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Hello, I am looking to buy my first smartwatch. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'd really like features such as a camera and handsfree. But the only one I found so far with both of those are the Galaxy Gear 2. It looks like a good watch, but I'd rather have a watch that runs Android Wear.
Thanks in advance.
23732 said:
Hello, I am looking to buy my first smartwatch. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'd really like features such as a camera and handsfree. But the only one I found so far with both of those are the Galaxy Gear 2. It looks like a good watch, but I'd rather have a watch that runs Android Wear.
Thanks in advance.
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You can either chose between the G Watch or the Gear live. Both very similar, mostly design differences.
G Watch has bigger battery.
Gear Live has heartbeat sensor and amoled display.
That's the difference, everything else apart from the design is the same. So if you want an android wear watch there's not much to chose from.
23732 said:
Hello, I am looking to buy my first smartwatch. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'd really like features such as a camera and handsfree. But the only one I found so far with both of those are the Galaxy Gear 2. It looks like a good watch, but I'd rather have a watch that runs Android Wear.
Thanks in advance.
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Click to collapse
If I were you, I'd rather wait for the Moto 360. Though it doesn't have a camera, it still would pack in some of the best features otherwise. If you are in ahurry to lay your hands on a watch, you could go for the Gear 2, its a great watch too.
Here at XDA, we typically do not allow threads like these to remain open as these type questions truly can only be answered by the individual and based on their own research and reading of the information here on the threads. "Best" device or "best" anything is really in the eye of the beholder.
Hi,
I intend on buying my first smartwatch, and I got tho these 3 (cheap)candidates:
ZGPAX S365A
gearbest.com/smart-watches/pp_274141.html
LEMFO DM 360
gearbest.com/smart-watches/pp_309251.html
DW360 (couldn't find the producer)
gearbest.com/smart-watches/pp_236751.html
Does anybody know something about one of these smartwatches? They are pretty similar, I'm inclined to the DW360 because I really like the faces it has, but I'm worried since I don't know who actually produces it.
Any help is apreciated.
Thank you!
What are you intending to use the watch for ? What are most important features you are looking for?
Did you even check the No1 D5?
Hi,
I will mostly be using it as a regular watch with the addition of receiving notifications from my phone (calls, SMS, social media, maybe even calendar alerts) so that I don't have to keep checking my phone.(that I'll be keeping in my bag)
Besides looking good and maintaining a good BT connection, I would like it to have a decent battery that for the light usage I described should last 2-3 days, after this is it has features like some tempered glass not to scratch easily, a little waterproofing for when it rains, controling music play, pedometer, heartmonitor it's good but not really a must.
Ah, and it must be round, I don't like square watches.
I looked at the No1 D5, I like it very much that it has a complete round screen, and a barometer that could be useful predicting the weather. But It's 2 times the price I'm willing to pay and also I don't really need a watch that can do what my phone can.
Also looking now at No.1 G3 (gearbest.com/smart-watch-phone/pp_325020.html) seems very promising, but couldn't find any real reviews..
Hello!
1. Why nobody says that round smart watches -lack the ability to show everything that needed on the round screen.
2. there is a problem of showing whatsapp notifications?
3. A way to integrate between the smart watch heart rate sensor and sport tracker apps?
With such problems-there is a question about buying such watches.
Waiting for your opinions.
Thank
alfi07 said:
Hello!
1. Why nobody says that round smart watches -lack the ability to show everything that needed on the round screen.
2. there is a problem of showing whatsapp notifications?
3. A way to integrate between the smart watch heart rate sensor and sport tracker apps?
With such problems-there is a question about buying such watches.
Waiting for your opinions.
