Tech Talk: Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch
If you think you heard a lot about smartwatches in 2013, get ready. The smartwatch category is about to explode, with a reported device from Apple on the way, and the wearable tech category is just now starting to cross over from early adopters to trendsetters. I’ve raved about the concept behind JUNE, a sun exposure monitor, and I’m sure Nike Fuel/Jawbone Up has piqued your interest, but would you ever consider a smartwatch?
I had the chance to try out the Samsung Galaxy Gear, due in large part to my enthusiasm for the Galaxy smartphones. I’ve had an S4 since it came out last year, and I haven’t once considered switching back to an iPhone. I’d been having major smartwatch FOMO (fear of missing out for the uninitiated), but none of the designs moved me until I saw the Galaxy Gear in white and rose gold. Are you kidding me? It’s gorgeous!
However, the Samsung Galaxy Gear isn’t for everyone. It is currently on compatible with the Galaxy S4 or Note 3 devices. As with any first generation tech product, it’s not quite perfect, but I’m in love with the watch’s current capabilities.
The design: Because I’m 6’2″, I have the luxury of larger pieces of jewelry looking more proportional on me. However, some of my more petite friends might find that the face of the watch overwhelms their wrist. The watch’s camera seems like it might be an nuisance, but once the watch is on, it blends in with the curve of your wrist. The speakerphone, which is embedded in the clasp of the watch, can make typing as much of a challenge as if you were wearing bangles or another bracelet. Not ideal, but not a deal breaker either. In terms of color selection, the white and rose gold is by far the most feminine of the assortment. I’d love to see Samsung expand this in the next iteration.
Features: I totally feel like Inspector Gadget when I wear my watch. It allows me to read texts, Twitter replies (with an additional app installation), and more accurately track my fitness levels. During my work day, I also use the Samsung Multimedia Dock, so my steps tracked through S Health (a fitness tracker included on the Galaxy S4) weren’t always accurate. The ability to take, make, or reject calls on the Galaxy Gear has been a big help. It’s the modern version of those unsightly Bluetooth earpieces, but with more features. Through the Gear app store, you can also install apps that make it possible to read tweets, Evernote documents, change the watch face and more (all of these apps were free). The app store assortment is currently small, however I anticipate that the variety will pick up as the popularity of the Gear and similar devices increases. You can also control media playing on your phone through the watch, making it easier to keep your phone in your pocket or purse. I’ve missed my old iPod remote for years now, so this is one of my most used features.
The watch gets a lot of attention, though the most common comment that I receive from people is the price of the device. The white & rose gold version is currently $299 on Amazon, making it steeper than an average watch purchase, although definitely more inexpensive than luxury timepieces. If you combine the purchase of an average fashion watch with a Bluetooth earpiece, it is easy to understand why the Galaxy Gear is around $300. Similar devices are priced $100-$250, so the Gear’s cost isn’t unreasonable.
Overall, I really love my Galaxy Gear. As silly as it sounds, it has helped me to unplug a bit more. Since I’m able to check my notifications, I’m able to check if there is an urgent message and then go back to living my life. It’s helped free up a lot of time and relieve a lot of anxiety that I’ve associated with notification sounds. I’m so happy that Samsung is taking this step towards wearable technology, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
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