My thoughts on the Gear

[darkcyber]

After two days of use I can say that I find no real value in having the Gear. I plan on keeping it just because of the coolness...lol! But really, I haven't used it for anything other than to tell the time.

Pros:
It looks cool
It is neat to have a clock, temp, and weather conditions on your arm
Having a phone on your arm
Having a handy camera on your arm

Cons:
I do not like that it cannot be woke up by touching the screen..got to wake it up with the home button.

I do not like the charging system. If I go out of town then I HAVE to make sure I carry the charging cradle as well. It would have been much better if Samsung would have allowed the charger to plug directly into the Gear.

Every time I receive a Facebook notification all my Gear says is you must view it on your phone. Not useful at all.


Overall, I am not impressed. Knowing what I know now, would I have purchased the Gear...probably not. I did get it at a 30% discount, so I cannot complain to much. But overall usefulness is not very good...it just doesn't do enough to justify the high price.

This is my opinion...if your opinion is the same and/or different...then please post your comments for all of us to see

 

[Methos1979]

Honestly, the gear never appealed to me. It's seems a little gimmicky at this point. Someday it might get there but the watch is just so big it doesn't look cool to me at all. I'm glad to hear someone that actually has it give their opinion. Thanks!

 

[bad1550]

My gear was delivered yesterday.
So far, I like it considered the 30% off from T mobile. Not worth full retail. I'm a gadget guy and have to get things ASAP. Hopefully future updates will bring more functions.

 

[darkcyber]

My gear was delivered yesterday.
So far, I like it considered the 30% off from T mobile. Not worth full retail. I'm a gadget guy and have to get things ASAP. Hopefully future updates will bring more functions.

I'm a gadget person also. I probably would have never purchased it if I had to paid full retail. I ordered mine from T-Mobile with the 30% off also. It is neat, and may grow on me more each day. I did use it to receive a phone call from my wife while at Brookstone in the mall today and one of the employees in there was blown away by it. They couldn't ask enough questions about it There comes the coolness factory

 

[bad1550]

I'm a gadget person also. I probably would have never purchased it if I had to paid full retail. I ordered mine from T-Mobile with the 30% off also. It is neat, and may grow on me more each day. I did use it to receive a phone call from my wife while at Brookstone in the mall today and one of the employees in there was blown away by it. They couldn't ask enough questions about it There comes the coolness factory

Nice,

I haven't worn a watch in years, it will take some time to get used to wearing one.

 

[darkcyber]

OK, after a week of wearing and playing with the Gear I am changing my opinion on it. I love this thing. I love the hands free telephone calls while driving or working, when I cannot give up a hand to hold my phone to my ear. The Next thing I really like is being able to see my incoming text messages on the Gear without having to take my Note 3 out of the belt clip to read them. And finally, this is just to cool for me. Yesterday I used the S-Voice on my Gear to completely hands-free send text messages. I turned on S-Voice and spoke the name of the person in my contacts I wanted to text, then spoke out the message and then told it to send and it all went through perfect.

So, I cannot see my self without this thing now. Just took some time of actually using it and playing with it...but I love it!

The only downside that I still do not like is that Samsung requires that stupid cradle to be able to charge it. That would have been so much better if you could simply plug the charger directly into the Gear. That would eliminate the need to HAVE to carry the cradle with you when you travel. Because if you forget it, then your Gear will run down. However, that has not been a problem yet. Each evening when I plug it up my Gear shows it still has around 85% battery left. So, the battery life on this thing is pretty darn good.

 

[ScandaLeX]

I wonder how many have been returned due to people not actually using it and then ultimately feeling it was a waste of money.

 

[Lee5000]

I'm with Methos on this one. I love new technology and am the first to get something in my family but the watch... ? Maybe some day when the technology catches up and those things get smaller. We'll see?

 

[Ballymoss]

I'm with Methos on this one. I love new technology and am the first to get something in my family but the watch... ? Maybe some day when the technology catches up and those things get smaller. We'll see?

I was one of those unhappy people who, in 1975, bought the Sinclair Black Watch (which promised so much but delivered so little) with my first weeks wages. I may pick up a Gear when the price comes right down but till then I will remain all jaundiced and skeptical.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=s...WJcmq0QXdj4CQAQ&ved=0CDAQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=652

 

[Lee5000]

Yeah, been there done that, Bally. When I said I'm usually first to buy something tech related I was careful to specify "in my family." I'm NEVER the "first responder" when it comes to new operating systems, new product related technology etc. Have had too many of those expensive lessions when I was younger and impulsive. lol Funny how monatary lessons are learned faster then lessions in love, huh?

