+1 to both your comments. This could be a really creative UI. I've never really adjusted to using the crown on my Apple Watch, and at times simply prefer the old Pebble interface (before Timeline) because it wasn't so linear.
I too like that they're getting away from Android Wear. Other than UI, design and fit/finish, wearable tech should only be about vertical integration and optimization to maximize UX and battery life.
I don't know. I haven't really been looking for a smartwatch, but if i were, i'd want one that told me the time 99% of the time, and spent the remaining 1% of the time giving me notifications from my phone (along with a multi day battery life so I don't need 5000 charging cables at my nightstand). 99% of my music listening is in my car or at my desk (computer) and 90% of my movie listening is at my TV (raspberry pi, kindle fire tv stick, or my micro ITX HTPC), at the gym (smartphone) or at my desk (computer). I guess that's why i don't own a smartwatch...though I've been eyeing the LG G Watch R.
The Pebble actually works pretty good for that, because the screen is always on and it lasts a week. I'm not sure if any smartwatch is worth the $200+ prices, but at least your options are open because of the powerful platform.
Damn!! Lost again. The scroll bezel was an idea a have been thinking of ever since the first "smartwatch" came out. Should have patented it earlier. Everyone seemed so focused on touch and gesture input i figured i had enough time to graduate get a job and then suggest that at work. O well. At least they made a watch i like (the 3G version). Sadly i don't think my carrier will support it. With nanoSIM being small enough they should really add a SIM slot and i wouldn't have to carry a phone any more. Now i just can't wait for Samsung Gear S3G.
S2 Classic actually looks classy! Basically what people though the iwatch was supposed to look like, and definitely in the stylings of a medium range mechanical watch.
It looks really 90s. Like something I could see James Bond wearing. Still, not bad; just classy in a retro-futurist way. You'd need a post-modern kind of suit for it to work.
I must say, I like the looks of the leather model. It looks like a normal watch, but could have some advanced features for quick use. Still not sure of the absolute value of smartwatches, but at least they are moving from the calculator watch appearance.
lol missed the 2 buttons in other articles. like copying the worst thing Apple did wasn't enough.- hope they add pedals next year. Curious what SoC they use, not that it matters much with Samsung prices, that OS and hilarious navigation If i was 15 the design would be ok for the vanilla version.The Classic is a bit too flat. Any clue if it works with a few Samsung phones only?
For the most part, people have successfully sideloaded any neccessary apps like Svoice onto other android phones. As far as I know, all Gear watches work with all Bluetooth 4.0 LE Android phones with varying amounts of modification.
This looks like a smart watch going in the right direction.
1. 2/3 day battery life 2. Hopefully decent bezel wheel control (like an iPod?) instead of a fiddly crown. 3. This appears to be a full-circle display! No flat side. 4. OLED means blacks=no power draw - good design decision
However Tizen does mean fewer apps to pick from. Pricing is key for this device. Is it touchscreen as well?
I actually get 2-3 days out of Gear 2 Neo. I mainly just use it for time. I have the screen black and the numbers gray. I can still read it in full daylight. And I have it set to turn on when I lift my arm up to look at it. If I forget to wear it, it actually lasts like 5 days without charging. How will these charge? Wireless? or similar to the Gear 2, with a charging adapter it plugs into?
Initially disappointed with my purchase, i have come to grow on the Samsung Galaxy gear S2. The reason for this disappointment was that the amount of apps available in comparison to android wear was lacking. however, the Tizen operating system has been optimised to this, and although there aren't many apps available in comparison to Wear, it is a great watch. Had all the apps on And. wear been available, it would be a clear competitor to Apple Watch. Watch is still a little expensive for the functionality of it.
