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'Do Not Buy a Smartwatch Right Now' (droid-life.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the be-patient dept.

Since Qualcomm is set to launch a new wearable chipset on September 10, Kellen from DoidLife argues against buying a new Google Wear OS-powered smartwatch in the meantime. The new chipset will be able to execute commands quicker, and provide for substantially longer battery life. From the report: This new chipset is said to be built from the ground up, will allow watches to look pretty when you aren't using them (like a normal watch sitting idly by your side), and extend battery life. More importantly, Qualcomm is betting that this Snapdragon Wear chip will "significantly change the Wear OS ecosystem, what you expect from a smartwatch." If you buy a smartwatch today, before Qualcomm announces this chip, you will be stuck with a 2+ year old Snapdragon Wear 2100 chip. All of the new Wear OS watches that have been announced recently, use that chip. It's old. It's never been great. And it's about to be replaced by something potentially game-changing for smartwatches. A report from WinFuture says that this new Snapdragon chip will be called the Wear 3100 and will allow for "Ok Google" detection even when the display is off. It is rumored to come with Google's Pixel-branded smartwatch, although DroidLife thinks that LG will be one of the first to launch a watch with this new processor. "This LG watch is said to have physical watch hands, as well as the smarts of Wear OS and a touch display," reports DroidLife. It is expected to make its debut on September 10.

17 of 113 comments (clear)

  1. I'll do you one better than that. by AbRASiON · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How about I never buy a smartwatch instead?

    1. Re:I'll do you one better than that. by murdocj · · Score: 4, Informative

      Yep. The title could have just been "Do not buy a smartwatch"

    2. Re:I'll do you one better than that. by AbRASiON · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I'm very old, to me a watch is a fasion and timepiece. I rarely wear one, but if I do, it sure won't be as guady as a smart watch.

      I also already pull my phone out of my pocket FAR too much as it is. I need not, even more contact with the internet.

      AND they need charging.

      Nope, never.

    3. Re:I'll do you one better than that. by ChunderDownunder · · Score: 2

      Battery life. A piece of jewellery that you have to charge once a day using a non-standard cradle with fragile pins because it can't fit a standard USB connector is a turn off.

    4. Re:I'll do you one better than that. by bkmoore · · Score: 4, Funny

      How about I never buy a smartwatch instead?

      I'm perfectly happy with my "dumb watch". It runs on an analogue CPU which requires winding, but main-spring battery life is about three days. It has an automatic winding pendulum that recharges the spring-battery when you wear it. The analogue OS on my watch comes with three built-in applications. One app, tells date and time. The second app is a timer applet. The third is a slide rule flight computer that allows you to compute time-speed-distance problems. The watch plays a cool "tick" sound when you listen closely. The only draw back to my analog watch is I couldn't find any App Store where I might download newer functions or change the "tick" sound. oh well....

    5. Re:I'll do you one better than that. by AuMatar · · Score: 2

      Because they provide 0 value that you don't already get from the expensive phone in my pocket, require constant charging, and cost way too much.

      --
      I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
    6. Re:I'll do you one better than that. by hawguy · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Most of the new ones are wireless. I work in a job where I get TONS of email and I had the same problem as you. E-mails constantly buzzing, forcing me to take my phone out of my pocket. My smartwatch allows me to see my notifications without taking out my phone saving me time and battery life. I can use watch navigation to get directions while I'm riding on 2 wheels.

      I had the same problem, but I found a better solution.

      Settings -> Apps and Notifications -> Email -> App Info -> Notifications Off

    7. Re:I'll do you one better than that. by skam240 · · Score: 2

      Don't forget that the "jewelry" looks like cheap plastic crap!

      --
      I ignore Anonymous Coward posts. If you want to discuss something, that's awesome. Log in.
    8. Re: I'll do you one better than that. by ChunderDownunder · · Score: 2

      One of the supposed niches of smartwatches was in workplaces where looking at one's smarthone during business hours was banned.

      e.g. waiters and shop assistants where managers didn't want them browsing facebook or calling their friends - with a watch they could get around the rule by still getting notifications.

    9. Re:I'll do you one better than that. by thegarbz · · Score: 2

      I also already pull my phone out of my pocket FAR too much as it is.

      Sounds like you need a smartwatch :-)

  2. Good headline for once by TimMD909 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Don't buy a smart watch has been good advice for years. Glad to see the editors are finally catching on...

  3. Do not buy a smartwatch, forever by Snotnose · · Score: 2

    Why? Let the dust settle, then you have a 10/90 chance of seeing who benefits from your data, and you can make an (un)informed opinion.

  4. Waiting... by markdavis · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I know there is a lot of hate on Slashdot about smart watches, and I certainly understand a lot of it, but I actually like them. Sure, they have issues, but they can be extremely useful. I have had the Moto 360 and Moto 360.2. The 360.2 version is oh so much better, and the always-on screen is a must (and it can go all day with the always on). In the first year, it could go 2 days with the always-on screen (although as the battery grew old, it became 1 day, then less than a full day, and now I have to turn off the always-on feature I love).

    Every WearOS watch I have seen since the 360.2 has been LED (not LCD) and has to be "activated" to use it every time... so it looks like an ugly black puck the rest of the time. Some support a limited "super dim/boring" always-on, which can't even be seen, and still barely gets through the day. I want a watch I can glance at any time, even stealthily, not one that has to be twisted or shaken or touched and then wait a second for it to finally show something. I am hoping the new breeds are all ALWAYS ON, like a real watch should be.

    Fingers crossed...

    Also, I don't care if I have to charge it every day, just like I do with my phone. But when it costs so much, I *DO* want the option to replace the battery myself in 2 years when it croaks!

    1. Re:Waiting... by avandesande · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You seem to have no problem discussing the problems of the smart watch, how about explaining the 'extremely useful' part :)

      --
      love is just extroverted narcissism
    2. Re:Waiting... by GuB-42 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      There are two "extremely useful" things that I found in smartwatches, but they are present in $15 fitness trackers too as they just involve the vibrator.

      Silent alarm and notifications. Vibrations are much easier to feel on your wrist, and can even wake you up, so no need for a loud alarm that wake up everybody around you. And same thing for notifications. In loud environments where you can't hear your phone ring and you are too active to feel the vibrations, this is one of the only thing you can feel. Nice in music festival when you need to get in touch with your group.

      That's my use case. But I suppose there are others. For example, when you can pick up your phone because both your hands are taken or dirty, like when you are cooking. Which would call for an always-on screen, building on GP's idea.

  5. You are doing it wrong. by thesupraman · · Score: 2

    Get with the times! Its not 1910 any more!
    These days through the wonders of mechanical science you can get self-winding mechanical watches ;)
    Yes, they are a bit bleeding edge - only been around since the mid 1920s, but hey, live life on the edge!
    But yes, energy storage is only about 2-3 days, BUT they use amazing bio-engineering technology to self-charge!

    Only problem is they tend to last a bit long, I have several from the 60s still going strong - make corp profitability
    less good - and I am supposed to feel GOOD about how much of a profit center I am for my logo supplier I think?

    1. Re:You are doing it wrong. by bkmoore · · Score: 3, Insightful

      .... I have several from the 60s still going strong - make corp profitability less good...

      that's the whole point behind smart watches. Planned obsolescence.