Samsung taps into smartwatches' sci-fi history in first Galaxy Gear ad

[compl3x]

I have no interest in smartwatches (yet) but I think this is a pretty clever ad:

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=B3qeJKax2CU

 

 

[Simon Veteran]

One of the first Samsung ads that I actually enjoy. Even though I don't like the look of the gear, they get some good nostalgia points here.

[Growled Member]

If it's good enough for Captain Kirk, it's good enough for me. :D

[DocM]

Premature enthusiasm. Samsung already realizes all the Gear has is nostalgic cool factor after early reviews and has been working on a successor with some actual "killer app" possibilities. Wait for Gen 2 and see if they succeeded.

[FloatingFatMan]

I'm not buying a smartwatch until they release one with decent battery life and a flexible screen.

[Growled Member]

I played with the Gear some over the weekend at our local Best Buy and it's a very disappointing device. I doubt that I would want one anytime soon.

[theyarecomingforyou]

It's a great advert. Saying that, I really don't have any interest in smartwatches as they exist at the moment. They're far too expensive and too limited in both functionality and battery-life to be considered a serious proposition. That said, I'm sure they will improve over time.

[Growled Member]

What many people don't realize, and I didn't really until I went to play with one, is it's not a stand alone device. You need a Note 3 to make it work properly, and for right now only a Note 3 will work with it. 

 

http://www.ydr.com/offbeat/ci_24215443/galaxy-gear-watch-has-potential-but-falls-short

[FloatingFatMan]

^ I thought that was common knowledge...

[Growled Member]

^ I thought that was common knowledge...

 

I really haven't paid it any mind since I'm not really into watches. Haven't worn one in years and probably wouldn't wear this one if they gave it to me.

[DocM]

Same here. I haven't worn a wrist watch for ages, preferring a pocket watch and/or my cell acting as an alarm clock.

[dead.cell]

Considering my priorities for a watch are that it looks good first and foremost, with its functions being secondary, this really wouldn't suit me at all, especially on the basis that it's totally useless if you don't have that particular phone. Give it a couple years though maybe. I'm sure they can tailor both look and function in together someday.

[spacer]

I still don't understand the appeal of these devices. I also didn't know that it required a note 3 to actually function. That just makes it even more of a stupid gadget in my opinion. Regardless, if Apple releases their version of this and it is actually a stand-alone device, Samsung is screwed.

[primexx]

too bad it'll brick after a trans-oceanic flight

[FloatingFatMan]

too bad it'll brick after a trans-oceanic flight

 

Uhhh, no, it won't...

[Rayhoo]

why we need a smartwatch when we had so many products to choose from which have all the features. a watch's display is not enough for reading info. let alone play games. if it used as a compass and a phone in a desert, maybe i would give it a try.

[DocM]

IMO they only make sense as a peripheral to a holstered phone, allowing a quick call answer or message preview. As a standalone, uh - no.

[FloatingFatMan]

IMO they only make sense as a peripheral to a holstered phone, allowing a quick call answer or message preview. As a standalone, uh - no.

 

Mostly agreed.  However, basic watch functions such as actually telling the time and setting alarms should not require a tethered phone to function. That's where a lot of these smart watches completely fail. It's either one or t'other, never a sensible mixture.

[spenser.d]

I feel the same way as a lot of people here - it's not my thing, but it's a pretty cool ad.

[Arachno 1D]

Maybe an iRing which has vibration notification [i.e. emails and txts] and hold a secure key for such things as computer access.