I am looking for a smart watch. I want to be able to use it as a standalone music player and use google now. I have done my research (internet and xda forum) and I haven’t seen a good watch that meets both criteria. From my research it appears that a Tizen allows a Gear to act as a stand-alone music player but prohibits the use of Google Now/Android Wear.
From what I have read the Null Rom will let me use Google Now (I do believe) but I can’t use it as a stand-alone music player.
Have I missed anything? Your help would be appreciated.
hardwirk1 said:
I am looking for a smart watch. I want to be able to use it as a standalone music player and use google now. I have done my research (internet and xda forum) and I haven’t seen a good watch that meets both criteria. From my research it appears that a Tizen allows a Gear to act as a stand-alone music player but prohibits the use of Google Now/Android Wear.
From what I have read the Null Rom will let me use Google Now (I do believe) but I can’t use it as a stand-alone music player.
Have I missed anything? Your help would be appreciated.
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I've been away (from the XDA Smartwatch forum) for two months and not much has changed, understandable, but 2014 will be the smartwatch year.
I've been waiting for a decent Standalone too. The new Gear S seems very good, but the battery life (two days) seems poor, because its usual half of that or less.
The inWatch Z seems like a good overall watch, but its 2G, not really IP67 (or whatever it claims to be) but its the best so far, with a good battery life.
Other alternative is to watch out for the Chinese/Shenzhen clones as some of them are proving to be better then the originals, but most usually lack firmware updates.
I've made a standalone and clones/Shenzhen watches thread, hopefully it'll be easier to spot new ones.
Related
After spending a day researching this topic, the following are the WinMo apps that I'm aware of which stream satellite radio to the phone:
- Sirius XM app from these forums: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=450259 (not sure it has a proper name?)
- C-ApiSRO - decent, but buggy and slow.
- SiriusWM5 - haven't tried it, but understand it's for native Sirius users only (I'm legacy XM) and it's lacking in features.
- StarPlayr - GONE (this one was my favorite)
- Mobile Satellite Radio Plus (I have never tried this one... I've seen it on Handango and it looks like it hasn't been updated in awhile. If anyone has tried this, PLEASE let us know your thoughts on it).
-XStream XM - never tried it, in fact I can't even find it anywhere, but I know from reading about it that it's very low on features.
Those are the only ones I'm aware of. Does anyone know any that I'm missing? Now that they are streaming at the new higher quality bitrate, I'm much more inclined to use their streaming service.
I'd love to see an app that allows to you to see what's playing on any given channel without actually switching to the channel, like all their hardware radios do, but I have yet to see an app that has this feature.
Please let us know what you're using, and your thoughts.
Thanks!
Hi everyone,
I have not found this info so far, so I'm asking here:
Can Android Wear Smartwatches be equipped with custom watchfaces out of the box, like the Pebble? I know that Motorola is planning something like this, but I'd like to know, whether we'd be stuck with whatever Samsung, LG or whoever made the device allows, or if we can install Watchfaces from the Playstore/other sources? This would be a big factor for different screentypes, AMOLED could benefit greatly from Black and White watchfaces for example.
The same goes for the general theme/style. Is that alway "stock" Google Now look, or can we adjust it to fit our needs and/or to conserve power on AMOLED screens?
Thanks.
You can find Google I/O prese.tation on youtube and just find Android Wear presentation. It shows watchfaces, wallpapers etc.
Short answer - Yes you can change everything.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
skraam said:
You can find Google I/O prese.tation on youtube and just find Android Wear presentation. It shows watchfaces, wallpapers etc.
Short answer - Yes you can change everything.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
Thanks,
I was aware of the wallpapers, but not sure about watchfaces, since those are, according to what I read, the only things manufacturers (eg. Samsung, Sony et al) are allowed to customize. Now, just because Sammy is allowed to customized doesn't mean they'll allow me to customize...
I'll rewatch it and see what exactly they say...
UPDATE: I watched the presentaion again, but did not find any concrete evidence either way. Apps can have a custom UI, but I found nothing on 3rd party watchfaces.
Another question just popped up in my brain: What happens when the watch is not connected to the phone? How much functionality remains?
Also, can you actually answer a call on the watch? I'd assume not, since it has no speaker...
CommanderROR said:
Thanks,
I was aware of the wallpapers, but not sure about watchfaces, since those are, according to what I read, the only things manufacturers (eg. Samsung, Sony et al) are allowed to customize. Now, just because Sammy is allowed to customized doesn't mean they'll allow me to customize...
I'll rewatch it and see what exactly they say...
UPDATE: I watched the presentaion again, but did not find any concrete evidence either way. Apps can have a custom UI, but I found nothing on 3rd party watchfaces.
Another question just popped up in my brain: What happens when the watch is not connected to the phone? How much functionality remains?
