Android Wear Watches hit the Google Play Store...Ireland too!

IrishStuff09

So they're here, €199 seems reasonable.

LG G Watch - Black / White https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=lg_g_watch_black
Samsung Gear Live - Black https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=samsung_gear_live_black



Guess which one is by Samsung ^^ :rolleyes:
It seems that the Gear Live has a smaller battery, but has more Sensors.
Nice that we're finally getting some Google Goodness now though

emo72

i think the round one looks the business, is that the lg one? the one thats not out yet? there was audible groans at IO when they said it was out later in summer.

Riesen_Meal

emo72 wrote: »

i think the round one looks the business, is that the lg one? the one thats not out yet? there was audible groans at IO when they said it was out later in summer.

I had zero interest in Android watches until I/O today....

They are awesome, but over half the price of my N5 and with only a 1 day lasting battery I might hold out....

IrishStuff09

emo72 wrote: »

i think the round one looks the business, is that the lg one? the one thats not out yet? there was audible groans at IO when they said it was out later in summer.

Yeah, the Moto 360. Not a huge fan of that one to be honest.
I like the G Watch but the Gear has more sensors...dammit Google..

long_b

Spec comparison

http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/samsung-gear-live-vs-lg-g-watch-vs-moto-360-specs-comparing-the-watches-of-android-wear/

For me fro what I've seen of these watches

Motorola >> Samsung > LG

keith16

Fieldog wrote: »

I had zero interest in Android watches until I/O today....

They are awesome, but over half the price of my N5 and with only a 1 day lasting battery I might hold out....

What's so special about them? What will they do that my phone won't?

Riesen_Meal

keith16 wrote: »

What's so special about them? What will they do that my phone won't?

This :

Android coming to a screen near you: http://youtu.be/d36cIFCJvQs

Oafley Jones

emo72 wrote: »

i think the round one looks the business, is that the lg one? the one thats not out yet? there was audible groans at IO when they said it was out later in summer.

More than likely will never buy any of them, but the Moto 360 is light years ahead of the Samsung and LG. Even the press renders for the other two look a bit ****e. Screens look pretty poor in the hands-on as well, whereas the 360 looks excellent.

nedd

I want a Moto 360 so bad!!!

For no reason other than it looks lovely.

Oafley Jones

nedd wrote: »

I want a Moto 360 so bad!!!

For no reason other than it looks lovely.

It really looks like a device that's a couple of generations ahead of the others.

Squeeonline

Oafley Jones wrote: »

It really looks like a device that's a couple of generations ahead of the others.

I think that's because it actually looks like a watch. Then when you need it to, it can turn into an assistant.

I only wish that someone would licence http://www.qualcomm.com/mirasol . An always on screen (you know, like a real watch) would be a killer feature. You're not going to be watching movies etc on your watch so you dont need a fantastically bright screen, just the ability to view the information.

Atomic Pineapple

Holding out for the moto 360 myself, it looks fantastic but I have a feeling will have a premium price tag far above €199

Eponymous

Atomic Pineapple wrote: »

Holding out for the moto 360 myself, it looks fantastic but I have a feeling will have a premium price tag far above €199

I can't remember where I read it, but you're probably looking at €250 for it.

I have to say, I'm disappointed it's not out now with the LG and Sammy offerings. I had been thinking that the LG would be my first choice as I have a G2 and am considering a G Tab to replace my N7 later in the year and am pretty disappointed with the spec. That the Sammy is clearly a better option is surprising.

I'll hold out and see what the Moto is like, but I think I may end up waiting on for the next generation rather than being an early adopter.

In any event, will these be available in bricks and mortar stores? Would like to have a play around with them.

pickarooney

Having to charge your watch every day is just... I don't know, did we not move beyond that technology a century ago?

SpaceTime

I'm not sure it'll take off to be honest.
The technology to do it has been there for a while and Sony Ericsson did one a good few years ago with very limited uptake.

A tiny screen with relatively useless information that is hard to interact with when your phone is in your pocket...

Call me cynical but I remain to be convinced that this will be the 'new thing'.

waynegalway

Both are impressive, but I'd consider them in the luxury-buy category. They'd have to be sub €150 to be justifiable, IMO. I guess give it a year or so and they will be bringing them out at that price range, and then they'll sell more to the impulse-buy market. Nice tech, but single day out of the battery and cost are the two bigs deal breakers for me.

TitianGerm

The Motorola watch looks excellent. Might be tempted closer to Christmas as a present for myself.
What watch would you guys consider the best ?

