Google Android OS

[manaox2]

I was interested in the moto 360 until the wall street journal review and video leaked last night. It will need charging at least twice a day according to them, being dead by 4 p.m. and effectively useless to me then. I don't really like the G watch R either personally, so I'll be waiting for the hardware and software to improve.

I'll chime in on the purpose debate. It's a nice convenient way to check notifications and time at a glance and to perform simple tasks at one glance without spending the seconds to pull out, unlock, lock, and place phone back in your pocket. Voice commands are key. It doesn't require you to obviously break your attention to put a glowing distracting screen in your hands and between you and the environment in situations where that matters, such as in conversation, riding a bike, eating, driving, etc. You don't need to do anything but say "ok Google, text/email/navigate to/remind me ________" to do common tasks like these and searching much more conveniently and fast.

I feel more comfortable at work checking a watch than pulling out a phone suggesting that I'm off task. I wouldn't be missing all those time sensitive messages and emails while I'm teaching and won't trigger the students smartphone addiction as much in class. I won't irritate my co-workers as much by always being on my phone checking things between classes when they are desperate for social interaction with adults in the short time they have. I might even be able to dispel some of the reputation of me being a parasitic host to an electronic device that I currently have among some.

Very soon, these watches will have more standalone features such as the ability to play music and navigate saved routes which will further appeal to fitness users as well.

Edited September 5, 2014 by manaox2

[grawk]

There are emails you'd get as a teacher that are important enough to stop teaching to read them?

[manaox2]

They do disrupt it. They abruptly say sport groups of students need to report somewhere or be dismissed in five minutes. Or the network is down and they need help so students can take important tests. Or that a parent plans to come and complain about me to anyone who will listen if they can't get access to yesterday's assignments grade immediately.

Then you have the outside of work time sensitive notifications such as "your residence seems to be flooding".

Edited September 5, 2014 by manaox2

[n_maher]

Would you be able to wear a smart watch those places?  I know I can't.

As long as it doesn't have a camera, yes.

[grawk]

That'd make my life a lot more simple

[Dusty Chalk]

Mine's, "...as long as it doesn't have electronics."

 

Or rather, was, I haven't had a need for that since I joined CSC.

[blessingx]

Looks like Marc Newson just "formalized" his relationship with Apple. Who knows if he worked on whatever gets announced Tuesday, but as wearables are being discussed here posting a video of his previous timepiece designs.

http://vimeo.com/48145119

[postjack]

http://www.expansys-usa.com/sony-z-ultra-google-play-edition-unlocked-lte-16gb-black-263504/

 

Just bought the Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition from expansys for $335.

 

Definitely a niche device, here is a quick list of pros/cons after owning the device for <24 hours:

 

PROS:

• 6.4" screen, wonderful display, easy on the eyes.
• Top notch fit and finish, the phone is all glass and metal.
• Very clear call volume, even with people who I previous thought just had shitty phones. This is relative to the Nexus 5 call volume, my previous phone.
• Everything is super fast, as really all phones should be these days.
• Micro SD slot can hold a 64gb card.
• Phone is water resistant, if you are in to that
• Power input is at the top left corner of the phone, instead of the bottom. I like this for some reason.
• Standby/power switch is on the middle right of the phone, and is a round, silver metal button. Much better to put the switch here instead of the top right on a phone this size. Volume rocker is right below the power switch.
• Remarkably thin for a phone of this size
• GPE so you will always get the latest android update (running 4.4.4 right now)

CONS:

• The phone is enormous. Fits fine in dress slacks and shorts pockets, but I imagine it won't work with jeans.
• All glass/metal design and the phones thinness could make it very easy to drop.
• Little flaps over all the inputs due to the water resistant nature of the phone, except the headphone jack which is somehow still water resistant
• A bit hefty weight wise, but this also adds to the solid feel of the phone.
• Your significant other and friends will make fun of you and your enormous phone. But they are just jealous.
• Camera doesn't have flash, but flash always ruins pictures for me anyway. Haven't had the opportunity to test the camera so I can't comment on overall quality.

Edited September 6, 2014 by postjack

[luvdunhill]

Nice!

[Grahame]

Meanwhile... 

Nexus 6 announced

https://www.google.com/nexus/6/

http://online.wsj.com/articles/google-unveils-nexus-6-phone-to-rival-iphone-6-1413388804

 

Along with Nexus 9 

https://www.google.com/nexus/9/

 

and Nexus Player

https://www.google.com/nexus/player/

 

All running Android 5.0 "Lollipop"

http://www.android.com/versions/lollipop-5-0/

 

to be used for Android Auto?

http://www.android.com/auto/

Edited October 15, 2014 by Grahame

[n_maher]

Looks like the 6 might actually come to Verizon, which would be a first.

[manaox2]

6 looks amazing if you can handle the size. *ba dum tsh*

[tyrion]

iPhone.

[MexicanDragon]

iPhone.

DIAF!!! BANNED!!! Two year time out!!!

**BRENT**

[Nebby]

$650 for the Nexus 6 off-contract

[postjack]

Here's hoping L gets pushed to GPe devices quickly.

[n_maher]

Ouch @ $650. That makes my choice of the S5 more justified.

[Grahame]

Some cynics have said that the higher unlocked price is to make the "purchase with plan / $0 down" seem more attractive.

Not if it ups the TCO (IMHO).

 

^ The verge seems to agree with you Nate http://www.theverge.com/2014/10/16/6985063/google-nexus-6-carrier-support-pricing

 

Does it (or any phone) improve the content of your calls / texts or the websites you browse?. Discuss,

[tyrion]

I will probably not upgrade this time around since my Note 3 is still going strong. iThe Note 4 is $825 no contract ATT Next plan, S5 is $650. If I do decide to upgrade the Nexus 6 is tempting or just wait to pick up a Note 4 on ebay like my Note 3.

[manaox2]

Pretty happy with the G3 still since it's fairly close in spec except for removable battery and microsd card slot, especially now that it's pretty much unlocked thanks to the bump workaround.

[postjack]

Purely my subjective observations, but I think phone manufacturers are going to have a harder time convincing people they need to upgrade. The hardware is just at a point where almost every phone is super fast, and what other "must have" features can we really cram into a phone?

[manaox2]

I just need a phone case with a projector laser pointer lighter printer blade built-in.

Edited October 17, 2014 by manaox2

[manaox2]

I agree though.

Edited October 17, 2014 by manaox2

[Grahame]

In the same way that for most people PC's became "good enough". Hello fungible commodity phones.

[Dusty Chalk]

I just need a phone case with a projector laser pointer...

Cats?