QOTW: Do you own a smartwatch?

[b0redom]

I have a Garmin Fenix 5X. It's does smart stuff (like SMS notifications - which can be handy when I'm in long, boring meetings), but I really usually use it for exercising metrics.

[3dcandy]

I've got a Pebble. Missus has an Amazfit Bip. Got the Pebble because whilst driving you can see if you need to stop and take a text or can answer phone without all the hassle of unlocking etc. phone. Use the Pebble to keep track of steps etc. and sleep. Not for everyone, and after over 2 and a half years it needs charging every 2 days but the Amazfit Bip does at least 3 weeks on a charge

[sleepy4970]

Nope...

[philehidiot]

More info required, please..... maybe with photos, if it's family-friendly?

I have a Nevro HF10 spinal cord stimulator for chronic pain. It uses high frequency zappingness to modulate the signals in my nerves, markedly reducing the pain. I was on palliative care doses of opiates and it was getting to the point where I was unable to work. I did research into how various different models worked, most just change the pain to a tingling sensation and you can't drive with them switched on. I ride a motorcycle so that wasn't an option. This one was experimental and reduces the pain rather than just changing the sensation. Therefore I can leave it on whilst riding and on top of that as a result of this thing I still have a job, I can actually have hobbies (no more marital arts or running but hey) and I'm getting married whereas previously I was in so much pain a relationship was not even a possibility. I've even managed to reduce my opiate dose which is miraculous. I'll try and put some pictures on. The one of my back shows the bulge where the main implant is (just under the long scar at the right) and the one towards my spine is the anchor which holds the leads in my spine in position. There's another of my remote control and another of my induction charger (which also charges a phone until the charger realises there's no handshake and shuts off).

... tried to attach photos. There's only an upload option and I have nowhere to upload to. So here's a link with piccies.

https://www.spinalcordstimulation.co...rapy-overview/

[FromUSA]

I have an Apple watch...works well

[Iota]

There are certainly plenty of reasons to consider one.

Not really, if it can tell the time, that's all that a watch needs to do.

[philehidiot]

Not really, if it can tell the time, that's all that a watch needs to do.

I can see a use for a couple of things. One, messages without having to pull your phone out. Especially if you do a lot of travelling and want to know if you have to put things down to bother replying. Second reason is to do with the travelling again - turn by turn directions / a small map could be very useful in a strange city without having to look like you're navigating by tricorder. Expensive, highly stealable tricorder.

Beyond that i find them utterly useless. The health stuff has far better dedicated kit.

[3dcandy]

I can see a use for a couple of things. One, messages without having to pull your phone out. Especially if you do a lot of travelling and want to know if you have to put things down to bother replying. Second reason is to do with the travelling again - turn by turn directions / a small map could be very useful in a strange city without having to look like you're navigating by tricorder. Expensive, highly stealable tricorder.

Beyond that i find them utterly useless. The health stuff has far better dedicated kit.

Exactly this.... though to be fair the price of the 2 in our household was about £50 each. I don't think that's unreasonable

[ubiquity]

I got a amazfit for about £40 and am pretty happy with it

Useful for calender notifications but can sync any android app to it. Long lifespan before requiring a re-charge and also doubles as a heart sensor and monitors sleep patterns.

I mostly just use it for step counter though in all honesty.

[philehidiot]

Exactly this.... though to be fair the price of the 2 in our household was about £50 each. I don't think that's unreasonable

I personally think that's unreasonable but I remember when mars bars were 20p each at the most expensive newsagent.

If it's an all singing all dancing one, yeh I can go for £50. I wouldn't pay anything close to the asking price of an Apple watch for tech that isn't meant to last more than a couple of years. A phone is different as it's basically a mini PC and has vastly more functionality which can be expanded upon. A watch at best duplicates some of this in a slightly more convenient format. It's like owning a pocket watch with a calender, the star positions and other complications on it and then buying a normal basic wrist watch that just tells the time as well.

[Andi-C]

Nope, I have a wrist timepiece. If I want to be in touch with social media I'll connect with my right pocket & enjoy past tech for timekeeping (a watch).


SEIKO FTW !

[LSG501]

Haven't seen a reason to get one, although I do think it might be useful for sporting activities.... (un)fortunately I'm a lazy so and so who really doesn't like sporting activities lol

Besides I'd have to give up my normal watch for a smartwatch that in most cases wouldn't really suit being worn with smart attire.

[Wrinkly]

No, I don't own one as I simply have no need for one.

[spacein_vader]

No, I don't even have a dumb watch.

[Unique]

i have the first apple watch. it never lived up to expectations as i think it had and still has a huge potential that hasn't yet been realised. i'm not into fitness and that's one of the main things people do with smart watches and fitness bands

personally i think it looks good, and that's one of the main reasons for buying a watch apart from telling time. i like that it's easy to change the straps and faces to make it look different

apart from a normal watch, it can be handy at times to see messages on the watch if you are in meetings as it's more discreet than checking your phone, or if you are on a bus or tube and phone is in the pocket it's easier than trying to get the phone out if it's standing room only. the hands free calling has come in useful a few times too, or changing tracks/volume when playing music and the phone is in my pocket on a busy bus

personally i'd only recommend buying one if you like the look of it and buy it for that purpose and telling time, and consider anything else a bonus

i do look forward to having more ability such as tv remote, recording audio/video or at least using it as a remote to record/stop/pause, and stream audio/video, plus the option to use the watch as smart buttons/keys so if you press a button it will run a routine/activity so the watch can be set to do what you want it to do

[3dcandy]

I personally think that's unreasonable but I remember when mars bars were 20p each at the most expensive newsagent.

If it's an all singing all dancing one, yeh I can go for £50. I wouldn't pay anything close to the asking price of an Apple watch for tech that isn't meant to last more than a couple of years. A phone is different as it's basically a mini PC and has vastly more functionality which can be expanded upon. A watch at best duplicates some of this in a slightly more convenient format. It's like owning a pocket watch with a calender, the star positions and other complications on it and then buying a normal basic wrist watch that just tells the time as well.

That's the whole point though isn't it. The missus was exactly the same as you - but after getting one (Pebble) and then it dying from use I got her the Amazfit for her birthday. After some tweaking she loves it. She uses it at work because you can just take a peak at stuff and make a mental note if it needs attention right there or not. Same with me when I was a delivery driver - no problem to look at stuff and still be in control of vehicle or when stationary you can quickly sort out stuff. Each to their own