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Pebble Time Steel Round iOS Text Reply
Watches

iOS Pebble Users Can Now Send Text Replies

November 24, 2015

Pebble Time Steel Round iOS Text Reply

Up until now, if you were an iPhone user and wanted a wearable device that allowed you to respond to text messages, your only choice was the Apple Watch. Unlike Android, Apple keeps a large number of its API’s private, including the ones that enable interaction with the Messages app. These restrictions are done for security reasons, but it results in Apple devices and software achieving a level of integration that is not possible via 3rd party hardware and apps.

Pebble, though, has been hard at work figuring out a way around these limitations. Beginning with a beta feature in Pebble Time OS 3.7 catchily named iOS Text Reply, iOS users on AT&T can send pre-set text responses directly from their Pebble smartwatch. It might seem odd that AT&T mobile service is required for a software feature, but Pebble is achieving the SMS work-around by sending the messages directly through the carrier. This unfortunately means the solution is less than perfect; any messages you send will not show in your Messages app and texts will be sent as SMS messages that count against your monthly limit. Also worth noting, AT&T requires you to have a post-paid account to activate this feature and it is only available on Pebble Time, Time Steel, and Time Round devices.

It is really fantastic that a company has finally engineered a way around Apple’s messaging limitations, but the solution is so un-Apple-like I will be curious to see if many people use it. The way the work-around is implemented, Pebble has an incredibly complicated road ahead of them, needing to work with every possible carrier and adjust the software to the carriers’ protocols. Things are also messy from the user perspective, your half of the conversation does not show up in the Messages app – you have no record of what you communicated. Honestly though, kudos to Pebble for what they have achieved! But the real solution is for Apple to become more lenient with some of their private API’s. While allowing any developer access to Messages in a horrible idea (think of all of the spam Candy Crush could text your friends), select and vetted developers should have access. But ultimately, perhaps this all circles back to Apple not wanting other devices to be able to squarely compete with their own wearable.

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by Doug Parker
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LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition 2 LTE Android Wear
Watches

LG Pulls LTE Equipped Watch Urbane 2 From Retail

November 20, 2015

LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition 2 LTE Android Wear

With Android Wear just being updated to support smartwatches with integrated LTE and allow for the carriers’ new number sharing ability, it seemed that everything was primed and set for the launch of the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition. In fact, AT&T began selling the wearable last Friday and Verizon was planning to launch sales today. Well that was the plan at least; LG has pulled the device from all retail stores and has instructed AT&T to offer purchasers a full refund. It is not clear what the issue is, but it must be serious to prompt such a large reshuffle at launch. All LG is disclosing is that there is “a hardware issue which affects the day-to-day functionality of the device.”

There is no word on when the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition might return to the market and it is entirely possible that LG might scrap the watch all together. This is a big blow to customers looking for a smartwatch that sheds the usually-required Bluetooth connection. Not only is the LG smartwatch the first Android Wear device with a built in cellular connection, there are no rumors of any manufacturer releasing a similar Android based wearable. From a quality standpoint, it is surprising that such a serious issue was found so late. Surely the device had been strenuously tested to identify any problems before LG began shipping tens of thousands of units to stores. If it is truly a “day-to-day” issue, how could it not have been caught? Certainly makes us think that LG hastily rushed the Watch Urbane 2 out the door just to make it to market for the holidays.

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by Doug Parker
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Sony FES Watch retail
Watches

Sony Planning To Bring FES E-Paper Watch To Retail

November 19, 2015

Sony FES Watch retail

Almost exactly a year ago we took a look at a Japanese crowdfunding campaign for a watch whose both face and straps were constructed of e-paper screens. Using these screens, the appearance of the FES Watch could be customized with the press of a button. The fundraising effort was incredibly successful, exceeding expectations, but then things took a surprising twist. The unknown company behind the FES Watch was actually Sony. The electronics giant made the shocking announcement, explaining that it was using crowdfunding to judge interest in projects that might otherwise not of brought to market without the ‘Sony’ name influencing opinions.

Sony has just announced that the FES watch will now be available to purchase at select retailers in Japan, including the Omotesando MoMA Design Store (Nov 21st) and the Shinjuku Isetan department store (Dec 1st). It is interesting that the e-ink watch is being sold at the MoMA store; it is the only non-US location of the museum’s store and, while no announcements have been made, might suggest a future US launch.

The FES Watch will sell for approximately $240, compared to $170 during its crowdsourcing. It has 24 different designs that can be chosen at a moment’s notice by simply pressing a button on the side. Thanks to its e-ink screen and absence of any ‘connected’ technology, the watch features 2 year battery life and uses a standard button battery. It is waterproof and only weighs 43 grams. Head past the break for an amazing video showing how its screen technology can be cut into pieces and still function!  

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by Doug Parker
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Android Wear 1.4
Watches

Android Wear Update Adds Even More Wrist Gestures

November 18, 2015

Android Wear 1.4

While the Apple Watch was busy getting all of the press this year, Google has been doing a fantastic job constitantly pushing out amazing Android Wear updates. The platform has gained interactive watch faces, the ability to function only with a WiFi connection, always-on apps, emoji, a new interface, and hands-free wrist gestures. Google is releasing one last major update before the end of the year. The update occurs through the Android Wear companion app, pushing it to version 1.4. With the new update, Google has added few more wrist wagging gestures. Android Wear’s hands-free gestures have always been a favorite of ours; although occasionally finicky, sometimes you need to interact with your watch when your hands are full. The gestures introduced earlier this year allow you to do things such as dismiss and scroll through notification cards simply by flicking your wrist. With the new update, you can now do things such as wiggle your wrist to return to your smartwatch’s watch face and push your arm downward to interact with a notification card.

