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Montblanc Unveils 'e-Strap' Band Accessory With iOS Integration for Analog Luxury Watches
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I'm one of those people that a) doesn't wear a watch b) wants an Watch, but c) doesn't like to charge more than one device. Yeah
So on one hand, the Watch is what I want, but on the other hand as a gen 1 device its got severe limitations that frankly if I was Apple I wouldn't have even released it. 1 day battery life is simply unacceptable in a watch.
Considering that Gruber and many others are saying that its probably not that smart to build apps for Watch right away (a first!), I'm thinking that its not going to be the runaway success that iPhone and iPad have been. Granted, when the iPhone/iPad were first released everyone said the same thing and were proven wrong but I was one of those people who saw them and thought they would rule the world and I feel differently about this. The price, the battery life, and the software limitations make me feel like its not going to be the hit in revenue, sales, or profit people expect. Maybe Gen 2.
We still plan to build an app for it but I'm just not going to buy a personal-use one until its battery life is a lot better.
So on one hand, the Watch is what I want, but on the other hand as a gen 1 device its got severe limitations that frankly if I was Apple I wouldn't have even released it. 1 day battery life is simply unacceptable in a watch.
Considering that Gruber and many others are saying that its probably not that smart to build apps for Watch right away (a first!), I'm thinking that its not going to be the runaway success that iPhone and iPad have been. Granted, when the iPhone/iPad were first released everyone said the same thing and were proven wrong but I was one of those people who saw them and thought they would rule the world and I feel differently about this. The price, the battery life, and the software limitations make me feel like its not going to be the hit in revenue, sales, or profit people expect. Maybe Gen 2.
We still plan to build an app for it but I'm just not going to buy a personal-use one until its battery life is a lot better.
That was the quote from Nick Hayek CEO of Swatch Group. (Widely considered to be either misdirection, or just whistling past the graveyard.)
To me this is the best of both worlds. I have several watches and the idea that I could add smart capability by simply changing the band... well, I'll buy that for a dollar. Or, as in this case, several hundred.
I think Montblanc is on to something novel. The only smartwatch that appealed to me was the LG Watch R because it looked like a traditional watch. 5 day battery life means not charging nightly. Even sweeter.
Also, like MR member spencers mentioned, the bands are 22 mm not 42 mm; that would be as wide as the watch face.
It's not the only smartwatch that looks like a traditional watch: http://recode.net/2014/12/22/finally-a-smart-watch-that-doesnt-look-like-a-geek-watch/
This one also doesn't require recharging AT ALL.
My Dad left me his 1960 Omega Automatic Seamaster. Impressive devices for the day.
Very neat idea to make a smart strap for "dumb" watches.
But am I the only one who noticed how abysmal that screen is? In the promo it has enough space to display 11 characters.
"Your flight ..."
is canceled?
is delayed?
is early?
is on time?
If they had enough space for ~50% more characters, they could actually display enough to be useful.
Other examples of what it looks like that screen will display:
"Call from ..."
"Turn right at ..."
"In 2 miles ..."
"Breaking news! ..."
But am I the only one who noticed how abysmal that screen is? In the promo it has enough space to display 11 characters.
"Your flight ..."
is canceled?
is delayed?
is early?
is on time?
If they had enough space for ~50% more characters, they could actually display enough to be useful.
Other examples of what it looks like that screen will display:
"Call from ..."
"Turn right at ..."
"In 2 miles ..."
"Breaking news! ..."
I had heard about the Withings watch before. That is a good looking watch, a bit too thin (unisex?)for my taste, but a nice looking watch nonetheless. I unfairly dismissed it early on when I heard it would be iOS compatible only. I see in the link you provided it will gain Android compatibility soon. The Withings seems a little limited in it's capabilities but I don't see that as a bad thing. There's a lot less to go wrong. Rev. 2 can add additional things as warrranted.
All said, both Withings and Montblac offer attractive alternatives to the current crop of smartwatches. Both are more in line with my sensibilities. Others may differ in their opinion of course. Kudos to both companies.
If I'm getting previews of texts and emails on the device, I prefer it underneath my wrist than on top. No need for the people you're at dinner with the see your personal messages.
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Whoa, that's actually a great idea and because it's a strap you can add it to any existing watch. I really like this. At the moment I'm using a Pebble and have no desire to get an iWatch (combination of battery life and features I don't need in a watch).
If this can just view notifications and operate music controls, which is all I really use my Pebble for, then I know what my next smart watch will be.
If this can just view notifications and operate music controls, which is all I really use my Pebble for, then I know what my next smart watch will be.
Except that Montblanc is not Swiss nor would I consider their watches part of the Swiss watch industry. Get your facts right.
So, I can pay $300 and just get this strap OR spend ~$350 for an entire
Considering the strap itself is better than the entire AppleWatch. I'd take the strap.
heck, call it anything you want, it's already more practical with much better compatibility and battery life
unless sending your heartbeats to others is a "Must have".. then I agree with you
You may be right for version 1. That said, Apple are good at thinning things down. So maybe by version 2 or 3?I'd think the
Just out of interest, I found a few other dual watches on one strap/bracelet:
Attachments
It is a thick chunk of featureless black plastic with a huge bezel. Could they not have made it out of sapphire and steel? It looks like something Samsung might sell at Best Buy.
I wonder how long it will be before the screen is scratched or cracked, being in a position where it will be bashed into and dragged across whatever you're resting your hand on.
I wonder how long it will be before the screen is scratched or cracked, being in a position where it will be bashed into and dragged across whatever you're resting your hand on.
They are hardly "whistling past the graveyard". Quality, well-made, beautiful analog timepieces that last a lifetime and beyond will never go out of style.
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Well, I don't want a screen on my wrist....