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uhuznaa - Monday, August 31, 2015 - link
Pushing away from Android is with the embryonic stage of smartwatch apps probably the best place to try. I like the scroll bezel.Samus - Monday, August 31, 2015 - link
+1 to both your comments. This could be a really creative UI. I've never really adjusted to using the crown on my Apple Watch, and at times simply prefer the old Pebble interface (before Timeline) because it wasn't so linear.lilmoe - Tuesday, September 1, 2015 - link
I too like that they're getting away from Android Wear. Other than UI, design and fit/finish, wearable tech should only be about vertical integration and optimization to maximize UX and battery life.eek2121 - Tuesday, September 1, 2015 - link
I don't know. I haven't really been looking for a smartwatch, but if i were, i'd want one that told me the time 99% of the time, and spent the remaining 1% of the time giving me notifications from my phone (along with a multi day battery life so I don't need 5000 charging cables at my nightstand). 99% of my music listening is in my car or at my desk (computer) and 90% of my movie listening is at my TV (raspberry pi, kindle fire tv stick, or my micro ITX HTPC), at the gym (smartphone) or at my desk (computer). I guess that's why i don't own a smartwatch...though I've been eyeing the LG G Watch R.smorebuds - Tuesday, September 1, 2015 - link
nice opinion. but this relevant how? and why do i care?mkozakewich - Wednesday, September 2, 2015 - link
The Pebble actually works pretty good for that, because the screen is always on and it lasts a week. I'm not sure if any smartwatch is worth the $200+ prices, but at least your options are open because of the powerful platform.SleepyFE - Tuesday, September 1, 2015 - link
Damn!! Lost again. The scroll bezel was an idea a have been thinking of ever since the first "smartwatch" came out. Should have patented it earlier. Everyone seemed so focused on touch and gesture input i figured i had enough time to graduate get a job and then suggest that at work. O well. At least they made a watch i like (the 3G version). Sadly i don't think my carrier will support it. With nanoSIM being small enough they should really add a SIM slot and i wouldn't have to carry a phone any more. Now i just can't wait for Samsung Gear S3G.basroil - Monday, August 31, 2015 - link
S2 Classic actually looks classy! Basically what people though the iwatch was supposed to look like, and definitely in the stylings of a medium range mechanical watch.Hell, I wouldn't mind trying one out.
mkozakewich - Wednesday, September 2, 2015 - link
It looks really 90s. Like something I could see James Bond wearing. Still, not bad; just classy in a retro-futurist way. You'd need a post-modern kind of suit for it to work.MonkeyPaw - Monday, August 31, 2015 - link
I must say, I like the looks of the leather model. It looks like a normal watch, but could have some advanced features for quick use. Still not sure of the absolute value of smartwatches, but at least they are moving from the calculator watch appearance.jjj - Monday, August 31, 2015 - link
lol missed the 2 buttons in other articles. like copying the worst thing Apple did wasn't enough.- hope they add pedals next year. Curious what SoC they use, not that it matters much with Samsung prices, that OS and hilarious navigation If i was 15 the design would be ok for the vanilla version.The Classic is a bit too flat. Any clue if it works with a few Samsung phones only?Samus - Monday, August 31, 2015 - link
For the most part, people have successfully sideloaded any neccessary apps like Svoice onto other android phones. As far as I know, all Gear watches work with all Bluetooth 4.0 LE Android phones with varying amounts of modification.djboxbaba - Tuesday, September 1, 2015 - link
Glad they included BT 4.1 in this watchpsychobriggsy - Tuesday, September 1, 2015 - link
This looks like a smart watch going in the right direction.1. 2/3 day battery life
2. Hopefully decent bezel wheel control (like an iPod?) instead of a fiddly crown.
3. This appears to be a full-circle display! No flat side.
4. OLED means blacks=no power draw - good design decision
However Tizen does mean fewer apps to pick from.
Pricing is key for this device.
Is it touchscreen as well?
SilthDraeth - Tuesday, September 1, 2015 - link
I actually get 2-3 days out of Gear 2 Neo. I mainly just use it for time. I have the screen black and the numbers gray. I can still read it in full daylight. And I have it set to turn on when I lift my arm up to look at it. If I forget to wear it, it actually lasts like 5 days without charging. How will these charge? Wireless? or similar to the Gear 2, with a charging adapter it plugs into?damz1 - Saturday, October 24, 2015 - link
Initially disappointed with my purchase, i have come to grow on the Samsung Galaxy gear S2. The reason for this disappointment was that the amount of apps available in comparison to android wear was lacking. however, the Tizen operating system has been optimised to this, and although there aren't many apps available in comparison to Wear, it is a great watch. Had all the apps on And. wear been available, it would be a clear competitor to Apple Watch.Watch is still a little expensive for the functionality of it.