SONY's Smart watch review with Xperia Ion. - Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion

so i decided y not buy the smart watch since i already have the headset pro to see how this comes in handy.
So first of the smart watch and head set pro do the same sh*t, only difference besides there looks is the watch has more apps.
Now even thou they do mostly the same thing. The watch does work good in most part's. Easily with phone outta sight ,you can check your message ,fb,tw,Google ect and even check weather and answer calls. Control music and volume. I find all of this to work out pretty well when all 3 devices are snyc, phone,watch,headset.
The bad and good.
The watch when not in use goes into sleep mode ,so in order to see the time you gotta double tab screen. But you can switch options to different watch looks to keep the screen on according to movement . Thats kool and all but can kill battery life quick. I have no problem tapping lol.
one Down Fall i notice .
Even thou i can read txt message, set up a reply option or call, i wish i can actually type and reply from the damn watch itself
Good example, Google maps for the watch is one of the best application on here,keyboard pops up, easy to use. Type in any location from the watch easy have a gps on my hand only if it talked. So they could have easily done this for texting.
Using all 3 device in public like on bus or at work, works out very well for me. Only time you gotta pull ur phone is when its time to reply to a text and its so anyyoing knowing this watch can do so much more.
Well am not done with this review ill be back with more so i hope this helps out anyone even if your not interested. It's always good to have information Laying around in case lol.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, LET ME KNOW.
Sent from my LT28at using xda app-developers app

Read a lot of reviews online about this and decided NOT to buy it. Horrible screen, clumsy to use, etc.

joe3681 said:
Read a lot of reviews online about this and decided NOT to buy it. Horrible screen, clumsy to use, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto. Not because of quality, but function versus dollars. However I know there's 3rd party mods/apps for the watch, I'd like to hear more on those in execution.
Maybe Spectre can chime in too with his review.
Sent from my LT28 w MIUI

I really like the smart watch. I've used it numerous times to change ring volume to vibrate or silent, view text and emails without pulling my phone out. Its nice to be able to see whether an email it txt is important and needs a reply right away or not without getting your phone out.
Honestly you don't really think you would use it that much until you actually have it. My biggest complaint is that the watch screen isn't bright enough when in direct sunlight.
The google maps app is awesome. I haven't used a lot of the other third party apps.
I don't have a problem with how the phone functions as far as having to double tap the screen or push the side button to turn the screen on. Swiping is easy. The apps could use some more function like replies and stuff but honestly that's not really the idea behind it. Its quick access to view emails, txt, Facebook, twitter and other things without having to use the phone in hand and it does that real well.
Sent from my Sony Xperia™ TL

Just heard that apple is coming out with a smart watch version.
http://mobile.eweek.com/mobile/apple-intel-collaborating-on-smartwatch-report/
~Jaramie
sent by my ION

Yea I read bout it 3 months ago am not even worried , they got the stupid nano watch already it sucks compared to smart watch only for music and Sony already working on there new Smart watch idk if it's gona be called smart watch 2 or new name.
I'll post the link for that once I find it again.
Sent from my LT28h using xda app-developers app

Smart watch update , refer to pic below for details.
Sent from my LT28h using xda app-developers app

some of the New faces ,definitely will update my review once i get a full day use of this update.
Sent from my LT28h using xda app-developers app

joe3681 said:
Read a lot of reviews online about this and decided NOT to buy it. Horrible screen, clumsy to use, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have one, and I find it to be very useful. My watch was a present. I thought it was going to be a useless gimmick, but now I can barely live without it.
On the way to work (on the bus), I usually have music playing. I can leave my phone in my pocket, and switch tracks easily. At home I often connect my phone to a dock for playing music. Again, I use my watch as a remote.
I prefer to have my phone on silent/vibrate, but I have missed calls because I do not always notice the vibration. With my watch, the watch vibrates on a call! I never miss calls now.
Having email alerts and SMS alerts is pretty handy. I have wired up my home alarm system to my home network - it sends emails when my alarm goes off. These come straight through to my watch now.
The screen is very good indoors. Outside, it is pretty hard to read in direct sunlight, and not great (but usable) in shade.
The UI is pretty poorly thought out. A back button would make life much easier. To go "back" on the watch, you need to do a pinch gesture. This is pretty hard on a tiny screen. A hardware back button could easily be located on the left side of the watch.
One puzzling thing is that the API does not allow 3rd party developers to add new watch faces. I would have thought this would be a big selling point. Writing a watch face as a complete 3rd party app does not work as well, as it tends to chew more battery and doesn't integrate with the other apps properly.
The connection to the charger is stupid, whoever thought of it should be ashamed. It is very finicky. I've found the best way to deal with it, is to wrap a rubber band around the watch and cable - otherwise it may stop charging (it sucks to have it go flat 30 minutes after getting to work).
The bluetooth connection uses v2, not v3 - so it uses more battery than it needs to. Having the watch at a distance from the phone will cause it to go through batteries a lot faster.
The watch itself is relatively tough, but the clip is not. I actually broke one of the little clips that hold the watch to the watch strap. Luckily for me, the guys at Sony Central in Brisbane had a watch that had a broken screen - so they helped me to transfer the clip from that watch onto mine (the alternative was to wait for 4 weeks for a warranty repair).
On the whole, I like the watch! It's not perfect, but it is very usable.
The good
Music control
Alerts
Vibrate on call
The bad
Clip is fragile
Charging connection sucks
Cannot add 3rd party watch faces
Screen sucks in sunlight
---------- Post added at 09:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:20 AM ----------
princemarcus19 said:
some of the New faces ,definitely will update my review once i get a full day use of this update.
Sent from my LT28h using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found the new faces ok for a few minutes, but I keep going back to the large digital watch face. It is by far the most readable. This watch really needs more digital faces!

