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It’s time to stop treating Android Wear like a phone

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phonewear

Android community, we need to talk.

There are a lot of awesome Android developers/hackers out there. They do amazing things that I can’t even dream of doing. Need Android on an old Windows Mobile phone? Done. How about a WebOS device? Piece of cake. Flappy Bird on my smartwatch? No problem. These projects, and many others like them, were done because they could be done. If there is one thing that Android hackers love to do it’s pushing the limits. That is not always a good thing.

Android Wear is the newest member of the Android family. At Google I/O thousands of developers got their hands on the first devices, and last week they shipped to everyone else. Almost immediately we started seeing apps for Android Wear pop up in the Play Store. It started with apps from brand names adding Wear support, but recently we’ve been seeing a new breed of apps developed specifically for your watch.

wearapps

Many of these new Android Wear apps are completely missing the point of what Google intended for Wear. I’m certainly not the first person to bring this up, but it has been on my mind ever since I mentioned it on the Mobile Roar Podcast last week. Android developers and hackers are once again pushing the limits of what these devices can do, and it could have major ramifications for the future of the Android Wear platform.

The second I saw someone make an app launcher for Android Wear I knew something was wrong. The fact that users were so excited to see this app made me realize it even more. Launching apps is purposefully tedious because it’s not supposed to be a common action. Android Wear is all about getting things done quickly with your voice or simple swipes. Heavy app usage is meant for your phone. This is not just my opinion, either. Google has clearly outlined how they want Wear apps to work.

In Google’s official guideline video for designing for Android Wear you can hear the presenter say “inputs requiring fine-grained motor skills are avoided.” Many of the current Android Wear apps are guilty of violating this. Apps like calculators and keyboards have no place on a tiny watch display. Some of you may ask “but why does Google get to decide how I use my smartwatch?”

weargoodbad

The Android ecosystem is no stranger to smartwatches. Samsung has created several smartwatches that run Android, but none of them have done particularly well. Using one of Samsung’s Galaxy Gear devices is like using a tiny version of your phone on your wrist. Some of them even have a camera. Most critics of these devices point to that very reason as to why they’ve failed. A smartwatch is not supposed to be treated like a phone, but that is exactly what’s happening to Android Wear.

Which leads us to the reason why you should trust Google to tell you how to use Android Wear. They have a clear vision for this platform to be something more than just apps. Google is trying to do something valuable with wearables. They don’t just want to slap Android on your wrist and be done with it. However, if users are clamoring for apps like the launcher or widgets, and not giving Wear a chance to be something unique, it could determine the direction Google takes the platform. At the end of the day Google wants users.

The future of Android Wear is in our hands (and on our wrists). Many of the limitations of Wear are there for a reason. These devices are companions, not replacements. There is a reason you see the “Launch on phone” button so often throughout the UI. If you can’t perform the action with a few taps or voice commands it should be done with your phone. This is hard for people to realize, especially when you have a shiny new toy to play with. Embrace a new and different experience. Embrace using your voice. Let’s make Android Wear great.

What do you think?

Whether you have an Android Wear device or not we want to hear your opinion. Should Android Wear apps be shrunken down versions of phone apps? Do you want your watch to have the same functionality as your phone? What should an Android Wear app do for you?

Joe Fedewa
Ever since I flipped open my first phone I've been obsessed with the devices. I've dabbled in other platforms, but Android is where I feel most at home.

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98 Comments

  1. Love the pic.
    It’s the next trend: wablet.
    You heard it here first! ;)

    1. twatch…

      1. You can’t spell twatch without “twat”.

  2. I was against things like the Minuum keyboard at first, but yesterday while I was watching a movie at my local cinema, I got a message from my girlfriend asking how long I’d be. Would have been incredibly convenient to type out a quick “30 minutes” message on my watch without having to pull out my phone.

    1. I have an app that let’s me type up messages on my SW2 with a t9 style keyboard. Extremely convenient while I’m at work (retail) and can’t take my phone out.

