Apple may try to reignite your flagging interest in the iPad at a mid-March event.
The company reportedly plans to show off the iPad Air 3 during the week of March 14, 9to5Mac reported Wednesday. A 4-inch iPhone and new Apple Watch models also rumored to appear, the report said, citing unnamed sources.
The iPad Air is due for an upgrade. Last year, Apple debuted the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and refreshed the 7.9-inch iPad Mini. The new iPad Air, with the same 9.7-inch screen size as the original iPad introduced in 2010, will supposedly have a rear-facing LED flash for better low-light photos and new speakers to better match the iPad Pro's audio performance, 9to5Mac reported. Apple may also be testing a version of the iPad Air that works with the Apple Pencil, a stylus designed for the Pro.
Apple's earnings earlier this week showed that iPad sales in the last three months of 2015 slipped significantly compared with a year earlier. Overall, iPad sales dropped 25 percent year over year to 16.1 million. The iPad Air has a more mainstream audience than the business-focused iPad Pro and will be key to any effort to reverse the decline.
By March, the Apple Watch will reach its first birthday. It's possible that Cupertino, California-based company could use an event to try to boost buzz around the product. There will be a new lineup of timepieces, according to 9to5Mac, as well aesthetic updates to existing models.
iPhone launches have taken place solely at a dedicated event held in September for many years, but there are rumors that Apple will introduce in March a 4-inch smartphone, dubbed the iPhone 5se, which though smaller will use the new A9 processor found inside the iPhone 6 and 6s.
Apple is mulling March 14 for the event, according to 9to5Mac, but the Apple generally doesn't send out invitations until a week before the date
More: http://www.cnet.com/news/apple-ipad-air-3-reportedly-slated-for-march-unveiling/
Chances are, you know an Apple fanatic -- someone whose iPhone, Mac or iPad is a prized possession. If you don't know a true fanatic, you probably know a fan -- or barring that, someone who might appreciate an Apple-made gift this holiday season.
To help you cut through the chaff, from one Apple fanatic to... someone else entirely, I've put together a list of the best Apple gifts this holiday season, covering multiple price points.
Of course, we should get this out of the way right now: Most of Apple's price points are pretty high. While an Apple Watch, for example, might fit into a stocking, it's not exactly a gift that comes in at a stocking stuffer price.
In addition, you should know that Apple basically has turned its whole website into a storefront, so going to Apple to browse a traditional online store is just gone. You now browse product pages, and when you think you want to buy, you've got to find the "Buy" button. For a person considering a particular purchase, it's fine, but for a gift giver? Annoying. So here you go.
Under $25
1. Gift Cards -- Seriously, Apple doesn't make hardly anything under US$25. The big gotcha with Apple's gift cards, though, is you have to pick the right one: An Apple Store Gift Card can be redeemed at a brick-and-mortar Apple Store or on the official Apple website, but not at the iTunes Store. You need to give an iTunes Gift Card if you want the recipient to be able to purchase items at the iTunes Store.
Astoundingly stupid, I know, and embarrassing when an Apple fan has to explain why their favorite $233 billion company can't figure this out. I mean really, who expects Grandma to know this?
2. Extra Cables -- Apple does offer a handful of products under $25, but they are basically minor accessories. You can snag the always-needed extra Lightning to USB Cable for $19 (but the long 2 meter one that's great for long reaches is $29).
3. Remote Loop -- OK, Apple sort of has a real accessory under $25 -- the Remote Loop safety lanyard. You use it so you don't accidentally throw your Apple TV Siri Remote while working out or playing a game in front of your Apple TV.
Because this is one of the most infuriating kinds of purchases an Apple-loving fan has to make, it's not a terrible gift. It's actually sort of humorous and ironic because the extra price for this Remote Loop is just mind boggling: $12.99.
Under $50 - and Up
4. Apple Watch Bands -- For $49, you can pick up a differently colored band for Apple Watch Sport users -- or ramp up to the Leather Loop ($149) or Link Bracelet ($449). Lots of sweet options here, actually.
Apple watch bands
5. Apple World Travel Adapter Kit -- Got a world traveler, or someone heading out for an international vacation? Get this kit for $29.
6. Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock -- This $79 Apple Watch dock is a simple but nifty dock that lets you charge your Apple Watch flat or sideways, which lets you use it as a nightstand alarm clock.
7. Apple EarPods with Remote and Mic -- Apple's included EarPods are pretty good, never fantastic, but solid enough. Despite getting a new pair with every iPhone purchase, these EarPods get abused and eventually manage to get lost. I never mind having an extra pair to leave in the pickup or by the bed ($29).
Under $100
8. Magic Mouse 2 -- I'm a fan of the Magic Mouse 2, but I'm also old-school that way. The touch surface is handy for navigating my Mac and the precision on a variety of surfaces is fantastic ($79).
9. iPad Smart Covers -- Apple makes some great magnetic iPad covers that are simple yet functional. There are a lot of great third-party covers, but you can't go wrong with Apple's. They are not exactly flashy or inspiring, but they do the job well. Price varies.
Under $300
10. Apple TV -- If your Apple fanatic doesn't already have an Apple TV, this makes an excellent gift -- but make sure you're getting the new Apple TV, the fat little 4th generation model.
It comes in two versions: a 32-GB version good for everyone who watches mostly movies and TV and wants to use some cool apps; and a 64-GB version that's better for gamers who want to play graphic-heavy games on their Apple TV ($149-$199).
11. Magic Trackpad 2 -- The Magic Trackpad 2 is a little spendy at $129, but its pressure-sensitive surface lets you bring the power of Apple's Force Touch to older Macs that don't have it built-in.
12. iPad mini 2 -- Coming in at $269, the lowest-cost iPad is the iPad mini 2. It's a great little tablet, but it's also aging -- get it only if the iPad mini 4, or better yet, iPad Air 2, is just out of your budget range.
13. Beats Powerbeats2 Wireless In-Ear Headphones -- These are a bit spendy at $199, but hey, half the point of buying them is for the style and construction. They're great for active, sports and fitness enthusiasts with their over-the-ear hook to help keep them in place. Inspired by Lebron James, these bad boys are also sweat and water resistant.
14. Beats Solo2 Wireless On-Ear Headphones -- Maybe not the very best sound quality, but the build and overall style is pretty great. Get Beats for Apple fans who just crave all things Apple ($299).
15. Apple AirPort Extreme -- It took me a while to figure this out, but Apple's devices just seem to work a little better when they are connecting to an Apple-made WiFi base station. The price seems high, but when all of your devices get better signals and faster connection speeds, you'll appreciate it.
Of course, it helps to know that the AirPort Extreme base station uses a powerful beamforming antenna array to deliver better performance, which is your excuse for buying it, along with the chance to use the phrase, beamforming antenna array ($299).
Under $500
16. Apple Watch Sport -- It's pretty hard to go wrong with an Apple Watch. This little wrist throwback device probably won't effect a massive change on your Apple fan's life, but there's so many little features packed into it that it's likely they will find a few ways to appreciate it.
The Sport starts at $349 and is the best buy. Should you step up to the stainless steel Apple Watch model for $200 more? I remain unconvinced it's worth it -- snag some extra bands instead.
17. Beats Studio Wireless Over-Ear Headphones -- A little bigger, a little more expensive, these Beats headphones offer a step up -- with noise cancellation, no less ($379).
18. Mac mini -- The least expensive Mac is also hard to recommend. While you can get into one for $499, it's a bit neglected in terms of overall performance; however, if you have an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse already -- and are willing to cobble together your system with disparate parts -- it's a good way to get into Mac OS X.
Under $1,000
19. iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus -- Starting at $649 and $749, the iPhone is arguably the most important device and experience for Apple fans. Hard to go wrong here.
20. iPad Pro -- Let's get this straight: Not a very large percentage of people truly need the huge new 12-inch iPad Pro, but this iPad is a lust-worthy object. It boasts a sharp and glorious screen, and it weighs just 1.57 pounds. Inside, it uses Apple's crazy-powerful and efficient A9X 64-bit processor, which is 2.5 times as powerful as the A7 version from the iPad Air.
Plus, the iPad Pro works with the new Apple Pencil, which is great for artists, as well as the Apple Smart Keyboard, which is great for letting Apple fans get some real work done. The 32-GB entry-level model costs $799, while the 128-GB version goes for $949.