The new Android Wear update also prepares the platform for some of the new devices launching in the coming weeks. Version 1.4 of the app supports the built-in speakers included in the Huawei Watch and the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition. More importantly, it also provides the necessary support for a new breed of Android Wear smartwatches with integrated LTE cellular connectivity and phone number sharing (i.e. AT&T’s NumberSync). The update should be trickling out currently to supported devices.

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by Doug Parker
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Withings Activité Activite Steel smartwatch fitness tracker
Watches

Withings Adds Activité Steel Watch To Fitness Tracker Lineup

November 17, 2015

Withings Activité Activite Steel smartwatch fitness tracker

Last year, connected device maker Withings was one of the first companies to introduce a traditional looking watch with integrated activity tracking. The Swiss-made Activité (now called Activité Saphir) tracked movement, sleep patterns, and could even sense if you were swimming. A small inset dial would display your progress towards your movement goals and you could access deeper data through your smartphone. Unfortunately the price of the original Activité was as stunning as its looks – $450. Realizing that not everyone was looking to spend that type of money on a fitness tracking watch, Withings explored using different material to create a more accessible wearable device.

Earlier this year the company introduced the more budget friendly Activité Pop. The brightly colored, PVD coated device was at feature parity with its more expensive sibling but was constructed of cheaper materials and wasn’t billed as being “Swiss made.” Since brightly colors watches aren’t for everyone though, Withings has now added the stainless Activité Steel to their watch lineup.

The new device is identical to the (somewhat) budget friendly Activité Pop, except Withings has traded out the bright colors for polished metal an an understated black watch face. The $170 Activité Steel features a 8 month battery life, a face constructed from mineral glass, and a TPSiV Thermoplastic Elastomer (silicon) band. It is compatible with iOS and Android and starts shipping this week.

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by Doug Parker
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Movado Bold Motion Teal White HP
Watches

Movado Partners With HP On New Smartwatch

November 17, 2015

Movado Bold Motion Teal White HP

Following on the heels of Fossil and Tag Heuer, Swiss watchmaker Movado has announced its most advanced smartwatch to date. The Movado Bold Motion is based on the Bold line of watches and marks a large leap forward in what the company’s connected devices are capable of. Although Movado has released a few, more expensive, wearables, they were based on the Active X platform. The Active X platform allows watchmakers to easily add fitness tracking abilities to traditional looking watches but it is also very limited in capabilities. For the new Bold Motion, Movado has decided to partner with HP to provide additional functionality. [Of note, this is not HP’s first foray into smartwatches; last year the company partnered on the Michael Bastian Chronowing.] Movado’s new device maintains fitness tracking abilities but now adds notifications and haptic feedback. While the new smartwatch does not feature a screen, it has 13 single-color LED lights including a ring near 12 o’clock on the face and lights located at the hour marks. The Bold Motion is 44mm in diameter and is slightly thicker than the traditional Bold line. It is estimated to have a 7 day battery life and is available in black with either white or teal LEDs for $795. It is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

With the Movado Bold Motion, it finally feels like the company is starting to take smartwatch seriously. It is great to see Movado move beyond Active X and offer a deeper, more connected experience. We wish the company would have gone a step further though and included multicolor LEDs to allow the user to better understand what type of notification was being received. This would have kept the same sparse design, but allowed a higher level of notification customization. With the current design, Movado seems to only allow notifications to be adjusted at a very broad level; there is only the ability to customize which apps communicate with the watch and most everything outside of phone calls, emails, and texts seems to be relegated to “Other.” Head past the break for a Movado’s video about the Bold Motion.  

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by Doug Parker
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Trivoly Traditional Watch Smartwatch Convert
Watches

Trivoly Promises To Turn Any Watch Into A Smartwatch

November 13, 2015

Trivoly Traditional Watch Smartwatch Convert

We realize that smartwatches aren’t for everyone. People love the look and feel of their traditional time piece and aren’t willing to switch to a destined-to-be-obsolete wearable device. This doesn’t mean that they don’t want some of the abilities of a smartwatch though. A new startup is hoping to solve this dilemma; Trivoly has created a slim disk that serves as a mini connected device. Simply pair the namesake device with its app and attach it to the bottom of your traditional watch via reusable micro suction cup tape. Whenever you receive a notification, the Trivoly will silently vibrate and two bright, multicolor LEDs will light up. You can use the app to filter which notifications are passed on to the device and customize how the wearable alerts you. Trivoly is available in two versions, the Trivoly 1 and Trivoly 2. Both devices feature fitness tracking ability but the slightly more expensive Trivoly 2 adds an optical heart rate sensor. If you are still looking for a bit more “smart functionality,” both Trivoly models hide a 4-way directional button that allows you to control music playback on your phone (and they claim your Sonos speakers) and remotely activate the shutter on your phone’s camera. Trivoly is currently doing a Kickstarter and expects to ship in February. The two models are currently priced at $99 and $129 and feature a 4 day battery life..

Trivoly is a very interesting concept and a great compromise. Despite being a bit rough around the edges, we have little doubt that it will find an audience. The concept is fantastic and the execution solid. But there is some room for improvement. Even though it is only 3mm thick, we wish it could be even thinner – on your wrist millimeters quickly add up. Also we are disappointed with the LEDs being used in the prototype; they appear to be a bit clunky and bright, like those on a squeeze-flashlight. it would be amazing to see lights utilized that are more like to those on the Misfit Shine 2 or Ringly, which are small, sharp, and bright, but don’t project their light everywhere. The first version of Trivoly looks very interesting, but we can’t wait to see what the company is able to achieve with version 2.

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by Doug Parker
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