Having Google on your wrist really is an interesting thing.
Sure, we all have on-demand access to information in our pockets nowadays, but you'd be surprised: Making the move from pocket to forearm makes a huge difference in how you interact with that info -- and what type of experience you have.
I've been living with Android Wear and the Moto 360 in my day-to-day life for nearly three months now. (I've actually been using Wear on and off since the launch of the Samsung Gear Live and LG G Watch in June, but it didn't become a regular part of my personal life until the 360's arrival. ) Both the platform itself and the 360's performance have evolved quite a bit over that time, so I thought it'd be worth revisiting the subject with some updated thoughts.
Ready? Let's get into it:
The Moto 360's hardware and design
The 360 seems every bit as beautiful and elegant today as it did when I first got my hands on it. It looks like a classy high-end watch -- not a cheap gadget or a dorky wrist computer. There's a place for all sorts of styles in the smartwatch realm, and the 360 fills the "sleek and modern dress watch" role with admirable grace.
The lack of any real bezel on the display is something I continue to notice when I compare the 360 to other Android Wear watches (and I'll have more to say on those other devices soon). The watch gives you pure surface area on its face, which creates an infinity-pool-like visual and adds to its minimalist vibe.
There is, of course, a tradeoff to the lack of bezels (is there ever anything in technology that doesn't require some sort of tradeoff? ). Actually, in this case, there are two: First, the 360 has that infamous "flat tire" effect in which a small bar at the bottom of its screen is blacked out; since there's no real open space anywhere on the device, that's where Motorola stashed the circuitry to make the screen work. The watch would look better without it, no doubt, but I use a face configuration that's designed with that element in mind, so I honestly don't even think about it or notice it at this point.
The other thing is a weird light-refracting effect that's visible along the display's beveled edges whenever there's a light-colored background on the screen. It's also not anything I tend to notice or focus on much in regular use, but it's certainly there if I look for it.
A night-and-day difference in performance and stamina
The 360's performance and stamina were weak points when I first reviewed the device in September. A software update sent out over the air that same month, however, went a long way in improving those areas: The jerkiness and slight lag that were present at launch are pretty much gone now, and the watch is generally smooth and on par with other Wear devices in terms of responsiveness.
As for stamina, it's almost hard to believe the 360 is even the same product I tested this summer. I now have no trouble consistently making it from morning to night without even coming close to running out of juice. On days where I have lighter active use, I often go to bed with well over two-thirds of the charge still remaining.
Pretty much all Android Wear watches will get you a full day's use -- maybe two days if you use them sparingly. For whatever reason, the Moto 360 was barely making that metric at its start, but it's right up there with the rest of 'em now. I drop it on a charger when I go to bed every night and never give it another ounce of thought.
Speaking of power, the fact that the 360 uses standard Qi wireless charging is probably my favorite feature regarding the device (and hence far, the 360 is usually the only Wear system to have it). Typically the official charging cradle is usually hassle-free as can end up being: You merely set the enjoy on it and shift on with your lifestyle. No annoying wires to be able to connect, no pins to be able to match up, no pressing anything into place or perhaps fussing of any kind. Charging the watch sets the display into a new dock-like clock mode, also, the industry nice touch any time you keep your cradle about your nightstand.
Want to know the best part, even though, is the fact of which you don't have to be able to use that cradle; an individual can in the same way easily established the watch on virtually any ol' Qi-compatible pad an individual have around. Whether Now i'm at my desk or perhaps traveling -- where typically the official charger usually isn't very handy but a Chi battery pack is practically constantly nearby -- that's a great incredibly useful option to be able to have, and one I actually sorely miss when I actually spend time with additional Wear devices.
A couple regarding 360-specific quirks
Many Android Wear watches have got an "always on" function, where the screen remains to be within a dimmed and scaled-down state most of typically the time and then lighting up all the way up when an individual raise your wrist or perhaps touch the display. About the Moto 360, is actually called "ambient screen" as an alternative -- and the approach functions is still a new little strange in my opinion.