Could some of you guys suggest which one to buy.?
I saw bunch of models and I don't know which one to buy...
Tnx
Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk 2

funky0308 said:
Could some of you guys suggest which one to buy.?
I saw bunch of models and I don't know which one to buy...
Tnx
Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is only one model of Smart Watch. Just buy one from Sony or eBay or Amazon or on polish site Allegro.pl
Sent from my LT26i using xda developers-app

Vaith said:
There is only one model of Smart Watch. Just buy one from Sony or eBay or Amazon or on polish site Allegro.pl
Sent from my LT26i using xda developers-app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Becouse I saw some models on eBay.
O.K so, we have only one model.
Tnx
Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk 2

deadcatt said:
I have one, and I find it to be very useful. My watch was a present. I thought it was going to be a useless gimmick, but now I can barely live without it.
On the way to work (on the bus), I usually have music playing. I can leave my phone in my pocket, and switch tracks easily. At home I often connect my phone to a dock for playing music. Again, I use my watch as a remote.
I prefer to have my phone on silent/vibrate, but I have missed calls because I do not always notice the vibration. With my watch, the watch vibrates on a call! I never miss calls now.
Having email alerts and SMS alerts is pretty handy. I have wired up my home alarm system to my home network - it sends emails when my alarm goes off. These come straight through to my watch now.
The screen is very good indoors. Outside, it is pretty hard to read in direct sunlight, and not great (but usable) in shade.
The UI is pretty poorly thought out. A back button would make life much easier. To go "back" on the watch, you need to do a pinch gesture. This is pretty hard on a tiny screen. A hardware back button could easily be located on the left side of the watch.
One puzzling thing is that the API does not allow 3rd party developers to add new watch faces. I would have thought this would be a big selling point. Writing a watch face as a complete 3rd party app does not work as well, as it tends to chew more battery and doesn't integrate with the other apps properly.
The connection to the charger is stupid, whoever thought of it should be ashamed. It is very finicky. I've found the best way to deal with it, is to wrap a rubber band around the watch and cable - otherwise it may stop charging (it sucks to have it go flat 30 minutes after getting to work).
The bluetooth connection uses v2, not v3 - so it uses more battery than it needs to. Having the watch at a distance from the phone will cause it to go through batteries a lot faster.
The watch itself is relatively tough, but the clip is not. I actually broke one of the little clips that hold the watch to the watch strap. Luckily for me, the guys at Sony Central in Brisbane had a watch that had a broken screen - so they helped me to transfer the clip from that watch onto mine (the alternative was to wait for 4 weeks for a warranty repair).
On the whole, I like the watch! It's not perfect, but it is very usable.
The good
Music control
Alerts
Vibrate on call
The bad
Clip is fragile
Charging connection sucks
Cannot add 3rd party watch faces
Screen sucks in sunlight
---------- Post added at 09:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:20 AM ----------
I found the new faces ok for a few minutes, but I keep going back to the large digital watch face. It is by far the most readable. This watch really needs more digital faces!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No lie I do that too stands most of the time now.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

So I have used my smart watch on gs3 and its fully compatible.
Kool thing bout gs3 Bluetooth it turns itself on automaticlly .wish ion had that feature
Also this new awsome camera app is the bomb!!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sonymobile.extras.liveware.extension.camera
And can someone let me know if there watch takes for ever to load certain apps
Thanks.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