21. MacBook Air -- There are two decent MacBook Air models available for under $1,000: the 11-incher and the 13-incher. The 11-incher goes for $899, and it's a super mobile unit. Pretty solid, really. The 13-incher is nearly as portable, offers more working space, and includes an SDXC card slot that's handy for photographers.
The downside? No super-sharp Retina display. The upside? Generally better performance than the new 12-inch Retina MacBook, at a lower cost and with a better keyboard. Oh, and one more thing: No new Force Touch trackpad, either. Still the Air is a popular, higher-value Mac option, even today.
Under $1,500
22. MacBook -- At $1,299, the new MacBook with Retina display is a seriously ultralight wonder. What it lacks in overall performance, it makes up with lightness and screen-size balance. Pros and cons: The screen is gorgeous and the size is astoundingly packable, but the new keyboard is slightly annoying. It is best for frequent travelers or Apple fans who are often on the go.
23. 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display -- The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display offers the best overall bang for your Apple computing dollar. It sports a dual-core Intel Core i5 processor that will give you plenty of oomph for a few years. The 13-inch Retina screen looks fantastic and offers a good blend of portability with workspace. Bottom line? This Mac is a great option for the majority of Apple fans.
24. 21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K display -- This new Retina iMac is pretty sweet. Coming in at just $1,499, it's priced right and includes a quad-core Intel Core i5 processor.
This would be a knock-out hit if it weren't for one disappointing component -- at $1,499 it comes with an old-school super-slow 5400-rpm hard drive. If it were easily user-upgradable, we could forgive this travesty, but since it's not, this iMac is best for school work or light business use.
Under $2,000
25. iMac 27-inch with Retina 5K display -- Starting at $1,799, this huge and glorious iMac is just amazing.
The only downside is the 7200-rpm hard drive, which means that if you can possibly afford it, you might consider stepping up to the next option at $1,999, which includes a faster Fusion Drive.
Over $2,000
26. 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display -- If price is no object, just go straight to Apple and customize a 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display.
Load that puppy up with the 2.8 GHz quad-core Intel i7 processor, along with 1 TB of fast Flash Storage... and happily plunk down $3,199. Your enthusiast or professional Apple lover will drool, hug it, and maybe even sleep with it tucked safely under one arm.
27. 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display -- Remember what you just read above this? Do the same thing here: Load up the big iMac with a screaming 4.0 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, then bump your memory up to 32 GB, get 1 TB of Flash Storage, and snag the AMD Radeon R9 M395X with 4 GB of video memory. Your final price? A cool $4,099. Pure awesomeness, though. Awesomeness.
28. Apple Watch Edition -- For $12,000, if not more, you can buy a gold Apple Watch.
Don't be stupid. Seriously. If you buy this watch, you're probably bad for the world. Get a stainless steel option instead and spend your money on something better, ideally something that will leave the world a better place than how you found it.
Of course, all this is relative. Apple fans know this. You could argue that you ought to shell out for a cheaper Dell PC instead of a MacBook and spend the extra savings on doing good for the world... .
Yet there is a slight difference here. At under $2,000, most Apple products simply produce a higher overall level of lifespan and value -- maybe not for everybody, but this definitely is a fundamental premise acceptable to most Apple fans. Plus, it often plays out in resale value.
But the Apple Watch Edition? Just look away, shake your head softly, and try not to think about it (or the people who buy it).
More: http://www.technewsworld.com/story/82852.html
Since all the Android Wear smartwatches run the same software, design is an extremely important area when making a buying decision. The advantage of the G Watch R, if you can afford it, is that it's the most normal looking smartwatch around. Whether you personally like the look or not is a personal matter and a watch is a fashion item so this could immediately put you off buying it.
We like the look of the G Watch R and despite appearances, it's actually thinner than the Moto 360 at 11.4 mm compared to 11.9 mm. It doesn't sound like much but a fair bit of that measurement is simply the bezel around the edge which is pointy.
The watch is also pretty light at 61 g which is less that it looks and like rivals it is IP67 rated so is completely protected from dust and water resistant for up to 30 minutes at a maximum depth of one metre.
