MICROSOFT BAND 2: SPECS
- Microsoft Band 2: Specs
- Corning Gorilla Glass 3, AMOLED screen, 32 x 12.8mm, 320 x 128 resolution, 255 ppi
- Li-polymer battery
- claimed battery life: 48 hours
- Optical heart rate sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, gyrometer, GPS, Ambient light sensor, Skin temperature sensor, UV sensor, Capacitative sensor, Galvanic skin response, Microphone, Barometer
- Haptic vibration motor
- Bluetooth 4.0 LE
- USB charge cable
- Compatible with iPhone, Android Windows Phone
MICROSOFT BAND 2 REVIEW
The Microsoft Band 2 is an activity tracker, smartwatch and sleep aide with GPS, heart rate monitor and more. It has a unique but limited feature set which we like, but you may disagree. Read our Microsoft Band 2 review to find out which camp you are in. Also read our first-gen Microsoft Band review to see how it compares.
MICROSOFT BAND 2 REVIEW: WHAT IT IS, WHY IT MATTERS
The Band 2 is the second generation wearable from Microsoft. A wristband/smartwatch hybrid that aims to make you both more productive, and more healthy. It is an important product for Microsoft, because it is intended to promote the Band platform to OEMs, in the hope that partners will come onboard and build other Microsoft wearables. But it is important for wearables in general.
That's because Microsoft has taken the long view on wearables, not rushing in with over-specced expensive products such as the Apple Watch or Google Glass, nor jumping on the wear-em-for-three-months-then-bin pedometer wristbandwagon. The Microsoft Band 2 builds on the ideas behind the - frankly, prototype - Microsoft Band, offering a similar feature set in a more complete and consumer friendly device.
It is not a smartwatch on your wrist, nor is it a dumb activity tracker. Rather, the Band 2 is a device that enhances smartphone use whilst allowing you to be more present in your environment. And it is a GPS-enabled fitness tracker that helps you to improve athletic performance, and quantify and enhance all the factors that influence your overall health. Finally, it allows you to check and respond to messages from your wrist.
MICROSOFT BAND 2 REVIEW: DISPLAY
Key to the success of the Microsoft Band 2 is its curved display. This is a bright and sharp Corning Gorilla Glass 3, AMOLED screen. Measuring 32 x 12.8mm, with a 320 x 128 resolution, it boasts a snazzy pixel density of 255 ppi. That combined with the rich colours of AMOLED makes for a rich display experience, albeit on a tiny screen.
You wouldn't compare the Band 2's display to that of a smartphone. Or, at least, you wouldn't compare it favourably. At this size that would be daft, and anyway it exists to show off data: words and numbers, not images. As such it is perfectly fit for purpose, without being battery draining. Even when tramping the mean streets of Surrey, sweat in our eyes, we could always see distance, heart rate and speed data at a glance. The touchscreen is responsive and there is no obvious pixellation, either. Good job Microsoft.
MICROSOFT BAND 2 REVIEW: SPECS AND FEATURES
The Band 2 is an fitness aid that tracks heart rate, calorie burn and sleep quality. Out of the box it can work as a pedometer, and to track and record running, cycling, gym workouts and golf. But Microsoft is also keen that other providers jump in and add other sports and activities. Also see: Best GPS watch for running.
The Microsoft Band 2 provides notifications of incoming email, tests and calender alerts. You can get it to add other notifications such as WhatsApp messages, too (if you want no down time at all). Each aspect of the Band 2's feature set is accessed via a tile from the simple interface. You can rearrange these tiles, and add third-party notifications such as Twitter and Facebook.
There are multiple sensors in the Band 2, including GPS, and always on optical heart rate sensor, a barometer to measure your elevation and - new to this device - a UV sensor to nudge you when your skin is getting burnt. It isn't a big deal right now, you might think, but often the most damage is done when you think it isn't sunny.
The Microsoft Band 2 connects to your phone via Bluetooth 4.0 LE, and is compatible with Android, iPhone and Windows Phone. You install the Microsoft Health app to access insights into your activity and lifestyle based on the data gathered by your Band.
MICROSOFT BAND 2 REVIEW: BATTERY LIFE
Microsoft claims around 48 hours of in-use battery life for the Band 2, which has a lithium polymer battery. We can't benchmark it in the same way as we can a smartphone, so I can only speak to my own experiences of using the Band 2.
In short: 48 hours is about right. I tend to charge it for half an hour or so when I am in the shower and getting ready every other morning. It charges quick: Microsoft claims a full charge in one and a half hours, but I found that a half an hour burn gets it up to around 80 percent charged. And that will do for a day or two, a day or two in which I walk to the station and then to the office, receive emails all day long, and almost always go for a run or a bike ride.
So although a wearable feels like it should last for a week or more, we can't really quibble with the Band 2's battery life. It is fit for purpose. And as it synchs with your smartphone via Bluetooth, I guarantee the phone will run out before the Band does. Which is in itself an issue.
MICROSOFT BAND 2 REVIEW: AS A PRODUCTIVITY TOOL
This is weird. But I have to be honest. I love the feature set of the Band and the Band 2. I find that wearing a device which puts on my body notifications about incoming email and texts actually makes me more present in the real world Perhaps this is exclusive to me, but I receive so much (boring and work-related) information every day that I find it impossible not to constantly take out my phone and stare into its brightly lit abbyss.
When I am wearing the Band 2 life gets simpler. I can dismiss with a swipe any email, text or call which doesn't require immediate response (hint: this is almost all of them).
Furthermore, the haptic feedback that tells me a calender event is 10 minutes away lets me concentrate in the office, safe in the knowledge that I am not about to miss a meeting (or a meal). I don't want to be able to respond on my wristwatch: I have a smartphone from which to compose and send emails. But being able to triage messages on the hoof is actually relaxing to me. (I should point out that you can send a series of pre-written messages such as 'I will call you later', which may be useful to you.)
I am aware that praising the lack of a feature as a positive makes me sound like a glassy eyed true believer who is blind to the Band 2's faults. Perhaps that is the case. The fact is that if you want a smartwatch that replicates all of the functions of your smartphone, the Band 2 is not it. Not at all. You need an Android or an Apple Watch. But for me the Band 2 is a good productivity tool. It does what it does extremely well.
MICROSOFT BAND 2 REVIEW: AS AN ACTIVITY TRACKER
It is a great activity tracker. The Microsoft Band 2 has everything that my TomTom GPS-enabled runners watch gives me, and more. As well as everything I can get from my Fitbit or Jawbone. And in a better shell, with a better app.
Of course the Band 2 tracks your steps. And the built-in GPS is a must if you are serious about measuring performance. In my experience the Band 2 locks on quickly and accurately.
I love the way I can clearly see heart rate, distance, time and average pace on a single screen. Every GPS runners watch I have tried has shown only one of those things in a format that I can reasonably see. It's the clear and sharp screen, innit? This is even more important when out on the bike.
Always on heartrate monitoring is a boon, and again accurate and easy to view.