UPDATE: Well, well, speaking of the devil. http://www.androidcentral.com/leake...t-rollout-dates-concern-over-high-return-rate

 

[darkcyber]

Yeah, been there done that, Bally. When I said I'm usually first to buy something tech related I was careful to specify "in my family." I'm NEVER the "first responder" when it comes to new operating systems, new product related technology etc. Have had too many of those expensive lessions when I was younger and impulsive. lol Funny how monatary lessons are learned faster then lessions in love, huh?

UPDATE: Well, well, speaking of the devil. Leaked docs show U.S. Galaxy Gear support rollout dates, concern over high return rate | Android Central

I could easily see this happening...people returning them. My suggestion to anyone that purchases one, or is planning on purchasing one, is use it for a week first. At first, I was not impressed with mine. But after I have used it a week...I love it. No way I would return it. But to each his own...everyone has to make their own decision.

 

[docprego]

I don't think we've seen the potential of the Galaxy Gear yet. Developers will unlock the capabilities of it, they already are. Everything you wish it could do, it will. Just give it some time.

 

[Simon_Gardner]

I don't think we've seen the potential of the Galaxy Gear yet. Developers will unlock the capabilities of it, they already are. Everything you wish it could do, it will. Just give it some time.

I wish it would just go away?

 

[Ballymoss]

Yeah, been there done that, Bally. When I said I'm usually first to buy something tech related I was careful to specify "in my family." I'm NEVER the "first responder" when it comes to new operating systems, new product related technology etc. Have had too many of those expensive lessions when I was younger and impulsive. lol Funny how monatary lessons are learned faster then lessions in love, huh?

UPDATE: Well, well, speaking of the devil. Leaked docs show U.S. Galaxy Gear support rollout dates, concern over high return rate | Android Central

I read that article and found the bit about returning the Gear rather surprising.
I daresay the US trading laws differ from the UK but over here the fact that the Gear "didn't do what you expected it to" would not be regarded as a valid reason to return it - if I bought a DVD player and was upset when I found it didn't play my old VHS tapes the shop staff would justifiably laugh at me.
Its also amazing that people will spend a large amount of cash on a high tech device without reading lots of reviews first.

 

[Lee5000]

I agree completely. Written reviews and well as YouTube videos. I am still stunned when I see all the subjects people will attempt to show or teach others on YouTube. I have gotten in the habit now of going to YouTube whenever I have a task I don't know how to do or see someone using a product I want to buy. Most recent how-to, installing my new router without using the easy install disk that came with it. There were scores of folks who made videos on my router installation. Some good, some bad but they were there. I tried three before I found one that was worth watching. The author - a 10 year old kid. LOL His video was clear, concise and to the point. I know know how to install my D-Link. Very cool.

The only down side to reading reviews is that many companies now use trolls to downgrade a computers products. Like hiring a contractor, you gotta throw out the over the top "rave" reviews (or contractor price) that are obviously not written by an actual user and the lowest rant but someone who had a small problem and trashes the whole product because of it. Same as throwing out the lowest contractor bid. Classic if it's too good to be true it probably is.

What did we all do without the internet? It's like losing my right arm now when my computer goes down for more than a few hours.

 

[rdalcanto]

Some reviews say that if you use different apps for email or texts, then you will only get a notification, and not be able to see the message on the watch. As a competitive cyclist, the ability to check if a text or call is important while I'm training on a hard climb is one of the main reasons I want a smart watch. I use Handcent for text messages, and I'm wondering if the Gear will show me my texts if I use that app, or just alert me that I have one? Thanks.

 

[darkcyber]

Some reviews say that if you use different apps for email or texts, then you will only get a notification, and not be able to see the message on the watch. As a competitive cyclist, the ability to check if a text or call is important while I'm training on a hard climb is one of the main reasons I want a smart watch. I use Handcent for text messages, and I'm wondering if the Gear will show me my texts if I use that app, or just alert me that I have one? Thanks.

I use and have used Handcent for a long time. So far, when I install and use Handcent I do not get my text message notifications on my Gear. That is with the stock app set to auto retrieve and all that. I have to uninstall Handcent and use only the stock app to get my text messages on my Gear. Maybe someone else can shine some light into how to get it to work...but I have been unsuccessful so far.

