Alternatives to Apple Watch

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I would not either, but I don't see a need for a watch that needs a data plan. None of them offer me a feature that is need or want.

I would only be interested in something like the Gear S, if it actually shared the same number as the phone. That's the huge drawback IMO. For now, I'm more than happy with my Gear 2 Neo.

 

[bmac4]

I would only be interested in something like the Gear S, if it actually shared the same number as the phone. That's the huge drawback IMO. For now, I'm more than happy with my Gear 2 Neo.

Yeah I agree. I don't need two phone numbers. Makes no good sense to me.

 

[vikingjunior]

I was just curious when you used the feature? It was a feature that looked cool in principal, but I don't think I would use it much. I would not be using it in public at all, so that kind of limits the feature for me.

Yes the Apple watch needs the iphone connected but it worked really well and would be useful in my life, it's the only thing I liked about the Apple watch. Otherwise it was gimmicky and restricted typical Apple so I'm looking to go back to Android were it all started for me, let's just say the grass is not always greener.

 

[bmac4]

Yes the Apple watch needs the iphone connected but it worked really well and would be useful in my life, it's the only thing I liked about the Apple watch. Otherwise it was gimmicky and restricted typical Apple so I'm looking to go back to Android were it all started for me, let's just say the grass is not always greener.

I am thinking of going back the other way. I started with the iPhone, and I really miss my 6+. I am just really like the Moto 360, and I don't know if android wear will ever get put on iOS. I am thinking about maybe getting the AW just because I want a nice smartwatch

 

[Lloydbm41]

I think his point is the Apple Watch's straps are quite easily changed in a matter of seconds. Nobody is going to sit down with a watch tool to constantly swap out bands on the Moto 360 or LG G Watches. I have a handful of mechanical watches but each is geared towards certain types of attire--nicer designs and bands for more formal attire and more rugged designs with plastic/rubber type bands for active times. The Apple Watch lets the same watch easily be adapted to these different situations.

Just used Moto Maker for my 360. Went ahead and pulled the trigger. $179 is a great deal.

 

[tbayrgs]

I am thinking of going back the other way. I started with the iPhone, and I really miss my 6+. I am just really like the Moto 360, and I don't know if android wear will ever get put on iOS. I am thinking about maybe getting the AW just because I want a nice smartwatch

Sit tight a bit longer bmac, let the Apple Watch honeymoon subside and wait for some honest long term evaluations. I'm still waiting for my watch but have been using my wife's the last couple days to get acclimated. There are some very good elements but some aspects just isn't quite ready for primetime, primarily the third party apps (some are nice, some are trash, all take a while to load). Considering current apps are just app extensions from the phone (basically similar to Today widgets), this isn't too surprising.

I don't want to pass any judgements yet as I'm still getting familiar with it. Initial gut reaction--it's pretty good. More to come...

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Just used Moto Maker for my 360. Went ahead and pulled the trigger. $179 is a great deal.

I'm thinking about it but I really don't like the design--looks like a hockey puck sitting on top of the band. And the flat tire display doesn't both some but my eye is drawn to it every time i look at it.

I think I'm going to hold out to see if the G Watch R does get the wifi update or not. If anything, the 360 will get even cheaper as time goes on.

Question: Anyone know if the Urbane is shipping with the new Wear update or will receive it later?

 

[Lloydbm41]

Sit tight a bit longer bmac, let the Apple Watch honeymoon subside and wait for some honest long term evaluations. I'm still waiting for my watch but have been using my wife's the last couple days to get acclimated. There are some very good elements but some aspects just isn't quite ready for primetime, primarily the third party apps (some are nice, some are trash, all take a while to load). Considering current apps are just app extensions from the phone (basically similar to Today widgets), this isn't too surprising.

I don't want to pass any judgements yet as I'm still getting familiar with it. Initial gut reaction--it's pretty good. More to come...

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I'm thinking about it but I really don't like the design--looks like a hockey puck sitting on top of the band. And the flat tire display doesn't both some but my eye is drawn to it every time i look at it.

I think I'm going to hold out to see if the G Watch R does get the wifi update or not. If anything, the 360 will get even cheaper as time goes on.

Question: Anyone know if the Urbane is shipping with the new Wear update or will receive it later?

From what I have read, it doesn't ship with it, but as soon as you turn it on, you are prompted to update.

And the flat tire doesn't bother me. I'll be using black watch faces, so it won't be seen. The puck look is kind of bothersome, but just found a website that allows you to add on quick release extenders for $38. Makes the watch look more normal.
http://steelconnect.co

Moto 360 link: http://www.steelconnect.co/M-1-8-0-Brushed-Stainless-Steel-p/scm180-bm.htm

 

[bmac4]

Sit tight a bit longer bmac, let the Apple Watch honeymoon subside and wait for some honest long term evaluations. I'm still waiting for my watch but have been using my wife's the last couple days to get acclimated. There are some very good elements but some aspects just isn't quite ready for primetime, primarily the third party apps (some are nice, some are trash, all take a while to load). Considering current apps are just app extensions from the phone (basically similar to Today widgets), this isn't too surprising.

