Samsung Gear vs. Qualcomm Toq

[tbayrgs]

Anyone else notice that the Gear wasn't the only smartwatch revealed today?

Qualcomm makes a timely entrance with full-featured Toq Mirasol smartwatch

Samsung should take note because, IMO, the Toq is a far more compelling option as a smart watch. Plus it doesn't require that I have a Galaxy smartphone. Samsung is taking a page from Apple's playbook with that requirement.

 

[zbarvian]

Battery life alone is a compelling reason to buy the Toq over the Gear. Such an important factor in these types of devices.

 

[F123D]

I prefer the look of this watch also.

That said, I'm not buying a smart watch from any company. I'm not using a 5+ inch phone so I can stare at a 1+ inch screen.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Samsung Gear watch is $299?

 

[Oohara]

I prefer the look of this watch also.

Image

That said, I'm not buying a smart watch from any company. I'm not using a 5+ inch phone so I can stare at a 1+ inch screen.

I like this one better too, at least everything but the wristband.

 

[paulbennett95]

Looks much much better than the Samsung offering, both in aestetics and function.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I wouldn't even compare any smartwatch that doesn't have a camera to Samsung gear. IMO ... It's basically the most inciting feature and I'm sure the average consumer would feel the same way.


Now this is a REAL smartwatch. http://www.neptunepine.com/

 

[GimmeSlack12]

Samsung Gear watch is $299?

Most nice watches will begin at $500. So I don't see price being a big concern here.

What I see as a concern is based mainly on these watches being way more trouble than just pulling your phone out of your pocket and seeing who just texted you. Not to mention charging a watch? Lame. And is typing with one hand on a tiny ass screen really that useful?

And they're all very ugly. Jaw dropping ugly.

 

[tbayrgs]

I wouldn't even compare any smartwatch that doesn't have a camera to Samsung gear. IMO ... It's basically the most inciting feature and I'm sure the average consumer would feel the same way.


Now this is a REAL smartwatch. http://www.neptunepine.com/

Did you happen to notice how there's not a single image with somebody actually wearing the Neptune Pine? It's because that thing is a huge brick--makes the Gear look dainty by comparison. And what good is a rear facing camera on a watch? Everyone bitches about the using the small display on the iPhone but typing/navigating on a 2.4" display is OK?

If you want to completely replace your standard smartphone with a watch (as it appears the Pine can stand alone) and don't mind have this giant slab on your wrist, using a subpar camera and minuscule screen, then yes, this may be the gadget for you. Otherwise, it's complete overkill.

 

[tbayrgs]

Most nice watches will begin at $500. So I don't see price being a big concern here.

What I see as a concern is based mainly on these watches being way more trouble than just pulling your phone out of your pocket and seeing who just texted you. Not to mention charging a watch? Lame. And is typing with one hand on a tiny ass screen really that useful?

And they're all very ugly. Jaw dropping ugly.

So glancing at a watch is MORE trouble than pulling a phone out of a pocket/purse/backpack, waking it, unlocking it (including pin/password/pattern security if you're smart) and pulling down notification?

Is reaching for your smartphone difficult or cumbersome? Of course not--using a watch is slightly more convenient, more so if say, your phone is buried in a backpack and certainly not necessary. You'd be surprised how convenient it is though. I was a backer of Pebble's kickstarter and while it was a bit underwhelming at first, it's become pretty handy. For example, when my phone is in my pack, it's very useful to quickly see texts (and fire back quick preset replies, email notifications, play/pause/change music tracks or see what's playing. It also serves as a trusted bluetooth device--set up a profile in Tasker so that anytime the watch is connected to my phone, I don't have to enter my PIN. I even have an app that gives me realtime yardages on the golf course.

I won't argue though about the aesthetics--they're all not very attractive devices, especially compared to traditional watches.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I prefer the look of this watch also.

Image

That said, I'm not buying a smart watch from any company. I'm not using a 5+ inch phone so I can stare at a 1+ inch screen.

Agreed. I have no desire to get a smartwatch.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Did you happen to notice how there's not a single image with somebody actually wearing the Neptune Pine. It's because that thing is a huge brick--makes the Gear look dainty by comparison. And what good is a rear facing camera on a watch? Everyone bitches about the using the small display on the iPhone but typing/navigating on a 2.4" display is OK?

If you want to completely replace your standard smartphone with a watch and don't mind have this giant slab on your wrist, using a subpar camera and minuscule screen, then yes, this may be the gadget for you. Otherwise, it's complete overkill.

To each their own. I think it makes a good backup or alternate phone. Certainty good for long jogging. I usually don't bring my phone while jogging, not a fan of arm bands or
having my S4 in my loose jogging sweats pocket. The storage on the watch phone alone makes it worth it as I now use a shuffle which has very limited storage.

