So I purchased my LG G Watch about 10 seconds after they were made available. I've been using it basically since I/O and love it, but one use-case I've had in mind since they first started talking about them is functionally broken at the moment, and I think it would require a change to Android Wear to make it better (though I'm not certain).
I ride my motorcycle whenever possible -- basically anytime the temperature is 50+ and it's dry outside, I'm on the bike. I wear gear, including gloves, so navigation is generally an annoyance. GPS units made for motorcycles are ridiculously expensive (a $100 GPS for cars is around $500 when made for motorcycle use, for basically just a bit of water-resistance). From the time I first started hearing about Wear (and because of the images Motorola was showing) I've been craving the idea of being able to look at my watch to see my navigation info. The images Motorola had shown (and others), basically worked just like Google Maps navigation, but in reality it doesn't work like that at all.
The biggest problem is that raising the watch turns the screen on, but the card is still minimized. This is *completely* useless for people actually operating any type of vehicle (whether it be a motorcycle, car, or even pedal-bike), since it requires someone to use both hands to operate. Even worse, many times those directions don't even have a distance or any type of visible indicator on what's ahead. I don't have a picture example at the moment, but generally it says "Turn Left at Market St" or something, but with no idea how far that point is.
Any ideas here from people that know more on whether this could be fixed in Maps or would require a more low-level change to Wear? This is my only complaint, but it's a somewhat big one...it's one of the main reasons I was looking forward to Wear, and the functionality is almost useless in implementation.
This seems promising: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.dheera.wearmaps
for you can think about this:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...igogo-goal-in-less-than-an-hour-after-launch/
I am considering a smartwatch for this very reason. Now that you've had it for a while, is it useful or at least better? If you are riding and traffic sucks, will it suggest faster routes? Can you dismiss things, and respond to a message (while stopped) with gloves on?
I was thinking about getting one mostly for occasional nav (I've gotten really good at finding my way around without nav since going 2-wheeled full time), traffic updates, and to see if whoever is calling me is worth pulling over for.
The No. 1 S3 is a Chinese round smartwatch. It comes in a couple of colours and both combinations are looking pretty good for the price of the device. This smartwatch costs $59usd and for that money you get a smartwatch that is also a phone. You can use it independently from your phone or with your phone.
The watch itself it's made out of plastic but it does look like it is metalic. A metalic version would have been nice but it would most likely increase the cost.
There is only one button available on the watch and it has a touch screen that it's supposed to be scratch resistant.
the back is removable and you can remove the battery, insert a memory card and a sim card. The 350mah battery is able to keep the watch going for an entire day, but will most definatley not make it thru the next day. This watch is not waterproof. There is also a speaker on the back of the device that it is surprisingly loud. There is also a microphone on the left hand side of the watch in case you want to make any phone calls or record anything.
On one of the straps there is a heart rate monitor that works very well, however it doesn't have a function to randomly measure your heart rate thru-out the day.
If you use the watch as a smartwatch there is an app that you can download and that way all your phone notifications get to the watch. Some of the health functions of the watch like the heart rate, or the pedometer will sync on the watch.
The watchfaces are quite limited and there is no way to get new ones or customize the ones that are available.
The apps that come on the watch are also the only apps that you can get, but i believe that there are enough for the little screen that the watch has. You can change the music playing on your phone from the watch, take pictures from the watch and small things like that.
I ended up using the watch as a watch, not as a smartwatch, just because i find the pedometer and heart rate monitor useful during runs and workouts.
Overall, for $58.99usd it is a very decent watch. Check out the link in the video's description if you want to check this watch out.
Review:
Mod Edit: Link leading to affiliate sales links removed
Unboxing:
Mod Edit: Link leading to affiliate sales links removed
I have had my S3 for a couple of weeks now and for the most part it is a very nice watch for the price. My greatest issue with the watch is its inability to use a paired Bluetooth headset to make and receive calls, or even listen to music (I should also indicate that a dedicated music player to play internal music files is not included). This is an extremely inconvenient oversight, as when using the watch with a SIM card, most people feel foolish talking into the watch and would much prefer doing so via a Bluetooth headset.
This said, here are some pros/ cons with the S3:
Pros:
- Price
- Quality build
- Functionality (even though many of the apps are quite flakey, especially the vibration massage one!)
- Display
- Bluetooth and GSM reception
Cons:
- Battery life on the low side (about 8-9 hours of average use)
- No Bluetooth headset pairing
For $60 USD, the No.1 S3 gives you a nice looking watch that does not scream "geek", at least until you have to make or receive a call through it.