"Ambient screen" does offer a new dimmed and scaled-down variation of the display, nevertheless instead of remaining about all the time, that turns off anytime your current arm is in a new more vertical orientation in addition to also anytime you've long gone a few minutes with out touching the watch. That then turns back about when you move your current arm even slightly.
Theoretically, that allows you to be able to see the time easily without having to totally activate the display, merely like the more standard "always on" mode would certainly -- but in actuality, it could sometimes be a new little finicky and unpredictable. If you're sitting continue to, for instance, you aren't just casually look lower to see the moment; you have to shift your arm a little first to get typically the dimmed display to switch back on. That could be mildly annoying.
In addition to between the dimmed function killing and on in addition to the fully illuminated function coming off and about, you get with a display screen that sometimes seems to be able to be in a never ending state of change -- frequently lighting up in addition to then darkening in a approach or another even any time you aren't intentionally bonding with it. That may be relatively distracting at times.
The Moto fish hunter 360 in its dimmed "ambient screen" mode -- when only it'd stay about all the time...
About a related note, when you opt to switch the 360's "ambient screen" triggering -- and hence have the watch continue to be completely blank automatically, initiating only into its totally illuminated state when an individual touch it or boost your arm -- an individual run into another annoying quirk: Even when an individual mute this timepiece, its display screen will carry on and illuminate whenever it detects motion.
To be able to clarify: Of all Wear wrist watches, the display won't illumine automatically according to movement any time the device have been moderate. That way, if most likely within a movie and may want your wrist to be able to light up every moment you shift positions, an individual can just mute typically the thing and have that remain dark until most likely done.
For some purpose, Motorola has modified this specific behavior on the fish hunter 360 -- so when typically the "ambient screen" setting is usually off, this timepiece continues to be able to illuminate with movement also when the device is usually muted. I learned this specific hard way when I actually was in a movie theater and couldn't have the darn thing to stop illuminating every time I altered. I can for the lifestyle of me figure out there why Motorola changed the application to work like of which, but man, I desire there were an alternative to disable it in addition to get back to the normal Use behavior.
A couple of 360-specific strengths
Speaking regarding dark environments, one location where the 360 genuinely shines (so to speak) is in the sphere of display brightness: Typically the watch contains a built-in lighting sensor and adjusts their brightness automatically based about your conditions. Feels like a great obvious feature, I recognize, nevertheless the 360 is a single of only two Use watches to possess it thus far -- and once an individual use other watches of which lack it, you recognize what size of a variation it makes.
This boat becomes bright when you're exterior and dim when most likely at night. It's so simple and sensible that is actually almost shocking all smartwatches don't undertake it.
The Motocicleta 360 also continues to be able to stand out for their customization potential: If an individual install Motorola's companion Motocicleta Connect app, you could tweak the various enjoy face designs to help to make them look the approach you like -- transforming background and accent shades, selecting number styles, in addition to adding or removing typically the date. There's even a new relatively recent design (added by way of a recent Moto application update) where you could set any of your current own photos to end up being the watch's background. Is actually a really cool feel which goes a long approach in making the enjoy feel as if your own.
The Android os Wear experience in each day life
Regarding Android os Wear itself, it's broadened a bit since I actually first reviewed it -- anyone can store a tiny amount of music about watches themselves, for occasion, just in case you want to listen closely to tunes once your telephone isn't around -- nevertheless its primary purpose remains to be the same: to health supplement your phone in techniques that make life easier for you inside small but meaningful actions.
For me, it accomplishes that -- mainly by allowing me to get pertinent info I need without having to constantly pull out my phone and stare at it. It may sound trivial, but getting a text message on your wrist truly is a different experience than getting it on your phone. You feel a gentle buzz on your arm and then glance down quickly. If it's nothing important, you swipe it away and are done. If it warrants a response, you swipe, tap, and say a few words into your arm without interrupting what you're doing.