Thank
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I see your points. I prefer the round design because it more like the traditional watches I wear. Also, there are so many great custom watch faces that look awesome and I don't see as many square faces that are as great. While you can put a round watchface on a square watch, to me it just doesn't look right. As to apps, there has been some great work done on making apps work for the round face. I know there are some problems with some, but I don't find it too bad. The two things that cause me pause with smartwatches in general is: 1) the lack of 3G US bands (1900) and 2) if you have an iPhone like me, there is still a lack of connectivity versus an Android phone. I know that has a lot to do with Apple locking down their operating system and not giving true access because they want you to buy an Apple watch. But knowing this does not change the fact that since I have an iPhone, my connectivity issues or just simple lack of connectivity, it going to make the smartwatch experience less than stellar.
Loved watches all my life, and want a smartwatch so I can flip through all the different faces. That's all I'm interested in...for now. So, some questions that'll seem dumb to most of you:
1. I want faces like Rolex, Breitling, Omega, etc., so that means a round smartwatch.
2. My phone is an LG V10 running Android 6.0 and stock Verizon ROM.
3. What's the difference between cheap Bluetooth watches in the $50 range on eBay, and a smartwatch? (Or are they the same thing?)
4. Programs in the Google Play store like Watch Faces for Android and Watchmaker seem pretty attractive to me in that they simplify things for guys like me. (I've found a lot of the luxury watch faces I want already in the WF for Android catalog, and installed them on the widget on my phone).
I'm on the fence as to whether I get a black watch or stainless, (so, knowing me, I'll prolly get two!) :laugh: And remember, I'm buying for the sole, express purpose of having numerous choices in watch faces. All the other gadgetry in a smartwatch is, to me, meh. Maybe I'll use it, maybe I'll grow into it, I really don't know.
Help me find a watch that suits me, please?
Thanks, folks!
Donny
Ok, let me put it another way. Which chipset or operating system, (besides Android Wear, which is too expensive), is easiest to add custom watch faces?
sixbennetts said:
Ok, let me put it another way. Which chipset or operating system, (besides Android Wear, which is too expensive), is easiest to add custom watch faces?
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By considering only ease of installation and the availability of custom watchfaces, the best choice is on the following "full Android" round smartwatches:
- No.1 D5 or his twin Finow X1
- K9 or Finow X3
- Finow X5
They all share the same watchface engine, easy to use and with an already big number of custom watchfaces available.
You can get an idea by looking at this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sma...es/clockskin-extracted-1-d5-firmware-t3295297
Or even better, following this G+ community:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109827242607524552712
if you can buy the D5 the x5 the k9 the i2 the z9 the s99 i would if i could i love watches as you if not more
cyrux75 said:
By considering only ease of installation and the availability of custom watchfaces, the best choice is on the following "full Android" round smartwatches:
- No.1 D5 or his twin Finow X1
- K9 or Finow X3
- Finow X5
They all share the same watchface engine, easy to use and with an already big number of custom watchfaces available.
You can get an idea by looking at this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sma...es/clockskin-extracted-1-d5-firmware-t3295297
Or even better, following this G+ community:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109827242607524552712
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Click to collapse
This helps immensely, Cyrux. Thanks! Now, when you say they're full Android, you don't mean Android Wear, right? And can you just roughly describe the process, please? Is it like other devices, (phones, tablets, etc), where it's as simple connecting to a PC and drag/dropping files?
Once I've chosen a watch and have it home, I'll obviously do my due diligence and read, read, read! I promise.
And thanks again.
sixbennetts said:
This helps immensely, Cyrux. Thanks! Now, when you say they're full Android, you don't mean Android Wear, right? And can you just roughly describe the process, please? Is it like other devices, (phones, tablets, etc), where it's as simple connecting to a PC and drag/dropping files?
Once I've chosen a watch and have it home, I'll obviously do my due diligence and read, read, read! I promise.
And thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These smartwatches are like wrist smartphone, with an user interface optimized for their mini display and you can do almost everything you can do with an Android smartphone.