very good
very good

Related

Hacking the Sony Liveview

Despite the bad reviews I picked up a Liveview yesterday. Was $50 brand new off Craigslist. And surprise surprise, it turned out to be a turd. Well, I don't like to waste money, so I set about modding it. Thought some people here might be interested to see what I did.
So far I've waterproofed the case. Next I'll be building a better strap, one that doesn't make it huge or block the USB port. http://www.jax184.com/projects/liveview/liveview.html has everything I've done so far on it.
Nice i got that thing and it "worked" but still with the having to restart it all the time was very annoying but i ended up sending mine back
So I've been using the Liveview for a couple days, or at least trying to. Even after doing a full reset of the device, reinstalling the software on my phone and removing all the plugins, it has a battery life of about 6-8 hours. In that time I turned the screen on twice, and it briefly lit up to tell me of an incoming call. No texts, no alerts, and I don't have farcebook/twatter/etc turned on. It sat 2 feet from my phone the entire time. If I actually try to use the damn thing to, say, control the media player, the battery goes dead in 2 to 3 hours.
Pathetic...
I've decided I'm going to build it into a custom case for a friend of mine with a much larger battery, since the stock one is completely and utterly useless. So much for my gasket job...
Not sure if the battery is just dying on yours or what but if I never touch the screen, mine lasts for a couple days at least (and that's with alerts!). Sad to hear yours has issues :\
Mine's brand new and running the latest firmware/software with the bare minimum of functionality enabled, so I'm as confused as you.
I have a liveview and i absolutely love it. I dont have any connection issues but i mostly just use it as a watch with out having it connected over bluetooth and the battery lasts for days when i do that. I do have an issue now where i dropped it and the select button on top doesnt work anymore
Can I connect multiple liveviews to my phone?
I just bought 4 of them for $15 a pop !! Sweet
I know I can use it with torque which is cool
what else can I do with them? Can I run album art to it from say player pro? or Pocket Casts?
is there a decent list somewhere of "interesting" things you can do with the little buggers?
Hi, do someone know the dimensions of the battery, because i have one with death batt. and need a replacement.
nice mod! Based on the pictures I can see the battery size in case I need to replace it, by the way using notifications my watch last 2.5 days, using a plugin last only 30minutes or less
nerys71 said:
Can I connect multiple liveviews to my phone?
I know I can use it with torque which is cool
what else can I do with them? Can I run album art to it from say player pro? or Pocket Casts?
is there a decent list somewhere of "interesting" things you can do with the little buggers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 I just got one for $15, I wanna find some cool things I can do with it. What have you done to set yours up?
its a pain in the freaking butt. cool potential poor execution.
it constantly gets disconnected when something goes wrong ON THE DROID SIDE. terminating the app and relaunching it solves the problem for X period of time (few hours ??)
the most convenient access is also the worst designed. the watch band. YOU CAN NOT CHARGE IT WHILE IN THE WATCH BAND.
what freaking moron though that was a good idea to force us to remove it (VERY difficult) to charge it.
if the software bugs get worked out I may look into modding the stinking socket so I can charge it while in watch mode (thinking of RIVETING the case to the band) then I won't need the little watch pin thingy that is keeping me from charging it while its in the watch band.
and there is just not that many "cool" apps to use for it yet or the few out their are poorly executed.
how hard can it be to reliably push the freaking album art to the watch ?
nerys71 said:
its a pain in the freaking butt. cool potential poor execution.
it constantly gets disconnected when something goes wrong ON THE DROID SIDE. terminating the app and relaunching it solves the problem for X period of time (few hours ??)
the most convenient access is also the worst designed. the watch band. YOU CAN NOT CHARGE IT WHILE IN THE WATCH BAND.
what freaking moron though that was a good idea to force us to remove it (VERY difficult) to charge it.
if the software bugs get worked out I may look into modding the stinking socket so I can charge it while in watch mode (thinking of RIVETING the case to the band) then I won't need the little watch pin thingy that is keeping me from charging it while its in the watch band.
and there is just not that many "cool" apps to use for it yet or the few out their are poorly executed.
how hard can it be to reliably push the freaking album art to the watch ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brother....
For disconnect issue , install this app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ishii.app.liveviewcharm
Its really bad remove device all time from strap : (
Hope it help you
2 Generations of Liveviews
Just to be clear, there are 2 versions of this device floating about... The older one goes for around $20 and is not much more than a novelty... The newer model runs around $100 and seems to have fixed the battery life issue... One should look at the Pebble once it is available as a possible alternative...
openliveview
Drewmungus said:
+1 I just got one for $15, I wanna find some cool things I can do with it. What have you done to set yours up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I started creating a usable gui for the openliveview project. Theo openliveview project is an open source reimplementation Of the liveview app.
You van follow the development in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1422106&page=26
Note: you have to uninstall the liveview app bevore you van install openliveview
probbiethe1 said:
I have a liveview and i absolutely love it. I dont have any connection issues but i mostly just use it as a watch with out having it connected over bluetooth and the battery lasts for days when i do that. I do have an issue now where i dropped it and the select button on top doesnt work anymore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This might help you. It won't solve the issue of select button, but it'll help you read notifications.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=40041226
Where can you find one for 15 bucks? Even if it did nothing, I'd want it for 15 bucks, just to have as a key for my phone using tasker. I supposed I could get any old bluetooth headset, but I wanted something wearable.
jadenguy said:
Where can you find one for 15 bucks? Even if it did nothing, I'd want it for 15 bucks, just to have as a key for my phone using tasker. I supposed I could get any old bluetooth headset, but I wanted something wearable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, $15 is AWESOME!
$18 with Free shipping on ebay buy it now is the best price I can find so far.
I bought four of them and donated 2 to the local hackerspace.
Would be wicked to control more than one at once. I'm trying to find some chick to wear two as earrings.
Perhaps one controlled with Sony app and one Open Liveview App each for one mac address.
Contrary to earlier post, I seem to be able to have both Sony and Openliveview apps installed at once (though haven't tried RUNNING both) yet.
My battery life across the two that I've evaluated and (a third I lost to the ocean) seems significantly better than the average reported above.
But a LOT of variables have changed since the OP. New firmware, new app, new phone, new bt stack, new android versions...
My impression IIRC is that this thing is ROCK SOLID on CyanogenMod7 or CM9 on evo 3d.