Build quality is good with a stainless steel body – we can only find the black model although there was a silver one on show at IFA 2014 which is where we first saw the device. Included is a leather strap and you can switch it for any standard 22mm alternative if you want which is good. It's plain black and although LG had various on display in Berlin we can't find them for sale anywhere.
The main disadvantage to the design is that it's quite large, like others, meaning that females are likely to find it huge. LG only has one image of a woman wearing the G Watch R on its site and we know why. The firm along with others, are probably kicking themselves after Apple announced two different sizes of the Apple Watch.
LG G WATCH HANDS-ON REVIEW: HARDWARE AND SPECS
We're seeing almost identical specs across all the Android Wear smartwatches with a few little differences here and there. The core hardware is a familiar Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 1.2 GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. We've had no problems with performance on any Android Wear smartwatches.
A battery size of 410 mAh is pretty typical and there's the usual array of sensors including a gyro, compass, accelerometer. An additional feature which you don't always find is the heart rate monitor which sits on the back and a barometer for altitude. Unfortunately the heart rate monitor tends to take a good while to record a measurement and often fails.
See also: Samsung Gear S hands-on review.
Unlike the Moto 360, it will only take a reading when you ask it to which helps with battery life. While the Motorola only lasted us a day, the LG has made its way through 3-4 days on average although this will drop to a couple if you have the screen set to always on and you use it a lot.
Matching the original G Watch, this smartwatch charges via a magnetic dock. It works fine but we'd rather have the wireless charging of the Moto 360 which also shows the time and progress while docked.
The 1.3in screen might sound small but looks great in circular form and easy to use with Android Wear. The display itself is P-OLED and has a resolution of 320 x 320. In regular watch mode, you'd be forgiven for thinking the moving hands were real.
Important in the fight with the Moto 360, the G Watch R doesn't have the bottom part of the screen cut off or the slightly annoying moiré effect around the edge since there's no bevelled edge to the glass. LG points out, and quite rightly so, that it's 'full circle'.
LG G WATCH HANDS-ON REVIEW: SOFTWARE
If you've got this far in the review, you'll know that the G Watch R comes with Android Wear. You can use Google's wearable OS with any Android device running version 4.3 or later by connecting it over Bluetooth. You'll get essentially the same experience as other smartwatches with Android Wear – the main difference is the circular screen rather than square.
More: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/smart-watches/lg-g-watch-r-review-3543856/
SAMSUNG GEAR S2: SPECS
- 42.3 x 49.8 x 11.4 mm
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC connectivity
- Circular watch face
- 1.2in 360x360 AMOLED display
- Heart rate monitor
- 1GHz Exynos 3250
- 512MB RAM
- 4GB storage
- 250mAh battery
- IP68 resistance rating
- Circular UI
SAMSUNG GEAR S2 REVIEW: DESIGN AND BUILD
The Samsung Gear S2 comes in two editions, the standard Gear S2, and one for those of us that love the classic wrist watch look, the Gear S2 Classic. Samsung says the smartwatch is designed for those who prefer a more timeless design, and we think they’ve hit the mark. We got our hands on the standard Gear S2, which comes in both silver and a slightly darker grey.
On the wrist, the Gear S2 feels pretty lightweight and comfortable to wear. Though it measures in at 42.3x49.8x11.4mm compared to the 11.5mm width of the first generation Moto 360 which people say is quite bulky, the Gear S2 doesn’t feel like a bulky watch. In fact, its weight and general build make it feel solid and premium, an issue that (in our opinion) Samsung has had with its past smartwatches.
The real beauty of the design of the Gear S2 comes not with the circular display itself, but with the bezel of the watch. Instead of directly interacting with the screen of the Gear S2, users have the option of using the rotating watch bezel to scroll through the various menus and apps of the smartwatch.
When you turn the bezel, you’ll feel a gentle click which Samsung says will allow for muscle memory to eventually kick in and enable you to select apps without needing to look at the screen, although after using the watch for two weeks we still couldn’t manage it. It’s not a click generated by a vibration motor either, it’s mechanical. This means that there’s no battery life drain for those of you (and believe us, there will be a few) that just love the sensation of turning the bezel. It is pretty satisfying, we can’t lie.