      1. Please share.. I’d love to do that on my sw2.

        1. SMS Composer for Smartwatch.
          This is the one I use. There’s another one but I forgot what it was, they’re both paid apps though.

      2. Then become a manager and get to be on your phone all day. At least that’s how it is at my job. I will get in trouble for not being on my phone. While at the same time enforcing no phone policy to the workers. But I am always communicating back in forth with higher management. For everything

      3. Wtf is an SW2?

        1. Smartwatch 2

    2. Or, don’t be that guy who texts during a movie. C’mon, Chris, you know better.

      1. That’s exactly the “guy” I was trying to avoid and the reason I didn’t want to whip out my smartphone.

        Also, it’s not like I was asking someone how their day went, I was trying to set up a meetup with my gf — who was at the same mall as me with her friends — after I got out of the movie. You know, important stuff.

        1. yeah… don’t wanna face the wrath of not promptly responding to texts from the girlfriend XD

        2. don’t let people criticize you! Your gf is one lucky woman. I HATE when my boyfriend doesn’t answer my (always) very urgent texts. Seriously we were watching a movie together (sitting right next to each other). He put his phone in airplane mode instead of silencing it and I immediately yanked it out of his hand and turned it back on. I don’t want him forming bad habits!

          (wish I were joking…)

        3. The “guy” I was referring to is the one who feels compelled to answer texts, no matter the method, when doing so interrupts the movie-going experience for others. I don’t have a smart watch (yet), but I can imagine that answering a text on there still would have forced the watch’s screen to turn on in the middle of a dark theater.

          Now, on another note, maybe a message to your girlfriend before the movie would avoid this entire mess. “Hey hun, heading to the movie. Should end around 9 o’clock. Let’s meet at Ruby Tuesday afterward. Love me some endless salad bar!” Problem solved, and now you (and the people around you) can enjoy the movie.

    3. Were you watching the movie with someone or on your own Chris?

      1. With a friend. Lol

        1. Was it another Bish, or maybe just a homie? I ask because I find it awkward to go to the movies alone. My GF doesn’t wanna watch transformers with me because its near 3 hours, so what am I left to do?

          1. What, you don’t like sitting in a dark room staring straight ahead by yourself? So much better sitting next to someone else for 3 hours with almost not interaction with them, eh?

          2. When you put it that way… I guess I can go watch it on my own, lol.

          3. Lol! So true. I have a few friends that go to the theater alone but I’ve never been able to do it myself.

            Also, I’m lucky in that my gf loves Transformers and some guy movies. :P

    4. You should’ve replied by voice. It would be faster AND less distracting to those around you than typing it out.

      1. Less distracting than touching a smartwatch display that’s always on? Hardly. Also, it was an action movie so whispering into my watch while people are screaming and exploding wouldn’t have been practical.

      2. Seriously, did you just suggest talking to your watch while in a movie? That would be much more distracting to people around you that just typing out a quick text on your watch or even your phone.

    5. Or you could just not do either and reply when the movie is over *gasp* :)

      1. Would have been too late and she would have headed home when I wanted to meet up for drinks/food.

    6. I would have responded too, Chris. I’ve never down voted so much in my life. there are some very impractical suggestions in this chain. “Don’t respond?” “Voice instead of type?” “The light is still distracting?” “Don’t be that guy who responds at all?” Seriously? “Go to the movie alone?” (Had to include that one) Even with someone else there is the before and after at the least that you don’t have to feel like such a loaner.

  3. Google has oversimplified the Android Wear interface. It’s far less “quick and easy” to swipe three times to press one gigantic button that takes up the whole screen when you could instead swipe once and tap on one of four buttons (one per quadrant). The platform needs experimentation so developers and users can figure out what really words instead of just relying on one group/company’s best ideas. Relying solely on voice input and single buttons per page is far too limiting.