Galaxy gear

Has anyone bought the galaxy gear and what are your thoughts about it?
Thanks in advance
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium HD app
I like it very much. Click the link below to see my full review based on 5-day usage:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2477229
I bought 2 of them but I'm going to be returning them. The microphone on the bottom is very uncomfortable when resting your arm on a table or desk. It also scratches terribly easily and quickly. The metal on the top of the watch also easily marks. The app to customize watch faces stops working or at least did for me after a couple days and I have read reports of it doing the same for other people. I had to move my gmail email to the Samsung email app and stop using the Gmail app because the watch does not correctly notify with any detail for the Gmail app. It also does not currently provide any detailed reporting for Facebook or Twitter or many other apps including hangouts. I had several instances of the speaker being very distorted during normal use especially when using s voice. I don't know what they were thinking by putting the speaker on the backside of the watch but I guess I should not be surprised given that is where they usually put the speaker on phones as well. Samsung does not seem to grasp what a speaker is 4. My wife had a lot of trouble with her gear recognizing her spoken commands.
When I actually used the feature I had decent results making and receiving phone calls via the watch. It also is very convenient for alerts about texts and email that comes into the Samsung email app. But not very useful for alerts for other apps. I got decent battery life in that using today as an example using the watch from 6 a.m. Until 10 a.m. The battery was at 70 percent when I took it off. I guess it depends on what you are looking for in the watch. Personally I have come to the decision that I need a watch that is more comfortable with a replaceable band and which is able to be used on more than just Samsung phones. I don't want my watch to be a factor when I pick what phone I want to use.
I was planning on buying 2 of them, but with the poor reviews regarding the lack of notification functionality and interoperability with my wife's S4, I've decided to wait and see.
I'd consider the Neptune Pine http://www.neptunepine.com or the Omate TrueSmart http://www.omate.com if either would function properly in a companion role with my Note 3 as well as their capability as an independent Android phone. I really don't want to have to swap SIMs or decide which phone is ringing- I need it to be seamless. Then I can leave my phone during strenuous or wet activities without missing calls, notifications or music.
Gear has a slightly better screen than either, but makes absolutely no use of it.
Please post in the sticky for other devices http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2466107 or the Galaxy Gear device forum http://forum.xda-developers.com/smartwatch/samsung-galaxy-gear

What am I supposed to do with this?

