I love it, but I can't see the point

[ekerbudeeeek]

8 days in and i'm enjoying this gadget, but my view is that while the hardware is great, the software is not good enough to give a real reason to keep it.

Note that i haven't used it for running yet. Maybe that is a good use case.

Email: getting a notification of an email is nice, bit if i cant read it, or reply to it, then what's the point?

Edit: Microsoft just released Outlook update for Wear. All good.


Maps: lovely that it can show my location, but for navigation, it needs my phone and even speaks the navigation steps through the phone. What's the point in that?

Calendar: can only see today, and what else is coming up today. Can't scroll back or forward. Not really very helpful. Have to use the phone again. Also, can't add appointments except to Gmail (sometimes). What's the point?

WhatsApp and messaging: great, i can see my WhatsApps and reply, but even though they are in the cloud, i can't see the actual thread except when I am replying. No ability to send a WhatsApp without an 'OK Google' and that sometimes fails and says 'retrying'. I love the thinking here and it's generally fun to use, but IMHO it's still work in progress.

I can't leave the phone and just go out with the watch if I want to be fully interactive with my key apps.

So all this is is a partial extension to the phone screen and though the watch and phone communicate, the watch software has too many shortcomings for me to break the tether. Don't get me wrong. I think LG has done an incredible job of hardware design. I love the speakerphone watch, and i feel like i now have 2 lines on my number, which is ocassionally helpful.

But is there any real point to the watch other than its nice to have a fun gadget that I can switch faces on depending on my mood? Everything else still requires a phone, and the watch doesn't really add any value.

What it needs is dedicated apps.

Then add to this that I'm paying an extra $10 a month for data and yet it's still not an independent device. So i ask, what's the point??




Posted via the Android Central App

 

[drjim]

Hey eker,

But it was my understanding that as long as the phone is on and the watch and phone both have cell signal, you can leave the phone home and do all of the things that you say you can't do with the watch. Am I mistaken?

 

[ekerbudeeeek]

I think "Calendar for Android Wear" by appfour allows you to scroll forward/backward, and add appointments.

"Mail for Android Wear and Gmail" by appfour allows you to read full emails and create/send full replies.

Yes, i have that but it's very limited and can only add in Gmail calendar.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[ekerbudeeeek]

Hey eker,

But it was my understanding that as long as the phone is on and the watch and phone both have cell signal, you can leave the phone home and do all of the things that you say you can't do with the watch. Am I mistaken?

Being with or without the phone, i still can't properly interact with email and calendar, or WhatsApp. But hey, that's me and maybe I'm doj G something wrong. I'm here to learn...

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[mdw1995]

Depends on your usage I suppose. For me I use the watch in standalone mode when I run a few times each week. Having the ability to leave the 5.5 inch phone in the car, instead of on my arm, and still have cell service if needed is great. Streaming bluetooth music, tracking GPS, texts 'dictated' to me with audio feedback, chest strap heart rate monitor connected and recording using Ghostracer app, running in rain/snow without issues. It's worth it to me. The other features of AW are just icing on top for me.

 

[Chorazin]

The watch is basically an extension of your phone's screen. It's not really meant to do anything productive, just simple tasks. Get a notification, check it, see if it's worth replying to. If so, see if it's worth digging your phone out of your pocket or pack for a lengthy response, or if you can just send a short reply through the watch's preset responses or use voice to dictate a response.

It's great for working out without your phone. I love not having to worry about my phone getting stepped on or a weight dropped on it! Being able to be reached if a text comes in or if someone calls me is icing on that cake.

 

[miroul]

Hey mdw1995

That's why i ordered the watch yesterday. I hope it will be a solid enough replacement for my Garmin Fenix 3 and the Huawei watch i had. Having 2 watches was getting a drag and i was looking forward to have a solid and nice looking Android Wear watch that included a GPS. The Sony Smartwatch 3 never appealed to me.

Now, that being said, you are mentioning Ghosttracker here.. How is this app in regards to serious cardio training ? You mentioned you can have a HR strap (bluetooth) connected and i guess, GPS tracking using the watch's GPS chip. But, how about the software itself ? Can you program interval training session or other type of training based on distance goals, HR zones etc ?? I can do that easy with my Fenix 3 and i would certainly hope to reproduce this with Ghostracer (or Endomondo maybe?). Anyways, please share what your current user scenario with the app and this watch.

Thanks

Max

 

[evlarberryman]

8 days in and i'm enjoying this gadget, but my view is that while the hardware is great, the software is not good enough to give a real reason to keep it.

Note that i haven't used it for running yet. Maybe that is a good use case.

Email: getting a notification of an email is nice, bit if i cant read it, or reply to it, then what's the point?

Maps: lovely that it can show my location, but for navigation, it needs my phone and even speaks the navigation steps through the phone. What's the point in that?

Calendar: can only see today, and what else is coming up today. Can't scroll back or forward. Not really very helpful. Have to use the phone again. Also, can't add appointments except to Gmail (sometimes). What's the point?