We haven't managed to get out on the golf course with the Band 2, but we did take it to the driving range. All three of the courses closest to my house are in the app, and so next time I hack my way around I can log on and it will measure from where I take each shot. Which reduces the chances of cheating somewhat, but does give you accurate yardage into the green.
On the range it worked as advertised. The Band 2 ignored practice swings but recorded when I actually managed to make contact.
All of this data is parlayed into real-world tips and information on the app, which may or may not be useful to you. Personally I don't feel that I need the Health app to tell me how long I should rest between exercise, but I do like to see my splits and how my heartrate reacted to effort. Indeed, heart rate data is critical to pushing yourself harder and getting fitter.
You may be able to tell, but I love the Band 2 as a fitness device. My only quibble, and it is a significant one, is that the battery life runs out without enough warning. Which is wildly irritating if you are in the middle of a barnstorming run.
More: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/activity-trackers/microsoft-band-2-review-3630027/
Apple's smartwatch, called the Apple Watch rather than the expected iWatch, is available to buy now. Here, we bring you an Apple Watch review based on out experience with the hot new device so far.
APPLE WATCH DESIGN: WHAT DOES THE APPLE WATCH LOOK LIKE?
Apple has always paid particular attention to the design of its products, and has built a reputation as a fashionable and stylish brand. When it comes to smartwatches, design more important than ever. It's wearable technology, after all.
As can be expected, the Apple Watch is a pleasure to look at, and with 38 different styles to choose from there's bound to be something that suits you. There are three different Apple Watch models.
As the name suggests, the Apple Watch Sport is designed with exercise in mind, made with strengthened Ion-X glass for maximum durability and anodised aluminium to reduce the weight. It's available in Space Grey or Silver. You'll get the choice of a White Sport Band, Blue Sport Band, Green Sport Band, Pink Sport Band or Black Sport Band.
It's worth noting that we're concerned about the Sport Bands of the Apple Watch – we think they'll get grubby quickly as they're made with a rubbery plastic. It only took one weekend for our blue Sport Band to go brown around the edges. Yuck. It is very comfortable, though, and we've heard that some of the metal bands are significantly less so, even if they do look a lot nicer.
The Apple Watch has a Sapphire glass display rather than the Ion-X used in the Sport, and a Stainless Steel case rather than aluminium, and comes in silver or Space Black. Strap options for the Apple Watch include the White Sport Band, Black Sport Band, Black Classic Buckle, Milanese Loop, Black Leather Loop, Bright, Stone Leather Loop, Light Brown Leather Loop, Blue Leather Loop, Black Modern Buckle, Midnight Blue Modern Buckle, Soft Pink Modern Buckle, Brown Modern Buck, and Stainless Steel Link Bracelet and Space Black Link Bracelet.
And if you're wondering why the Apple Watch Edition is so expensive, that'll be because of its 18-carat gold case available in yellow or rose gold. You'll even get a fancy leather box that doubles as a charging cradle. Bands for the Watch Edition include the White Sport Band, Black Sport Band, Black Classic Buckle, Midnight Blue Classic Buckle, Rose Grey Modern Buckle, Bright Red Modern Buckle.
Phew. That's a lot of options. And even more confusing is that some straps can't be purchased with certain sizes of Apple Watch. For example, the Modern Buckle isn't available for the larger model, and the Leather Loop isn't available for the smaller model.
You can swap straps at a later date, though. Apple sells the Watch straps separately in the Apple Store and third-party accessory makers will be selling their own too.
It's worth noting that several owners of the Apple Watch Sport and even some owners of the Stainless Steel Apple Watch have complained of scratches and some have even smashed the screens within days of getting them. It sounds like it's not the most durable of devices, though we've yet to have any issues with our Apple Watch Sport review unit.
All three models come in two different size options. The first is designed for more dainty wrists, at 38mm high. The larger option has a 42mm high screen. You'll notice quite a significant difference between these two sizes, so we'd strongly recommend popping into an Apple Store before you buy to try on both sizes and see which suits you best.
We were surprised by how small the 38mm model looks, and many people have commented that it's smaller than they had imagined. Some people will consider that a good thing, but it does make it somewhat tricky to use, as the text, icons and apps are very small. It does mean that it's really light on the wrist, though, so you'll hardly notice it's there until you want to.
The Apple Watch is water resistant to the IPX7 standard, which technically means that the device shouldn't be damaged if it sat in up to one metre of water for up to 30 minutes, but Apple doesn't recommend trying it. Instead, Apple describes the Watch as "splash- and water-resistant but not waterproof" and suggests that you could wear it in the shower but don't take it swimming. We'll have to wait and see how well the Apple Watch holds out against water over time.
We think that the Apple Watch is a stunning device, but we are slightly disappointed that it isn't round. We love round smartwatches from the likes of LG, Motorola and most recently Huawei, because they blend in as an ordinary watch better. The Apple Watch is quite obviously a piece of tech stuck on your wrist, and that won't appeal to everyone (yet, but this is Apple we're talking about so we'll probably all be wearing them in a couple of years and won't think anything of it).
We do like the fact that there are so many different options, even if it does get a bit confusing. Knowing that there are 38 different options makes the choice you make even more personal.
APPLE WATCH REVIEW: SPECS
The Apple Watch's display has a resolution of 272x340 or 312x390 depending on whether you choose the 38mm or 42mm size option. We thought the screen quality was excellent during our testing.
The Apple Watch is powered by an Apple S1 processor, and we have found that it can be a little slow on occasions, particularly while using third-party apps.
As can be expected from wearable tech, there are several sensors in the Apple Watch that enable the fitness tracking features. There's a gyroscope, an accelerometer and a heart rate monitor. There's no GPS, though: the Apple Watch relies on the iPhone for that part. That means you'll need your iPhone with you if you plan on tracking a run, which is a bit of a shame.
Prior to its launch, the battery life of the Apple Watch was a bit of a concern, and unfortunately those concerns haven't been completely put to rest now that the Apple Watch is here. Apple claims it'll last for 18 hours of normal use, which it says is 'all-day battery life'.
But our first day with the Apple Watch was disappointing. By 6.15pm, our iPhone had run out of battery (we later found it was the Apple Watch app that was guzzling up its fuel) and just half an hour later the Apple Watch gave up the ghost. Admittedly, we think we were using it a little more than we would normally as we were getting to know all of its features, but it's disappointing nonetheless. We'll update this review with more information about the battery life once we've spent some more time with the Watch to find out whether things improve once we get more used to using the device.
For now though, we've put together a list of tips that should help you make the Apple Watch battery last longer.
Charging takes around two and a half hours, and works with an inductive magnetic charger that snaps onto the back of the Watch itself.
There's no camera in the Apple Watch, but it can be used as a remote for the camera on your iPhone.
APPLE WATCH FEATURES: WHAT CAN THE APPLE WATCH DO?
We've determined that the Apple Watch is a good-looking piece of kit, but what can it actually do?
Well first things first you're going to need an iPhone 5 or later in order to use the Apple Watch, and you're going to need to download the dedicated Apple Watch app (if you've updated to the latest version of iOS 8 you'll find that you've already got it).
