only fit a tiny battery.Ultraman1966 - Sunday, September 11, 2016 - link
True but no one wants all the functionality of a smartphone on a wristwatch as we're no where near there with the battery tech yet. Actually, I still don't get the point of a smartwatch...jebo - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link
It says the SOC has GPS but GPS isn't listed in the table of features?Meteor2 - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link
Looks a nice upgrade from my Moto 360 -- rather better looking! And quick-charge will be a godsend.VaperMonkey - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link
I have the bigger Zen watch 2 and love everything about it really wish it would have the same clasp as the ZW2