Smartwatch Thread (news/apps/updates)

insane200 · 29 Jan 2018 at 14:34

Orcvader said:
Haven't noticed that on mine and I got 2.8 recently. I also have IFTTT installed. What watch face are you using?

elements digital, I'm trying to get a notification so i can take a picture but its a very slow day today.

Just checked as i now have a notification and yes it is the face that gives me the dot.

Cavallino · 29 Jan 2018 at 16:33

ci_newman said:
The dock for the S3 is tiny, it's probably one of the smallest pieces of tech that I pack when I am travelling!

Yes but the Apple Watch is a little puck that just magnetically attaches to the back of the watch, whereas the gear is more of a dock/charger and more bulkier.

(Its not a huge deal but it just doesnt fit into my cable bag whereas my previous apple charger did).

mrgubby · 29 Jan 2018 at 16:37

Cavallino said:
Yes but the Apple Watch is a little puck that just magnetically attaches to the back of the watch, whereas the gear is more of a dock/charger and more bulkier.

(Its not a huge deal but it just doesnt fit into my cable bag whereas my previous apple charger did).

I thought it was a QI charger so any slimline one will do ?

Cavallino · 29 Jan 2018 at 17:04

Well whenever I put in travel charger into google or ebay to see if something exists, all I get are the desk chargers:

I.e. https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/mobile-accessories/smartwatches/ep-yo760bbegus-ep-yo760bbegus/

pinkpound · 30 Jan 2018 at 19:49

Cavallino said:
Well whenever I put in travel charger into google or ebay to see if something exists, all I get are the desk chargers:

I.e. https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/mobile-accessories/smartwatches/ep-yo760bbegus-ep-yo760bbegus/

if you check XDA quite a few people have tried other wireless chargers and none seem to work or watch gets very hot .. I've tried mine on few wireless chargers and none worked, tried on Gear s2 charger and it worked but got very warm

I travel with my watch and just take the standard charger or just plug it in to a power brick

glenimp617 · 15 Feb 2018 at 14:57

Took a punt on my first android watch this week (wanted a new toy to play with). Spent ages looking at different brands but settled on a ticwatch e, mainly due to the price tag if I'm honest.

Google doesn't fill me with much confidence in it's ability to support android wear, especially considering it's age and the lack of any modern processors. That said, whilst I have to forgive it's shortcomings I really like it.

I don't think I will be returning it put it that way.

Kainz · 15 Feb 2018 at 17:02

I've never been sold on watches thanks to Android Wear and google's typical lack of commitment to it like tablets. Having seen a work colleague's S3 Frontier running Tizen I am hugely impressed. The first thing that hit me was the solid build quality and the spinning bezel for navigation. Looking around it seems that prices are all over the place for this thing right now. I can afford about £250 tops and most places have it for way over that much. Shame there isn't enough stock to meet demand.

Begbie · 15 Feb 2018 at 19:06

TheOracle said:
Took a punt on my first android watch this week (wanted a new toy to play with). Spent ages looking at different brands but settled on a ticwatch e, mainly due to the price tag if I'm honest.

Google doesn't fill me with much confidence in it's ability to support android wear, especially considering it's age and the lack of any modern processors. That said, whilst I have to forgive it's shortcomings I really like it.

I don't think I will be returning it put it that way.

Considering getting the S. How is it? Good battery life?

Kainz · 18 Feb 2018 at 12:52

Ended up taking delivery of an S3 Frontier yesterday morning. Bought it off ebay with some valentines money from missus and a stack of nectar points!

I have to admit I am very surprised by Tizen. The S3 navigates fluidly through its apps and screens and I've enjoyed my time with the device since. I am using the MD81 watch face right now. I purchased a Greatfine 22mm Silicone watch strap off amazon and am equally as pleased (not a fan of the stock strap). My 6P isn't enjoying the Bluetooth experience though - The samsung software (really nice UI wise) on a non-android phone requires the core Gear app and a few plugins, that are seemingly taking its toll on my battery. It is definitely draining faster than normal anyway.

Either way I am very pleased with the purchase thus far. Looking ahead, my main concern is with the battery life as these watches obviously have a pansy sized battery that WILL degrade fast. The frontier seems easy enough to replace the battery on though going by various YT vids out there.

glenimp617 · 18 Feb 2018 at 21:32

Begbie said:
Considering getting the S. How is it? Good battery life?

To be honest I wasn't expecting much, and wouldnt have been surprised if I had returned it back to Amazon. In truth, I've been very impressed. Battery life is well over a day. It can probably 'just' about squeeze out two days but that's with always on display switched off, and not much use. If you hammer it, you'll be charging every night. Fortunately from dead to full is about 30mins, so pretty decent.