INTERACTING WITH THE APPLE WATCH
The Apple Watch runs Apple's own software, with some familiar elements taken from iOS in addition to many new ones. Interacting with the Apple Watch is an all-new experience, with new Force Touch technology that helps it determine when you're tapping and pressing, a physical button called the Digital Crown that can be pressed and scrolled, a second button that takes you to the Friends screen and also voice control using Siri.
Siri can be used to search, set reminders, dictate messages, get directions and more. It's as easy as raising your wrist and saying "Hey, Siri" followed by your command.
There's also Taptic Feedback, which uses vibrations that'll tap you on the wrist for alerts, directions and more. You can even send others your heartbeat and they'll feel it tapping on their wrist (sickeningly romantic, isn't it?).
With all of those ways of interacting with the Apple Watch, it's certainly going to take a bit of getting used to. You'll need to spend some time getting to know your Apple Watch to figure out whether you need to tap, scroll, swipe, push or speak to get the job done. You'll find lots of Apple Watch tutorials in our sister site Macworld's Apple Watch section.
APPLE WATCH REVIEW: NOTIFICATIONS
While wearing the Apple Watch, you'll get notifications for emails from VIPs, text messages, social media alerts and more. Apple has designed the Apple Watch interface with little snippets of information that the company calls 'Glances'. They're mini versions of apps that aim to let you get the information you need within seconds – Apple says you shouldn't need to spend more than 10 – 15 seconds looking at your watch at a time.
If you are the kind of person who likes to constantly check their iPhone for notifications, then the Apple Watch could be a time saver, as you'll simply need to glance at your wrist. But equally, if you'd prefer an occasional bit of peace and quiet away from the digital world filled with Facebook and Twitter and email, getting tapped on the wrist every time a notification arrives is probably not a good idea, so we'd suggest that the Apple Watch (or any smartwatch, for that matter), isn't going to be for you.
APPLE WATCH REVIEW: APPS
Apple's Apple Watch apps include Messages, Mail, Weather, Maps, Calendar, Passbook, Music, Photos and more. Apple doesn't intend for you to use the Apple Watch for web browsing, though, so Safari is notably absent.
Maps is among the most useful of Apple's apps, bringing turn-by-turn directions to your wrist. It's much more convenient than getting out your iPhone and by using the Taptic feedback to tell you whether to turn left or right, you won't need to look at a screen anywhere near as much, and can concentrate more on what's going on around you.
You can use the Apple Watch to answer and make phone calls thanks to the built-in microphone and speaker, but we doubt you'll want to, particularly if you're outside or in a public place where everyone will be able to hear both sides of the conversation. If you're somewhere quiet you might find that it works well, but the quality isn't great at all.
There's also the ability to reply to text messages using smart responses or dictation, which we found worked well but again, only if you're in a quiet place and only if you speak very clearly.
Third party developers have been busy creating apps for the Apple Watch, incorporating Glances and the 10 – 15 second idea into the design. Apps range from hotel apps that let you use your Apple Watch as a key to apps that help you find your car in the car park.
There are even games designed for the Apple Watch, though we don't image we'll spend much time using our Apple Watch for gaming. Facebook, Twitter, Shazam, CityMapper, TripAdvisor and more have confirmed that they're creating Glances for the Apple Watch.
It's such third-party apps that'll make the difference between whether it's worth buying or not, and it'll differ between each and every individual. Before you decide to invest your £299 or more in the Apple Watch, it's important to think about what you plan on using it for. Do you want to use it to remotely control various internet-connected devices around your home, for example? If yes, you'll need to check whether there's an app available to let you do that to find out whether the Apple Watch is worth buying for you.
But as mentioned in the specs section, we found most third-party apps to be annoyingly slow and often buggy. We're sure they'll improve over time, but for the moment it can be particularly frustrating. So much for that 10-15 seconds at a time thing, Apple.
Right now, we don't think there's a killer app on the Apple Watch that would make us feel like it's worth the £299 or more it costs. We think that app will arrive eventually, but right now we're still waiting.
Apps are all downloaded by first installing them on your iPhone and syncing with your Apple Watch. Apps can be reorganised on your Apple Watch home screen using the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, too.
APPLE WATCH REVIEW: FITNESS TRACKING
Apple has also come up with new Apple Watch specific apps for fitness tracking, something we've come to expect from smartwatches what with the rise in fitness and activity tracking wrist-bands from the likes of Fitbit and Jawbone.
The fitness tracking features are made possible thanks to the heart-rate sensor and accelerometer. As mentioned previously, GPS is also utilised but the Apple Watch uses the iPhone to gather that information – there's no GPS built-in.
The first of Apple's apps is Activity, which features three rings that represent Move, Stand and Exercise. Move shows you how many calories you've burned. Stand measures how often you get up off your bottom, and will prompt you to do so should you remain sitting for an hour without getting up. And Exercise measures activities that it considers to be as strenuous or more strenuous than a brisk walk. When the rings are full in the Activity app, you've met your target (which you can set with factors including calories, time or distance. Apple will use your sex, age, weight, height and general activity level to make target recommendations, but you can adjust them as you please) and you'll earn an achievement.
The Workout app takes things a bit further, tracking your workouts whether you're running, walking, cycling and more. It'll measure how far you travelled, how fast you moved and how long you were working out for. And for iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus owners, it'll also measure elevation thanks to the built-in barometer in Apple's latest smartphone. It'll keep all of this information in the companion app on your iPhone so you can track your progress over weeks and months.
The Apple Watch will monitor your heartrate throughout the day, even if you've not asked it to, which it does to help estimate how many calories you've burned and when you've been doing what it considers to be "excursive" but we're not convinced that it's completely accurate. We'll be carrying out further tests on the heartrate monitor soon and will update this review once we've determined just how accurate (or inaccurate as the case may be) the Apple Watch is.
APPLE WATCH FEATURES: APPLE PAY
Additionally, the Apple Watch features an NFC chip that will allow you to use it with Apple Pay, Apple's secure mobile payment system. Unfortunately, though, Apple Pay still hasn't made its way to the UK so we might have to wait a while until we can use that functionality here.
When it does arrive, though, we imagine it'll be brilliantly handy not to have to dig around in a bag or pocket to get out our purse or wallet at the checkout in a shop. You'll be able to touch your wrist to an Apple Pay supported reader to pay in seconds.
APPLE WATCH FEATURES: TIME
Of course, the Apple Watch can also tell you the time. There are lots of different (software-based) watch faces to choose from, some of which you can see below, and you can quickly and easily change it whenever you fancy.
More: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/smart-watches/apple-watch-review-iwatch-design-features-apps-3607916/
LG G WATCH: SPECS
- LG G Watch: Specs
- Android Wear
- 22mm (0.86inch) Changeable Watch Strap
- 1.65in IPS LCD (280x280)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with 1.2GHz CPU
- 512MB RAM
- 4GB internal storage
- Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy
- Micro USB on Charging Cradle
- 9 Axis (Accelerometer/Compass/Gyro)
- 37.9 x 46.5 x 9.95 mm
- 63 g
- 400 mAh
Android Wear is upon us and is Google's version of the popular mobile OS specifically designed for wearable devices like smartwatches. The LG G Watch is one of two launch products for the platform alongside the Samsung Gear Live so here's our full LG G Watch review. Read: The best smartwatches of 2014: List of the best wearable tech you can buy right now.