IrishStuff09

emmetkenny wrote: »

The Motorola watch looks excellent. Might be tempted closer to Christmas as a present for myself.
What watch would you guys consider the best ?

The Gear has more sensors, but a slightly smaller battery. I'd say its the better one here out of the two but I much prefer the look of the LG G watch.

Oafley Jones

emmetkenny wrote: »

The Motorola watch looks excellent. Might be tempted closer to Christmas as a present for myself.
What watch would you guys consider the best ?

Specs aside, I honestly couldn't bring myself to wear anything besides the 360.

AlanS181824

I love the look of the Moto 360... It looks like, well a watch!

I think that'll be sold for around €250 though.

nedd

€250 is considerably cheap for a "watch". Add all the smart functionality and it could be considered a bargin.

that said, these are luxury devices and the battery will be the main sticking point.

Telchak

nedd wrote: »

that said, these are luxury devices and the battery will be the main sticking point.

For the moment, just as tablets were seen for the first couple of years. Won't be too long before there's smartwatches around the €100 mark, and probably threads popping up of cheaper Chinese ones.

Amalgam

Nothing against the watches myself, but I now carry 3 'battery items' that need to be mollycoddled/recharged/whatnot every day..

I don't have gadget fatigue, just battery malaise.. I'm not into carrying anything more that needs a daily battery cycle.

same ol sh1te

pickarooney wrote: »

Having to charge your watch every day is just... I don't know, did we not move beyond that technology a century ago?

Get a qi wireless charging pad, surely you'll take it off at night.

pickarooney

same ol sh1te wrote: »

Get a qi wireless charging pad, surely you'll take it off at night.

Meh, lot of hassle taking off your watch and remembering it in the morning. Are any of these gadgets waterproof?

Fluffy88

They all are, or at least the two released at I/O are.

markad1

I like the Moto BUT the blank bit at the bottom of the screen is a no no for me. If they had the full screen I would purchase the Moto.
I ordered the Samsung over the LG for the heart rate monitor feature.

Squeeonline

SpaceTime wrote: »

I'm not sure it'll take off to be honest.
The technology to do it has been there for a while and Sony Ericsson did one a good few years ago with very limited uptake.

A tiny screen with relatively useless information that is hard to interact with when your phone is in your pocket...

Call me cynical but I remain to be convinced that this will be the 'new thing'.

I really dont like that the watches are heavily relying on voice to interact with them. I still think people look/sound like twats when using voice commands in public. The film Her only reinforced this.

Sensors are where it's at. HR monitor, pedometer, gyroscope. maybe even an IR blaster to control things...

I'm also interested to see if Apple make an offering.

Sonics2k

markad1 wrote: »

I like the Moto BUT the blank bit at the bottom of the screen is a no no for me. If they had the full screen I would purchase the Moto.
I ordered the Samsung over the LG for the heart rate monitor feature.

The only reason for the blank bit at the bottom is for the display drivers, which have to be plugged in somewhere at the side. It was an unavoidable issue with it and Motorola worked for months to try and get it around it, but it couldn't be done without massive sacrifices.

To be fair, it's a fairly small issue with it and it's still a lot more attractive than other smartwatches around.

markad1

Sonics2k wrote: »

The only reason for the blank bit at the bottom is for the display drivers, which have to be plugged in somewhere at the side. It was an unavoidable issue with it and Motorola worked for months to try and get it around it, but it couldn't be done without massive sacrifices.

To be fair, it's a fairly small issue with it and it's still a lot more attractive than other smartwatches around.

It would drive me mad :P

witnessmenow

pickarooney wrote: »

Meh, lot of hassle taking off your watch and remembering it in the morning. Are any of these gadgets waterproof?

Just sleep on a QI charger bed?

Ste-

witnessmenow wrote: »

Just sleep on a QI charger bed?

*Runs off to patent idea*

A smart bed with charging capabilities.

witnessmenow

Ste- wrote: »

*Runs off to patent idea*

A smart bed with charging capabilities.

maximoose

Some Samsungs popping up on ebay already for ~£100 mark.

Like others I'm holding out to see reviews/price of the Moto, it looks lovely. If it's somewhere around €250 I think I'll treat myself to it.

Dyr

SpaceTime wrote: »

I'm not sure it'll take off to be honest.
The technology to do it has been there for a while and Sony Ericsson did one a good few years ago with very limited uptake.

A tiny screen with relatively useless information that is hard to interact with when your phone is in your pocket...