    Not taking advantage of all this experimentation on a new platform would be a wasted opportunity.

  4. I honestly don’t mind. I feel like apps that will treat the smart watch the way Google envisioned will come eventually. Course, current smartphone apps on the smart watch are not what I want from the smart watch, but then again, I’m not looking for very much; just a nice modern time piece with notification abilities.

    Unique smart watch only apps will come eventually, I’m sure of it. But now much rather focus on hardware; not just specs but design as well. I mean, it is still a watch after all.

  5. People don’t care how you’re SUPPOSED to use Android Wear (minimalist); they want to putz around with it in any OCD way they can so they don’t have to focus on real life, just like with our smartphones.

    (On a related note: I read yesterday that a study explained why average restaurant order times (~20mins) and visit time (~2 hours) are now DOUBLE what they were in 2004: People messing around with their phones, and now watches, instead of each other.)

    ((I’ll never wear a watch ever again, so Android Wear doesn’t affect me much…))

  6. To be honest if Google is that worried about it they should stop those apps from being allowed to work on Android wear watches. If they truly want people to stick to the guide lines. They should throw those apps out. And I personally which they would. This is where Apple is going to win because they won’t allow this.

  7. You are missing the point of open the source environment. People can customize and use a device they way they want. Are many of these applications needed or what the hardware was designed for… No. But many people find some of these things very useful and are happy that they are available. If you want to lock things down and not let people have any customization or options make things for Apple. JMO

  8. I have an Omate TrueSmart. It’s stand alone, which includes calls and data and it has a micro sd card slot.

    I love using it for running and navigation during sailing. Amidoinitrite?

  9. Moto is smart to release the 360 later this summer, when there will be better implementation of Wear-compatible apps.

  10. I see absolutely no point in an android watch that requires a phone. The only value I can ever see in one is if I can leave my phone at home for activities I don’t want to drag my phone with me but still need to be contactable by kids and work. They should be companion devices. Why would anyone want to carry two devices? I barely want to carry one!

    1. So what you want is a smaller phone so you can phone without your phone?

      1. Yo dawg we heard you like phones…

      2. I want the option to phone without my phone. Like when jogging/cycling, or when I’m at the beach, or when I’m somewhere in a crowd that might make my phone a target for a pickpocket, or when… You get the picture. I thought the omate was a truly awesome invention for just that reason.

        1. So you want a separate, wrist-worn phone (since you would have to have radios and the whole 9 yards to do that without a phone within bluetooth range) that can use the same number as your normal phone?

          1. Yes. The Omate Trusmart does that, with waterproofing, making it a great alternative to bringing your expensive smartphone into situations that might harm or wreck it.

          2. While I’m sure people that are very active would find it useful, I can’t imagine paying for an extra line for my watch instead of just finding a good case for the smartphone and keeping it in bluetooth range…

          3. You’re not paying for an extra line. You exchange the SIM card. Without a SIM, it’s a companion. With a SIM, it’s a full phone.

            Imagine this. You’re going to be out and about, but generally keeping busy. Maybe jogging, maybe you work outside, etc. You want to be able to listen to your tunes and take phone calls, but you want to keep everything light. Enter the smartwatch. Headphones and your wrist-device, and you’re good to go.

          4. Fine for carriers that use SIM cards and phones with easily accessible SIM slots. But at this point I’m not sure why you would bother with a phone and not just go watchphone + 7″-ish 4G Tablet.

  11. Nothing wrong with a simple calculator app on your smart watch.

    1. …unless the buttons are too small to reliably use it without pulling out your hair.