The wearable sector is one of the fastest growing in technology and if you haven't been convinced to buy a smartwatch yet, perhaps Android Wear is the reason you need. Smartwatches have been, at times, good but almost always lacking in some way or another.
As you might expect, Android Wear ties in with the main OS and aims to bring things forward in terms of both style and functionality. "Android Wear organises your information, suggests what you need and shows it to you before you even ask." says Google. See also: What is Google Android Wear?
LG G WATCH REVIEW: DESIGN AND BUILD
Out of the three announced Android Wear smartwatches, the LG G Watch is certainly the plainest looking. It's an understated square black slab with little going on – not even a button on the side. Perhaps this stealth style will appeal to some but to us it looks like LG's design department got a basic idea together then went to pub never to return and finish the project. The 'White Gold' model is a little more interesting but is likely too feminine in appearance for male consumers.
Smartwatches tend to be a bit bulky and the G Watch is about the thickness of a smartphone at 9.95 mm. We'd rather it was thinner but it doesn't feel too big when you've got it on. Weight isn't a problem at 63 g.
The G Watch comes with a rubber strap which has a nice smooth finish making it more comfortable than most and less clammy in hot conditions (although it's definitely not sweat-resistant). If for whatever reason you don't like the supplied strap, you can change it for any standard 22mm replacement which is always a good feature to include. This way you could spend a few quid to improve things on the style front with perhaps a contrasting stainless steel strap.
With no physical buttons, it's a little difficult to know what to do with the G Watch once you take it out of the box. To save you reading the instruction manual, simply put the watch on its charging cradle. There is a reset button on the back should you need it which you need a SIM removal tool or similar to push.
Last but not least on the design front, is the G Watch's waterproof credentials. It has an IP67 rating matching the Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone meaning it's completely dust tight and can be submerged in up to 1m of water for a maximum of 30 minutes.
On a practical level, this means you can leave the G Watch on in the shower or go for a paddle with it without worry. Possibly more beneficial is the ability to simply wash it under a tap if it gets sweaty or dirty.
LG G WATCH REVIEW: HARDWARE AND PERFORMANCE
Even though the G Watch is the least exciting Android Wear device in terms of looks, you get some decent specs for your money.
The most important element of a smartwatch is the screen which on the G Watch is an IPS LCD panel, 1.65in in size. It looks great with nicely popping colours and a decent resolution at 280 x 280 although we've seen better. The size is just about right in order to provide enough space for information but not feel too big on your wrist.
Although it's advertised as 'always on' you can opt against this in the settings menu of Android Wear. It simply means you have to turn the screen on with a tap when you want it. If you do leave it 'always on' the device will automatically dim to conserve battery life.
Under the stealthy black exterior is a competent 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with 512MB of RAM. About what you'd find in a mid-range smartphone and we've had no problems with performance on the G Watch – it's as nippy as you like and will also appear to be laggy if you companion smartphone or tablet doesn't have a data connection.
The G Watch, as you would expect, connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth (4.0 Low Energy) and other specs include a 4GB of internal storage, a built-in mic, accelerometer, gyro and compass sensors and a 400mAh battery. We'll talk about what some of this hardware is for later.
Like a smartphone, a smartwatch with an LCD screen will vary on battery life depending on how much you use it. We've been using the G Watch with the screen set to off to get the best possible battery life and it will easily last a few days without needing to be charged. Heavy users will get about 3-4 days use while lighter users will get up to a week.
As we mentioned earlier, the G Watch charges by way of a cradle. The watch sits in place easily thanks to magnets and charges via five small metal contacts. It works perfectly well and we're impressed with how quickly the G Watch reaches 100 percent but if you don't have the cradle then you have no way of charging up which can be frustrating.
LG G Watch review hardware
LG G WATCH REVIEW: ANDROID WEAR SETUP AND COMPATIBILITY
Once you've turned the G Watch on for the first time you'll be asked to select your language, then you'll be prompted to download the Android Wear app to a smartphone or tablet. It's free in the Google Play store.
If you have Bluetooth switches on, your companion device will easily find the G Watch and you'll be paired up quickly. Following a quick and helpful tutorial on how to navigate Android Wear you're away and ready to use the device.
It's a wonderfully quick and easy process that even beginner Android users will be able to understand and follow.
It's worth pointing out that the device which you want to connect the G Watch to needs to be running version 4.3 Jelly Bean or later. If you're unsure about compatibility, visit g.co/WearCheck on your device before splashing out.
LG G WATCH REVIEW: ANDROID WEAR FEATURES AND USABILITY
We're onto Android Wear itself so bear in mind that the system isn't exclusive to the G Watch while you read this section.
That aforementioned tutorial will get you up to speed with how to navigate and use the user interface but even if you breeze through it paying no attention you won't find it hard or time consuming to get accustomed to Android Wear. The interface is extremely user friendly unlike some previous Android-powered smartwatches.
In a nutshell, it's like have Google Now on your wrist and if that means nothing to you then Android Wear uses a card style system where each notification gets its own card. You swipe up and down through all the available cards to view them, swipe right to dismiss or clear on and swipe left for more information.
A slightly annoying thing is that there's no way of recalling a card If you accidentally swipe it away. There's also no way of choosing the order in which the cards are displayed either which would be nice.
One of the most common cards, for example, is weather and will show current information but swiping left will give you a four day forecast. Each card is given an appropriate background wallpaper which is a nice touch.
The main advantage of a smartwatch is getting notifications from your smartphone tablet without getting it out of a pocket or bag. Many smartwatch makers have tried to pack in too many additional features but Android Wear gets the basics right.
More: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/smart-watches/lg-g-watch-review-3532599/
Sony SmartWatch 2: SPECS
- Sony SmartWatch 2: Specs
- 1.6in LCD screen (220x176)
- Water resistant IP57
- micro-USB
- Bluetooth 3.0
- NFC
- Compatible with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and later
- 42 x 41 x 9mm
- 123g
Smartwatches may seem like a fad, but Sony is back with the second generation of its SmartWatch.
Sony has honed the design of the SmartWatch for this second version. It's slimmer than before, looks more stylish and doesn't need clipping onto the strap.
An issue we had with the original SmarWatch was its bulkiness. Its successor is 9mm compared to 12.8mm. It's still occasionally difficult to get some items of clothing over it, but the situation is much better.
The SmartWatch 2 has a similar design but looks more modern with its square shape and silver bevelled edge. Although it's thinner than the original, the device itself is larger because the screen size has been increased.
Unfortunately, Sony has stuck with the same silicon rubber wrist strap (available in various colours) which is prone to getting a bit grubby and gets clammy. Luckily there are leather and metal options, though and you can use any 24mm strap you like. The SmartWatch 2 is water resistant (IP57) so no need to worry about it if you get caught in a rain shower.