Call me cynical but I remain to be convinced that this will be the 'new thing'.

I'm in the same camp.

I dunno if Im just not "with" whatever "it" is anymore gadget wise but when I see apple and google shilling this watch thing I think its two companies trying to create a market rather than creating a product that people will want

same ol sh1te

Bambi wrote: »

I'm in the same camp.

I dunno if Im just not "with" whatever "it" is anymore gadget wise but when I see apple and google shilling this watch thing I think its two companies trying to create a market rather than creating a product that people will want

People said the same about tablets.

blastman

There's nothing in that video that makes want a smart watch, or think it's a good idea.

Atomic Pineapple

People are inherently lazy, giving them access to their smart device without having to take it out of their pocket is always going to be a winner. It might not be for everybody but there is a market there and wearables will become more and more popular in various forms over the next couple of years. People said they never saw a use for tablets and they'd never take off too but they are fast replacing consumer laptops as the choice for media in the home.

Dyr

same ol sh1te wrote: »

People said the same about tablets.

I saw the utility in tablets straight away, mainly because they'd been around in some form before apple ran with it

beno619

SpaceTime wrote: »

I'm not sure it'll take off to be honest.
The technology to do it has been there for a while and Sony Ericsson did one a good few years ago with very limited uptake.

A tiny screen with relatively useless information that is hard to interact with when your phone is in your pocket...

Call me cynical but I remain to be convinced that this will be the 'new thing'.

As a Pebble owner I can tell you they will absolutely take off, might take Apple to make it relevant to average Joe first.

wandatowell

Samsung Gear Live gives you useful information exactly when you need it, like weather forecasts in the morning or messages as soon as they arrive. You can also say “OK Google” to ask questions and get things done by voice. Ask whether it will rain this weekend or send a message to a friend. Compatible phone required.

Its pretty much just sh*t so

darragh o meara

Theres gonna be some cheating going on when students get a hold of these and figure out how to load all their notes onto it.

Telchak

darragh o meara wrote: »

Theres gonna be some cheating going on when students get a hold of these and figure out how to load all their notes onto it.

Or students will have to take them off their person during exams just like with phones.

darragh o meara

Telchak wrote: »

Or students will have to take them off their person during exams just like with phones.

Which despite being a condition of entry to an exam doesn't always happen.

Telchak

darragh o meara wrote: »

Which despite being a condition of entry to an exam doesn't always happen.

Because people keep their phones in their pockets. It's a little more difficult to be inconspicuous about making gestures on your watch, especially if people are aware of such technology.

Up until now, and for a little while longer, people will be able to get away with something like a Pebble. A Gear Live on your wrist though is just not subtle at all.

BionicRasher

Squeeonline wrote: »

I think that's because it actually looks like a watch. Then when you need it to, it can turn into an assistant.

I only wish that someone would licence http://www.qualcomm.com/mirasol . An always on screen (you know, like a real watch) would be a killer feature. You're not going to be watching movies etc on your watch so you dont need a fantastically bright screen, just the ability to view the information.

The Toq looks like the best of the lot. Up to 5 days battery, always on display, wireless charging, ability to see the screen in any light..... Much better than the others IMO.
Pity it hasn't taken off yet.

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

same ol sh1te

Captain Morgan wrote: »

The Moto 360 does look beautiful but I can't help but wonder about the price? I'm thinking over the €300 mark, which is too much for me for something that is an accessory to my phone. Of course no one knows for sure but it looks much more premium, I'm sure more R&D has gone into it and looks like it could have wireless charging.

I expected the LG to be around the €200 mark but a lot of people seem surprised by the price so I'd say they will get a shock when the 360 is announced as IIRC some of the comments from before I/O where putting the LG under $200 and the Moto between $200/250.

I'm pretty torn on the LG or Samsung. LG has bigger battery and (slightly) bigger screen, the Samsung has higher PPI (not noticeable I'd imagine), thinner, lighter & heart rate monitor.

Reports on G+ on the Gear Live seem to say the heart rate monitor can vary by up to 10bpm and take a few attempts to get a result and the AMOLED screen is a bit hard to see in sunlight.

Moto 360 has been reported as going to be $249

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

same ol sh1te

http://mobile.theverge.com/2014/5/21/5738484/moto-360-smartwatch-price-listed-as-249

Evil_g

I wonder how frequently we'll "need" to up grade these? I'd imagine the current generation will appear stone aged before the end of next year.

I'm gonna stay on the fence for a while.