Of course, users have the freedom of freely tapping and swiping directly on the watch face, but this isn’t how Samsung intends the device to be used. Although with this being said, we found using the bezel a little confusing when navigating the new circular UX, especially at first – but we’ll come to that below. Although with this being said, early adopters of the Apple Watch had the same issue and we don't hear many complaints about it months down the line, do we?
Samsung included Android-style back and home buttons on the side of the smartwatch to make using it an easier process, though we found it to be a bit of a fiddly process and we kept confusing the buttons as there is no real indication of which is which just by looking at it.
SAMSUNG GEAR S2 REVIEW: HARDWARE AND SPECS
Let’s talk spec; the Samsung Gear S2 boasts a 1.2in AMOLED screen with a resolution of 360x360, which would sound nicer if Huawei hadn’t announced the Huawei Classic Watch, which features a 400x400 resolution, and is only £30 more expensive than Samsung’s offering. Although with this being said the Gear S2 has a fairly decent pixel density of 301ppi, so it’s far from a low-res display. It’s protected by Gorilla Glass 3 too, which is fairly standard for current smartwatches and should help protect your wearable from scratches and general damage.
The Samsung Gear S2 features a 1GHz Exynos 3250 processor coupled with 512MB of RAM along with 4GB of on-board storage, which provides a fairly responsive experience, and we didn’t encounter any lag during our time with the watch. It also has an IP68 rating, which means its dust and water resistant to a certain extent and will definitely survive being caught in the rain.
The Gear S2 also features not only Bluetooth, but NFC and Wi-Fi capabilities. Wi-Fi connectivity is especially impressive as it allows users to use the smartwatch when not connected to your phone when at home, work, or anywhere else with Wi-Fi.
Samsung has included a host of sensors to allow the Gear S2 to track your activity throughout the day and present it to you in a watch-style layout. Instead of just measuring calories (it still does, don’t worry!) it’ll measure the amount of activity you’ve done throughout the day and present it to you in blocks - green areas were areas where you were quite active (and the watch will motivate you when it detects this), yellow areas where you’ve taken it easy, and grey areas for when you’ve not moved at all.
It’s a good way to motivate yourself to get fit, but we found that it wasn’t very accurate at times. There were a handful of occasions where we’d be sat at our desks working, and the watch would count it as ‘light activity’. Although with this being said, we love the circular layout and when you haven’t been active for a while, you’ll get a little nudge to encourage you to get moving. You can also monitor your exercises with only a few taps, and we found it to be more accurate than its general tracking abilities.
In terms of battery life, the Gear S2 boasts a 250mAh battery that Samsung claims should last around 2-3 days on a single charge, with the use of Samsung’s built in battery saving mode. Without the battery saving mode on, you can expect a similar battery life to the Apple Watch, which gets you through the day and night without issue, but will usually run out of power at some point during the second day.
SAMSUNG GEAR S2 REVIEW: SOFTWARE
Samsung is using its own custom circular UX with the Gear S2, which works well with the hardware and overall design. The watch is easy to use, although it does require a bit of a learning curve to learn what all the buttons do, and which way to turn the bezel. Turning the bezel clockwise will scroll through your widgets, which can easily be customised to suit your needs – we have ours set up so we can easily initiate a run, track our daily activity and log our caffeine and water intake. Turning the bezel anticlockwise will display your notifications, and pressing one of the buttons on the side will display all installed apps on the watch. Simple, but as we say, it took a while to get used to.
The initial setup process is fairly straight forward, though you don’t just need to install the Samsung Gear app on your Android device – once installed, you’re prompted to install two more apps from Google Play in order for the phone to be able to communicate with the watch. But once you’ve gone through the setup process, the Gear app is the central command for everything to do with the Gear S2.
The Gear app is where you can customise the layout of apps on your watch, customise the watch face itself, along with a number of other settings. It’s also where you can browse for apps to install on the watch, although we noticed almost every app we installed required a full phone app to be installed to operate properly. While this isn’t any different from the likes of the Apple Watch and its companion apps, it’s frustrating having to download the app twice instead of having it all bundled together like Apple’s offering.