    2. Unless the buttons are too small and it makes you want to pull your hair out every time you try to use it.

      1. Well, when I used my calculator watch, years ago, I had zero problems using said tiny buttons.

  12. I have read none of the discussion yet, so I may be repeating the feelings of others. I totally disagree with the author on this 100%. I have never used any smart watch, but I believe that this article goes against the Android way of thinking. I think Google is smart to design the watch to be very simple to use. I also think that having apps that do more complex things are great. They are apps, you want to keep your watch simple, don’t install complex apps. Jimbo may prefer the ability to do long division on his wrist, and there should be an app for that. These smart watches will never be phones, but the more they are capable of the more people they can appeal to. Let’s face it, there is no need for anyone to have a smart watch and a smart phone, it’s simply for convenience. It lets you do things that your phone can already do, but without pulling your phone from your pocket. So why would you draw a line limiting what someone is allowed to do with their watch based on complexity?

  13. I have the G Watch and really dig it so far. The keyboard isn’t for me, but that’s only personal preference. I don’t agree with the idea that we should be telling people what they should and shouldn’t be using it for. Save that crap for Apple products

  14. Sounds like you’re one of those guys nitpicking. Telling people how to enjoy what they’ve spent on.

  15. I like the minimalist approach but with the option of more. Hell that’s why most of us are on Android, otherwise we’d be chewing on that poisoned Apple.

  16. What launcher is that in the main picture? Looks like it has an action bar. Or is it just a custom theme someone did?

    1. Looks like Aviate

      1. yeah it is

  17. I agree wholeheartedly with this, however I must also add that I can’t for the life of me why someone would want a smartwatch when the phone does everything better anyway. I don’t need yet-another-device on me.

    1. a phone doesn’t do everything better.

      quickly checking notifications, time, or the name of the song my phone is playing is a lot faster on a watch.

      clicking 1 button on my watch to skip to the next song is also a lot easier than stopping whatever I’m doing, digging my phone out of my pocket, waking it up, opening the notification drawer, and pressing the skip button there.

      for a quick “remind me in # minutes” reminder i also reach for my wrist first.
      less options in the alarm app on my watch makes it quicker to set a reminder.

  18. I agree, Google Glass anyone?

  19. Joe i agree with google’s vision for wear however if you don’t want to play pranks on people by using wear to play a fart sound on your phone via FartDroid then simply don’t install it.

    Don’t forget that phandroid is a US based site and in America I as a developer have the freedom to make whatever i want.

  20. It’s still the honeymoon period. Give it time. Fart apps anyone?? Crap I just gave someone an idea….

    1. FartDroid is already available as seen in the screenshot above :). I’m testing some new wear features right now and plan on releasing an update today or tomorrow

      1. oh wow missed that one! sheesh.. Yeah it’ll pass. (no pun intended)

  21. The urge is there, some devs and consumers can’t help it. It’s amusing but not harmful. Ah mobile tech… Bit of fun, bit of fun.

  22. The only people who seem to be overly critical if Wear are Apple Fanboys.

  23. Android wear is great but when I eventually get a watch that uses it, I want it to do pretty much only what I can currently do on my Pebble.
    My ideal smart watch is 95% output, 5% input.

  24. Android users don’t care what Google wants. They just wanna be able to root their device to prove how superior they are because they hacked something.
    But truthfully, the concept of “vision” for Android users simply doesn’t exist. They are(mostly) incredibly short sighted and want what they want right away, and then they want to complain when something better comes out shortly after.

    1. I think you have just described modern consumerism in Western societies. It’s certainly not an Android user exclusive.

  25. I am a first time watch wearer, let alone smart watch wearer. No wait, I lied. I did try the Sony one where it had a little green button on the upper right side and I hated it’s guts. I wore it for a day. It was more than half of the lack of integration with the phone. Plus apps were non-existent for it.

    I have a launcher on my LG G Watch. And a calculator. And I LIKE it that way. Here are my reasons why:

    1. Launching my calculator app was annoying. This fixed that problem. Speaking to a device to launch an app where I have to push buttons on the screen just seems silly.

    2. Saying, “Okay google, what is twenty-seven times twelve, divided by four” is a lot harder than swiping out the launcher, pushing calculator, and pushing the buttons on the display.