I have already been looking around a lot, but there are so many watches with little nuances that are hard to keep track of. I am a regular watch wearer, never wanted a smart watch because they were a little too gimmicky when they first started. The technology is getting so good and useful now, that I am finally interested in swapping my regular watch for a smartwatch. I would like to find something on the cheap end for the first one in case I don't like it. Old and discontinued is fine if it meets my requirements
My requirements are:
1) Good battery, it needs to make it through a whole day at the minimum
2) Always on face is preferred. If I am ditching my regular watch, I would like for the face to be on and at least look like I am still wearing a watch. Kind of petty, but I prefer it. I can do without depending on how easily and quickly the face comes on.
3) Ability to use faces from places like facer or facerepo, and custom make my own face with watchmaker if I can't get what I want. The biggest thing for me is that I want an interactive face with a rotating on-screen bezel. I am wiling to design my own. I don't know how, but I learn well and will figure it out if I have to.
4) Round screen of good resolution without the notch on the bottom like the moto 360. I want to make a bezel face that needs the whole round screen.
4) Alert notifications for text, email, alarms, etc. is all I require for smart features. I do not care, nor do I really want fitness features like heart rate monitor, pedometer, etc. So if they don't work well on a model that otherwise meets my needs, that's fine.
5) Size on the smaller side. I can't really wear anything bigger than abut 45mm, so smaller than that is preferred.
I have been looking a lot and found some watches like the No. 1 and KingWear that seem to use their own version of Android OS. The battery life is amazing, but the faces are too limiting. My biggest concern is being able to make an interactive watch face with the moving bezel, zoom, and chronograph subdials. From what I have read, those watches take VXP faces, and they are not compatible with the features I want to have. They just have hour, minute and second hands. So am I supposed to be looking for something that just uses Wear OS or straight Android OS? The Fossil watches look good, as does the Galaxy, but I don't want to spend that much to try this out. Is there an older, sluggish, discontinued watch that will let me mess with faces on Watchmaker and make the face I really want? I feel that once I have a face I like, I will buy a newer watch and just use my proven face on it and be done. I would like to spend under $150, obviously the less the better. I have seen older Samsung watches like the S2 available at a fair price used, just not sure if there is a clone I could order new for less money, or something even cheaper I could use to get my face dialed in. I am totally open to suggestions if anyone can help.
For always ON and facer/watchmaker there are just Samsung > S2 (S2 has only a degraded always ON) or Wear watch. All are higher than $150. Always ON with an OLED screen is not very good idea I think, it feel strange with a wrist star war laser
dersie said:
For always ON and facer/watchmaker there are just Samsung > S2 (S2 has only a degraded always ON) or Wear watch. All are higher than $150. Always ON with an OLED screen is not very good idea I think, it feel strange with a wrist star war laser
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Thanks for the response. I didn't realize how limiting the always on feature would make my choices. But you're right about the OLED. So if I scratch that requirement for always on face, do you have a recommended way to proceed looking? Like what to look for and what to avoid? Specific models if you know any, but I would like to know what to look for in the specs, like OS or firmware that will allow the faces I want to be used.
Almost same answer.
Facer/Watchmaker works only on Tizen (Samsung) and WearOS. So your choice stay only in Samsung or Wear Watch.
Just Gear S2 is OK without real Always ON.
To increase your choice you must delete the Watchmaker/facer option.
dersie said:
Almost same answer.
Facer/Watchmaker works only on Tizen (Samsung) and WearOS. So your choice stay only in Samsung or Wear Watch.
Just Gear S2 is OK without real Always ON.
To increase your choice you must delete the Watchmaker/facer option.
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Click to collapse
Ok, thanks. I actually like the looks and size of the S2, but I don't know if I would actually like it. They can be found easily for under $100 USD, so the price is right. But going to a straight Andorid watch (non Tizen or Wear OS) might be the smartest thing for the future.