Receiving and dealing with notifications -- be they texts, emails, or calendar reminders -- is hands-down the way I use Wear the most in my day-to-day life. I also regularly take advantage of the platform's reminder feature: If I'm walking or driving somewhere and think of something I need to do later, I'll raise my wrist and say: "Okay, Google, remind me to defrost the chicken when I get home, " or "Okay, Google, remind me to call Jim back in an hour. " I never have to futz with my phone or stop what I'm doing, and when I reach the time or place I specified, my wrist buzzes and delivers my reminder.
Wear has also been invaluable to me while traveling, as it buzzes my wrist with info about flight changes and allows me to keep up with those details -- and quickly fire off texts to loved ones to let them know what's going on -- even while I'm speed-walking through a terminal and loaded down with luggage.
The software can perform more advanced tasks, too: The number of worthwhile third-party apps for the platform grows every week, and some of them are pretty darn clever. Whether it's fitness tracking, step-by-step recipe guidance, or remote gadget control, there's no shortage of interesting possibilities for feature expansion. (Personally, I've found I'm using third-party apps less frequently these days -- I seem to get the most value out of Wear's basic system-level functionality -- but everyone's different in that regard. )
There are times when I feel like Android Wear makes me more connected than I want to be
Things aren't perfect, of course, and the OS still has room for improvement. For instance, it's pretty surprising that this far into Wear's existence, Google has yet to roll out official support for downloadable third-party face designs. The company says that'll happen before the end of the year, but five months from the platform's launch is already pushing it for something that seems like it should have been present since day 1. (Some developers have come up with a roundabout way to offer downloadable faces in the meantime, but the workaround isn't ideal and tends to take too high of a toll on battery life. )
On a broader and more philosophical level, there are times when I feel like Android Wear makes me more connected than I want to be. Sometimes, I like to be in the moment and not feel tethered to my electronic devices -- and having a screen right on my wrist kind of runs counter to that goal. Those are the days when I leave the 360 at home and strap on an old-fashioned analog watch or no watch at all, and I must admit that it's kind of refreshing to have my limbs free of flashing distractions for a change. For me, at least, the heightened connectivity and constant awareness Wear provides isn't necessarily something I want all the time.
On days that I do want to be connected, though, I find the software serves its purpose and does so in a way that makes sense for the smartwatch form. You don't want to be tapping lots of tiny buttons and performing grand tasks on a small wrist-based screen; you want to be getting info you need and sending short messages quickly, without any fuss. And that's exactly what Wear accomplishes.
As I observed before, Android Wear isn't about complex commands or cramming every feature imaginable into your wrist; it's about giving you a more convenient way to handle the functions you already have -- about creating a new type of interaction that's more than the sum of its parts.
After three months of living with Wear, I'd say it by and large succeeds at that deceptively difficult objective. And beyond just the 360, I'm happy to see hardware options for all different tastes and purposes starting to show up. The elegant watch, the casual watch, the sporty watch -- this isn't a one-size-fits-all domain, and the Wear ecosystem is slowly but surely starting to reflect the inherent diversity of personal style.
What we're seeing now is still only the start, but it's a promising one. And as the software continues to mature and the hardware moves into its second generation, things are only going to get better.
As for whether the platform will ever progress from "neat tech toy" to "mainstream must-have, " only time will tell. For now, the Android Wear smartwatch remains more of a luxury accessory than any sort of must-have gadget -- but for those who want to be hyper-connected and have the cash to spend, it's an increasingly compelling way to bring a world of information one step closer to your brain.
Android Wear PreviousNext 4 top Android Wear watches: A hands-on guide Moto 360 review: An elegant smartwatch with exceptional features Android Wear deep-dive review: A smart start to smartwatch software Currently reading Moto 360 and Android Wear revisited: 3 months with Google on my wrist Talk to the wrist! 40 handy voice instructions to try with Google android Wear
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