More: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/wearable-tech/samsung-gear-s2-smartwatch-review-uk-3624670/
SONY SMARTWATCH 3: SPECS
- Android Wear OS
- 1.6in Transflective LCD touchscreen display 320x320 pixels
- 4GB internal storage (approx 2.6GB available)
- 512 MB RAM
- Quad-core ARM V7 1.2GHz processor
- Bluetooth 4.0 LE
- microphone
- gyro, accelerometer, compass, ambient light sensor
- GPS receiver
- NFC
- 420mAh battery
- microUSB charging
- IP68 dust and water resistant
- Core unit 45g
SONY SMARTWATCH 3 REVIEW
Android Wear is Google's operating system for wearables, and most new smartwatches including the SmartWatch 3 have adopted it rather than use their own system. In our Sony SmartWatch 3 review we'll look at how this Android Wear device compares to its rivals, including the excellent - but expensive - LG G Watch R.
SONY SMARTWATCH 3 REVIEW: DESIGN AND BUILD
It may not be quite as stylish as some circular smartwatches, but the SmartWatch 3 has a certain charm about it. There's no big SONY logo or anything to draw your eye away from the 1.6in square colour screen. The only button is to the right, but you'll rarely need it as the display lights up when you raise your arm or tap on the screen.
They're made from sturdy rubber and have an equally sturdy buckle mechanism like you'd find on a metal-strapped gents watch. It's easy to adjust the strap for size without cutting.
We found the rubber uncomfortable to wear when hot - sweat is trapped under it, so it's best to take it off regularly, and certainly at night.
Instead of wireless charging, Sony has opted for a standard microUSB port. That's great news in some ways as you can charge it practically anywhere; there's a good chance that any given office or home will have a microUSB cable and charger.
The USB port is covered by a captive rubber bung - the watch has an IP68 rating, so it's dust and water resistant. We wouldn't advise swimming with it, but you'll be ok in the shower or going for a run in the rain.
SONY SMARTWATCH 3 REVIEW: SCREEN AND BATTERY LIFE
We found the 420mAh battery lasted exactly two days, which is slightly disappointing given then unusual screen technology. Instead of AMOLED or IPS, Sony has gone for transflective which means the display is still readable - given sufficient ambient light - without the backlight. It's the same technology used in many outdoor GPS devices.
You can choose whether or not to keep the screen on all the time. If you turn it off, you'll have to wake it up just to check the time, but if you leave it on permanently, you can merely glance at your wrist without having to tap or lift your arm.
Sony has also included an ambient light sensor so brightness can be adjusted automatically, but it doesn't appear to yield any extra battery life.
The 320x320 display has a few more pixels than the circular watches we've seen but there's no real difference in the amount of information shown. The disadvantage of using a transflective display is that while colours look ok square-on, viewing angles are terrible by today's standards.
If battery life were more like 4-5 days we'd forgive this, but LG's G Watch R also lasts two days between charges. Recharge time is roughly an hour.
SONY SMARTWATCH 3 REVIEW: FEATURES
Storage remains the same as the Sony SmartWatch 2 and rival Android Wear devices at 4GB eMMC flash memory. This can be used to store music which can be played without a companion smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth.
The SmartWatch 3 does have one ace, though: built-in GPS. With an on-board receiver, there's no need to take your smartphone with you on a run, hike or bike ride. The GPS can record your route and feed the data back to the Sony Lifelog app.
There's also NFC, a gyro, compass, accelerometer and Bluetooth. The latter isn't merely useful for connection to a smartphone for Android notifications: you can pair the SmartWatch 3 with some headphones and listen to music stored on the watch (there's 2.6GB of usable storage) when you're exercising.
What it doesn't have is a heart-rate monitor, although that doesn't mean the G Watch R is the best choice for fitness enthusiasts. The LG has a heart-rate sensor, which takes on-demand readings rather than monitoring heart rate over time. If you need that, consider one of the new Fitbit trackers: the Charge HR or Surge.
Also, unlike those activity trackers and Sony's own SmartBand Talk, the SmartWatch 3 has no barometer to detect floors climbed and neither does it track your sleep.
You can install apps on Android Wear, though, which add functions and features which could be even more useful. Right now the selection is rather thin on the ground, but it's sure to improve over time.
More: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/smart-watches/sony-smartwatch-3-review-3543048/
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/