 

[rdalcanto]

I use and have used Handcent for a long time. So far, when I install and use Handcent I do not get my text message notifications on my Gear. That is with the stock app set to auto retrieve and all that. I have to uninstall Handcent and use only the stock app to get my text messages on my Gear. Maybe someone else can shine some light into how to get it to work...but I have been unsuccessful so far.

That sucks. Hopefully that fix that soon. I will wait a couple months and then decide between the Gear, Sony SW2, and HotWatch.

 

[BonJoviGirl]

That sucks. Hopefully that fix that soon. I will wait a couple months and then decide between the Gear, Sony SW2, and HotWatch.

I use handcent also. I have stock to receive notifications but with sound at silent. I do have the two notifications but I can use my handcent which I like very much but also get the full text on the gear. Perfect? No but it works to get both of what I want.

 

[slatyford]

I use and have used Handcent for a long time. So far, when I install and use Handcent I do not get my text message notifications on my Gear. That is with the stock app set to auto retrieve and all that. I have to uninstall Handcent and use only the stock app to get my text messages on my Gear. Maybe someone else can shine some light into how to get it to work...but I have been unsuccessful so far.

Same here tried various setting and as yet have not been able to get notifications for txt to work on the gear. The stock messaging app is awful in lay out and functionality so dont want to use it. If someone can post a setting walkthrough as to get this working that would be great

 

[sib0rg]

I like it, battery is much better than what reviews have been saying. Been on all day and still on 80% (plus I assume battery will get better as it's only had a couple of charges so far)
I use stock email and messaging apps so no probs with those notifications. Can't read hangouts but that doesn't bother me, when at work I can now see if it's worth digging out my phone from my bag to respond to things.

Camera is not great though, but I didn't really get it for that. Calls using speaker is great, but only in the right situations.

Love the "find my phone" function as I constantly forget where I leave it around the house....

Oh yeah and it tells the time

Best use.......reminders from the calendar for where I need to be during the day (at work) - awesome

I've heard some reviews say that to turn the watch on using the accelerometer is difficult and the movement needs to be over exaggerated. I've found this to be not the case at all, turns on easily every time, with very little movement as long as your looking at your wrist

 

[Ballymoss]

I agree completely. Written reviews and well as YouTube videos. I am still stunned when I see all the subjects people will attempt to show or teach others on YouTube. I have gotten in the habit now of going to YouTube whenever I have a task I don't know how to do or see someone using a product I want to buy. Most recent how-to, installing my new router without using the easy install disk that came with it. There were scores of folks who made videos on my router installation. Some good, some bad but they were there. I tried three before I found one that was worth watching. The author - a 10 year old kid. LOL His video was clear, concise and to the point. I know know how to install my D-Link. Very cool.

The only down side to reading reviews is that many companies now use trolls to downgrade a computers products. Like hiring a contractor, you gotta throw out the over the top "rave" reviews (or contractor price) that are obviously not written by an actual user and the lowest rant but someone who had a small problem and trashes the whole product because of it. Same as throwing out the lowest contractor bid. Classic if it's too good to be true it probably is.

What did we all do without the internet? It's like losing my right arm now when my computer goes down for more than a few hours.

I often see "young people" on Youtube say "oh I wish I could go back to the 1970's you had such great music then" and my reply is the same "yes but we had no internet, no smartphones,no ipods, no home PC's, no MTV. We had vinyl records which scratched and cassette players where the tapes caught on the heads and we had AM radio, that was it. Oh and we had (in the UK) Top Of The Pops once a week where bands mimed to a backing track".
It would be like them going back to the Stone Age.

 

[44fred]

I find it ironic that someone who buys the Note says the watch is too big.
Unless you are into watches, you wouldn't have noticed how big some have gotten. I'm a big guy and still some of these new designs are wider than my wrist.

 

[rdalcanto]

It sounds like you can still use a Bluetooth headset even if you are wearing the watch. That will be much more practical for long phone calls. Anyone know if hooking up to two devices at once is an Android 4.3 thing that the Note 2 should have next month as well, or something specific to the Note 3?

 

[rdalcanto]

They really need to add the ability to type a text reply, rather than having to use S-voice. They can make it work with a 9 button touch keypad, like HotWatch.