For the record I was an android user a few years ago, switched for an iPhone (not because I wanted) and after a year and a half I'm now Android.
So I bought Moto 360 and Moto G 2nd (since nexus 5 is out of stock) .
After receiving the package here I was thinking about all the cool stuff I can do with a Moto 360.
I planned to do:
- See what time it is without looking at my phone like a retard.
- See my heartbeat while I was running, I use RunKeeper so it would be cool to see the integration.
- See cool apps with this thing.
- Applying a sort-of pomodoro time technique into my work.
- Seeing all soft of reminders from the so called Google now cards.
- Unlocking my phone without writing a NSA-FBI-CIA security code since I am using a Moto 360 the phone could detect the proximity and unlock only by sliding the lock.
Reality check:
- I see what time it is like a normal dude looking at his wrist.
- My heartbeat? Yeah... give me 10 seconds "Ok google what's show me my heartbeat"
- Cool apps? There's a compass app that show you the north where's west... There's a stopwatch that resets to zero if I try to do anything else.
- Pomodoro technique.. There's an app that sorts of do that but I haven't try it yet (because I'm too busy configuring the 10001 options that each Android has)
- I think I'm seeing this although I've to be at my gym at 8:20 PM, it's 8:21PM so... thank you for the reminder.
- No how I was expecting, the device can still be unlocked if the watch is 5 meters away from the device.
Am I the only one that's getting this problems?
Sorry for any engrish mistakes but I have to run for the gym...
djx24 said:
For the record I was an android user a few years ago, switched for an iPhone (not because I wanted) and after a year and a half I'm now Android.
So I bought Moto 360 and Moto G 2nd (since nexus 5 is out of stock) .
After receiving the package here I was thinking about all the cool stuff I can do with a Moto 360.
I planned to do:
- See what time it is without looking at my phone like a retard.
- See my heartbeat while I was running, I use RunKeeper so it would be cool to see the integration.
- See cool apps with this thing.
- Applying a sort-of pomodoro time technique into my work.
- Seeing all soft of reminders from the so called Google now cards.
- Unlocking my phone without writing a NSA-FBI-CIA security code since I am using a Moto 360 the phone could detect the proximity and unlock only by sliding the lock.
Reality check:
- I see what time it is like a normal dude looking at his wrist.
- My heartbeat? Yeah... give me 10 seconds "Ok google what's show me my heartbeat"
- Cool apps? There's a compass app that show you the north where's west... There's a stopwatch that resets to zero if I try to do anything else.
- Pomodoro technique.. There's an app that sorts of do that but I haven't try it yet (because I'm too busy configuring the 10001 options that each Android has)
- I think I'm seeing this although I've to be at my gym at 8:20 PM, it's 8:21PM so... thank you for the reminder.
- No how I was expecting, the device can still be unlocked if the watch is 5 meters away from the device.
Am I the only one that's getting this problems?
Sorry for any engrish mistakes but I have to run for the gym...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks cool even with a black screen and people will compliment it and ask you about it. That is its best feature. Enjoy.
Droid9 said:
It looks cool even with a black screen and people will compliment it and ask you about it. That is its best feature. Enjoy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, don't get me wrong. The hardware is OK! The software is bad designed. Moto had the opportunity to be one of the firsts to have this hardware. When Apple Watch gets out it will be absurd to see, once again, Apple gaining popularity.
djx24 said:
yeah, don't get me wrong. The hardware is OK! The software is bad designed. Moto had the opportunity to be one of the firsts to have this hardware. When Apple Watch gets out it will be absurd to see, once again, Apple gaining popularity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well first of all the hardware is not just OK its by far the best on the market period. Apple's is SQUARE and looks terrible. Only round watches are cool, dumb or smart, so Apple missed the boat big time. Also its not Moto that missed the boat, they didn't really design any of the software, its Google/Android that did. And that will change. But my opinion is who cares? I own the watch and I have to admit its a useless item I never use for anything, not even telling the time. Apple will not succeeded either. It's just not a needed item... kind of like 3D TVs. But its cool to have for now.
Enjoy.
I pretty much got this watch because it looks sweet. I will say having notifications on your wrist is very handy especially when working out not having to lug around a huge phone and washing dishes..things of that sort. But honestly if it didn't look so sweet and futuristic I would never have bought one. I paid $130 for mine so for me a new time piece along with notifications on my wrist is worth the cost. All this extra unreliable stuff it has I could really care less for. I think android wear still needs work even though it is improving. I'm anxious to see what the next gen moto360 brings though.
Success100 said:
I pretty much got this watch because it looks sweet. I will say having notifications on your wrist is very handy especially when working out not having to lug around a huge phone and washing dishes..things of that sort. But honestly if it didn't look so sweet and futuristic I would never have bought one. I paid $130 for mine so for me a new time piece along with notifications on my wrist is worth the cost. All this extra unreliable stuff it has I could really care less for. I think android wear still needs work even though it is improving. I'm anxious to see what the next gen moto360 brings though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My problem with the notifications is they are still silly because you cant be more than 10 feet away from your phone to get them. 90% of the time my phone is in my pocket and I feel it vibrate first and then the watch 2nd. And I never reply on the watch, I mean come on guys how many of you are really walking around saying "OK Google..." to your watch... its awkward, embarrassing, and just doesn't even work very well in almost all situations because of other noise. The voice thing is almost pure novelty and always will be, for Apple too. And I don't think I would ever want to type on my watch even if I could. This is just not a practical, needed device for 99% of the us and in 99% of the situations.
I guess if it had its own data plan so you could leave your phone at home and just use the watch for everything that might help... but would any of you really want to do that??
Success100 said:
I pretty much got this watch because it looks sweet. I will say having notifications on your wrist is very handy especially when working out not having to lug around a huge phone and washing dishes..things of that sort. But honestly if it didn't look so sweet and futuristic I would never have bought one. I paid $130 for mine so for me a new time piece along with notifications on my wrist is worth the cost. All this extra unreliable stuff it has I could really care less for. I think android wear still needs work even though it is improving. I'm anxious to see what the next gen moto360 brings though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you get a Moto 360 for $130? Used?