I personally preferred the look of the E over the S, but had it been to other way around, the price would have made me consider the huawei watch 2. That extra £50 gets you NFC, Snapdragon processor plus a few other nice bits.....albeit with a smaller screen.

The E is a damn bargain. Take a punt, if you don't like it send it back.

DagsJT · 19 Feb 2018 at 07:04

Kainz said:
Ended up taking delivery of an S3 Frontier yesterday morning. Bought it off ebay with some valentines money from missus and a stack of nectar points!

I have to admit I am very surprised by Tizen. The S3 navigates fluidly through its apps and screens and I've enjoyed my time with the device since. I am using the MD81 watch face right now. I purchased a Greatfine 22mm Silicone watch strap off amazon and am equally as pleased (not a fan of the stock strap). My 6P isn't enjoying the Bluetooth experience though - The samsung software (really nice UI wise) on a non-android phone requires the core Gear app and a few plugins, that are seemingly taking its toll on my battery. It is definitely draining faster than normal anyway.

Either way I am very pleased with the purchase thus far. Looking ahead, my main concern is with the battery life as these watches obviously have a pansy sized battery that WILL degrade fast. The frontier seems easy enough to replace the battery on though going by various YT vids out there.

That's a .... Busy screen.

Kainz · 19 Feb 2018 at 09:00

DagsJT said:
That's a .... Busy screen.

Lol yes. I have a few much less busy ones but I've only ever had one digital watch in the past and that was some transformers toy watch in the 80s. I'm making up for lost time!

Begbie · 19 Feb 2018 at 10:54

TheOracle said:
To be honest I wasn't expecting much, and wouldnt have been surprised if I had returned it back to Amazon. In truth, I've been very impressed. Battery life is well over a day. It can probably 'just' about squeeze out two days but that's with always on display switched off, and not much use. If you hammer it, you'll be charging every night. Fortunately from dead to full is about 30mins, so pretty decent.

I personally preferred the look of the E over the S, but had it been to other way around, the price would have made me consider the huawei watch 2. That extra £50 gets you NFC, Snapdragon processor plus a few other nice bits.....albeit with a smaller screen.

The E is a damn bargain. Take a punt, if you don't like it send it back.

Interested in the S due to the GPS, which a lot don't seem to have or at least no where near that price point!

glenimp617 · 19 Feb 2018 at 11:12

Begbie said:
Interested in the S due to the GPS, which a lot don't seem to have or at least no where near that price point!

The e also has GPS, but the S has a better gps signal as it uses the strap (which can't be changed btw)

Just check current prices as I think they went up today

Begbie · 19 Feb 2018 at 11:35

TheOracle said:
The e also has GPS, but the S has a better gps signal as it uses the strap (which can't be changed btw)

Just check current prices as I think they went up today

Oh I thought the E only had GPS via the phone?

glenimp617 · 19 Feb 2018 at 13:18

Begbie said:
Oh I thought the E only had GPS via the phone?

If bluetooth is switched on and connected to your phone it will use that. However, without the phone it uses it's own.

I've just tried it now and with the phone connected it says "acquiring gps from phone" but when disconnected it says "acquiring gps"

glenimp617 · 20 Feb 2018 at 20:22

My ticwatch e is at 30% battery after two days. Seems to be much better after a few charges.
I've not been hammering it though, only using it really as a normal watch....and with this weather, I've not been doing any fitness

Al-Ectrician · 20 Feb 2018 at 20:48

I’ve downloaded the md81 watch face for my Samsung frontier.

Turned up brightness.

Very impressed for 74p.

Alan

Pookie Bear · 22 Feb 2018 at 10:56

Kainz said:
Looking ahead, my main concern is with the battery life as these watches obviously have a pansy sized battery that WILL degrade fast. The frontier seems easy enough to replace the battery on though going by various YT vids out there.

I've had my S3 Frontier for around 15 months now, and the battery has gone from four days to three if I'm lucky. It doesn't bother me too much as it's easy to top up (I keep the charger under my monitor), but it does mean that I am a little more wary when I'm away for the weekend.

Orcvader · 22 Feb 2018 at 11:02

Only just noticed now but my HW2 finally updated to Oreo. Haven't really seen much difference but it does feel a little more snappier when using it. Although noticed a new "Storage" option in the settings menu which shows how big each app is... not really much different from the app list in "Apps & notifications" but it is laid out better.

Google Assistant is still useless on Android Wear, it keeps showing search results for most things and not as useful as on the phone/home.