Full review made by my German Partner (i just tried to translate it)
We got a 10€ discount coupon for one store included
hands-on video included.
English: http://androidwearpro.com/1135/no-1-s3-smartwatch-video-review-with-discount-coupon/
German: http://androidwearpro.com/de/1116/no-1-s3-smartwatch-mit-2g-telefonie-eine-runde-sache/
Video Link (included in both articles too): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6U5F-9dPvU
probstc said:
I have had my S3 for a couple of weeks now and for the most part it is a very nice watch for the price. My greatest issue with the watch is its inability to use a paired Bluetooth headset to make and receive calls, or even listen to music (I should also indicate that a dedicated music player to play internal music files is not included). This is an extremely inconvenient oversight, as when using the watch with a SIM card, most people feel foolish talking into the watch and would much prefer doing so via a Bluetooth headset.
This said, here are some pros/ cons with the S3:
Pros:
- Price
- Quality build
- Functionality (even though many of the apps are quite flakey, especially the vibration massage one!)
- Display
- Bluetooth and GSM reception
Cons:
- Battery life on the low side (about 8-9 hours of average use)
- No Bluetooth headset pairing
For $60 USD, the No.1 S3 gives you a nice looking watch that does not scream "geek", at least until you have to make or receive a call through it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi guys,
just wondering how the app fundo wear works? Is it possible to track the distance on a map like runtastic or similar activating it from the smartwatch? Like i click on the watch "start" and it will runthe session with gps activated from the phone app?
Thanks in advance!!!
Looks great, but functionality limited
cthulhu79 said:
Hi guys,
just wondering how the app fundo wear works? Is it possible to track the distance on a map like runtastic or similar activating it from the smartwatch? Like i click on the watch "start" and it will runthe session with gps activated from the phone app?
Thanks in advance!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I regret to say that the Fundo app does very little other than set what apps can send notifications to your smartwatch and install a very limited number of additional apps. There are no map tracking apps (there is an inaccurate pedometer though). I also found that linking my smartphone to the smartwatch with the Fundo app completely screwed up my other Bluetooth connections (especially with my cars) and after discovering this, I quickly uninstalled the app. Shortly thereafter I sold the smartwatch to someone who was more interested in the looks than the substance - I am done with extremely cheap and limited functionality smartwatches.
probstc said:
I regret to say that the Fundo app does very little other than set what apps can send notifications to your smartwatch and install a very limited number of additional apps. There are no map tracking apps (there is an inaccurate pedometer though). I also found that linking my smartphone to the smartwatch with the Fundo app completely screwed up my other Bluetooth connections (especially with my cars) and after discovering this, I quickly uninstalled the app. Shortly thereafter I sold the smartwatch to someone who was more interested in the looks than the substance - I am done with extremely cheap and limited functionality smartwatches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks million for the heads up probstc [emoji16]
Sent from my Archos 50 Diamond using Tapatalk
S3 and T3
What is the difference between S3 and T3? Are they same thing?
Hi,
I was searching for a Smartwatch and ended in ordering a (Chinese) Lemfo LF16 with full Android 5.1, ...
Interesting for me was that it seems to be a nice watch, smartphone functions, all connectivities possible and also some health function like pedometer, etc.
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/Smart-Watch LF16
Someone else having this one and already experience?
What are you thinking of this watch?
When I receive my, I will post feedback...
Thanks
giovanne
I'm anxious to hear more from people on this, and if there are any hacks and such for it. I dreadfully searched for days for the standalone smartwatch that was best for me, in the price range of this thing, and settled on this one for it's quick access sim slot (I will be alternating between this and the Nexus 5X), loud speaker (which is on the side, not on the wrist/bottom) because I need to hear my notifications), big screen, and not overly geeky looks. Hopefully it's as good as it seams and I don't regret my choice!
Well,
Here is a quick list of what I have discovered so far. Depending on what you will be using it for, you will either really love it or really hate it!
I'm using it mostly for the Bluetooth MP3 player features in addition to the basic watch.
Pros
• Nice design ala "Gear S3
• I can finally walk down the street with my Bluetooth music playing and swinging my arms without intermittent cutting out!
• The Bluetooth sound reproduction is really good even with stock player.
• Speaker nice and load.
• The weather update now works using your phone data and no longer request that you turn on your GPS.
• Access Sim with requiring the removal of back cover.
