Pebble Watch: does it have to be close to your phone like the Apple Watch?

[diamond.g]

Apple press release




Believable enough source?

I wonder if the iPhone can be connected to two WiFi networks at once. Seems like to connect to the watch over WiFi means that you are going to be on cellular while transfers occur.

 

[Julien]

I wonder if the iPhone can be connected to two WiFi networks at once. Seems like to connect to the watch over WiFi means that you are going to be on cellular while transfers occur.

Yes and it does it now by AirPlay. The aWatch/iPhone connection will be a type of AirPlay.

 

[BvizioN]

Image

Samsung Gear S

Ah, so when I say "we" aren't there yet I guess I mean Apple isn't there yet. Oh well, very pretty device, but I don't wanT a galaxy phone.

That is a mobile phone on a wrist.

Means I will need a new sim card and new phone number.

2 in total (including the smartphone one)

So thanks but no thanks.

Next....

 

[diamond.g]

Yes and it does it now by AirPlay. The aWatch/iPhone connection will be a type of AirPlay.

Ah, peer to peer Airplay. Sounds like WiFi Direct, but also using bluetooth, neat.

 

[McCool71]

Means I will need a new sim card and new phone number.

Depends on where you live I guess. In my country (Norway) you can just get a second (or even third) sim card connected to the same account for a fraction of the cost of a new cell phone plan. No need at all to have a separate phone number.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

And still it has 2 days of battery life, which is more than a lot of other smart watches.

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The screen resolution is higher than the 1st gen iPhone. And if I remember correctly there was no problem surfing or using the on-screen keyboard on that one.

You can of course use voice instead of typing if you want to like most modern people do these days.

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I agree - it is a laughable review - and Engadet deservedly gets their a** handed to them in the comments section.

The main point with a device like the Gear S is of course to be an extention of your phone like most other smart watches. No one buys it just to use it as their one and only cell phone, which seems to be the very odd premise for the whole review.

But it has built in GPS and the possibility to pop in a SIM card so you can use it as a stand alone device that has the basic functionality of a cell phone (and more) without your 'main' phone needing to be in bluetooth-distance all the time. I think the idea is great - I hate running or hiking with my phone just to be able to track speed/distance or to listen to music. With the Gear S I could leave the phone at home and still be available if anything important comes up.

Yup, it's guaranteed that if Apple released their watch, the Engadget's main con wouldn't be "you can't use this watch with any other OEM except Apple".

 

[BvizioN]

Depends on where you live I guess. In my country (Norway) you can just get a second (or even third) sim card connected to the same account for a fraction of the cost of a new cell phone plan. No need at all to have a separate phone number.

Interesting!! Never heard of that in UK.

Anyway, some people are making a big deal of a smartwatch being independent from the phone. Except when am running maybe, I can't think any other single scenario when I would not have both on me. They are both light and easy enough to carry around.

 

[firewood]

Intell, but I'm assuming they can't do more than what a digital watch can do. I would love a smart watch that can at least receive texts without being in range of a phone. We aren't there yet I guess

Receiving texts requires a cellular radio, which can be a battery hog when one is far from any cell tower. So few smartwatches currently include such.

However the Pebble can runs apps (mini-games, etc.) that do not require any network or radio connection or iPhone nearby.