Also, can you actually answer a call on the watch? I'd assume not, since it has no speaker...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding 3rd party watchfaces, that functionality isn't available today but has been promised in an upcoming release. Wear devices currently run Android 4.4W so I would assume it will roll out with L (if not before).
Just tested the functionality of the LG watch when not connected to a phone. It has limited functionality. No voice commands (because it normally uses the internet through your mobile device) but you do have access to the basics: steps, agenda, timers, timers alarms, stopwatch, etc and apps that don't require internet.
When you receive a call can answer/decline or decline & send a text (with preset and on the fly voice I think) straight from the watch but I believe you will need to use your phone or another Bluetooth device to actually talk the the person on the other end.
Hope this helps.
Thanks. That does help!
Android Wear watch face
CommanderROR said:
Hi everyone,
I have not found this info so far, so I'm asking here:
Can Android Wear Smartwatches be equipped with custom watchfaces out of the box, like the Pebble? I know that Motorola is planning something like this, but I'd like to know, whether we'd be stuck with whatever Samsung, LG or whoever made the device allows, or if we can install Watchfaces from the Playstore/other sources? This would be a big factor for different screentypes, AMOLED could benefit greatly from Black and White watchfaces for example.
The same goes for the general theme/style. Is that alway "stock" Google Now look, or can we adjust it to fit our needs and/or to conserve power on AMOLED screens?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont see any watch face yet for Android Wear but there are already watch faces in the Android Wear itself available for you..
Custom Watch Faces for Android Wear
Yes I dont see any watch faces yet hope they will have an app for editing and creating your own watch face for Android Wear..:cyclops:
senseijuan said:
Yes I dont see any watch faces yet hope they will have an app for editing and creating your own watch face for Android Wear..:cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom watch faces for Android Wear start appearing in the Play Store
So, I'm looking for a new Smart Watch, and decided to also check the apps. I didn't end up finding any real data on what works with whatand where to get them, so here we are. I started with just some notes, but I decided that maybe some other people could help and use it as well.
So if you happen to have a cheap chinese smartwatch, could you pop in to this list and add what watch you use with what app.
If you've tried a watch with some app and know it doesn't work, that would be swell too.
The idea here is to list compatibility for most, if not all, non-android wear smart watches and the apps floating around.
Hopefully, it will end up being useful so you can test the app before you buy your watch, or if you get fed up with the app it came with, see if there are alternatives.
Link in case the image doesn't work
I live in a rural area where my best chance of getting service relies on having my phone shoved in a window. However, I carry a Samsung Gear Live on a daily basis, and it's very convenient and capable.
Because of where my phone is placed, I often have no access to it, and I do a lot of things at home that don't warrant wearing a watch, not to mention it's not exactly comfortable. Because of this, I've searched for various solutions to the problem of using my phone when I'm away from the phone. Thus far, there's obvious options like AirDroid, but that's unappealing since you need to leave this tab open at all times.
Yappy was an idea, but what made it most painful is it hardly ever sent my texts, and there was no configuration or history for the notifications when it passed through. Apparently, Microsoft's Cortana can integrate with the phone to allow notifications and texting from the PC.
What just baffles me is... why is there no app or extension that just uses the Wear API? Am I missing something, or is there just nothing out there that can connect via the Wear API, to offer as many features as a Wear watch, and not need to do much more than that? I imagine a simple app that connects like that would work just fine. I do understand the case of there being Wear apps that it would wanna use, but I also know that 4.4W was very rudimentary. So rudimentary, I couldn't even install much more than a Wear Bottle Spinner app. No new watch faces, no Skype or Music integration. It's so simple, I could imagine someone using the basic 4.4W framework to create an app to connect to Android Wear.
I'm unimpressed by the existence of apps that do their own thing, like Desktop Notifications, or Yappy, that ask you to use their apps together to achieve the best results. A Chrome extension, a Windows application, something simple that just connects with Android Wear over Wi-Fi. I think it's so simple, but so capable.
Have I just not searched enough? Am I missing something, a core aspect that makes it impossible to use the API in a simple Chrome extension, or has there just been no one who wanted to do it?
UltimaXtreme said:
I live in a rural area where my best chance of getting service relies on having my phone shoved in a window. However, I carry a Samsung Gear Live on a daily basis, and it's very convenient and capable.
Because of where my phone is placed, I often have no access to it, and I do a lot of things at home that don't warrant wearing a watch, not to mention it's not exactly comfortable. Because of this, I've searched for various solutions to the problem of using my phone when I'm away from the phone. Thus far, there's obvious options like AirDroid, but that's unappealing since you need to leave this tab open at all times.
Yappy was an idea, but what made it most painful is it hardly ever sent my texts, and there was no configuration or history for the notifications when it passed through. Apparently, Microsoft's Cortana can integrate with the phone to allow notifications and texting from the PC.