One thing I really don't understand. On a straight Android watch, are the faces just ordinary APKs running as a widget or regular application on the watch? Or is there a different file/application type that is used to make a face for an Android watch? I think that's what I have not been able to really understand.
I have tried making an Andorid app in the past and it was beyond my ability. That's why I thought Watchmaker would be a little easier for me to use. But if I can't get what I want because of the hardware, I will try my hand again at making an app or hiring someone to do so, if that's what needs to be done.
Gear S2 is really a very nice Smartwatch. Just screen a little small : 1.2". But very better than any pure Android Watch.
All pure Android watch are not really "smart" because they have almost 0 connected features. Just notification and almost nothing else.
Watchfaces for Android only watch ? we can almost say that they are non existent. We can not really found any faces for Android only, try to search on the store. Existent faces are only for special Android watch where the manufacturer has created special option for, ex Amazfit Stratos.
dersie said:
Gear S2 is really a very nice Smartwatch. Just screen a little small : 1.2". But very better than any pure Android Watch.
All pure Android watch are not really "smart" because they have almost 0 connected features. Just notification and almost nothing else.
Watchfaces for Android only watch ? we can almost say that they are non existent. We can not really found any faces for Android only, try to search on the store. Existent faces are only for special Android watch where the manufacturer has created special option for, ex Amazfit Stratos.
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Click to collapse
I see now, watches like the Kospet advertise as having customizable faces, but it appears all you can really do is customize the background image. It is not false advertising, but it is misleading a bit. And I see other watches like KingWear say something like "hundreds of watch faces to choose from", which like you said, come from the manufacturer. So I get it now, without a Wear OS watch or Tizen, I am limited. That's fine and understandable.
What I have not tried yet, is to see how the Watchmaker app works. If I want a face with a rotating bezel around the edge, and subdials for chronograph features, can I build that in Watchmaker? The biggest one is the ability to have a round graphic around the edge of the watch that rotates by touch like a dive bezel on a diver's watch. If that can be done in Watchmaker, I'll go for the S2 to play with it. If not, I will see if I can get an Andorid app to work with the features I want and then run that on a watch.
All I really want is a watch with rotating bezel, chronograph subdials and an analog or digital clock. I've seen the faces available, but the subdials don't do what I want, and I don't think the on screen bezel rotates like I want.
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm finally getting a good understanding here and I think you've pointed me in a good direction with the S2 for a very affordable watch to test.
gadsden said:
What I have not tried yet, is to see how the Watchmaker app works. If I want a face with a rotating bezel around the edge, and subdials for chronograph features, can I build that in Watchmaker? The biggest one is the ability to have a round graphic around the edge of the watch that rotates by touch like a dive bezel on a diver's watch. If that can be done in Watchmaker, I'll go for the S2 to play with it. If not, I will see if I can get an Andorid app to work with the features I want and then run that on a watch.
All I really want is a watch with rotating bezel, chronograph subdials and an analog or digital clock. I've seen the faces available, but the subdials don't do what I want, and I don't think the on screen bezel rotates like I want.
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I use facer and after Watchmaker for the beginning of this apps. If I can resume : I think we can do all we want with Watchmaker. The apps has all needed features. For rotating it has a "rotate" on his field for the item image, so you can rotate all you want and in the way you want because it has also an user "script" (LUA) applied on all items you want.
dersie said:
I use facer and after Watchmaker for the beginning of this apps. If I can resume : I think we can do all we want with Watchmaker. The apps has all needed features. For rotating it has a "rotate" on his field for the item image, so you can rotate all you want and in the way you want because it has also an user "script" (LUA) applied on all items you want.
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Cool, thanks. I'll buy the premium and just try it out to see if I can do what I want. If I get anything going, I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again for your time and replies.
gadsden said:
Cool, thanks. I'll buy the premium and just try it out to see if I can do what I want. If I get anything going, I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again for your time and replies.
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Click to collapse
Even with Free version you can test all you want. I think premium is just for unlimited faces.