Samsung Sells Just 50,000 Galaxy Gear Smart Watches, Exec Says Product is Unripe [Updated]

[FlatlinerG]

Spoken like a true MacRumors member who will be lining up on launch day to have this newest item. Preordering a tempered glass screen protector and looking for that perfect case for your iWatch

You must be write random internet user, you know me so well. I have a beautiful watch that I received as a gift from doing many hundreds of hours of volunteer work for a non-for profit organization. There is no way in hell I would ever trade that for even the most amazing "smart watch", Apple branded or not.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Not true. Even then, back in the built-like-a-brick-poophouse days, I could imagine a thousand and one uses for a tablet. The iPad built upon that potential and brought into a much more user friendly reality.

A smartwatch? Eh...no matter who makes it, Apple, Samsung, Sony, Pebble, I can only see them as being nothing more than wearable extensions for smartphones, only useful for delivering a very select set of information to its user.

They'd be great for vitals statistics for people exercising, or for mapping, surveying, and small GPS guides. A bunch of nifty, useful little things, though nothing nearly as exciting as what the smartphone revolution brought to us.

I'm always prepared to eat my words, but with current technology, I can't imagine them being anything too mindblowing. Not if people want them to be comfortable and fashionable.

I agree, and even reading your post I thought, what if they make the smart watch the smartphone replacement?

That thought quickly dissipated when I looked over at my Note and remembered that folks really REALLY appreciate a decent sized screen to surf the web and read with.

 

[dannyyankou]

That 800,000 number sounds a lot less impressive when you factor in the 1/3 return rate. (and don't give me the "that was only at Best Buy" crap, the numbers are probably similar everywhere)

 

[Digital Skunk]

That 800,000 number sounds a lot less impressive when you factor in the 1/3 return rate. (and don't give me the "that was only at Best Buy" crap, the numbers are probably similar everywhere)

We'll have to give it to you unless you have a link saying that it was everywhere.

Otherwise, we're at liberty to make stuff up as well.

 

[overcast]

I have a Tag heuer that I used to wear most days (aside from occasionally wearing a fossil with a nice leather strap). Since getting my pebble I can count on one hand the number of days I haven't worn it, and since the recent firmware / app update I can see it dropping to virtually no days at all. You can't underestimate the convenience of seeing notifications at a glance of your watch rather than digging your phone out of your pocket, or being able to reject a call from someone etc. Everyday I see new and cool things that people are doing with their pebbles (albeit with a bit of work on their part). Ok so it's a bit basic looking, but add a decent strap and it is a very nice addition to your wrist.

Where I think Samsung have gone wrong is trying to do their usual of cramming as much techno-guff as they possibly can with no thought as to why people would want it and how to provide the battery power for it.

If Apple are to enter this market I think they would be far better leaning towards the less is more approach of the pebble in terms of tech and bringing the usual Apple build quality and useability.

It's still plastic, and tacky.

 

[Solomani]

Despite Samsung's marketing efforts, this dog is going to die a quick death. Much like their remarkable and "innovative" TV on an easel type stand. (How ridiculous was that?)

Samsung's product strategy to to make and sell products of all types and shapes, including the tacky, the vapid, and weird ones. Fling all the poo to the wall, and hope that something sticks.

 

[The Game 161]

the update samsung have brought out for this one is a good one...adding all notifications was a good move.

 

[Pigumon]

And still they will degrade watches to be some eye-candy gadget which doesn't last longer than max. 5 years, while a good watch can last and appeal you for decades. not to forget the story that come with watches kept for so long.

Just remember the dude from pulp fiction who kept that watch in his ass to save it for the son of his comrade ;-)

I don't get what you mean by "degrade" watches. A watch tells you the time. At the very basic, the iwatch will do the same. And it will integrate with your iPhone or iCloud, that is called an upgrade.

I have all my old watches, but the fact is they're fashion accessories as much as functioning timepieces. So, they change. I'd be fine changing my "iwatch" within a five year time frame. I'm a little sad I'll have to use their style than one I pick out, but the functionality will most likely be worth it.

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I agree, and even reading your post I thought, what if they make the smart watch the smartphone replacement?

That thought quickly dissipated when I looked over at my Note and remembered that folks really REALLY appreciate a decent sized screen to surf the web and read with.

Good point, now I'm thinking. iWatch (with phone functionality), no iPhone, iPad.