WhatsApp and messaging: great, i can see my WhatsApps and reply, but even though they are in the cloud, i can't see the actual thread except when I am replying. No ability to send a WhatsApp without an 'OK Google' and that sometimes fails and says 'retrying'. I love the thinking here and it's generally fun to use, but IMHO it's still work in progress.

I can't leave the phone and just go out with the watch if I want to be fully interactive with my key apps.

So all this is is a partial extension to the phone screen and though the watch and phone communicate, the watch software has too many shortcomings for me to break the tether. Don't get me wrong. I think LG has done an incredible job of hardware design. I love the speakerphone watch, and i feel like i now have 2 lines on my number, which is ocassionally helpful.

But is there any real point to the watch other than its nice to have a fun gadget that I can switch faces on depending on my mood? Everything else still requires a phone, and the watch doesn't really add any value.

What it needs is dedicated apps.

Then add to this that I'm paying an extra $10 a month for data and yet it's still not an independent device. So i ask, what's the point??




Posted via the Android Central App

You're not using it correctly. It has more capabilities on these items than you mentioned but requires extra steps in enabling them or the download of 3rd party apps. I have all of these abilities on my watch in standalone so long as your phone is left on at home with a network connection.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[ekerbudeeeek]

You're not using it correctly. It has more capabilities on these items than you mentioned but requires extra steps in enabling them or the download of 3rd party apps. I have all of these abilities on my watch in standalone so long as your phone is left on at home with a network connection.

Posted via the Android Central App

cam you elaborate on the extra steps

 

[json405]

A smartwatch is never going to be necessity but it's going to grow into very valuable accessory. However, not everyone is going to use it as much as another person might use it. So buying a smartwatch might be pointless to some unless they just want something cool. If you don't need it, I would just return it or sell it. The screen size limitation is not going to change especially if you are used to using a 5+ inch screen.

I bought a smartwatch for golf lol. I didn't want to spend $300 plus for a golf gps watch that just does golf and a clock. I ended up buying a Sony Smartwatch 3 and loved it. I got more than what I needed. So of course, I love my LG Watch because it last longer on the golf course than my sony plus it has a speaker!

I never intended to use it for answering emails because the screen would bug the heck out of me. I have my smartphone for that.

A smartphone and smartwatch are the best Lone Ranger and Tonto combo for techies.

 

[foxbat121]

Using Gmail app for all my emails and I can read, reply or delete emails from watch.

Using stock Email client on my HTC One M9, I can read or reply but not delete from watch.

 

[evlarberryman]

Foxbat, I moved to Gmail for my phone and watch (from Samsung email) yesterday and am happy with it, but I noticed the email inbox icon on the watch says no accounts then disconnected. I do get the email cards however. Have you experienced this?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[tech_head]

8 days in and i'm enjoying this gadget, but my view is that while the hardware is great, the software is not good enough to give a real reason to keep it.

Note that i haven't used it for running yet. Maybe that is a good use case.

Email: getting a notification of an email is nice, bit if i cant read it, or reply to it, then what's the point?

No sure your issues.
I get email notification from WristMail and from Mailwise.
Wristmail lets me navigate, manage and reply to messages.
Mailwise, which I use for work does not.
You need to chose a mail client that allows wear functionality.
Not the waches fault, but the application.

Maps: lovely that it can show my location, but for navigation, it needs my phone and even speaks the navigation steps through the phone. What's the point in that?

It will show you information on the phone, buzz your wrist when a turn is approaching, etc.

Calendar: can only see today, and what else is coming up today. Can't scroll back or forward. Not really very helpful. Have to use the phone again. Also, can't add appointments except to Gmail (sometimes). What's the point?

This bugs me too but it's an issue with whatever app you are using to track your agenda/calendar.

WhatsApp and messaging: great, i can see my WhatsApps and reply, but even though they are in the cloud, i can't see the actual thread except when I am replying. No ability to send a WhatsApp without an 'OK Google' and that sometimes fails and says 'retrying'. I love the thinking here and it's generally fun to use, but IMHO it's still work in progress.

I can't leave the phone and just go out with the watch if I want to be fully interactive with my key apps.

It is not stand alone and you cannot break the tether.

 

[foxbat121]

Foxbat, I moved to Gmail for my phone and watch (from Samsung email) yesterday and am happy with it, but I noticed the email inbox icon on the watch says no accounts then disconnected. I do get the email cards however. Have you experienced this?

Posted via the Android Central App

There is no email inbox icon on my watch. It looks like you have the email watch app from your Samsung Email app. Gmail is purely notification based.

 

[ekerbudeeeek]

No sure your issues.
I get email notification from WristMail and from Mailwise.
Wristmail lets me navigate, manage and reply to messages.
Mailwise, which I use for work does not.
You need to chose a mail client that allows wear functionality.
Not the waches fault, but the application.