I don't want to pass any judgements yet as I'm still getting familiar with it. Initial gut reaction--it's pretty good. More to come...

----------



I'm thinking about it but I really don't like the design--looks like a hockey puck sitting on top of the band. And the flat tire display doesn't both some but my eye is drawn to it every time i look at it.

I think I'm going to hold out to see if the G Watch R does get the wifi update or not. If anything, the 360 will get even cheaper as time goes on.

Question: Anyone know if the Urbane is shipping with the new Wear update or will receive it later?

Thanks tbayrgs. I pulled the trigger on the AW. I just want my iPhone back. I don't see android wear coming to iOS, and I think I could get use to AW. If I hate it I will return it. I got the SS with blue leather loop.

 

[tbayrgs]

Thanks tbayrgs. I pulled the trigger on the AW. I just want my iPhone back. I don't see android wear coming to iOS, and I think I could get use to AW. If I hate it I will return it. I got the SS with blue leather loop.

Most early takes I've heard from those who've previously used Android Wear is that the AW doesn't really do much different, outside of some quirky features (the animated emoji, sending your heartbeat, drawing pictures). That's not saying it's bad, just not some new revolutionary device. Siri and voice dictation seem to be better than on the iPhone but that could just be all in my head (though others have made the same comment) and I was surprised at how good and experience taking a call on my AW was--didn't need to hold the watch up to my face, speaker output was louder than I expected, wife said she could hear me just fine with my hands on the desk. I could see this being next to useless in noisy or public places but worked just fine in my office and out at the dog park.

 

[bmac4]

Most early takes I've heard from those who've previously used Android Wear is that the AW doesn't really do much different, outside of some quirky features (the animated emoji, sending your heartbeat, drawing pictures). That's not saying it's bad, just not some new revolutionary device. Siri and voice dictation seem to be better than on the iPhone but that could just be all in my head (though others have made the same comment) and I was surprised at how good and experience taking a call on my AW was--didn't need to hold the watch up to my face, speaker output was louder than I expected, wife said she could hear me just fine with my hands on the desk. I could see this being next to useless in noisy or public places but worked just fine in my office and out at the dog park.

Yeah I figured it was just a different way getting the same task done. The only reason I ordered it was because I want to go back to my iPhone. I don't think it's any better if a watch (I love my Moto 360), but it's really the only thing that works on iOS that worth buying. I am looking forward to getting it though. It just may take a really long time

 

[Aniseedvan]

I've had my vivoactive for over a month now, and it's OK for me. A thinner watch, battery life of a week+ in smart watch mode. I'm telling myself that not being able to act on notifications from it is OK, but I've been running notifications on my wrist (fenix 1, vivosmart, then VA) for over a year, and that is what I'd like to do next. I'm trying to wait out to v2 of the apple watch. My biggest annoyance of the VA is the BT range. it constantly buzzes in my house complaining about losing the connection. vivosmart owners have been complaining since it came out it should be a user configurable option; and I don't believe it will be. the apps so far are very fitness focused; the tempo app demoed is still in the works. It's very tempting to spring for the apple watch when you have things like workflow on there (my favourite app right now).

 

[vikingjunior]

I would only be interested in something like the Gear S, if it actually shared the same number as the phone. That's the huge drawback IMO. For now, I'm more than happy with my Gear 2 Neo.

I agree this is where the Apple Watch shines it's sad there is not one Smartwatch that will do this.

 

[Technarchy]

I actually picked up a Gear Fit today, but not really as an alternative to Apple Watch.

I just wanted a mostly simple fitness tracker that was inexpensive but still capable of passing on notifications, tracking my heart rate in real time when desired, and controlling music tracks and device volume.

It was only $99+ tax, and it has pretty good battery life at 3-5 days per charge.

Works quite well at what it does thus far.

 

[gotluck]

I agree this is where the Apple Watch shines it's sad there is not one Smartwatch that will do this.

The gear s is a cellular watch, how does the aw compete with that? Can receive phone calls when tethered to the phone you mean? I thought all android wear devices could do that

Edit: ah I see, not all android wear watches seem to have speakers.

 

[vikingjunior]

The gear s is a cellular watch, how does the aw compete with that? Can receive phone calls when tethered to the phone you mean? I thought all android wear devices could do that

Edit: ah I see, not all android wear watches seem to have speakers.

Also the gear s is made for Samsung phones and has Tizen OS. No android wear watch do what AW does.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Also the gear s is made for Samsung phones and has Tizen OS. No android wear watch do what AW does.

LG Urbane with the LG Call app appears to?

Still don't see the appeal to this, but better to have the option than not.

 

[gotluck]

Also the gear s is made for Samsung phones and has Tizen OS. No android wear watch do what AW does.

What exactly is it that you are talking about though? Receiving calls from the tethered phone on the watch?

I keep hearing Apple watch has unique features but I can't figure out what they are, aside from haptic / force touch.

I believe the lg urbane with android wear does indeed do that like Lloyd said

 

[tbayrgs]

What exactly is it that you are talking about though? Receiving calls from the tethered phone on the watch?