• Got rid of the ugly backgrounds within Notification screen, just a sweet black (well almost black)
Cons
• Operating system seems very beta as it has the most ugly watch faces ever released for a Lemfo Android watch, and leaves us with only 2 tolerable faces (hence incomplete OS)
• Unable to load up custom watch faces via "Clockskin any more.
• Watchstrap LUGS have been removed so not custom watch strap mods
• Silver bezel only comes with white band.
• Watch strap is very flimsy compared to the silicone strap available with the X3 Plus
• Watch is toted as, "Ultra thin" but it is not. The bezel is low profile, but there is more to the body although beveled in, so the watch has an unattractive umbrella look to it.
• Bezel is not stainless steel but some other lighter metal, maybe Aluminum or Titanium Alloy, so the quality feels almost Toy like. (so don't bump it!) My X5 still rules!
• Lemfo cut cost by providing a less than adequate charging cable that has poor magnet strength.
• I bought two of these watches and only one of the chargers worked. (Murphy's Law)
• When booting to recovery, there is no way to navigate the menu as it only has one button
• When navigating some of the app functions user is unable to adjust a function that requires swiping as this brings you back to a previous screen (Try to increase the volume by swiping without backing out of the function!
• Still unable to add App widgets to existing basic three (weather, fitness, music etc)
• Some screens don't allow you to go one step back by swiping right, but instead you have to press the power button and start again.
• At times "Data" connection seems to keep turning it self off. I think it happens after phone goes to sleep for a period of time, but the function to disable "turning off the data" is no longer within the "Display" section.
• Screen is promoted as, "Amoled" but the blacks still appear back-lit!
Enable Data
Update,
Enabling data now has its own icon within the quick access screen. I think that I was disabling this, not knowing what it was and therefore concluded that the data was turning itself off.
Thanks for the really good and detailled feedback.
I got mine LF16 also in the meantime.
Overall I can agree with you "Star_Inc".
For my first tests and usage I only want to use it as "normal" clock/watch and to try the pedometer.
For the first tests and to have max. bat-life I use the watch in Flightmode without (GPS, GSM, WLAN,...)
For the normal clock I tested with custom ClockFace handling.
- apk - Clockfaces available for the KW88 clock will work on the LF16 too
- "ClockSkin" folder method works with e.g. the (standalone) launcher/app from Eric: http://roundandroidwatches.proboards.com/thread/267/standalone-clockskin-engine-apk-version
First pedometer tests where ok - will go on testing
Bluetooth with my Oneplus 3 Smartphone is working (but I don't like all the notifications on the watch)
Bluetooth filetransfer from Smartphone to LF16 is working (e.g. useful when transfering a new apk to the watch)
The suggested APP WiWear(SinWear) for the phone to connect is "horrible"!
I will go on testing...
does anyone know how i enabled syncing?
What about GPS accuracy? And battery life?.
Hey Guys
I have already received my watch i agree with stark_inc, but i see the quality of the bezel is good
the overall feedback after 2 days is good, except 2 things
1. the terrific support program WiiWear (SinWear), this is the only way to connect the watch to my phone, unfortunately failed to connect it to Android Wear, MediaTEK Smart Device or Fundo, i hope some body helps with this
2. i cant add more watch faces also
for battery life it is ok to keep in your hand 1 day (provided you don't go through it many), thickness is ok, i think it was to be better if it is 1.3" instead of 1.39"
---------- Post added at 07:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:49 AM ----------
Daisuke1988 said:
does anyone know how i enabled syncing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only i can sync the watch to the phone through the rubbish program WiiWear
---------- Post added at 07:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:51 AM ----------
Hav4k said:
What about GPS accuracy? And battery life?.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you are going to use it much, it won't go with you for 1 day
turning off wifi will support battery significantly
GPS is ok i get my location exactly
Hey Guys
I tried ClockSkin Launcher and it is working fine
the major issue for me now that i cannot connect the watch to the phone except via this very poor WiiConnect (SinaWear) app, even it doesn't sync the steps and it really fool app, i hope someone can help how we connect the watch to Apps like Android Wear or any other useful app!
I'm Working On Something Wonderful!
Hey ladies and gentlemen,
If you are an owner of a LF16 or KW88 or LEM3 or BLITZ you are aware of the annoying inconsistent configuration of their custom watchface implication, and as a result some have been pulling their hair out trying to devise of ways to accomplish this the caliber of ClockSkin.
My solution is to do away with the entire operating system and install a ROM that supports native ClockSkin.
This work is in progress, but if successful we can then do away with this line of watches headaches, and focus our creativity to produce ClockSkin compatible faces.
I'll keep you updated!
