Galaxy Note III and Galaxy Gear (smartwatch)

LAstro551 on 05/09/2013 - 04:18

So the Unpacked 2013 Episode 2 Event just finished. What do people think?

Frankly I'm still not convinced about the whole smart watch idea, it seems to revolve around doing things without ever having to take your phone out of your pocket. So I just paid $800 to leave it in there. There are some cool things though I guess, the calling feature with your hands (been done before though on kickstarter), and always having visual cues for a notification.

But the camera? Do we really need to carry 2 cameras on us.. I mean they keep pushing this idea of "capturing the moment" but it seems to be getting a bit ridiculous now. Not sure how much of this stuff is gimmicky compared to actually being useful.

All in all though, Samsung knows what they're doing - S pen good as always, sick resolution displays, 4k recording on a phone that I'll never be able to enjoy in a proper way probably, and RAM that's almost as much as my desktop computer. Oh yeh and ads that have nothing to do with the phone but just have good music + good quotes + cool transitions.

Interesting to note the improvement in multi tasking though, as it becomes more and more powerful. Particularly in the tablet industry, with more RAM than Windows 8 atom tablets, plethora of apps and games, good pen support and productivity on the way - they're a force to be reckoned with. Not sure where Surface RT 2 is at, but it's getting left in the dust.

Mobile Mobile Phone Samsung Smartwatch Android

Comments

  • Chux on 05/09/2013 - 06:06

    Galaxy Gear didn't win me over.

    Currently only compatible with the Note III (presumably due to Bluetooth LE in Android 4.3) but seems like even in the future it will only be compatible with Samsung devices. I don't like that. In addition… Short battery life (Samsung says approx. 1 day) and will probably be quite expensive (pretty sure I read $299 as US price).

    I'll stick with my Pebble and skip the call and camera functionality any day.

    EDIT: Just found this article from The Verge which seems to at least partly share my views

  • punk on 05/09/2013 - 07:05
    +1

    Android is still no where near what a fully fledged operating system can do nor a os that is specifically designed for an industry(medical or automotive).

    I see potential but I just can't see myself using the note for anything other than media consumption or for that odd occasion where I want to jot notes down and that's cool about the pen.

    But it's no wacom tablet.

    The smart watch is good but the use I'd get out of it is at the gym and I can already get apps and specific gear for that.

    I'm happy with my classic watch that doesn't need a charge for years
    But those who religiously use their phones and need to be kept notified when their phones are tucked away may love it and may even get some people enjoying wearing watches again.

    I'm just happy for it to look good and tell me the time. :)

    Good to see companies giving it a go. Something else may come from these that are even better.

  • ozhunter on 05/09/2013 - 07:46

    Note 3 looks interesting, also like the fact that it is more "squary" like the Note 1. Xperia Z Ultra is a little too big, but it's mediocre camera is its biggest letdown.

  • scotty on 05/09/2013 - 11:43
    +2

    Galaxy Note III — like.

    Galaxy Gear — meh.

    I guess these are still some of the first generation smart watches. Too bulky. Not enough battery life. Bluetooth headset would be more convenient for making / receiving calls. Having a camera is cool, although it would be now freaky seeing people raise their arm pointing the watchband to things (although not as freaky as "Okay Glass…").

    However the biggest let down for me is it's only compatible with Samsung phones. Hopefully that is due to hardware limitation with existing phones, rather than Samsung trying to lock in the otherwise pretty open Android ecosystem.

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