The standard micro-USB port is a very nice touch, but requires a knife or pin to pry open.
A welcome design change is that it now charges via a regular microUSB port which sits on the side under a flap. It's a vast improvement on the proprietary connector which was unreliable.
Not only is the connection better, the battery life is too. The original SmartWatch only lasted a day when used heavily and a couple with a more regular amount. We've found the SmartWatch 2 comfortable chugs on for four or five days if you switch it off over night. Sony says it will last a week in low usage.
Bear in mind that connecting a device like this to your smartphone over Bluetooth will affect its battery life also.
There are a few smart watches on the market now and although made by Sony, the SmartWatch 2 isn't limited to the firm's own smartphones. You can use it with any running Android 4.0 or later. Not only is it versatile in this way, it's also cheaper than rivals such as the Samsung Galaxy Gear - £149 against £299.
The SmartWatch 2 is super-simple to setup. It's got an NFC chip built-in, so as long as your smartphone has one too, simple tapping them together with pair them up and away you go.
Sony has increased the size of the screen to 1.6in from 1.3in. It doesn't sound like much but you can see a lot more on the screen. There are also familiar back, home and menu buttons below the screen so navigation is no longer solely gestures.
The LCD display has a resolution of 220x176 which is a little way behind the Galaxy Gear's 320x320. It doesn't look as crisp and clear as Samsung's rival but it doesn't look too bad either – a little old-school looking perhaps.
We're pleased to report that unlike the original, the SmatWatch 2 shows the time constantly. The original didn't to save power so you couldn't just glance at the time, whereas this model shows the customisable clock face dimly. A press of the power button cranks up the brightness briefly and a second press will launch the full interface.
The full interface will be familiar to Android users with sets of 3x2 icons and a status bar at the top showing battery level, which page of apps you're on, the Bluetooth connection status, and the current time. There's even a drop down notification bar.
Main menu, showing five unread notifications (in this case, all are from Gmail) - note the '5' badged on the Gmail app.
Pre-loaded apps include am alarm, timer and flashlight which simply turns the entire screen white. But don't worry, that's just the beginning of what the gadget can do.
It's very difficult to miss a notification when wearing the SmartWatch 2, although we'd like the ability to adjust the vibration level. Anyone who misses calls, txts or emails because their phone is in a pocket or bag then this is exactly what the SmartWatch 2 is for.
You can go beyond basic notifications too, by installing apps for social networks like Facebook and Twitter, for example. The more you add, the more the watch will go off so you'll need to strike a balance.
The device lets you read text messages and emails but you can only reply to the former with an emoticon or pre-set message. The screen is too small to type on. You can also instruct the connected phone to make a call – handy if you're wearing a hands-free headset.
More: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/smart-watches/sony-smartwatch-2-review-3476974/
SAMSUNG GEAR 2: SPECS
- Samsung Gear 2: Specs
- 1.63in Super AMOLED (320x320) touchscreen
- 4GB internal storage
- Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy
- 2Mp camera with autofocus and Sound & Shot
- 720p video recording at 30fps
- Microphone
- Speaker
- Infrared transmitter
- Heart rate monitor
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- IP67 dust- and water-resistant
- 10.1mm
- 68g
After launching its Galaxy Gear smartwatch last year, Samsung is back with the Gear 2 so here's our full review. See: The 7 best smartwatches of 2014.
Wearable devices are booming, with more smartwatches and fitness trackers launching all the time. Along with the Galaxy S5 smartphone, Samsung has launched a trio of wearable gadgets consisting of the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit.
The Gear 2 is the top of range model and as such has a premium price tag. You'll have to splash out a whopping £300 for the smartwatch which is considerably more expensive than most. For example, the Sony SmartWatch 2 is now just £99 so you could buy three.
Before we even start looking at the Gear 2 in detail, it's worth pointing out that the device is only compatible with select Samsung smartphones. A very different approach to other smartwatch makers so you'll need a compatible phone to make it worth buying the Gear 2, or Samsung's other smartwatches.
The Gear 2 is compatible with a total of 17 different Samsung handsets including the Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S4 mini and Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition). Visit the Gear 2 landing page for the full list.
SAMSUNG GEAR 2 REVIEW: DESIGN AND BUILD
We didn't like the bulky design of the Galaxy Gear and unfortunately, things haven't improved much with the Gear 2. The device is only marginally thinner and lighter at 10.1mm and 68g which is not ideal. The weight means you can't forget it's on your arm and the size means it's difficult to find under some clothing – and even if you can, a large bump looks a bit strange.
What the Gear 2 lacks in svelteness, it makes up for in style. There's no Samsung logo which is surprising but give the watch a clean and uninterrupted look. It's well made and the brushed metal finish oozes class. It's a great device for showing off.
Samsung Gear 2 design and build
It's nice to see the Gear 2 gaining the same IP67 certification which you'll find on the Galaxy S5. This means it's fully sealed from dust and water resistant up to a depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes. You can go running in the desert while it rains without worrying about your precious smartwatch.
A physical button sits below the screen and can be used to switch the Gear 2 on and off, but you can also just tap the screen itself. However, built-in sensors mean that the display magically comes to life when you turn your wrist to look at it. This means you can easily check the time or a notification, but the screen doesn't need to be left on constantly, therefore draining the battery.
Instead of adding to the bulk, the Gear 2 charges by clipping on a small plastic module which has a microUSB port. It's a neat solution but if you find yourself without that piece, which is easy to forget about, you've got no way of recharging the smartwatch.
Moving the camera from the strap to the main body (compared to the Galaxy Gear) means that the strap is now changeable for your own. That's always a good design feature for smartwatches.
We took a look at the 'charcoal black' Gear 2 but you can also buy it in 'gold brown' and 'wild orange'. Official straps are available in four different colours.
SAMSUNG GEAR 2 REVIEW: HARDWARE AND SPECS
Samsung has stuck with the same 1.63in SuperAMOLED (320x320) screen which it used for the Galaxy Gear and that's no bad thing. The display looks gorgeous with those classic Samsung eye popping colours and the Gear 2 has an outdoor mode (level 6 brightness) which switches off automatically after five minutes to conserve battery.
Inside is 4GB of storage for apps, photos, fitness data and music – you'll fill that up quickly if you want to listen to music straight from the Gear 2 (see features). Also built-in in is a camera, infrared transmitter and heart rate monitor. We'll take a look at these in more detail below.
Samsung says the Gear 2 offers a typical battery of two or three days while lighter users will get up to six. During our testing, those figures are about right with the Gear 2 offering fairly good battery life.
If you using mainly for getting notifications and switch the device off at night while you're asleep it will last the best part of or even a week. Those using features like the camera, pedometer and heart rate monitor regularly will find the Gear 2 will last a few days.
SAMSUNG GEAR 2 REVIEW: FEATURES
Being top of the line - and a typical Samsung product - the Gear 2 is packed with features. It's got just as many bells and whistles as a Morris dancing crew. However, many of them don't really need to appear on a smartwatch.
