News - Motorola's Moto 360 smartwatch based on Google Android Wear

[HEXUS]

LG also reveals a new smartwatch running Google's Android OS for wearables.

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[abychristy]

"Its time a watch did all of this, and still looked like a watch." - Reason why I like Moto 360 and on my list.

[stanonwheels]

"Its time a watch did all of this, and still looked like a watch." - Reason why I like Moto 360 and on my list.

Seconded. Nice to finally see something with a round screen, Red Dwarf style.

[Spud1]

Glad to see some genuine Pebble competition out there at last

Key for me will be the battery life - i've settled down to around 4-5 days with my Pebble, so if the 360 in particular can match that battery life..i'll probably bite and get one.

Both these look a lot better than the Galaxy gear though - a huge step forward so fingers crossed they function better too

[NightshadowUK]

How are you finding life with your Pebble, Spud? Think you could go back to not having one now?

[Dooms]

Interested in the Moto, looks very nice but it will come down to 1) they have to improve Google Now (which this will hopefully push to do) and 2) battery life needs to be counted in days not hours.

[Spud1]

I really like it - and I find it really odd if I have to go a day without wearing it (e.g. if i go away and forget my charger..)

Until you use one for a few days it's hard to grasp why - but the benefits are huge. My top benefits/uses are...

1) Notifications without getting your phone out of your pocket. Purely convenience, but lets me know if it's an important message or not and worth spending the time to respond. Very helpful at work or in a meeting where you are not supposed to be on your phone
2) Notifications again but when your phone isn't with you. Particularly relevant when swimming/snowboarding or similar (I leave my phone in my locker, which is usually close enough to maintain a connection).
3) Missed call/text notifications and counters (using the "Glance" app). Makes up for Android not having missed call badges! (still crazy that it doesnt)
4) Golf GPS/Rangefinder - freecaddie, awesome if you are a golfer..especially as phones are banned on any respectable course
5) Music control - I can leave my phone docked at my desk and control my music remotely. Music Boss gives you volume control too.
6) Alarms - much harder to miss when it's on your wrist..

Oh and it does a rather good job of telling the time too.

I'll keep a smartwatch with me for the foreseeable - Pebble for now (There is nothing that comes close yet) and probably a 360 in the summer.