I tell people this, is it a have to have Necessity? Absolutely not! But I do find it useful.
I always tell people one particular story which to me, highlights the usefulness of this device.
The second day of owning this watch, my phone was upstairs charging, because it accidentally didn't plugged in correctly the night before. I was downstairs doing my end of the month Quickbooks. All of the sudden I hear my phone go off upstairs telling me that I had a new text message. My first thought is "ah crap, I wonder what that message was" .. but then ... Bzzzzzz .. my watched buzzed on my wrist.
I looked at my wrist and I saw I had a text from a girl I know who works at the local grocery store. She said "We have 3 different types of lettuces for 98 cents."
So then I swiped over and said (with my voice) "Thanks for the heads". BOOM! Done. I was like THAT is so sweet!
...
I also love the Android wear aware app, that when you leave your phone at home or in a public place, once you get far enough away, your wrist goes nuts telling you you left your phone behind.
One day I was backing out of my driveway. I made it to the street when all of the sudden my wrist started buzzing with a red picture of a phone with a line through it on my watch, telling me I left it inside.
google play music controls
chromecast controls
calendar notifications
you can just double-tap to open voice control. i hate saying "ok google"
google now cards
I'm a heavy user of google services so I find it useful
xRogerxC said:
How did you get a Moto 360 for $130? Used?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there was a guy in my area selling a batch of them for $130 a piece. they were probably stolen lol
Droid9 said:
My problem with the notifications is they are still silly because you cant be more than 10 feet away from your phone to get them. 90% of the time my phone is in my pocket and I feel it vibrate first and then the watch 2nd. And I never reply on the watch, I mean come on guys how many of you are really walking around saying "OK Google..." to your watch... its awkward, embarrassing, and just doesn't even work very well in almost all situations because of other noise. The voice thing is almost pure novelty and always will be, for Apple too. And I don't think I would ever want to type on my watch even if I could. This is just not a practical, needed device for 99% of the us and in 99% of the situations.
I guess if it had its own data plan so you could leave your phone at home and just use the watch for everything that might help... but would any of you really want to do that??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i disagree. like I said sometimes it is much more convenient for instance when I'm working out to not have to whip out my phone to even SEE who it is and if its even worth responding. Or if I leave my phone downstairs by mistake its still nice to get the notification. Plus Like I said, the watch looks sweet so I never feel like I'm being some uber geek by wearing it even its just to get notifications. I can get notifications clear on the opposite side of the gym so I don't have that 10 foot issue. There are also other sms apps like coffee you can get where you don't have to talk to your wrist. that works very well.
At the end of the day if it doesn't work for you just sell it
bulbouscorm said:
google play music controls
chromecast controls
calendar notifications
you can just double-tap to open voice control. i hate saying "ok google"
google now cards
I'm a heavy user of google services so I find it useful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Responding with voice on chat message from my daughter's is awesome when driving
Responding via voice can actually be more discreet than pulling out the phone. I've found that I can put the watch up near my mouth and talk quietly enough that the person sitting next to me can't hear me. I've responded to messages in movie theaters without anyone knowing, not something I could do with my phone.
Droid9 said:
My problem with the notifications is they are still silly because you cant be more than 10 feet away from your phone to get them. 90% of the time my phone is in my pocket and I feel it vibrate first and then the watch 2nd. And I never reply on the watch, I mean come on guys how many of you are really walking around saying "OK Google..." to your watch... its awkward, embarrassing, and just doesn't even work very well in almost all situations because of other noise. The voice thing is almost pure novelty and always will be, for Apple too. And I don't think I would ever want to type on my watch even if I could. This is just not a practical, needed device for 99% of the us and in 99% of the situations.
I guess if it had its own data plan so you could leave your phone at home and just use the watch for everything that might help... but would any of you really want to do that??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've jumped in at the wrong point I think - I'll be honest the only reason I have one is because I'm a bit of a geek and wanted to be able to say to my grandkids "I was one of the first..." It'll be interesting to see how the Apple Watch pans out, right now it looks like it's just going to be a fashion accessory (hey isn't that what all Apples are though..) (he types into this macbook).
As for the voice thing, I use it all the time. I get some funny looks but most of the time (especially amongst 30+ year old people) I tend to get looks of amazement and often "did you really just talk to your watch?" type statements. My biggest gripe with it is that if my phone is within listening distance, it too starts to do what I've asked it, which is pretty annoying. Google had the foresight to "mute phone when android wear device is connected" but not to stop listening when I'm talking to my watch..?
Other than that, it's a complete gimmick, all be it a pretty one. I do get more use out of notifications on my wrist than I thought I would, and having something on my person that auto locks/unlocks my mac and phone is pretty sweet, but beyond that... Also, somewhat annoyingly, I have an app that's supposed to buzz if it disconnects from my phone/tablet. Fool be me. I lost my tablet on a train (totally my fault but still)
I've all but given up on the heartbeat sensor too, it really doesn't like sweat.
When the first mobiles out market, long time ago there was no people talking with a mobile on the street and most people feel that this was embarrassing... But today it's normal to call on streets... Same happens with moto 360 in near future say ok Google or tell something to the watch will be normal... We ar pioneers... It is cool to reply a menssage while driving, or make a call while you are driving without taking the phone... It is cool to receive notifications on moto... But if someone feel that moto is not cool much better to sell it than wear it and complain...
About the embrasing stuff my friends are already used to it and find it cool! It is a great convorsatiom starter and just resopning with voice when in class is amazing (phone's are forbidden in class) so why do you care to get straigers looking at you like wuth is he doing? You will never see them again so there is no problem for me.
And it is amazing to withness the growth of a new kind of technologie I love every update to see what they inproved

