Alternatrives to the Apple Smart watch

[Seymour Butts]

Can't imagine why anyone would want a smart watch - other than perhaps the Samsung in this bunch, but as for the Apple, total waste of money - No GPS and cannot operate without being tethered to a smart phone. Seems a bit of a wast of time to me.

[peteramjet]

While I wouldn't get one of these myself it is the most appropriate watch 'option' for those with Apple iPhones. Watches made for Android variants simple don't connect correctly or fully with iPhones.

As the Apple iPhone is still by far the biggest selling mobile phone on the market I would expect the Apple watches to sell like hot cakes.

Why most people actually need one is another issue

[admin]

Can't imagine why anyone would want a smart watch - other than perhaps the Samsung in this bunch, but as for the Apple, total waste of money - No GPS and cannot operate without being tethered to a smart phone. Seems a bit of a wast of time to me.

I also cannot see the fascination. If it has to be tethered to a phone, whats the point ?

[ol' boy]

While I wouldn't get one of these myself it is the most appropriate watch 'option' for those with Apple iPhones. Watches made for Android variants simple don't connect correctly or fully with iPhones.

As the Apple iPhone is still by far the biggest selling mobile phone on the market I would expect the Apple watches to sell like hot cakes.

Why most people actually need one is another issue

Yep, peteramjet is on the money.
They have built a world wide captive market... Now.... what else can we sell them
I'd suggest you'd only need 20-30% of all iPhone users to purchase the watch and you'd have a monumental revenue stream

[lsemmens]

You have to charge the thing up every night, just like your phone. Sorry, I don't see the value. I have hardly worn a watch in years with the advent of smart phones.

[Uncle Fester]

I bought this in september last year, but only for $49 (AU$ must have has lost value since then ):



I find it was $50 well spent, because unlike the Apple Watch it is also an independent phone that I can use while I keep both hands on what ever I am building and or on the handle bars of my pushbike (yes I do exercise occasionally) and don't have to worry about lugging a huge 5.5" phone that could fall out of my sport pants.
The telephone audio is surprisingly clear, I don't need to hold it up to my head, also works in the car with both hands on the wheel.
The camera sucks (640x480) and the display is not retina quality but I don't need that. I like being able to see the time in total darkness and the a couple of the clock faces are not that bad.
Of course it is a gimmick having the tiniest mobile phone, but a cool one. Something that brings back childhood memories (1960's) of my spy club, when I was trying to build (wired) telephones in matchboxes. Agent 86's shoe phone ...pffft.
BTW video between a tethered phone in another room and this watch is also possible.

[lsemmens]

Now that might be worth investigating, thanks nomeat.

[Seymour Butts]

While I wouldn't get one of these myself it is the most appropriate watch 'option' for those with Apple iPhones. Watches made for Android variants simple don't connect correctly or fully with iPhones.

As the Apple iPhone is still by far the biggest selling mobile phone on the market I would expect the Apple watches to sell like hot cakes.

Why most people actually need one is another issue

I know it depends where you look, but I feel I should take you to task on your statement that Apple is the No1 seller

[peptide]

Iv had my Moto360 for about 6 months now.
I got it as a toy/gadget, but now I find it hard to leave the house without it...

At work or in meetings I dont need to take my phone out of my pocket. If I get an email or msg, I can just glance at my wrist and see if its important or not.
While driving I have my phone navigate as well as stream music to my stereo. I can leave the phone in my pocket. The watch has popup directions while the voice navigation fades in. And I have a full set of music controls on my wrist.
I dont often use the voice actions. But while driving I can dictate text msgs etc, if need be.

I see it as a second screen for my phone. I use it for quick glances at small bits of information. I dont run many full apps on it. So, not being "stand alone" is not an issue.
I figure, if I want to read a whole email or watch a video etc, Il just get my phone out. But the watch is good for the quick stuff.

It takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge and lasts me over 2 days. It drains about 40% a day, then I let it charge back up to 90% while im in the shower before work. Perfect!

Also, Android-Wear watches will work with any Android phone (with 4.1 -up, I think). Android = about 80% market share. Apple is not #1..


This is just my experience. I find my smartwatch very very usefull. (and the Moto360 actually looks like a watch!)

Peace.

[peteramjet]

I know it depends where you look, but I feel I should take you to task on your statement that Apple is the No1 seller

My statement was correct. The Apple iPhone is by far the biggest seller.

Samsung (as a make) certainly produce more phones, but that includes all their smartphones. No individual Samsung model (nor any other make/model) sells more than the iPhone.

[loanrangiel]

My statement was correct. The Apple iPhone is by far the biggest seller.

Samsung (as a make) certainly produce more phones, but that includes all their smartphones. No individual Samsung model (nor any other make/model) sells more than the iPhone.

Thats a technicality since crapple only make 1 model of phone, ok 2 since the 6 came out.

[peteramjet]

Thats a technicality since crapple only make 1 model of phone, ok 2 since the 6 came out.

Not a technicality at all. The statement was about the iPhone (ie model) not 'Apple' (ie make). The iPhone is the biggest seller - not the Galaxy nor any other model, be it a Samsung or otherwise.

[admin]

As much as Apple is a well defined brand, they only have X amount of market share in which to sell Apple Watches.

In 2014, sales of smartphones worldwide topped 1.2 billion, which is up 28% from 2013. Android's market share (measured by units shipment) rose from 33.2% in Q4 2011 to 78.1% of the market in Q4 2013.

It will be interesting to see if Smart watches catch on.

[peteramjet]

As much as Apple is a well defined brand, they only have X amount of market share in which to sell Apple Watches.

In 2014, sales of smartphones worldwide topped 1.2 billion, which is up 28% from 2013. Android's market share (measured by units shipment) rose from 33.2% in Q4 2011 to 78.1% of the market in Q4 2013.

It will be interesting to see if Smart watches catch on.

Indeed - but not all Android based watches work with all Android phones, making the total market share of Android a pretty mute point.

Essentially each Android smartwatch is made for a specific make/model of phone - a Samsung Gear smartwatch will only work with a Samsung Galaxy phone and won't work with a cheapo $50 piece of crap just because it runs Android. It's no different to the Apple Watch being made solely for the Apple iPhone.

Smartwatch makers such as Pebble, Garmin, etc who don't restrict their watches to a specific phone OS would be the exception really.