As one of the first representatives of the Android Wear series you should be clear about what is the product exactly where that is, the strengths but also the limits of and that that is precisely one of the first of its kind. I am very pleased with the clock on my part and would hereafter try to explain why, describing the product as well as the operating system a little light.
Optics / design and feel:
The clock looks ok. Now she is not necessarily an eye-catcher, but this need not be. I am talking especially in this case, rather the functionality. For my taste, the clock is a little thick, but is still comfortable on the wrist and does not interfere. Certainly successor models in a few years but can eliminate most of these points with better technology and displays. But the clock feels quite good, the fact that you can exchange the bracelet (22mm), is also good.
On the part of the software is based on adjustments much on offer. The clock has various so-called Watch Faces, determine the appearance of the dial and the displayed Google Now cards. One can download more and set about such as your own pictures as background. Since pretty Beautiful are already and it will follow a number. There is also already a launcher app that extends the functionality of the clock and effectively facilitates access to installed apps and accelerated. As you know also from the list of apps on your phone and is accustomed to.
The clock is (completely dustproof, up to 30 minutes in 1 m depth) IP67 waterproof. One needs therefore when washing your hands do not watch the clock and this can be conveniently packed into the shower. On housing contains no buttons. The clock is charged via pogo pins on the underside in conjunction with a charging cradle.
Operation:
One can control the clock by means of voice commands or through wiping by the displayed cards and menus. Voice commands can be started by a simple tap on the screen or the active display by the prefix "Ok Google". This works great as long as background noise are not too loud. It can be commands (Set alarm or display, set the timer, ..) and queries accurately and quickly perform.
Generally, you have several cards, as they already might know of Android or the embedded service "Google Now" to some extent. Thus, by wiping up and down one between different cards such as the weather, alerts or dates back and forth. By wiping the left or right can be in some maps call or take any action further information. When weather you get, for example, then a forecast for the next days is displayed.
Battery Life:
Especially because the screen is always on, the built-in battery (400mAh) is always claimed and also keeps therefore not very long. You have to charge the battery every day, from morning to night the built enough capacity anyway. But that does not, on the clock finally happens a lot and I put on my clock at night anyway out. It comes with a charging cradle is included. This is a magnet that draws the clock directly in the right position for charging. Loading the clock so goes anyway uncomplicated by equipping and is a minor matter. But if you can not charge every night the clock, it is accordingly useless. This fact you have to know just as well as the fact that the clock can indeed shut down, but this can only start by the charger thanks to the lack of buttons again. Unfortunately, the clock is also in charge of, there are for Android Wear, however, an app called "Slumber", but after all, just a black screen can show the clock during charging - that's bearable.
Technical data:
Operating System: Android Wear (compatible from Android 4.3)
Display: 1.65 "LCD IPS, resolution of 280 x 280 pixels
CPU: 1.2 GHz (Snapdragon 400)
Memory: 512 MB RAM, 4 GB of memory
Battery: 400 mAh
Camera: No
Sensors: Gyro, accelerometer, compass
Size: 38 x 47 x 10.0 mm
"Included" features:
The clock luckily is a clock. One can read of this time and in certain settings even the date problems. But the other basic functions are already very extensive. You can accomplish a lot, especially on the voice input (including calls, SMS, emails, simple searches to facts such as population numbers or complex searches - but then have to be opened on the smartphone, reminders, appointments, stopwatch, timer, alarm clock , ..) but also on touch inputs, most functions can be achieved easily and quickly.
I honestly can not understand the criticism that the clock can necessarily much more should. I would not want to have smartphone spare on my hand, but am pleased with simple overviews and little handy extras, such as those offered by the G Watch. If I want to see my contacts, for example, is that - as with many other things - but anyway a lot more comfortable on the large phone display. And to make calls via the clock or to send something, it's enough even to mention the name.
The clock is not everything can, but be helpful. What would bring me some apps when I do not need? I am convinced that Android Wear as a platform in the direction - as mentioned input - can develop the most potential. Also, because the applications are just very closely on the clock with those on your phone.
That I really like:
I think it's good to be able to control my music on the clock and of course to there to see what I'm listening to. Also receiving the notifications from the whole smartphone proved so far to be extremely practical. An SMS or email you can respond immediately, Whatsapp messages offer this option but for example (yet). Is also good that you can see directly on a call, who is calling and a accept this immediately, reject, or by sending an SMS like "I can not just call you back" can answer. Very handy, especially in conjunction with a Bluetooth headset, as you can as pleasant phone without needing to take the phone out of his pocket. For voice commands such as "Call of XY" can also make calls. The implementation Runtastic I find quite succeeded, I hope also of other apps in the future, good conversions for Wear platform. But the ability to read notes, time to just take a look at the weather or incoming mail in text form time to just read completely, is simply awesome. I speak also like notes on the clock, partly saves me a lot of time.
WhatsApp - NEW (07:09:14): For Whatsapp is now also provides enhanced functionality for Android Wear. It can be read enjoyable and answer as required by standard responses or by voice incoming messages. Even with several chats so you keep the overview and does not need to look on smartphone to stay up to date. It is also possible in each case, see the latest news of these chats clearly. Implementation like me so far very good. Glad to see at this point the development progress. More apps are also continuously integrates more and more and also the wear platform itself will soon receive a major update. I'm curious.
Apps for G Watch:
There are different types of apps. There are those that have been made specifically for the clock, even without connection to the Smartphone on this run (currently, for example, especially calculators or small games), but also precisely those which comprise either a single connection to the phone function or even "only "purporting to be an extension of current on the smartphone apps. The best example in nature is Runtastic. One can start activities, pause and stop on the clock. Recorded these still are naturally parallel by means of which GPS smartphone. On the clock but you can also key data (distance traveled, calories burned or the current heart rate in existing Bluetooth heart rate belt) display. I like especially these extensions much because they effectively save the one overlooking the smartphone, this is very informative and practical, without appearing too cluttered.
Conclusion:
So far so good. The clock is not perfect but it needs not be necessarily as a pioneer model in my opinion. I have no problems and use the G Watch very happy. Thanks to Android Wear everything will surely expand quickly and improve on some points. The individual app developers have indeed even first enable appropriate functionalities and deploy. You can definitely do but already a lot with the clock and is overwhelmed in the operation in any way. Whoever finds a practical SmartWatch as a second screen / extension of smart phones, will likely be pleased with the product and its possibilities. Who more than expected which would be likely to be disappointed.
(I will review this certainly expand even, anything is missing or there are any questions, you may like to know about me that the comments can be)
