News - Samsung announces next gen wearables: Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo

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These smartwatches will run Tizen but remain smartphone companion devices.

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Read more.

They actually look pretty nice, although unsure on the decision to drop Android for Tizen :-o

I don't think it matters really. It's an interface for messaging and specialised little apps. It's not going to be running Angry birds or Spotify :)

I think it makes sense to use an OS that is mroe tailored to the specific task. The Pebble doesn't use Android, so why should this?

I've always been fascinated by the prospect of a real live Dick Tracy watch ever since I was a nipper. But I won't buy into it until they have far better battery life. Granted this new version claims two or three days use as opposed to the rubbish one day of the first iteration but nonetheless if I have to charge it more often than I'm likely to 'use' it then it becomes a chore that I would inevitably forget to carry out.

Needs better battery life -4/5 days and can be used with any Android device, not just Samsung

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Originally Posted by s_kinton

Needs better battery life -4/5 days and can be used with any Android device, not just Samsung

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Agree

Why put a camera on a watch? Seems like a totally unnecessary bit of "we've done this because we can".

Looks aren't bad and 2-3 days on a charge is definitely getting more sensible. Can't help thinking though that these'd be a lot more usable if they used an eInk display (so you could see the time without having to turn it "on"). Oh, and wireless charging please - so I can just drop it on a charging mat rather than having to fiddle with microUSB or, worst still, proprietary cables.

Big decider is going to be device support and price. If it only supports Samsung's phones/tablets and/or it's over £100 then I'll pass.

Don't see the point in these. Why do i want a watch that can do things that my phone can already do?

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Originally Posted by Devastater6194

Don't see the point in these. Why do i want a watch that can do things that my phone can already do?

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I'd pay £100 for a device that tells the time and vibrates when your phone receives a call/txt and is on silent. Not for me, but for my wife.

I'd pay the asking price for this watch if it also measured perspiration like mybasis which is not available in the UK. Great for monitoring your body's response while exercising but who knows what other useful stuff you can find when you are wearing this tech all the time. I think that this technology is an enabler and who knows what useful things will come out of it. I think that it can already alert you to possible sleeping disorders if you wear stuff like while sleeping.

So to begin with, this is worth it as an exercise monitor and alerter. It is not worth it at its current price and with ONLY a heart rate monitor. And we don't even know how good the heart rate monitor is.

I can't see much point in any 'companion' device like this, as you still have to take your phone out of your pocket for most of the functions... might as well just take your phone out.
£100 to save a couple of seconds' time? No thanks!

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Originally Posted by Ttaskmaster

I can't see much point in any 'companion' device like this, as you still have to take your phone out of your pocket for most of the functions... might as well just take your phone out.
£100 to save a couple of seconds' time? No thanks!

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When you own a smartwatch, you will quickly change your mind...my Pebble is invaluable, and I never leave the house without it. My common use cases...

1) Check the time. Yes I know it's crazy, but I still like to use a watch for this :)
2) Notifications - if I leave my phone in a coat pocket, or go swimming, or i'm on the golf course (where phones are banned..), I can tell that i've got a message/email/phone call, and if important, go to a discrete place to respond. Same goes for if I am in a meeting, it's very discrete and convenient.
3) Music control - track info, forward/back, volume, track selection..all works beautifully on your write
4) Golf Range finder - only useful as a golfer, but gets around the aformentioned "no mobile phones" rule and is so much more convenient than messing with another device. used this on Saturday, very useful ;)

Pebble does all the above and much much more..for around £100ish. Works with any android phone and iOS, and is the most successful smartwatch available.

Samsung are missing a trick yet again - still a paltry battery life, and they still seem to think people will go:

"I want a samsung smartwatch, I must therefore spend £400 on a new samsung phone" rather than the opposite...they would sell a LOT more if they made this available on all devices.

Up until recently they had the monopoly on smartwatches that looked good for most consumers. Pebble have launched their metal version now (much more fashion friendly), so I think the new Gear will really struggle. They could do with dropping the camera gimmick and price too, but I doubt that'l happen :)

Well... I'm a massive fan of technology and gimmicky gadgets, but I have wasted my fair share of cash on those that in the end turned out to be naff and/or not used anywhere near as often as expected... and I think this is one of them.


Checking the time - Like many people, I already have a watch for this and it costs significantly less that £100!!

Notifications - I can tell if I get a communication, as my phone can ring quietly, vibrate discretely or simply flash the screen on silent.

Music control - I have buttons on the side of the phone that do this.

Golf Range finder - Isn't that cheating??!! I thought the challenge was NOT knowing the ranges and using your own judgement? :p


I will specify that, as far as MY uses go, I can't see the point in a secondary screen 2-3' away from the actual one that does the exact same as the actual one. It can take just as much time (or longer) to undo my cuff and move my sleeve up to see who has emailed me, before I then have to get the phone out to reply anyway.

As I said, I'm a massive fan of technology and gimmicky gadgets, but this one is just beyond me... I'd be more into it if you could leave the phone behind and just use this.

Well, as someone very far from convinced I want, never mind actually need, a smartphone, I guess you can all guess what I think of this idea.

I anyone else wants one, fair enough. Horses for courses, etc.

Me? I'm more likely to want root canal surgery than these. Don't like the idea, don't see value for money, and they look butt-ugly besides.

'Nuff said.