Google Debuts Android Wear 2.0 Alongside Two New LG Smart Watches

[admob71]

TBH, before the Apple Watch, I never saw any watch with a complication that would give information about the weather, heart rate, stock market, news or whatever other thing you may possibly think about.

So, in my humble opinion, it is fair to say that Apple "reinvented" the watch complication and in this case, Google copied this reinvention.

Well your humble opinion is wrong, when any smartwatch is going to be designed, it will follow.the basic principles of millions of existing watch faces, 12 numbers, 2 or 3 hands. Some have little date dials, etc and so on. At the end of the day, it's still meant to be a watch.
Are you saying that the first ever smartwatch reinvented hands, on a watch face. Poppycock.
So the fieat smartwatch to have a complication hasn't invented or reinvented anything, it's just made a more detailed watch face following current faces already in existence...
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I think you are trying a little too hard to make sense. As the orange face says, it's sad!

Have you just face palmed the keyboard, your response suggests as much.
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TBH, before the Apple Watch, I never saw any watch with a complication that would give information about the weather, heart rate, stock market, news or whatever other thing you may possibly think about.

So, in my humble opinion, it is fair to say that Apple "reinvented" the watch complication and in this case, Google copied this reinvention.

Oh, and do some research, the galaxy gear of 3 years ago had complications, I won't bother looking back at any of the prior watches they made before that. Just another sad example of Apple copying Samsung or Android, and the fanboys re writing history as they pathetically always do...

 

[Westside guy]

Totally agree. I have an Apple Watch Series 2 but really wish it had a round face. Perhaps this is on purpose.... Perfect the hardware and software in the real world with early adopters and then introduce a round face to get all current owners to upgrade.

I just can't see how this could work well. I understand there's some innate desire for a "watch" to look like the watches many of us remember from days of yore... but, for watches, being round was just an artifact of how their mechanisms worked. And, even back then, not all watches were round.

Functionally, square (or rectangular) is going to work much better for smart devices.

 

[kdarling]

Apple watch looks like a phone on your hand while these look like regular watches.

Yep, the Apple Watch really does look like a phone:

I see googl's xerox machienes are all fired up and working well. complications, activity rings, digital crown...

Android Wear watchfaces already had complications, and digital crowns were not invented by Apple. It was just one more thing Ive copied from Braun during his career:


(I'm actually really disappointed that Google didn't use Samsung's rotating bezel, but I guess Android Wear has to support both round and square, and circular bezels don't work on square!)

If my wrist was that size I'd say no thanks to that watch too ...

True. On a wrist that small, the Apple Watch would look ridiculous, too.

I like the competition but these are a hard sell. Google doesn't have a great track record when it comes to software updates and the hardware doesn't have the easy band switching that Apple Watch has.

On the contrary, Android Wear has had some great updates. As for bands, many Android Wear watches use normal bands so there's plenty of choice. Some have quick release as well. For myself, I don't change bands that often. Don't have to, since it was easy to afford multiple Android Wear watches, each with its own style band.

TBH, before the Apple Watch, I never saw any watch with a complication that would give information about the weather, heart rate, stock market, news or whatever other thing you may possibly think about.

Obviously you never owned an Android Wear watch. One of my favorite Android watchfaces for the past couple of years has been this one:


Its complications include:

1. time, including seconds
2. 24 hour time indicator,
3. weather forecast,
4. temperature,
5. date,
6. watch and phone battery levels,
7. compass, and
8. how far you've walked today.

Pressing on any of those takes you to the appropriate app.

 

[C7 POWER]

I'm excited to update my Huawai watch as soon as it's available for download. Can't wait to finally have the ability to download watch faces from the play store from the iPhone

 

[kdarling]

... but, for watches, being round was just an artifact of how their mechanisms worked. And, even back then, not all watches were round.

Round had nothing to do with mechanisms. Heck, the first clocks were in rectangular towers and boxes.

Round came about more for comfort against skin, and for ease of pulling in and out of pockets without catching on something.

Functionally, square (or rectangular) is going to work much better for smart devices.

Those of us with both types, know that they both work fine for their purpose, which is quick notifications.

This is just like the silly old display screen size debates, where people kept claiming that Apple's 4" was just perfect. If the point was to read lots of text or look like a computer screen, then yeah rectangular is marginally better. But style is also quite important, as Apple points out with their colors and bands.

Someone posted a recent Apple smartwatch patent the other day, in which the drawing showed a round case. Sooner or later, Apple will do round because it's much more popular as a shape for watches.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Apple needs to put an always on face already. Imo these android watches look better as well.
Apple watch looks like a phone on your hand while these look like regular watches.

1. I like the security that it does NOT turn on all the time, battery saving power as well.
2. I personally rather that! So much wasted space on round ... digital vs analog worlds colliding each serves their design and purpose accordingly.

