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ARS Technica is not digging the new Samsung smart watches.

dontpanicbobby

100% That Guy
Dec 31, 2011
18,579
11,518
Boston MA USA
Ars Technica a respected technology site has posted a hands on review of all three new Samsung smart watches. Hands on with all three Samsung Gears: New hardware doesn’t fix software | Ars Technica They bring up some valid points that make me think I'll need to wait until after the initial release to pick up a Gear Fit. Now should T-Mobile bundle the Gear Fit with the S5 or the Note 4 I'll go for it. But as an individual purchase I'm definitely waiting.
 
Ars Technica a respected technology site has posted a hands on review of all three new Samsung smart watches. Hands on with all three Samsung Gears: New hardware doesn’t fix software | Ars Technica They bring up some valid points that make me think I'll need to wait until after the initial release to pick up a Gear Fit. Now should T-Mobile bundle the Gear Fit with the S5 or the Note 4 I'll go for it. But as an individual purchase I'm definitely waiting.

Just out of curiosity, what points steer you away?

To me, as long as I recognize what the Gear 2 is and what it isn't, there is some functionality there that I anticipate will be very useful - the ability to look down and recognize a caller (for example) and decide whether to answer or defer a call; to get a quick look at messages as they arrive; hopefully to see my upcoming schedule, and to check the time :) Add in some of the new heart monitoring, and I'm preordering one.

Admittedly I may value the health components more than others; I had a bit of a scare over the past year and monitoring my heart rate suddenly has some meaning to me.

I do anticipate changing the watch band, eventually - probably to something leather. But I'm looking forward to getting it one.

Having said all that, it's not at all impossible I'll wind up selling it on eBay if the Moto 360 turns out to be as game changing as people seem to think - but by then I'll have several months of Gear 2 time under my belt and be able to make a more informed decision.
 
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Thanks, but I just got my Gear (screaming deal at US Cellular). The new one (at full retail price) just doesn't interest me right now

ARS Technica does hit one nail on the head: Samsung is a hardware company, not software. They need to get some good software folks, coming up with cool new things to use this piece of tech for, and apps to support it.

Don't get me wrong: I'm already VERY happy with my Gear. And it has already proven useful. But it could be more, and (right now) it looks like Samsung isn't willing to let it grow into it's potential
 
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clitrenta: Hi, fellow Cheesehead!

I agree: LOVE my Gear, and not interested in replacing it. But like I said: Samsung needs to either open things up a bit for dev, or get some good app writers in-house to expand the usability of the device. If they don't, I have a feeling they're gonna get left in the dust in the wearable market

Yah but I can't see Samsung getting left behind. Whatever needs to be done WILL be done. They don't lead the pack for nothing. :)

HOW BOUT THEM BREWERS?!
 
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