Anyone Own a Smart Watch?

[Mike]

Julie got me an LG G Watch R for Christmas of '14, so I've had it for about 16 months. It was new tech that just came out. I never talk about how much we pay for things, but she dropped $300 on this. I spent the first week fascinatinated by my new gadget and the next year wishing I wouldn't have said out loud how amazing they looked. In my opinion from day to day use, it's not worth half that, or a third of that, or a quarter of that. If this one died, I might be persuaded to buy a smart watch again for $50.

Occasionally, if I can't get to my phone, a message comes in, and it's convenient to twist my wrist to read it, or someone calls and my phone is across the room, see who's calling. Nice to check the weather. Those are nice once in a while, but not hundreds of dollars nice. I think most people who say they love them are just too prideful to admit they wasted a lot of money. As your expert level no-pride Christian, I'll tell you I (bc mine is hers & hers is mine) wasted my money.

Anyone else have a smart watch and feel the same or different?

 

[MSchultz]

Hello Mike

I do not own a smartwatch but I have always considered purchasing one since their release. I considered the purchase and have finally arrived at the conclusion that a smartwatch may be money unwisely spent. I think the benefit of a smartwatch is as you have outlined, they are useful if you wish not to check your mobile device which may be in another room. For example if one's leaves the home and is in possession of both a smartwatch and a mobile device, I cannot see the issue in taking out one's mobile device to check messages, emails, weather and more...
To me, smartwatches are redundant if one owns a smartphone (I'm unsure whether this is the correct word).

 

[Mike]

MSchultz that's about right. I can't speak for every smart watch owner, but I'd say it's a nice to have; not a need to have. IMO, you made the right decision.

 

[Knotical]

Yeah, I considered these a waste of money considering your phone has to be in close proximity to the watch in order for it to work, since it connects via bluetooth. I just kind of chuckle to myself whenever I see someone wearing one as I know they got taken.

No offense Mike.

 

[Mike]

I just kind of chuckle to myself whenever I see someone wearing one as I know they got taken.

Well, much offense taken!


Actually, it's somewhat better than what you've described, because most models including my LG G Watch R have wifi. If it is within range of the same wifi that my phone is on, it'll communicate with my phone. I work in a large building. If I'm in a meeting of without my phone on the 1st floor, I can pick up all my phone's notifications when it's on my desk on the 6th floor, even respond to texts from it. That's pretty convenient at times if my phone's charging at my desk.

 

[Knotical]

How often do you have to recharge your watch?

 

[Mike]

I can go 2, maybe 3 days on a charge, but I'm in the habit of cradling it every night when I go to bed.

 

[Jim Andrews]

I got my Gear S over two years ago. Paid $360.00 (US). I am very satisfied with my Samsung Gear S. Has a Charging Cradle, which I have attached most of the time, and I can still wear with the Charging Cradle attached. Gives me extra battery time.

I have a Gallery with over 100 images, including many Educational Images which I use while working in various classrooms ..... like different Multplication Tables ... Algebra Formulas ... and more .....

I use the Calculator app often. Also comes in handy working in classrooms >>> Stopwatch >>> Timer >>> Alarms ..... for Time Tests, Running Laps, Reminders .....

I can read PDF and Doc files ...... like Articles and even eBooks.

Bible app ..... Opera Mini Web Browser ..... Calendar ...

I still use my Gear S often. Great for riding my bicycle. Measures distance, current speed, average speed, and more ..... Even has an app that talks to me and tells me where to turn to get to my destination ! I use the app >>> "My Notes in Gear" all the time to keep my most important Notes, like Job Assignments, Shopping Lists, Doctors Appontments, Medical/Health Records, and other Notes.

My Gear S comes in handy for making and receiving Phone Calls. I can check my G-mail Messages, Twitter, Instagram, Text Messages. I can send Text Messages ad E-mail Messages.

I can even watch Videos !!! Listen to Music. Record Audio Notes. Check News, Weather ....

Measure my Steps with S Health, which is very accurate. Also has a Sleep app that measures my activity and inactivity while I'm sleeping. Measures my Heart Rate, and it's very accurate.

Lots of different Watch Faces ..... Compass (also very accurate) .... UV meter ... GPS ... Altimeter ..... Unit Converter ... Games ...