[Q] Thinking of buying a Sony Smartwatch 3 and i need your feedback!

I am seriously debating getting myself a Sony Smartwatch 3, but my usage scenario is rather peculiar/complicated, therefore i really need your help.
First of all, let me tell you that i have had many smartwatches in the past, but never so far an Android Wear device.
My main phone is an iPhone 6 Plus and it shall remain my main phone. I also have an Android device handy at most times (right now it is a Galaxy K Zoom).
XDA member @MohammadAG has already demonstrated (but not yet released) his method for sending iOS notifications over to Android Wear and i have seen in some tech sites that an official Google solution might possibly come in the future.
Let me now tell you what my main usage case will be:
I have a BT 4.0 HR strap (from Wahoo) and i want to connect it to the watch and use it to monitor my HR while jogging. My health condition requires a rather careful monitoring of my HR so that it does not deviate from a certain comfort zone while exercising.
I have already seen there is a thread where people are discussing about this. However, i would be obliged if someone could certify that the Smartwatch 3 would work with a Wahoo HR strap while recording the route via GPS. Of course i need this to be happening while the Watch is offline - not connected to a phone. Can it also play music via BT at the same time?
I could instead purchase a dedicated sports watch, but:
a) I find them ugly
b) They are too big
c) They do nothing more
What do you think? Would the Smartwatch 3 work in this usage scenario?
Would you recommend the rubber one or the metal one?
Thank you very much in advance.
As long as your android device is 4.3 or later, you should be good to go. Someone in another thread said their wahoo tickr works fine. All btle HRMs seem to be working.
https://support.google.com/androidwear/answer/6056401?hl=en
Thank you sir. Any comments about the GPS accuracy?
Mine is accurate, im using runkeeper, I run without smartphone. ...booom what a feeling
@supac Are you also using a BLE HR strap at the same time? Does Runkeeper on the watch show the HR rate on screen ?
No iPhone and no HR device on Wear watch
I've seen a big deterioration on the GPS on mine, not in accuracy but in position lock. I only use mine for running nowadays so it's powered off mostly and I never get a GPS lock the first attempt. I have to first connect it to my phone, then go near a window, try to get GPS sync, then when I do I can disconnect the phone and go out running. Too much of a hassle IMO. I think the watch needs daily communication with a phone i.e. internet to have a properly working GPS. My guess is it needs to update the GPS data frequently.
gidi said:
Thank you sir. Any comments about the GPS accuracy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very accurate when it's connected to my Xperia Z3. I used it with my tablet before I got the phone and can say its a little lame without the portability of a phone, as well as data usage. I love Sony, and I'll say go support them, but if you're dum- very determined on using an iPhone then why not get Apple's shinanigans. I was debating between this and a Garmin 920xt and it was basically deciding between a milkshake and a smoothie.
I'm too consider this watch to replace my motoactv. But problem is I'm using iPhone even though I owned an android tablet. [emoji4]
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
My experience
I use the SW3 with a RHYTHM+ BT HRM and LG BT headphones and so run with no phone - GPS, music and heart rate tracking all through the watch. I use the Ghostracer app which has very customizable wear screens, and I have HR showing there. It also uploads seamlessly to Strava once I reconnect the phone.
The GPS accuracy is not as good as my old garmin, but it is better than my Samsung S5 in a waist strap (i.e., before I switched to just the watch)
Top tip, turn off the phone bluetooth before you start. The wear needs to be disconnected before it will work in standalone mode for the run.
Biggest downside? No audible feedback from the running apps yet. So no lap pace, time etc. But then again, the data is right on your wrist.
With my set up the watch battery dies at approx 30% an hour. So if you are running a marathon, better step it up!
Verizon has the watch for $199 - no need to use their cell service to order.
Oh - and in summary - YES, totally recommend it. Best thing since my MotoActv, and it means i can keep my phone in my pocket during the day where it belongs. Not to mention other cool apps, like one that will analyze your golf swing.
gidi said:
@supac Are you also using a BLE HR strap at the same time? Does Runkeeper on the watch show the HR rate on screen ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No hr strap...but I read that they do work. Planning to by one
---------- Post added at 08:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:52 AM ----------
mertzi said:
I've seen a big deterioration on the GPS on mine, not in accuracy but in position lock. I only use mine for running nowadays so it's powered off mostly and I never get a GPS lock the first attempt. I have to first connect it to my phone, then go near a window, try to get GPS sync, then when I do I can disconnect the phone and go out running. Too much of a hassle IMO. I think the watch needs daily communication with a phone i.e. internet to have a properly working GPS. My guess is it needs to update the GPS data frequently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tip: it takes about 40 seconds for a cold lock. Start your app outside, do stretches then start running.
supac said:
No hr strap...but I read that they do work. Planning to by one
---------- Post added at 08:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:52 AM ----------
Tip: it takes about 40 seconds for a cold lock. Start your app outside, do stretches then start running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It used to but not any longer. The last time, before I started doing what I described, I waited for 5+ minutes without a lock. On that occasion the watch had been powered off for 2 weeks and not synced with my phone. So I went home, synced to my phone and then I got a lock within a minute. That's why I'm convinced the watch relies on some kind of A-GPS solution and needs access to the internet frequently to work properly.
I bought a Smartwatch 3 when they first came out; primarily because I wanted a simple heart rate monitor, but as I could get the Sony for not much more and perhaps get some additional functionality I thought it would be good to try. In the end though, I never did find a simple heart rate monitor application which I was satisfied with so 2 weeks ago I bought a Polar M400. This works superbly as a heart rate monitor and activity tracker, has a very good (albeit monochrome) display and also has a built-in GPS. In the 2 weeks I've has it, the battery indicator as gone down to a little over half, so I expect the battery to last 3 or 4 weeks.
Of course, the Polar doesn't give me notifications and I can't play flappy bird on it or talk to it, but Polar have announced that they will release an update which will enable it to show notifications and this is the only thing which I would in any way want anyway. Overall, this should be a good compromise for me as long as the battery life doesn't suffer too much. I'll probably sell my Sony and perhaps get another real smart watch when the battery life and apps have improved. In my opinion, Android Wear could have captured a good part of the sport watch market if it would have included a good fitness app right from the start.
-Mark.
guyoutred said:
Verizon has the watch for $199 - no need to use their cell service to order.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. I went in there on my lunch break with my T-Mobile clothes and name tag on and they sold it to me. (No, I don't have an account with VZW! [emoji13] )
I love mine. I had the Moto 360 and G Watch R beforehand, but I really like the square, TFT screen of the Smartwatch 3.
swbf2lord said:
Yup. I went in there on my lunch break with my T-Mobile clothes and name tag on and they sold it to me. (No, I don't have an account with VZW! [emoji13] )
I love mine. I had the Moto 360 and G Watch R beforehand, but I really like the square, TFT screen of the Smartwatch 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The TFT screen is amazing! So many sites would knock it for it, but it's very impressive tech. Yes, it doesn't have the best colors like other watches but the best part of it is that I can ALWAYS see the time even with having the screen off. So battery life is very good on this watch. That is perfect for a watch and why I chose the Sony SW 3.
So the current deal on the Google Store is $50 off and $50 Google play credit, so a net $150. I would rather have the metal version, bit I think this may be too good of a deal. Any clue why Google only sells the silicon version?
brizey said:
So the current deal on the Google Store is $50 off and $50 Google play credit, so a net $150. I would rather have the metal version, bit I think this may be too good of a deal. Any clue why Google only sells the silicon version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Think its the main version available everywhere. I think the metal version is very limited.
Sent from my SM-N910V using XDA Free mobile app
tu3218 said:
Think its the main version available everywhere. I think the metal version is very limited.
Sent from my SM-N910V using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, like pretty much unavailable limited here in the US, lol. I can't find anywhere but Ebay mark up trolls that have it, and most are in the Russian Federation.
It looks amazing, you should definitely buy it.
My experience is the same as guyoutred. I use it with a Mio Link BTLE HRM and Motorola S11-HD BT heaphones while running. Ghostracer is the way to go, also wish it had audible updates and autolaps. GPS was dead-on today, but yesterday (cloudy, rainy) it tracked my run but had my position move south several miles then back again. Showed me with a 2min/mile pace.
I'm using the Walkman app for music, tried the Wear Music app but it was very cumbersome. This bad boy has now turned into the perfect replacement for my old MotoActv. Too bad it took this long for a company to satisfy this demand.