Like its predecessor, the Gear 2 has a camera which is now positioned in the main unit rather than the strap. It's a 2Mp camera with autofocus which can also record 720p video. Pictures are shot in a square ratio and automatically sent to the connected smartphone. Ok, it's in the realm of James Bond cool but realistically it's a novelty which is going to wear off after not too long.
Samsung Gear 2 infrared Another feature which is cool but we must file in that same novelty category is the infrared (IR) transmitter. This sits next to the camera and using the WatchOn Remote app, you can control devices like your TV. It's not restricted to Samsung devices but the small screen makes for a fiddly experience. At the end of the day, it's easier to do it with the actual remote or your smartphone if that has an IR blaster.
Handier, for fitness fanatics anyway, is the built-in pedometer and heart rate monitor. I've been using the Gear 2 with the Galaxy S5 which means a doubling up of these features but they're more useful in a watch than a smartphone. You can go out for a run with the Gear 2 alone, which is far more convenient. The main issue is that the heart rate monitor has to be in a specific position to work properly so can take numerous attempts.
You can even make and receive calls with the Gear 2, meaning there's a microphone for recording you voice and a tiny speaker so you can hear the person on the other end. It works but we can't think why you would want to have a conversation with someone over a watch. It's awkward, the quality suffers and don't even try doing it in a noisy environment since it's essentially a hands-free style call.
Something the Gear 2 can do without the need of a smartphone buddy is music playback – you can control what's playing on the companion device, too. You can connect a pair of Bluetooth headphones directly to the smartwatch and listen to your tunes. You can choose what tunes to transfer to the Gear 2's storage with the Gear Manager.
More: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/smart-watches/samsung-gear-2-review-3512372/
Samsung Galaxy Gear: Specs
- 1.63in Super AMOLED (320x320) touchscreen
- 800MHz processor
- 512MB RAM
- 4GB flash storage
- Bluetooth 4.0
- 1.9Mp camera with BSI sensor, autofocus and Sound & Shot
- 720p video recording at 30fps
- two mics with noise cancellation
- speaker
- 315mAh battery
- claimed battery life: 150 hours (standby), 25 hours (with typical use)
- 56.6x36.8x11.1mm
- 73.8g
SAMSUNG GALAXY GEAR SMARTWATCH REVIEW
The Samsung Galaxy Gear is a smartwatch compatible with only the Galaxy Note 3, S4 and S4 Mini. These are all are popular smartphones, but does the £299you have to shell out for the Galaxy gear smartwatch improve your experience of using a Samsung smartphone? We find out. (Also see: The 13 best smartwatches of 2014.)
When many people consider the concept of a smartwatch, they think of it as a tiny smartphone that you wear on your arm. That's not entirely true. While the Galaxy Gear does indeed let you conduct telephone calls and use its S Voice voice assistant to send text messages, it can handle few of the internet-connected tasks for which we routinely use our smartphones. You can't browse the web and, although you can download apps, software designed for the Galaxy Gear is limited both in number and functionality. And while Mail/Gmail and social-media alerts are supported to the extent that the Galaxy Gear can let you know you have a new message or notification but not who it is from, read or reply to it, these are switched off by default. Our review unit was loaned by eBuyer.
SAMSUNG GALAXY GEAR SMARTWATCH: DESIGN AND BUILD
The Samsung Galaxy Gear is very big and heavy, at 56.6x36.8x11.1mm and 73.8g, and not particularly well suited to a female arm. But its bulk isn't necessarily a bad thing: there's no chance you'll forget it's there and not use it, and you'll know the second you lose the device.
The Galaxy Gear is well made, with a sturdy stainless steel body, rigid (non-replaceable) rubber strap and metal clasp. You wouldn't expect anything less at this price. It has a stylish design, with smooth, rounded edges, and four tiny screws at each corner of the screen. There's no Samsung logo on display, although a camera jutting out the side of the strap is a wart-like blemish on the overall effect.
The Galaxy Gear gets extra points in the weightlifting department. Okay, so it's only 73.8g, but this thing feels heavy on your arm. Its presence is always felt, and that isn't something you get used to over time.
SAMSUNG GALAXY GEAR SMARTWATCH: SETUP AND BATTERY LIFE
Setting up the Galaxy Gear is pretty straightforward. Embedded in its charging cradle is an NFC chip that allows you to download to your handset (we used the Samsung Galaxy S4) the Gear Manager app. We had to detach our Mophie battery case to make the connection, but pairing is thereafter conducted over Bluetooth 4.0.
Bluetooth was once considered a chief culprit of battery drain, but the latest specification is optimised for energy efficiency and range. While the Galaxy Gear dropped the connection to our smartphone when we popped it into our bag and walked into another room, this wasn't a frequent occurence during our testing. It was also able to automatically reconnect to the handset when back in range, unless we had specifically prevented this in the settings.
We didn't see a significant decrease in the battery life of our Samsung Galaxy S4 courtesy of this always-on Bluetooth connection, although the Galaxy Gear has itself been criticised for its short runtime. Samsung claims it will last 150 hours on standby, or 25 hours with 'typical' use. That sounds very much on the low side in our experience, given that we had 50 percent of the battery remaining after 24 hours of reasonably heavy use. So just as you might charge your smartphone every night, you'll need to get used to taking off and charging your smartwatch at least every other day, or daily if you don't want to risk getting caught out. A Micro-USB mains charger is supplied in the box.
Having paired the smartwatch and smartphone we waited a few minutes for the Galaxy Gear to download an update; it was then ready to go.
SAMSUNG GALAXY GEAR SMARTWATCH: GESTURES AND NAVIGATION
It took only a short while to get used to navigating the Galaxy Gear smartwatch. The screen isn't as responsive as those found on Samsung's smartphones, but the longer you spend playing with the device the easier it becomes.
The touchscreen is activated either by a single press of the solitary power button on the device's side (a double-press by default invokes S Voice, but can be customised to launch your choice of app) or, when the Galaxy Gear feels like playing along, lifting your arm (you can specify which is your preferred arm for wearing the watch). Besides the time and date this home screen can also offer the temperature and weather; quick-access links to the Camera-, S Voice- and Settings apps; the number of steps you've taken that day; or your next Calendar appointment. Alternatively, you can display only the time, or opt for either of two styles of analogue clocks.
You can swipe down from the top of the home screen to access the camera, swipe up from the bottom to access the Dialler, and right or left to get to Notifications, S Voice, Voice Memo, Gallery, Media Controller, Pedometer, Settings, Apps, Logs and Contacts. Within each menu item you can tap on actions to select them, and use the drop-down menu at the top right of certain screens to access further options. Dragging down from the top of the screen returns you to the previous one.
A double-tap brings up brightness and volume settings and the battery status, while a double-tap and hold invokes the Recent Apps menu.
Pleasingly, with all this touching and swiping going on, the Galaxy Gear smartwatch is very good at repelling greasy fingerprints.