 

[Jim Andrews]

Oh yes ... How could I forget ... My Gear S is "Stand Alone", which means that I can use my Gear S without even connecting to my S8 Plus. I can actually leave my smartphone at home, turned off. I have expermented many times. I can ride my bcycle around town, or ride the bus around town, and still use my Gear S Smartwatch to make and receive phone calls, get on the Internet using the Opera Mini Web Browser, check News, Weather, Text Messages and more. I still get a full day of light-medium use after more than two years.

Has Bluetooth (connects fo my Bluetooth Headphones or Earbuds), WiFi, Mobile Networks (both Mobile Data and Data Roaming), Location, Airplane Mode, and even Power Saving Mode, which can give me many days. I got 8 days one time !!!

I transfer files from my S8 Plus to my Gear S using the app >>> File Transfer.

I have over 100 apps on my Gear S, which is amazing with only 4GB storage. Hundreds of songs, over 100 images, dozens of articles and eBooks.

 

[Mike]

My gadget friend, we might be related by blood somewhere back. I'm always tinkering with these things, and I listen to a lot of podcasts about these devices.

You must pay monthly fees on your stand alone watch. The fact that you can use it while it's not connected to your phone adds a big twist, but I almost always have my phone within reach. I've rarely wished I didn't have to have it on me.

If I'm exercising or active, I've found it to me most useful, but you still need two hands. Hold the wrist up so I can see it, and manipulate it with the other. At work is where I find it most useful. Read texts and email while in meetings, not having to pull out my phone. Connect to wifi, leave my phone in my office, and use my watch to get messages. Nice.

 

[Willie T]

I don't think I could comment on this thread if I had to. (No pride, that's for sure. No one with any pride in themselves could ever openly admit to some of these things.) LOL

 

[jasonc]

One dumb phone is enough

 

[Jim Andrews]

I got lucky ...... I only pay $5.00 (US) per month for full service on my Gear S (regular price is $15/mo.). Unlimited phone calls, text, Internet ..... My payments were only $15/mo. My Gear S is paid off now. I cancelled the insurance. Never needed it.

I might get a backup Charging Cradle ..... I'd like to use the GPS more than I do .... when I'm walking around town, or riding the bus, or cycling. I don't drive anymore. Connecting to my Bluetooth Headphones or Earbuds drains the battery much faster.

I am disappointed that Milk Music no longer works. So, now there is no more Streaming apps for the Gear S. I do have tons of MP3 music files on my Gear S though.

 

[Mike]

I don't think I could comment on this thread if I had to. (No pride, that's for sure. No one with any pride in themselves could ever openly admit to some of these things.) LOL

We're tech nerds. We have the advantage of having no amount of pride to get past. :wink

So, now there is no more Streaming apps for the Gear S. I do have tons of MP3 music files on my Gear S though.

There's always Spotify. It works great with my S7. Full controls, and it connects automatically to Waze (best GPS app) when you start up Spotify when it detects that you're walking, running, riding, or driving to record your route.

 

[Jim Andrews]

Spotify doesn't work on the Gear S.

 

[Knotical]

I have never seen the benefit of buying a smart watch, especially since you have to have the phone it is paired to within close proximity to even use the thing. In my mind it completely negates the need for the watch.

 

[Mike]

I have never seen the benefit of buying a smart watch, especially since you have to have the phone it is paired to within close proximity to even use the thing. In my mind it completely negates the need for the watch.

Maybe if you read the previous posts... :wink

 

[Knotical]

Maybe if you read the previous posts... :wink

You expect me to read things? Sheesh.

Upon further perusal I have noticed that Jim mentioned he was able to leave his phone at home turned off. My question then is do they use the same line on his account, or are they two separate lines?

Though, regardless of how it works I just can't justify spending that much on a watch.

 

[Mike]

Though, regardless of how it works I just can't justify spending that much on a watch.

Absolutely! If someone can get one for cheap or even free, they will probably be worth it. After 2 and a half years of use, my firm opinion is they are a nice to have; not a need to have. Spending hundreds on them means different things to different bank accounts, but they are way over-priced for the average Joe. A definite luxury; not a necessity.

 

[stovebolts]

Wow, I feel much better now!
I spent a lot of money on my Seiko that never needs winding and doesn't use a battery. It charges from the motion of my daily activities