    3. Google Now does not like noisy environments. This is just a fact of any voice recognition system. I work in a machine shop, where we have lathes, mills, SWISS, lasers, ultrasonic, and abrasive blasting boxes going all the time. Sometimes, I am physically unable to talk to my watch. Or my phone. Sometimes, I need a launcher to open things.

    4. Since this is the first week of me using this, I want to know how my watch’s battery life is. So I check it often. It was annoying to get to see my battery. I haven’t checked to see if there was an app for that. Hmm… But this will go away once I know I can get a full day worth of use out of it.

    5. Google Now is still a bit wonky with giving me results for questions I ask it. “How much is a Chevy Impala” works, but “How much is a Hybrid Chevy Impala” wants me to open it on my phone. Doh!

    And that is about it. I don’t want to play games on this… But I do want to make this MORE than just a display for Google Now results.

  26. While the general theme of this article is dead on, some specifics are off. The app launcher, for example, is useful, as quick settings are not included on the watch and SHOULD be. As for “calculators…have no place on a tiny watch display,” tell that to the many people who have used the once insanely popular calculator watch over the past several decades.

  27. who cares? This is android not apple. Just because you don’t want to use your watch in a specific way doesn’t mean other people don’t want to. and you trying to say “im not the only one who says this so does google ” to try and make your complaint more valid is laughable. you see, google also wants apps on android a certain way and they have their own vision on what android should look like. Does that mean devs should give up on the custom roms? this is android which is open and devs can tinker with whatever they want. That is why the dev community use android. SO that they can do what they want with it. also, a tiny few people will even mess with that or use it on their watch but if it is there how is it going to mess anything up? If you want a company to tell you what you can and can’t have on your device and tells you what you want on your device go with apple. It suits you more

  28. What I want in a smart watch is to be able to use it as a phone but be able to use it completely without my smartphone. I want to use a smartwatch for making/answering calls, or checking emails/short quick replies to emails.

    Also, I would like to be able to connect the smartwatch to my tablet via bluetooth, and be able to tether my 3g/LTE from the smartwatch to my tablet.
    I want only 2 devices a tablet and smartwatch. Not 3 devices, smartwatch, smartphone, and tablet.
    I really would like to be able to leave my tablet (and phone) at home when I am going out for short trips, shopping, social events, etc.
    For longer trips, or all day at the office I will use both my tablet, and my smartwatch.

  29. Some might say that Smart Wear apps aren’t smart at all. They complicate life rather than promoting ease in life. Android Wear requires you to carry an extra device, worry about its charging, deal with contemporary complications yet Smartphone-like apps are all you get in return. Thus, developers need to look at the bigger picture here or this gizmo will be obsolete before its time. http://www.vpnranks.com/smartphone-like-lousy-apps-are-a-threat-to-android-wear/

  30. Remember those old Casio watches, some has number keys to use as a calculator and even to remember important numbers such as phone numbers, your tax identification number, etc. Mine even had a spaceship shooter game.

    It was as close to smartwatches as one could get at the time and pretty remarkable given the small display available. So I don’t agree that we should limit the creativity of developers who want to make Android Wear watches whatever want. It still comes down to whether the owner would want to install and use certain apps. Who knows, someone might stumble upon a not-so-obvious use case for smart watches.

    1. The not-so-obvious use is actually using it as a watch. Go figure.

  31. I am not sure where I stand on the whole “it should only do what Google wants it to do”, but I can say that I have yet to see a smartwatch that compels me to get one.

    I like the design of the 360, but even that is just superficial. I have yet to find a compelling reason to own a smartwatch, except maybe to check notification without using my phone.

    I believe that the whole “treating smartwatches like cell phones” stems mostly from the fact that people are trying to find ways to justify purchasing something that amounts to little more than a glorified pager.

    I could be wrong, but that is how I see it.