SAMSUNG GALAXY GEAR SMARTWATCH: A PROPER WATCH
The Samsung Galaxy Gear almost gets top marks for its watch-like capabilities. It tells you at a glance the time and date, and its use of a 1.63in (320x320) Super AMOLED touchscreen display with customisable background colours means you have this information at arm's length whether it's pitch-black or you're squinting to see with that overbearing sunshine we so rarely get in England. Note that you can also invoke an Outdoor mode (accessible from the power-off menu), that temporarily increases the screen's brightness.
There are also Timer and Stopwatch apps, a nod to this smartwatch's secondary function as a fitness tracker. Had Samsung made it a little easier to find the Alarm app (you have to call up S Voice and say "Show alarm") we might have got somewhere on the exercise front, rather than snoozing in bed. Annoyingly, when you set an alarm on your smartphone you don't also get the wake-up call on your smartwatch.
SAMSUNG GALAXY GEAR SMARTWATCH: TEXTS, CALLS AND EMAIL
The Galaxy Gear instantly alerts you to new text messages, provided you aren't using your smartphone when they arrive, and you can use S Voice rather than a templated message to quickly send a reply. It would be virtually impossible to type in a message on such a small screen, although this option may still be preferable in certain situations if it were available. Received messages are then archived within the Notifications app, although it isn't possible to check your sent messages from the smartwatch.
Conducting a phone call over the Galaxy Gear is a bizarre experience. When you receive an incoming call both your smartphone and smartwatch will ring, and it's up to you to choose on which device you answer it. If you like you can answer it on your smartwatch and then divert the call to your smartphone - perhaps you might demand some privacy, given that the recipient will in essence be on speakerphone - but it's fiddly to do so while holding a conversation. You can also put the caller on mute or bring up the keypad, as you would on a smartphone.
Talking into a smartwatch both looks and feels odd and, although the Galaxy Gear's sound quality is adequate (with dual mics for noise cancellation), there was a noticeable lag between what was said to the Galaxy Gear and those words being heard on the other end of the line.
The Contacts app within the Galaxy Gear's smartwatch makes it easy to quickly contact anyone stored in your Google contacts, but with a smartphone within Bluetooth range it's difficult to imagine why you might instead use the Galaxy Gear. Missed-call alerts can also be offered by the device.
Email is a sore point for this smartwatch: it is able to inform you of a new Gmail message on your smartphone, but you can't see who it's from, read its contents or send a reply. Email notifcations are also switched off by default, and to turn them on you'll need to launch the Gear Manager app on your smartphone rather than tweak this setting on the smartwatch itself.
SAMSUNG GALAXY GEAR SMARTWATCH: S VOICE
S Voice is Samsung's answer to Apple's Siri, a voice-activated assistant that can do such things as search online to find answers to your questions, text or call a friend, and add appointments to your calendar. It's used to great effect on the Samsung Galaxy Gear, allowing you to speak aloud replies to messages without needing to pick up your phone or send a preset message. Its use is slightly more limited on the Galaxy Gear than it is the S4, given the lack of a web browser, but it can still send text messages, make calls, add events and tasks, set up to three alarms, open the Camera app and reveal the weather in a particular city.
The Voice Memo app also makes use of the Galaxy Gear's built-in mic, letting you make notes of up to five minutes in duration, which is a better solution than trying to accurately type on a tiny screen.
The Galaxy Gear had no problem understanding our voice, and the amount of lag as it tried to work out what to do with our audible instructions was bearable.
SAMSUNG GALAXY GEAR SMARTWATCH: A FITNESS TRACKER
The Samsung Galaxy Gear is not only a smartwatch but a fitness tracker. Its Pedometer app works in conjunction with the S Health app on the Samsung Galaxy S4 to count your steps and track your health. Its accuracy is questionable, given that we managed to walk nine steps sitting at our desk, but that's neither here nor there if it motivates you to get off your bum and do some exercise.
You can swipe right or left within the Pedometer app to access the Walk Workout, which Samsung claims helps you to walk at a pace that more effectively burns calories, and the S Trainer, which offers 30-minute sessions that combine walking, fast walking and running to help improve your fitness, with haptic feedback used to set the pace.
More: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/smart-watches/samsung-galaxy-review-3467425/
MICROSOFT BAND REVIEW | MS BAND BUYING ADVICE
It's like Microsoft made a physical metaphor for Microsoft. The Microsoft Band is a well-built wearable. It does useful stuff. It does useful stuff well. But only the Microsoft Band's mum could love it. And that doesn't mean this is a bad review - far from it. (See also: 20 best Activity Trackers 2015 UK.)
MICROSOFT BAND REVIEW: WHAT IT IS
The Microsoft Band is Microsoft's activity tracker with smartwatch capabilities. Rather than a direct rival to the likes of the Apple Watch and the best Android Wear devices, the Microsoft Band is like a FitBit with benefits. As well as being a full featured pedomiter, health monitor and activity tracker, it works with just about any smartphone and allows you to preview texts and emails. And it is a digital watch.
As such the Microsoft Band may in fact be a true rival to the Apple Watch and its rivals. After all - it is unproven that people actually want a smartphone on their wrist. Taking photos, making calls: it is impressive that you can do these things from a watch, but arguably not desirable to do so. It is at least possible that the Microsoft Band's feature set is the perfect blend of convenience and portability, on a device that can be worn with your existing watch. Possible. (Find out more here: Microsoft Band vs Apple Watch comparison.)
Of course, that requires for the Microsoft Band to be good, and good value. And without giving too much away, right out of the box the Microsoft Band is a very 'Microsoft' product. It has great functionality, but is ugly and clunky. Although not without charm.
So I tried out the Microsoft Band over the course of a long weekend and a few days at work. What follows is my in-depth Microsoft Band review. (For more on this subject, see: 14 best smartwatches and wearable tech 2015 UK.)
MICROSOFT BAND REVIEW: UK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The Microsoft Band is now available direct from Microsoft for £169 inc VAT. You can also buy the Microsoft Band from PC World (and Currys), also for £169 inc VAT. And that you can buy the Microsoft Band 2, you can find the original Microsoft Band for just over 50 quid on Amazon. Bargain. For more up-to-date buying advice, see our story: Microsoft Band smartwatch | Release date, price and specs.
MICROSOFT BAND REVIEW: DESIGN AND BUILD
Here's where we first run into problems. As I mentioned above, the Microsoft Band is the epitome of Microsoft in that it is conceptually smart, has a solid and functional feature set, but is ugly and uncomfortable. Say what you like about Apple (and personally I feel that the Apple Watch is something of a joke that has gone too far), but Apple would never release a product like the Microsoft Band.
For a start, it is big. Big and chunky. The band itself measures 19mm wide and 9mm thick, and it weighs 60g. That is a lot of device to wrap around your wrist. The strap of my actual wristwatch is around half as thick at its chunkiest part. Even the watch itself is about the same width as the whole of the Microsoft Band.
And there is another issue. The Microsoft Band is basically rigid. Moreover, the back of the display is roughly 5cm of straight-edged, rock-hard computer. I credit Microsoft with creating the Band in three different wrist sizes. I expect everyone will find one that fits.