 

[Juicy Box]

1. I like the security that it does NOT turn on all the time, battery saving power as well.

It would be nice to have an option to have it on all the time or not. If anything, have the default of it to display a clock face, with an option to display anything you want, or disable it.

 

[DeepIn2U]

So far Android wear has not taken off. They've not really found the user experience/design that has struck a chord with the consumers

yeah it's called users being CHEAP - many of their users expect just about every app free so I don't see this changing when it comes to accessories. Pricing of better spec'd phones have significantly dropped in price across the board as well in the last year - that is a good thing that I hope Apple would follow suite on (at least 2 base models SE and base 7).

 

[tbayrgs]

Maybe that's the whole point. They know that they can never get power management and battery capacity right, so they can only hope to compete by offering additional features such as LTE, even if those are half-baked and may actually harm the end user experience overall.

That said, I am not sure how they even compete. The Apple Watch doesn't work with Android phones, while Android Wear is never going to offer as much functionality as the Apple Watch. Each has a venn diagram of potential customers, and they simply won't intersect ever.

Well, maybe I'm not typical of many customers but the quality (or lack thereof) of Android Wear is a significant factor in my choice of phone. I've become more and more irritated with the direction Apple has taken over the past couple years and would like to dive headfirst into another ecosystem...specifically Google in my case as most of the services I use are from Google. In a vacuum, I could quite easily live with he Pixel XL as it's a terrific phone...taken on its own. But once you bring other devices (computers, tablets, smart watches) into the fold, I still find the Apple ecosystem to be a much better experience. And if I'm honest, the Apple Watch has the greatest impact on me. I love using a smart watch and nothing matches the experience with the Apple Watch. Pixel = IPhone 7, IMO, but iPhone/Apple Watch >> Pixel/Android Wear smart watch. It's not even close--and these offerings from LG don't change my thoughts on the matter.

TL;DR - a competitive Android Wear smart watch could go a long ways towards persuading me to move an iPhone. These aren't them.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

They look good to me.

 

[satchmo]

the worst advert ive seen lol apple watch is miles ahead

Yeah the ad was pretty lame.
It did absolutely nothing that would compel you to go out and buy one.

 

[Zaft]

1. I like the security that it does NOT turn on all the time, battery saving power as well.
2. I personally rather that! So much wasted space on round ... digital vs analog worlds colliding each serves their design and purpose accordingly.

What security if I may ask? It's just showing the time

 

[Jakexb]

No thanks.

It is hilarious that's real.
You could probably just tape a smartphone to your wrist and it would look less ridiculous.

 

[eviljack]

It is hilarious that's real.
You could probably just tape a smartphone to your wrist and it would look less ridiculous.

It would look normal on my wrists. Its more or less the same size as as a Gear S3.

*It's a bit enlarged due to the angle and closeness of the photo. It actually looks and feels smaller in person.

 

[Keirasplace]

It would look normal on my wrists. Its more or less the same size as as a Gear S3.

*It's a bit enlarged due to the angle and closeness of the photo. It actually looks and feels smaller in person.

[doublepost=1486605049][/doublepost]Sorry to say but that size is butt ugly and way above the normal average size of men's watches.
[doublepost=1486605508][/doublepost]

I caught Rich DeMuro "#RichOnTech" on KTLA this morning (his segment airs on other Tribune stations) of the brand new Samsung & he gave it glowing reviews.

* Actually being able to use it as a phone (!!!!).
* Rotating bezel for easy features options.
* Actually giving you the time when used as... you know, a watch!

lol To throw you fanboys some duck breadcrumbs:

Some of his criticisms:
* Water resistant, not water-proof.
* Few Android app options; not fleshed-out.
* Rubber sports band was to "grippy" for his tastes; harder to put on.

http://ktla.com/category/morning-news/technology/

Its also twice the size of 38mm Apple Watch... So, it is niche market at best.
LTE is a massive battery drain, which explains the size.
Rotating bezel and round means much bigger watch for X amount of features (though it undoubtedly gives you more battery per features...). The Apple Watch doesn't give you the time? Is the watch to be used by neighbors to tell time?

 

[eviljack]

[doublepost=1486605049][/doublepost]Sorry to say but that size is butt ugly and way above the normal average size of men's watches.

I take it you've never had a Casio G-Shock? Those are even bigger. It's not only Casio that makes big watches, most brands do. There are Omega's that are mechanical that are bigger and thicker than even the 15mm thick LG. It comes down to what you prefer. I found the 42mm Apple watch too small and girly for me personally. I had a series 1 for 5 months that I wore every day. In the end it didn't feel like a real watch and these do.

 

[Keirasplace]

No thanks.

That's like having an aquarium or a snow globe stuck on your wrist.... Never seen something so ridiculous my life.
Any women wearing this will look like an idiot and is probably a social outcast already so I guess it wouldn't hurt in that regard.
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I take it you've never had a Casio G-Shock? Those are even bigger. It's not only Casio that makes big watches, most brands do. There are Omega's that are mechanical that are bigger and thicker than even the 15mm thick LG. It comes down to what you prefer. I found the 42mm Apple watch too small and girly for me personally. I had a series 1 for 5 months that I wore every day. In the end it didn't feel like a real watch and these do.