Can someone please try to pursuade me to get a smartwatch?

I always thought of it as the middle man. At times I dont see the point of owning one. Maybe its the thrill of using it like gadget from inspector gadget
teknoflipp said:
I always thought of it as the middle man. At times I dont see the point of owning one. Maybe its the thrill of using it like gadget from inspector gadget
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has it's niche. I use it with an app to document my blood sugars without having to pull out my phone or even be near my phone (wifi), also I use it with my Ford Sync to call without having to push the buttons on the steering when to make the call ( a 2 step process). I just say "Ok Google, call ..." and the phone dials and Ford Sync automatically picks it up. Also, I can view my texts when I'm with patients without having to pull my phone out. Many, many other uses for me.
teknoflipp said:
I always thought of it as the middle man. At times I dont see the point of owning one. Maybe its the thrill of using it like gadget from inspector gadget
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not a thrill, its a useful tool.
I rarely speak into my watch, but when i do its at an invaluable moment.. (like while driving, or if i have my hands full with kids or shopping or whatever)
It saves on phone battery use, due to the ability to respond or dismiss notifications quickly from my wrist .
It has been great for sleep tracking..
Its brilliant in the kitchen.. setting timers vocally with dirty hands etc...
It has been great for changing music tracks and volume when I'm in the garage with greasy hands
I could go on...
Don't buy it. Don't know where wear is heading but for now is pretty useless. Of you just need notifications go for Nabu razer.
Also the battery in this thing is ridiculous. GPS is erratic (one of the reasons I bought it for). I may sell it and get the Nabu which comes at half the price
Buy it, not that expensive so it's not a massive waste if you don't end up using it fully.
I use it for running without my phone and listening to music whilst doing so using Bluetooth headphones and it has really helped, not having to take a phone out with me means I can wear lighter running gear.
I like the way it tracks my steps even if I don't take my phone out with me (although Google Fit needs a lot of improving) and the ability to see notifications whilst keeping my phone in my pocket is invaluable when in meetings etc.
I don't speak into it much really, but could see the advantage in kitchens/cars etc.
jockefc23 said:
Buy it, not that expensive so it's not a massive waste if you don't end up using it fully.
I use it for running without my phone and listening to music whilst doing so using Bluetooth headphones and it has really helped, not having to take a phone out with me means I can wear lighter running gear.
I like the way it tracks my steps even if I don't take my phone out with me (although Google Fit needs a lot of improving) and the ability to see notifications whilst keeping my phone in my pocket is invaluable when in meetings etc.
I don't speak into it much really, but could see the advantage in kitchens/cars etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it costs 186 euro. so it is a massive waste of money. gps is stopping tracking on its own. nabu and its fitness trackng does it better at half the price and fully notifications

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