But even when it fits it doesn't fit, if you see what I mean. I found that the straight edge rubbed against the bony bit of the top of my wrist, and moved around whenever I exercised, even when the strap was pulled tight.
And the way the display itself fits is odd. It is a thin postbox of a screen, and the information is displayed in landscape mode. So you have to bend your arm (and neck) one way or the other to see the information onscreen. After experimenting with the Band on the top of my wrist and the underside, and in both orientations on both, I ended up with the buttons pointing back toward me. But it is a far from perfect experience.
So much for the user experience, it is also fair to say that the Microsoft Band does not scream out 'desirable gadget'. It's entirely unscientific, but not one person who saw my Band had positive things to say about it on style grounds alone. It looks like what it is: a big, chunky activity tracker. The display is a tiny sliver surrounded by big thick bezels, set into shiny black plastic that is pure function and no style. (See all wearables reviews.)
On the plus side it is well constructed, and robust. Made of thermal plastic elastomer, the band is both water and sweat resistant, and designed for extreme temperatures. We put it through multiple workouts in a variety of environments, and it never blinked.
But this is no gadget for posers. Or those who value comfort in their bony wrists.
MICROSOFT BAND REVIEW: DISPLAY
In conventional terms we would describe this is a 0.2in display, but that doesn't really help. In fact the Band has a 11 x 33mm touch-enabled TFT full-colour display. Once you work out how to access it, the screen is bright and clear, and the touchscreen is responsive.
Helpfully Microsoft has made the interface super simple, so that tiny display is perfectly adequate, even when on the move and with sweat running in to your fat piggy eyes (perhaps your experience is different to mine). The viewing angle is good. You can adjust the brightness to conserve battery life, and we have to say that we found the 'Low' setting worked perfectly well.
The display resolution is 320 x 106 pixels. The pixel density is high enough to not discern pixels - not least because we are not viewing photo or video on this display.
Microsoft Band
As an interface the display is aided by a haptic vibration motor that tells you when you have turned through a mile, or received an email. And there is a microphone in case you are the kind of maniac who likes to talk to your wrist.
So we like the Microsoft Band display. It's not a smartphone display, but nor is it supposed to be.
MICROSOFT BAND REVIEW: SPECS AND PERFORMANCE
The Microsoft Band is built around a ARM Cortex M4 MCU processor. There is 64MB of internal storage, although you won't be saving photos or media files to it. It charges and connects via a USB-enabled cradle.
Sensors inlude an optical heart rate sensor, 3-axis accelerometer and gyrometer. You can use GPS to track your runs, walks and cycles, and an ambient light sensor, skin temperature sensor, UV sensor, and capacitive sensor all combine to measure performance in all kinds of activities. The heart rate sensor is continous, which makes it better than some.
We found that the GPS was very accurate when running and cycling, and the pedometer more accurate than most at calculating distance (with some caveats that we will outline below).
The Microsoft Band connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth 4.0. It's compatible with Windows Phone, iPhone and Android (from Android 4.3 upward). We tried it with all three and it paired fine, although we were mostly testing with our LG G3.
We found general performane to be zippy with no discernible lag. And the sensors worked well, in general.
MICROSOFT BAND REVIEW: BATTERY LIFE
Here is the rub. For the record, you get two 100mAh rechargeable Lithium ion batteries. And Microsoft says that the Band should enjoy 48 hours of battery life. That really hasn't been our experience. Yes, we are using it a lot, connected via Bluetooth, measuring a lot of activity. But I have never managed to get it through two days, even when the display is set to low. And when it goes, it goes.
On the positive side the Band charges really quickly via the supplied charging cradle cable - although you have to supply your own USB plug. But it does mean that if you want to use the sleep functionality as well as tracking activity, you may be in for a struggle.
MICROSOFT BAND REVIEW: FUNCTIONALITY
As I mentioned at the outset, in principle at least the Microsoft Band includes a compelling feature set. Daily physical activity and sleep tracking, and 24-hour heart rate tracking and health monitoring. You also have built-in GPS and guided workouts.
You can preview incoming calls, texts, social media updates, emails and calendar entries. And, if you are the sort to use Microsoft's Cortana, you can take notes and set reminders with it.
MICROSOFT BAND REVIEW: AS AN ACTIVITY TRACKER
I expect that the principle reason for using the Microsoft Band is as an activity tracker with benefits. And for this purpose we are more than happy with Microsoft's gadget.
By default it measures your steps each day, so you can set your target and walk off those pounds (or kilos - the Band can be set to measure both). We found it to be broadly accurate, as accurate (and within the same range) as the FitBits and Jawbones we have used. One potentially unique issue I had is that when I was out walking pushing a pram, steps simply didn't register. At all.
Presumably this is because my wrist wasn't moving. Reader: I have a six-week old daughter. Pram pushing is a big part of my life right now.
Microsoft Band
When you fancy more frenetic activity, by default you can just select running, cycling or weight training, hit the Action button and head off, and your activity is captured. You get helpful distance updates as you go.
We found the GPS tracked distance in the outside world pretty accurately, but when we were relying on the pedometer on a treadmill the activity tracker was poor (measuring three miles for a run the treadmill told us was more than five). This is not unusual or surprising, but mildly disappointing.
One great aspect of the Band as an activity tracker is that it can both set and measure your workout, involving both cardio and weights. Given that these devices are intended as psychological prompts to make you do more this can only be a good thing. And by measuring your heartrate the Microsoft Band is likely to have a more-accurate-than-some measure of the calories you burn. (For more on this subject, see: 14 best smartwatches and wearable tech 2015 UK.)
MICROSOFT BAND REVIEW: AS A SMARTWATCH
We really like the Band as a smartwatch. Perhaps it lacks the full functionality of the Apple Watch or Android Wear, but as I mentioned at the outset that may be no bad thing. Functionality can be a personal thing.
I found that being able to preview emails and texts means that I look at my phone far less often. If I could add in WhatsApp and Facebook updates I could leave my phone in my pocket indefinitely. Perhaps Microsoft will add in such functionality.
Microsoft Band
Being given a vibrating nudge that I have a meeting in 10 minutes helps me to be on time, too. As does being able to look at my calender without pulling out my phone.
The point is that I don't want to be able to respond to emails and texts via a wristwatch. You can send templated texts from the Band, but for me just being able to triage and ignore until later most emails, texts and calls is a time saver. (Also a potential relationshop saver.)
The Band's way of extending access to notifications on my phone offers useful additional functionality without compromising on my smartphone's excellence as an input device. And that feels more useful to me than a full-featured smartwatch. But that is simply my personal experience. (See also: 20 best Activity Trackers 2015 UK.)
MICROSOFT BAND: SPECS
- Microsoft Band: Specs
- ARM Cortex M4 MCU CPU
- 64MB onboard storage
- Bluetooth 4.0
- GPS
- three-axis accelerometer
- gyrometer
- ambient light sensor
- skin temperature sensor
- UV monitor
- optical heart sensor
- 0.2in (11 x 33mm) touch-enabled TFT full-colour display
- 320 x 106 pixels
- 19mm wide and 9mm thick
- 60g