It will show you information on the phone, buzz your wrist when a turn is approaching, etc.




This bugs me too but it's an issue with whatever app you are using to track your agenda/calendar.


It is not stand alone and you cannot break the tether.

How does wristmail look? easy to use?

 

[mdw1995]

...Now, that being said, you are mentioning Ghosttracker here.. How is this app in regards to serious cardio training ? You mentioned you can have a HR strap (bluetooth) connected and i guess, GPS tracking using the watch's GPS chip. But, how about the software itself ? Can you program interval training session or other type of training based on distance goals, HR zones etc ?? I can do that easy with my Fenix 3 and i would certainly hope to reproduce this with Ghostracer (or Endomondo maybe?). Anyways, please share what your current user scenario with the app and this watch....

I believe you can setup intervals, distance goals using the 'ghosts' feature of this app, but I've never tried it. I think you run against previously tracked runs (ghosts) or Strava segments. You can see if you are ahead or behind pace at anytime if you include a field on your screen to show this. There is a community for this app located>>>>
https://plus.google.com/communities/108600094791246159447. Some have discussed intervals here.

The developer is active here also and he is constantly updating the app. A recent update also allows the built in HRM to record during runs, but I'm not sure if it's as accurate as a chest strap monitor. I know you can set your max and resting HR and customize the screens to view HR, Avg HR and HR% in addition to about 30 other fields. I've used the HRM just because it works, but haven't used zones. I've set the lap distance to 1.0 mile so the watch vibrates and briefly shows the lap time before returning to the main screen. My main screen shows clock, time, distance,HR and watch battery level. My 2nd screen shows HR%, Avg pace, lap pace, last mile and calories.

You get 2 screens with the free version and can add more if you get the pro version. I paid for the pro just to contribute but only use the 2 screens. The phone app can auto sync to Strava, smash run and Runkeeper. I then use SynvMyTracks to sync to other services like Nike+.

 

[acegolfer]

You can't read and reply Gmail?

 

[afblangley]

A smartwatch is never going to be necessity but it's going to grow into very valuable accessory. However, not everyone is going to use it as much as another person might use it. So buying a smartwatch might be pointless to some unless they just want something cool. If you don't need it, I would just return it or sell it. The screen size limitation is not going to change especially if you are used to using a 5+ inch screen.

Just like pocket watches were replaced by wrist watches, I believe that smartphones will be abandoned with the evolution of smartwatches. Wearing is easier than carrying.

Smartphones are a compromise between portability and screen size. It's screen is a fixed size but the optimal size varies according to task. Some functions, like phone calls or listening to audio, need a tiny (and instantly accessible) screen. Other tasks, like streaming video, would be better on a huge screen. Most tasks would be optimized with a screen size in between these extremes.

We handle the need for different screen sizes by using multiple devices- phones, tablets, watches, TV monitors. This is cumbersome, complicated, expensive and unnecessarily inconvienant when our smartphones are essentially (very) personal computers. More ideally, the CPU would be very portable (wearable) and mated to a screen as needed, in various locations (ie. home, work, car). While Google and Apple don't seem to have the vision, one company that does is Neptune. https://www.getneptune.com

Things don't have to progress to that extent to be significant. Smartwatches treat telephony capability as an afterthought rather than a core function, even though this task is perfectly (and uniquely) suited to its form factor. There is one feature that would immediately expand the market beyond its current niche of phone accessory. Since most of us do not want to speak into our phone like **** Tracy (or carry a BT headset), we need a phonewatch thats worn on our wrist but is easily detachable and held up to our face like a regular phone. While the major watch manufacturers don't see it, there are companies who do.
http://www.coolwearable.com/headwatch-detachable-smartwatch-headset/
http://www.cnet.com/news/take-off-this-smartwatch-and-it-turns-into-a-phone/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da2nQK1JJug

How long do we have to wait for these ideas to be implemented?

 

[json405]

I'm a little skeptical when you say smart watches will abandon smartphones well at least not in our lifetime. I don't doubt that the smartwatch can evolve into something more than an accessory but it has a long way to go until it's a viable standalone option for most. I've seen that video before and trust me I think that is soooooo cool. If it comes out before I die, it's a must buy for me. Hahaha.

Maybe I shouldn't say never because technology appears to know no bounds but let me ask you this.....where's my damn flying car they promised me back in the 1980's??????

 

[ekerbudeeeek]

I'm a little skeptical when you say smart watches will abandon smartphones well at least not in our lifetime. I don't doubt that the smartwatch can evolve into something more than an accessory but it has a long way to go until it's a viable standalone option for most. I've seen that video before and trust me I think that is soooooo cool. If it comes out before I die, it's a must buy for me. Hahaha.

Maybe I shouldn't say never because technology appears to know no bounds but let me ask you this.....where's my damn flying car they promised me back in the 1980's??????

https://youtu.be/ckAwT9AkRgE

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