And yes, this is a custom LF16 hardware!
@Stark_Inc, hey man, if you can do that, kudos, I'll try it out. Can you elaborate on what you're doing, other than making a ROM for these phones? What is it based on? Stock? Or using LF16 rom and just editing the watchface handling?
I think a new ROM is certainly not a bad idea if it can be done - it may allow us to more easily fix the rest of the problems, which I agree are many.
I'm soooo disappointed with this thing (LF16). I chose it because of the easy access of the SIM card because I thought I'd like to swap between phone and this, but the battery life, if the watch is used, SUCKS, and charging "in the field" is pointless given how lousy the connection is (bad format anyway). Starting to think what I would have preferred isn't a full android watch in the first place - but more like Android Wear. I'm really hoping people who are smarter than me save the day with new ROMs and other fixes to make it worth owning.
I didn't spend 100 bucks for a watch. I honestly don't care a whole lot for watches (jewelry in general), I paid for a smart device. What is the point if you can't use it all day - which you can't. You can use it as a watch all day. I haven't had the guts to try it with my sim card yet. I doubt it would be much better. But turning off BT and WiFi certainly improved battery life by a TON. But what's the point?
I thought it would be easy to find a replacement companion app for this thing (for smartphone) but nothing works with it. Even the one they want you to use is not only **** even it if it worked, but for me crashes (Nexus 5X with 7.1.1) ever time it connects. I can't track fitness for ****. Even Google Fit - um, where's the heart-rate data collection? I tried apps both directly on the watch and the Nexus - nothing seems to collect historic data.
I think some of my problems are more with "stand-alone Android" watches more then the LF16, but since this is my first, I could be wrong.
KW88/LF16 Lite and Clean
So i'm moving away from my original idea of porting a "ClockSkin" friendly rom, and instead I am working to make the KW88/LF16 Rom more cleaner, lite'r and battery friendly. In fact, I have sought of started to make the UI more like the GEAR S3. I'll keep you posted.
Oh. I've also installed my own clock face of preference within the existing WatchApp engine, and I am sure I should be able to activate other dormant faces in the future.
someone try to add this keyboard ? https://www.kickstarter.com/project...oard-the-first-dedicated-smartwatch-k?lang=fr
i'm looking to a faces like this too, i love one hand watch
Stark_Inc said:
Hey ladies and gentlemen,
If you are an owner of a LF16 or KW88 or LEM3 or BLITZ you are aware of the annoying inconsistent configuration of their custom watchface implication, and as a result some have been pulling their hair out trying to devise of ways to accomplish this the caliber of ClockSkin.
My solution is to do away with the entire operating system and install a ROM that supports native ClockSkin.
This work is in progress, but if successful we can then do away with this line of watches headaches, and focus our creativity to produce ClockSkin compatible faces.
I'll keep you updated!
And yes, this is a custom LF16 hardware!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This should be great!
One question, KW88 watch is almost (except camera) the same HW than LF16, Do you Know if it's possible to flash KW88 ROMs in LF16?. Support for KW88 seems to be much better than LF16.
Small back from this watch I have for less than a week, the battery holds about 8 hours, without playing too much, black screen, not the needles in permanent lighting, I hope the arrival of a rom by Stark_Inc It would be really good, optimize the duration of the battery, make that one can further decrease the brightness, I have a sim card in and the data connections active. If not, I find it beautiful. I would like the screen to display the hours all the time, with a duration of 10 hours would really bein, is it a dream? I am on the orange network france.
Hi, I'm waiting form my LF16 to arrive (I guess I would go with the LEM5 for the 1GB of RAM, but I've noticed it after my watch was shipped ),
I'm spending my time planning my actions with itm so...
- Is kingoroot working on this watch to gain root access?
- is it possible (and needed) to activate swap on this watch?
- any list of mods/customization existing - maybe a new thread, or a sticky?
I hope people can make this watch worth the money, as I read it is not really that good....
Hi. I got this smartwatch for my son for xmas and I have not being able to get a pre-pay service provider to get a sim card for it. my son does not have a cell phone that is why we got him the watch but where ever i take it they say that wont work with their network. Can somebody please help me to finish with my son xmas present.
Thank you
Hi ,
The watch work with : 3G WCDMA 850/2100 ; 2G GSM 850/900/1800/1900 quad-bandes Network .
You have to find the telephone company that uses its frequencies .
Has anyone though about installing a bigger battery on this watch? I have seen some on eBay up to 1200ma. This would definitely sort out the battery problems but I have no idea whether or not they are safe to install or even what type of battery this watch uses as I haven't opened it up.