I don't see how you call it overkill, but start a thread on smartwatches. Differ people have differ uses.

 

[spinedoc77]

The Samsung Gear is interesting in today's age of large screens and phablets, what I like is that I can dial a call without taking my phone out of my pocket. I'm assuming thru a bluetooth headset, although I thought I read somewhere that the Gear was supposed to have a speaker and a microphone. But the Gear is HORRIBLE looking, how a design company could get something so utterly wrong and hideous is beyond me.

The Toq looks nice, it's just a mini-data consumption device like all the rest of them. I'm curious what the bluetooth headset is for, does the watch have memory and can stream music?

No one has gotten it right yet IMO, I'm still hoping Apple does. I just couldn't imagine wearing a monstrosity such as the Gear anywhere anyone would look at me, and the other watches like the pebble and toq, etc don't really have that much functionality to make me want to wear them.

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Also, I'd be curious to see if the Gear's watchband was removable, hopefully ifixit will have a teardown. I'd love to remove the watchband, I don't mind losing the camera, and just have the watch "head" which I could grab out of my pocket quickly, especially if paired with a large phablet which could be left in pocket or even in my bag.

 

[tbayrgs]

To each their own. I think it makes a good backup or alternate phone. Certainty good for long jogging. I usually don't bring my phone while jogging, not a fan of arm bands or
having my S4 in my loose jogging sweats pocket. The storage on the watch phone alone makes it worth it as I now use a shuffle which has very limited storage.

I don't see how you call it overkill, but start a thread on smartwatches. Differ people have differ uses.

I can certainly see it as an alternate device vs. carrying your smartphone, especially when active where carrying a smartphone is not desirable. I guess my opinion on it being overkill is wearing is in conjunction with a smartphone--seems awfully large and functionality seems to mirror that of your smartphone rather than complement it.

To each their own--you're absolutely correct in this regard.

 

[Twixt]

What about this one:

http://www.hyetis.com/

 

[tbayrgs]

The Toq looks nice, it's just a mini-data consumption device like all the rest of them. I'm curious what the bluetooth headset is for, does the watch have memory and can stream music?

Looks like the headphones are just another companion accessory--their benefit being smaller size (no onboard controls) and wireless charging along with the watch.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I can certainly see it as an alternate device vs. carrying your smartphone, especially when active where carrying a smartphone is not desirable. I guess my opinion on it being overkill is wearing is in conjunction with a smartphone--seems awfully large and functionality seems to mirror that of your smartphone rather than complement it.

To each their own--you're absolutely correct in this regard.

Not sure if you realize it or not, but it's a stand alone device with a mirco sim slot. Not to be confused with the need to be connected to a smartphone. That's my main interest in it as an alternative.

 

[spinedoc77]

Looks like the headphones are just another companion accessory--their benefit being smaller size (no onboard controls) and wireless charging along with the watch.

Does the toq have any memory for music, or do you stream right from the phone? I suppose the watch would be nice to choose music and channels if it could be integrated with Pandora, etc.

Also does it have any phone capability? If only the ability to dial out numbers without having to take your phone out of your pocket?

 

[tbayrgs]

Not sure if you realize it or not, but it's a stand alone device with a mirco sim slot. Not to be confused with the need to be connected to a smartphone. That's my main interest in it as an alternative.

I saw that it's really meant to be primarily a stand alone device and I can appreciate it's use when active (biking, running, hiking) or when you don't want to carry a full-size smartphone. I just don't think I'd want to wear it all the time.

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Does the toq have any memory for music, or do you stream right from the phone? I suppose the watch would be nice to choose music and channels if it could be integrated with Pandora, etc.

Also does it have any phone capability? If only the ability to dial out numbers without having to take your phone out of your pocket?

You know as much as I do.

Unlike the Pine, it doesn't appear to have any onboard storage so it's not really meant to be used on it's own. Would be nice if it had a dialer or linked to provide a quick list of contacts that would allow you to dial from the watch, just don't know if it actually has that functionality.

I'm not necessarily advocating it, just found it more intriguing than the Gear--liked the color display that actually improves viewing in bright light, longer battery life coupled with wireless charging yet a smaller/slimmer form factor. Generally, it seems like an improvement over the Pebble I'm currently using, so I signed up to stay notified of further info.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I saw that it's really meant to be primarily a stand alone device and I can appreciate it's use when active (biking, running, hiking) or when you don't want to carry a full-size smartphone. I just don't think I'd want to wear it all the time.

.

Yea I agree with that. Can't see having a watch as a main smartphone.