  32. I am amazed that Joe Fedewa is employed by Phandroid. He has to be kidding when he criticizes the Android developers out there who are pushing the limits of Android Wear. Android is the last great open source platform, and it is human nature to try new stuff to see what it can and cannot do. He thinks an app launcher is a bad thing for a Smart Watch designed to be a connection for Google Now. I think that, if someone wants to launch apps from the watch, more power to them. Pushing the limits is always a good thing, Mr. Fedewa. Who died and made you the arbiter of Android development? Get over yourself. If an app works for some people, let them do it. As I recall, many of the best things about Android came from developers who wanted to push the limits. Nobody is making you use these apps. Get over yourself.

    1. With all due respect to Joe, I agree with RG. When I heard Joe in the last podcast, I was going nuts. Like how are you even here, criticizing developers? Putting a launcher on watch, or eventually turning it into a phone IS imagination. It’s not like these devs have put a Fart Button on your precious watch. And also it’s the user’s choice what to install on their watch/phone/tablet. If I’m drunk I may want to install a Fart Button on my watch, and it better be there. If I want stock, I’ll keep it stock. Get over yourself Joe. This is not WM any longer.

        1. Genius app!

        2. Now that is true innovation lol. Many a time have I wanted to let a loud stinking fart loose and realize I was totally gasless. Seriously though Joe, I agree with you and Google. I do however know loads of developers are rushing into the new niche created by Android Wear to be “me first” guys. Heaping mounds of turds on the promise of an android watch. Some of them may even make a dollar or two here and there for a little while even. Until the market settles itself out. I have faith in Google to maintain the platform though. Im looking forward to telling my Android Wear watch what channel to switch my Android TV to lol.

  33. A lot of you are missing the point. It’s not that I don’t want Android devs to push the limits. I do. Right now they are just doing the same phone things we’ve seen before. I want new apps for the new form factor. I want imagination.

    1. No, you want to use the device the way YOU want to use the device. Guess what? So does everyone else.

      And some of them want a calculator.

      1. My Casio watch has a calculator and I use that more than my phone or tablets calculator.

        So I’d want a calculator.

  34. when i saw a game was made available for smart watches i was like why? the screen is too small to be playing games. using your finger tip should just about cover the entire screen. the point im tryin to make is, there needs to be apps design to compliment this small piece of technology instead of just seeing what can fit into this small package. I agree with Google here, stop minimizing phone apps to run on smart watches. each platform should take advantage of its abilities instead of having the same experience across all (android TV, tablets, phones, and smart watches). imagine android TV with games that rival consoles, tablets and phones with games that rival handhelds! think of games that use the smart watch to feed objectives in real time game play! that is more useful to me than having flappy birds on a smart watch.

  35. We’ll, It’s the famous old riddle, you get an elephant. and you have to fit it in the fridge. Now, go figure that!

  36. What’s the theme and icon pack on the top image?

  37. Too many of you are getting hung up on the “Trust Google to tell you how to use Wear” and rightly so, the article should probably be updated. I think it was a silly statement.

    Yes, in the beginning the guidelines that Google puts forward are probably prudent guidelines to follow, not having a really tiny number of buttons on my watch is probably a good idea, it’s why the calculator watch wasn’t more than a novelty.

    Google is good, Google has a strong development team, but if there’s one thing I know about software and hardware, people will find ingenious ways to use it that the designers/developers never thought of. This is why just blindly ‘trusting google to tell me how to use wear’ is a really bad idea.

    Let these developers drop calculators onto the market and whatever other apps they can possibly squeeze on the screen for the watch, they will fail, but there will be a diamond out there that doesn’t follow Google’s guidelines and it will help shape the future of these devices in a way that Google never imagined.

  38. While I think Joe has a good thought, I think it’s more subjective in nature. Me? I agree that it’s tedious to launch apps or play a serious game, but then again…it’s fun to have options!