Something I was thinking about doing but not sure if it can be done
Hi Karl, can you send me the links to the ebay store please ? tnx , now the automnomy of my watch the 3 / 4 days are 5 hours max !
Ok so I'm looking to get a new watch and decided to give a smart watch a try. I had a Chinese U8 watch from years ago that I hated but things have moved on from that horrible thing.
I have been looking and I'm not sure whether to go for something with AW 2.0 (possibly the Hauwei) or whether to go for a Chinese full android watch (possibly the D5+).
I'm steering clear of anything Chinese running their own software as they are all pretty generic and all pretty crap.
I'm not looking for anything too amazing and won't be using it for calls. I won't be putting a sim/SD card into the watch so tethering of some kind is a must.
Will mostly be used for:
Time, duh.. (so the turning wrist wake up would be good)
Notifications (mostly reading, on the odd chance I do want to reply using the watch a voice command would be good but not essential)
Some slight messing around when I'm bored.
I have ruined my brain with articles/YouTube videos but it seems to be hard to find a definitive answer to this.
i own a lg urbane 2 and a lemfo lem5.
espacially if you need no calls, take wear. don;t know about huawei, but battery life of the lg and the lemfo are worlds from each other.
i use the watch for calls, email, almost everything. the lemfo will not go through the day.
wear on the other hand, is another world and much harder to use (when using standalone, can't judge whiel i not use it as a companion device)
Well, there doesn't seem to be a generic smart watch thread, so I thought I would post this here. If there is a better place for it, mods may feel free to move it if they wish.
So, i am looking for a recommendation on a smart watch. I was a pebble time user for a long time, but after the announcement that they will stop supporting it thus summer, i am a bit concerned its gonna stop working, so I have started my search. So far I have been through and returned a Fossil, and am getting ready to return my Zen Watch 3 because of all the bugs and problems (see my post yesterday) so I came here for a recommendation. If needed, I have a 6P running Android 8.0.0 rooted.
So here are my needs. please keep in mind that the needs listed may (I don't know) be common to most/all smart watches, but figure I should probably include them in case.
1) It must work reliably 99.9% of the time. 15 seconds before the watch notifies me of a phone call isn't acceptable. (Hence why I am thinking about ditching my Zen. The Zen Watch 3, as least as it is working for me is a horribly unreliable piece of junk, and Asus tech support is a total joke.)
2) It must notify me of phone calls, and text messages, and include the contact name in the notification.
3) I must be able to reply, at least by voice, to text messages I receive.
4) Must get at least 24 hours out of a charge with light use, and have some battery to spare. EG. My Zen watch, I use it occasionally, and after 24 hours, I usually have 25-%-35% life left. Thats why I got rid of the Fossil. Battery life was horrible.
5) Sub $500 Canadian (For our US people out there, thats about $400)
6) Must be available in Canada, and be purchasable from a retailer that permits "I didn't like it" returns. (Such as big box stores, etc, where you can return an item because it didn't suit your needs. After the nightmare I have been though with these watches, it has to be able to go back if its junk IMO)
7) IF it runs android wear, it must run 2.0+, however I am not insisting it be an android wear watch.
8) If it doesn't run android wear, there must be a google authenticator app available for it.
9) It must either have at least one programmable button (programmable button to launch an app) OR have a way to launch an app very quickly. Lets say with less then 2 seconds of work. I map this button to my authenticator app (see #8) because I use it often.
10) Must run at a decent speed. I find the zen watch crazy slow. I am not used to it taking at times 5-10 seconds to open an app.
Things I would like:
1) I kinda like Android wear. The selection of apps seems quite nice, and having google assistant right on the watch seems pretty awesome.
2) An extended battery life. Maybe I was spoiled by my pebble, and my 5-7 day battery life, but I would really like that, if its even available.
3) Color screen. Not really a need, but would be nice to have.
4) Decent selection of apps.
5) The ability to use my watch to take/receive calls, and actually use the watch as a speaker phone. Via bluetooth of course, I am not expecting it to work standalone without a phone.
So maybe I have been spoiled by my Pebble, and ran into a decent watch that just works, and works for my needs. I understand its possible that a watch that meets my needs (other then the pebble) just doesn't exist, and if thats the case, just tell me so. I am willing to accept that an an answer.
Before I end, I want to thank those of you that actually took the time to read my post, as it is a rather long one. And I want to thank those that took a few seconds to think about my needs and what may be available/useful to me. And a special thank you in advance to those that take the time to actually reply.