Motorola Launches $249 Moto 360 Smartwatch Featuring Android Wear, 'All Day' Battery Life

[AtomicEdge]

I think the issue with battery life for things like this is some dodgy wording.

When they say "all day battery life" they probably aim for something like 14 hours. Maybe 16. But what people want is 24 hours.

I would be fine with 24 hours. If I get up early for a meeting, and then go straight out to dinner and drinks, I need that thing to last. That could mean 6am to 11pm. That's 17 hours.

If they are really giving people 12 hours (which is probably 16 hours when it's not the new toy) on a new battery, that is simply not enough.

My phone still has 30% battery when I plug it in at night, on a heavy day of use. My watch needs to be the same.

 

[satchmo]

An Apple 'iWatch' may also not have GPS.

Any notifications are accessed through your GPS equipped iPhone. This forces you to purchase both smartphone and watch.

No GPS puts the Moto 360 the toywatch category.

This watch is a backstep from their groundbreaking MOTOACTV years ago.

 

[Dangerous Theory]

Since when did companies think a 1 day battery life for a watch is anywhere near acceptable? People do not want to be charging their watches daily. This isn't going to take off until they can at least start providing weeks of battery life.

 

[kis]

Since when did companies think a 1 day battery life for a watch is anywhere near acceptable? People do not want to be charging their watches daily. This isn't going to take off until they can at least start providing weeks of battery life.

I agree - but the same limitations will apply to Apple.

 

[BvizioN]

Do you wear your watch to bed? Or do you put it on the nightstand next to your phone...

I got a gear fit and of course I do wear it in bed. I wouldn't be able to take full advantage of it's features if I didn't.

 

[kis]

They're trying to sell as many as they can before they get outclassed. Look for fire sales on this watch in a few weeks...

yeah, I doubt that.

----------

If the product that Apple release is called the iWatch I think it will be like a really good and more accurate fittness tracker with a small display, to compliment the new health app from the iOS 8. I think it will gather mostly information and will transfer data via NFC. I really don't think that Apple will try to put something out without it being perfect. I also think that battery life will be over 2 days at least. MY thoughts anyway...Roll on 09/09/2104!

my thoughts exactly. Apple won't release a a real watch until there are processors around that enable the device to have several days' worth of battery life.

 

[drew0020]

It's the first smart watch that looks really good in my opinion. Sharp design as well, but problem is its still a smart watch. I am not sure I need or want one.

If the iPhone 6 disappoints I may try the new Moto X and give this watch a 30 day trial since it really needs to be paired with an Android phone. I am actually more interested to hear about the new Moto X than this watch.

 

[satchmo]

This link shows how it actually looks. Still good looking. Can't wait to see where it goes from here:
http://www.t3.com/reviews/moto-360-smartwatch-review

I disagree. That bar across the bottom is as distracting as the thick antennae bands on the iPhone 6.

Seriously, some of the photos that don't disguise the bar at the bottom of the watch face look ridiculous. The text on the screen just barely clears the bar. Looks like a failed design compromise to me.

 

[candle]

(the SmartWatch) It is just not a device I believe, at least in its current state, will have any positive impact on my life for the cost. We must understand that these companies are all attempting to create a NEED. As smartphone competition increases (prepaid carriers, aggressive deals, etc) and prices decrease, more of your money stays in your pocket...

 

[Foss]

I agree - but the same limitations will apply to Apple.

Apple basically said they will not be releasing a watch unless they could get the battery life right. I'm hoping right means at least a couple to a few days. I would rather them not release a meh smartwatch then otherwise myself, but I have a good feeling they have found the solution and will blow our socks off. They did not spend billions on R&D to release a version 1.1 of Pebble or Android Wear. Apple's 1.0 will make the rest look like 0.1

 

[kis]

I don't get the feeling of google now, it doesn't always recognise the person on the samsung gear live watch i used. still something is missing i'm not sure what but it's all about notifications and answering from your watch.
thats why i said i hope apple comes out with more like iPod and suitable for sports and such actions and do more than notifications

It doesn't recognise the PERSON? Have you actually used one of these? It only displays cards for the phone it's tethered to and thus the google account your phone uses.

 

[autrefois]

Apple is said to be weighing a $400 price range for the device, and may start shipping it in early 2015.

I don't want to be "that guy", but $400 is not a range. $400 - $499 is a range. Even $400 - $401 is a range. This is at least the second time MacRumors has called $400 a range and it was pointed out by me and others last time. You could say around $400, in the ballpark of $400, etc. if you don't want to give an actual range of numbers. [/rant]

It's true that everyone and his uncle is coming out with a smart watch all of the sudden. I still think it would be hilarious if Apple announces next week that there actually is no watch coming. It was all just a ploy to see where the leaks were coming from and to get other companies to waste their time and R&D budget while Apple focused on iPhone 6 and the new iPad.

 

[Mildredop]

I am actually more interested to hear about the new Moto X than this watch.

I was more interested in the Moto X too. Except it got announced without me even realising. It is like the world doesn't really care.

 

[macbookpro212]

Seriously man!? Every company on earth uses simulated screens INCLUDING APPLE. Get over it.

When they do, they include a note at the bottom of the screen.
Not making such things clear enough is a clear violation of end user expectations.

 

[baller1308]

early reviews are noting that 'all day' battery life isn't really making it all day.

 

[drew0020]

I was more interested in the Moto X too. Except it got announced without me even realising. It is like the world doesn't really care.

I looked at the Moto 360 today and saw the Moto X there. I love the custom backs, etc. It still says coming soon on their site. Looks nice though.

 

[Mac-Mac-McAfee]

250 for that? If so then if whatever Apple has made will be worth 300+, unless they're just cookie-cutter watches that connect to smartphones like everyone else so far.

 

[Aniseedvan]

early reviews are noting that 'all day' battery life isn't really making it all day.

I watched theVerge's video and it's very positive at the start but felt like it ended to me with - it's OK as watches go now, which seems quite lukewarm.

 

[i.mac]

The parade of 'me too first' continues...

All of it will be obsolete next week.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

The best right now.

 

[PlainviewX]

I think that most people take off their watch at night. Also, I park my iPhone every night. Setting this new device on a charger next to your bed and iPhone shouldn't be a problem. Trust me, you'll get used to it.

If it has a sleep sensor in it, it will be worn all night. If it does indeed have wireless charging, that will be nice.

 

[medazinol]

I have a feeling the whole industry is going to freak out when Apple finally shows their wearable on Tuesday. Everyone has been trying to beat Apple to market during Apple's "cone of silence". The other shoe will drop and send everyone scrambling for cover. Remember, Apple's motto is "simplicity" so while it may not have all the features other's have it will feature stuff that works with the big picture in place with lots of partners.
The partners thing is always Apple's trump card that secure their success. Any other Android devices have this? Didn't think so.

 

[Mac-Mac-McAfee]

If all it does is send push notifications from your phone to the watch or be used to send an email or text from the phone how can it be categorized as a smart watch. That term is so played out it's disgusting. They should be called push-note watches, which is what all these really are.

 

[samcraig]

So as far as I know (engineers weigh in) bluetooth uses far more battery being constantly on that NFC.

So while the iPhone 6 is rumored to have NFC for payments - it's also entirely possible that the other impetus for putting NFC in the phone is to sync with an iWatch.

Just a thought.

Granted - it's not necc as elegant as you wouldn't be live streaming data to your phone but would have to tap to transfer.

 

[wovel]

Verge and WSJ both said they get half-day battery use. Maybe it's all day with limited use...?

I have read a few reviews and the all-day battery life claim is simply a lie. No matter how they want to spin it.