I keep hearing Apple watch has unique features but I can't figure out what they are, aside from haptic / force touch.

I believe the lg urbane with android wear does indeed do that like Lloyd said

I haven't used Android Wear yet but from everything I've read, both Watch OS and Android Wear seem to offer pretty much the same functionality on their respective platforms, including their own gimmicks (heartbeats, drawing, emoji GIF on the Apple Watch, drawing emoji on Android Wear). I am intrigued by the remote wifi functionality offered by Android Wear in the latest version of the OS and may eventually pick up a Wear watch to test that out specifically.

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LG Urbane with the LG Call app appears to?

Still don't see the appeal to this, but better to have the option than not.

This feature has been surprisingly useful for me on a few occasions. I was able to speak to my wife while out with the dogs at a dog park (not an ideal location to be handling my phone 😉), again while walking the dogs and also around the house a few times because I don't need to carry my phone with me while wearing the watch. Callers have said they can hear me just fine and in none of those situations did I need to hold my wrist up to my face.

I won't use it out in busier public locations but it has certainly been useful.

 

[vikingjunior]

What exactly is it that you are talking about though? Receiving calls from the tethered phone on the watch?

I keep hearing Apple watch has unique features but I can't figure out what they are, aside from haptic / force touch.

I believe the lg urbane with android wear does indeed do that like Lloyd said

OK the LG Urbane w/ the LG app will enable you to make a call but you have take the call on your phone and not on the watch. Some of the Samsung Watches do allow you to actually have a conversation on the watch again those watches are compatible with Samsung phones and run Tizen OS.
The AW also allowed calls on the actually watch and it work flawlessly which got me hooked but everything else about the watch I didn't like actually I'm fed up with Apple in general so I just got in on the Moto x and SOL headphone deal for $399 and didn't pull the trigger on the 360 because it didn't have the calls on watch feature.

Now LG is coming out with LTE urbane but the calling on the watch requires a SIM card and plan and being sold by carriers. Now who the heck wants that I would only use it the way AW has it through my existing phone.

So I'm hoping Motorola comes out with something similar to AW in which you can carry a phone conversation on the watch , you would be surprised how handy this can be.

 

[Lloydbm41]

I haven't used Android Wear yet but from everything I've read, both Watch OS and Android Wear seem to offer pretty much the same functionality on their respective platforms, including their own gimmicks (heartbeats, drawing, emoji GIF on the Apple Watch, drawing emoji on Android Wear). I am intrigued by the remote wifi functionality offered by Android Wear in the latest version of the OS and may eventually pick up a Wear watch to test that out specifically.

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This feature has been surprisingly useful for me on a few occasions. I was able to speak to my wife while out with the dogs at a dog park (not an ideal location to be handling my phone 😉), again while walking the dogs and also around the house a few times because I don't need to carry my phone with me while wearing the watch. Callers have said they can hear me just fine and in none of those situations did I need to hold my wrist up to my face.

I won't use it out in busier public locations but it has certainly been useful.

Yeah, I'm sure there will be instances where people will use it, and like I said, it is better to have the option than not. I usually have my bluetooth earpiece on if I am going to take long calls and don't want to hold the phone, which I prefer so no one can hear the whole conversation. (That is my primary reason why I don't see the appeal to using the watch. People will hear what the other person says.)

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OK the LG Urbane w/ the LG app will enable you to make a call but you have take the call on your phone and not on the watch. Some of the Samsung Watches do allow you to actually have a conversation on the watch again those watches are compatible with Samsung phones and run Tizen OS.
The AW also allowed calls on the actually watch and it work flawlessly which got me hooked but everything else about the watch I didn't like actually I'm fed up with Apple in general so I just got in on the Moto x and SOL headphone deal for $399 and didn't pull the trigger on the 360 because it didn't have the calls on watch feature.

Now LG is coming out with LTE urbane but the calling on the watch requires a SIM card and plan and being sold by carriers. Now who the heck wants that I would only use it the way AW has it through my existing phone.

So I'm hoping Motorola comes out with something similar to AW in which you can carry a phone conversation on the watch , you would be surprised how handy this can be.

I fully expect Android Wear makers to follow suit with features that put it on par with Apple Watch (including this calling feature.) If it is popular, it will be added. Much like I expect Apple to copy Android Wear features that are popular. (And wait until someone jailbreaks the Apple Watch and we start seeing apps in Cydia. People are going to have a field day modifying the crap out of their watch faces!)

 

[vikingjunior]

Yeah, I'm sure there will be instances where people will use it, and like I said, it is better to have the option than not. I usually have my bluetooth earpiece on if I am going to take long calls and don't want to hold the phone, which I prefer so no one can hear the whole conversation. (That is my primary reason why I don't see the appeal to using the watch. People will hear what the other person says.)

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I fully expect Android Wear makers to follow suit with features that put it on par with Apple Watch (including this calling feature.) If it is popular, it will be added. Much like I expect Apple to copy Android Wear features that are popular. (And wait until someone jailbreaks the Apple Watch and we start seeing apps in Cydia. People are going to have a field day modifying the crap out of their watch faces!)

I hope that also includes NFC for Google wallet.