What just baffles me is... why is there no app or extension that just uses the Wear API? Am I missing something, or is there just nothing out there that can connect via the Wear API, to offer as many features as a Wear watch, and not need to do much more than that? I imagine a simple app that connects like that would work just fine. I do understand the case of there being Wear apps that it would wanna use, but I also know that 4.4W was very rudimentary. So rudimentary, I couldn't even install much more than a Wear Bottle Spinner app. No new watch faces, no Skype or Music integration. It's so simple, I could imagine someone using the basic 4.4W framework to create an app to connect to Android Wear.
I'm unimpressed by the existence of apps that do their own thing, like Desktop Notifications, or Yappy, that ask you to use their apps together to achieve the best results. A Chrome extension, a Windows application, something simple that just connects with Android Wear over Wi-Fi. I think it's so simple, but so capable.
Have I just not searched enough? Am I missing something, a core aspect that makes it impossible to use the API in a simple Chrome extension, or has there just been no one who wanted to do it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since i got a new/old car and i am not too happy with its radio right now I would like to exchange it and get an android device.
Actually right now I am a bit torn between an android unit and a pc. I know the pc is more expensive but as I read around the internet, right now it has the following advantages for me:
1. I can choose freely which hardware it has.
2. Bluetooth works fine.
3. It will support Windows 10 so i can use cortana - which will give me the option to use it more or less hands free.
4. I can use Kodi for Radio etc.
5. it might just run android as well
6. pretty much all apps are more or less available
7. with Kodi i can customize the look (in my opinion way beyond of what i could do with different launchers)
8. Kodi supports radio traffic service
Now that I have listed all the + Notes on the PC version here comes Android:
1. A lot cheaper!
2. Works out of the box.
3. I don't have to buy the apps again (as i have bought them already and use them on my phone)
4. Theoretically I can use Kodi (afaik "just" not for radio)
5. Afaik bigger community
BUT(!)
I was digging around and found following problems which i'd like to ask you guys if they are still an issue:
1.) So far no Android 6.... so no Google Voice for hands free
2.) Bluetooth is at best buggy (incomeing calls show no name from the phonebook just the number) other devices such as obd do not work or if they work only the ones from the manufacturer of the headunit will work. Bluetooth connectivity is limited to one device at a time.
3.) I am limited to the Apps from the manufacturer as far as radio goes. (i think most of the apps i have seen are ugly - i don't want to see the frequency of the station I am listening to... especially not as big as i have seen it.) DAB(+) Apps look somewhat ugly as well. There is no real chance to change that.
4.) there is no support for radio traffic service
5.) Customization is limited
My questions are:
1.) Is what I am saying still correct (for example the bluetooth issues).
2.) Does anyone know a work around for the Google Voice? Preferably without the need to press a button. Or has someone an Android 6 device and can confirm that Ok Google works fine there?
3.) Is it at all possible to implement the Radio(FM/DAB+) into Kodi on Android - has someone done this? Maybe even something like a navigation software? (yes - i am a kodi fanboy -actually more or less from day one - i had a old xbox - the first xbox running xbmc in my car with linux and a gps built in)
What I would like to have in the end would be a system where Kodi is loaded up as soon as the car starts.
Via Tasker (if possible) I would grab the infos from torque and implement them in a custom skin in kodi. I would love to listen to the radio via Kodi and if at all possible have navigation in there as well (but if that does not work I will find a workaround - i already have one in my head)
I know this is a lot and many of you might think tl;dr but if anyone could answer my questions anywhere I am convinced that it is here on the mighty xda board.
Thank you guys so much. (If I get this all to work I will of course post all of it here (skins, tasker skripts etc)
About Android vs Windows and head unit vs PC, I think you'll have to decide on that for yourself. Nobody here can tell you what's the right choice for you.
As for Kodi, I haven't dived into it much, but I have a more typical use of the head unit I guess. Google voice works in 5.1.1, but you need another launcher and you need to install the required apps from Google Play and enable everything. I have it working in mine, but decided to have it activate on a button press. I do have to switch between apps and stuff, and the BT caller app is a little quirky to use. I would've wanted something more inline with the default Google dialer, but no go on that one. Even if you install Contacts and the Google Phone app, they don't really do anything. If you want complete control over everything, then PC and Windows (or <insert OS her>) would be the best choice for you. If you want to save time and have something that is fairly easy and quick to set up out of the box, then a head unit with Android would be better.
Thx Hilari0 for your answer.
May I ask what Unit you have. What are the pitfalls? How did you manage to solve or work around the Bluetooth problems (i saw that joying for example released an update - can anyone tell me if that fixes the bluetooth problems?)
Is it more complicated than on other devices to install another launcher?
Thank you!
I have the Joying Intel 2GB/32GB head unit, the 135 variant. The bluetooth on it worked well out of the box with the update installed, but it was vastly improved following the instructions in this thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...elopment/bluetooth-settings-launcher-t3504526