You do know what the word AVERAGE mean :
42mm is the average size of men's watches, that's why Apple picked that size.
Most of the top end watches are not big ass monsters like that ridiculous sweater watch.
Women probably wear more watches than men so being even possible to be a "girly" (sic) watch is a good thing.

 

[HBOC]

if i am going to get a watch, i want one where i don't have to use a phone for it to work

 

[shiseiryu1]

Apple needs to put an always on face already. Imo these android watches look better as well.
Apple watch looks like a phone on your hand while these look like regular watches.

I would like to have an "Always On Face". Watch looks broken and stupid with a blank face most of the time. Also means that if you want to just check the time you have to tap or raise to your face in a really obvious fashion instead of just glancing.

I do like the look of the Android watches except they're too think for my taste. Also, they're all very masculine looking which is fine except you're excluding >50% of the population with them. The Apple watch is clean looking and in that way is more unisex in it's design.

Like others on here I do like how round watches look...however from having an Apple watch I can see how the information that you can see would be limited on a round design. Basically round works great if you only want to tell time. Emails, Text Messages, Music Controls, Friend location and other things wouldn't work as well on a round interface I think.

Last, let me say: How pathetic it is that it took Android this long to basically copy features from the WatchOS3. "Swipe left to change watch face?" real creative guys.

Overall I think that Android isn't backing the watch platform as well as Apple is. Up to this point that has been one thing that I've really enjoyed about Apple...they stand behind their products. Only thing that gives me hesitation now is how long they've let the iMac and Mac Pro languish. They really need to step it up...especially in light of innovative machines like the Microsoft Surface Studio.

 

[eviljack]

You do know what the word AVERAGE mean :
42mm is the average size of men's watches, that's why Apple picked that size.

The irony here is that a 42mm square watch is still substantially smaller than a 42mm round watch. So for the average man it's still a small watch. That being said there obviously is a market for big watches or no one would make them. If you don't like them don't buy them. No one is forcing you to have a big watch. Pretty much why LG also released the Style at the same time.

 

[kdarling]

Maybe that's the whole point. They know that they can never get power management and battery capacity right, ...

The Android Wear watches I used, ran 18-24 hours or more with their screen set to always on. With always on turned off, they went two days. With no pairing and used just as a watch, they went 100 hours.

That said, I am not sure how they even compete. The Apple Watch doesn't work with Android phones, while Android Wear is never going to offer as much functionality as the Apple Watch. Each has a venn diagram of potential customers, and they simply won't intersect ever.

Truth.

 

[Mac 128]

The irony here is that a 42mm square watch is still substantially smaller than a 42mm round watch. So for the average man it's still a small watch. That being said there obviously is a market for big watches or no one would make them. If you don't like them don't buy them. No one is forcing you to have a big watch. Pretty much why LG also released the Style at the same time.

Not only that, the 42mm display on the Apple Watch has a much smaller display area than a 42mm Android watch, thanks to the unreasonably thick frame bezel. It easily fits inside a round display without any clipping.

 

[grkm3]

My statement has nothing to do with what non smart watches had before Apple's, nor, where Apple got their ideas from (research on the historical eveloution of watches). My point is that Apple had to show google what to do with their watch. Every smart watch before apple's was a failure. None of them had the elements I listed. Google designs their interface, it doesn't sell very well, then Apple introduces their watch, sells millions and every other manufacturer copies. Same with tablets, smart phones, user interfaces (the list goes on) ...

dude the Apple watch is also a huge failure!
in my work I had a few customers that are huge apple fans and always get the newest and latest gadgets from Apple.

now these are just 3 people that are regular customers but all 3 got the iwatch the second it came out and were thrilled to use them to pay for things.

about 2 weeks later they all stopped wearing them and to this day I have yet to see them wear the stupid watch again.

seriously all these watches are a fail,Google or apple.

 

[GFF]

Apple needs to put an always on face already. Imo these android watches look better as well.
Apple watch looks like a phone on your hand while these look like regular watches.

Except hella thick and bad UI

 

[44267547]

The irony here is that a 42mm square watch is still substantially smaller than a 42mm round watch. So for the average man it's still a small watch. That being said there obviously is a market for big watches or no one would make them. If you don't like them don't buy them. No one is forcing you to have a big watch. Pretty much why LG also released the Style at the same time.

Interestingly enough, the Apple Watch, some complain the 42 mm is too large. In reality, when you compare it to Omega, tag Heuer, and Invicta, those are fairly large watches. 42 mm really isn't all that big. I do see Apple
Slimming future iterations of the Apple Watch. But for now, I am more than happy with the overall size of my 42 MM.