  39. Kinda glad I don’t wear watches, therefore I have no interest in smart watches. I am a major tech geek, but have no interest in smart watches whatsoever. Maybe I am all alone, maybe not. All respect to the Android Wear platform, but wouldn’t it be quicker and simpler to pull out your phone if you need your fart app? The volume on the wear watches must be dreadful, gonna be hard to fool people if they cant hear it.

    1. ‘Fart App’. The point of the watch, Coming from someone who also does not like watches or other shit around my wrists, Is Not Apps. Apps go on your phone, so you can use the bullshit like fart apps and flappy birds and other nonsense at your own leisure with a screen that’s at least larger than your actual eyeball. The Watch is here for quickly checking notifications and updates that you may receive while you’re in a position where you can’t grab or get to your phone. It’s for locating your phone with quick swipe and a tap if you’ve lost it in a couch. It’s a shortcut to the essentials of your phone without encroaching on it’s territory or trying to steal it’s thunder.

      What it’s made for and what it’s used for are unfortunately going to be different things though, because the vast majority of consumers aren’t spies who need to check their GPS location without putting out a bright light that’ll attract enemies, but 20 who just wanted a new gadget. “Wouldn’t it be easier to just watch a movie at home instead of on your phone?” I remember some moron saying about the concept of 720p resolution. Yea, they were right, but since the option was there, and consumers aren’t fully grounded in reality as they are more in their fantastic ideal of what they’d like reality to be, Some sorta Star Treky super gimmicky future.

      In short: Yea it would be easier but this’d definitely be more fun…and let’s be real, we ALL know the next logical step if we keep going in the ‘MOAR APPS’ direction, is going to be a motherfuckin’ PIP boy. Can you say you don’t want a PIP Boy? Can you REALLY lie to yourself like that?

  40. I think he makes some valid points here…abliet subjective ones…all i want is a watch i can change the faces to match my outfits and gives me notifications when im out or at work and cant hear or see or use my phone..simple as that i dont need a calculator on my smart watch…moto 360 im waiting on you my dear

  41. Why don’t you, Phandroid, lead the way then and stop reportimg on apps YOU feel we shouldn’t have on OUR watches.

  42. I disagree with your views regarding the launcher, it’s an absolute time saver. I don’t want things like changing the brightness on my watch, toggling airplane mode or accessing my notes on Keep to be tedious.

    As for voice commands, they suck when in noisy environments and they are not very useful in places you’re suppose to be quiet (like in the library) and they only really works well with English. Not to mention we could be mistaken for glass-holes and get lynched.

    That said, I do agree that it’s not a phone. Like most of you, I don’t want my fart apps to find their way into my watch (oops! too late).

  43. I’ve only had my Gear Live for 2 days, but what I’m enjoying most is not having to take my phone out of my pocket to check a notification. I don’t want the phone to do everything in the same way as my phone. That’s like carrying around a tablet and PC. What I’d like is some innovative uses of existing technology, like gestures integration to launch an app.

  44. I like having a calculator on my wrist. I’m casino dealer and I cannot pull out my phone on a live game. Its nice to have my watch to get my notifications and to do quick calculations when I need it.

  45. Alot of developers are one trick ponies so the only easy way to try an remain relevant is port there apps to whatever new platform arrives on the market, very few individuals are capable of original creative ideas. Like all jobs a lot of people are just showing up each day to pay the bills, they would rather be at the beach. The guy at angry birds just going to put a miniature version of there app on your wrist, instead of using motion sensors in your watch let you throw a virtual bird. There is no risk in copying a profitable model over an over, being creative is always risky for the accountant.

  46. Google Now CAN perform simple calculations. Try “OK, Google, what is 2 plus 2?”

  47. stop treating android wear like an apple product

  48. I love how so many people here want to slam the author for expressing his opinion on the topic, but we are expected to respect the commenter’s view as clearly the right one, obviously. Get over yourselves, people. Everyone has different desires and needs from their tech. I don’t even want one at all, because I think they are redundant and silly. I’m guessing that makes me wrong too. So be it.

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