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Comments
Considering An Apple Watch? Try This First
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Susan Fourtané
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Susan Fourtané,
 User Rank: Author
7/1/2015 | 9:10:37 AM
Steps towards the Apple Watch
Curt, 

I believe it was a good idea to have the Ssmart Dynamo+ as a previous step to the Apple Watch. Certainly, you will be able to do more with the Apple Watch, but that's the beauty of the previous step, by then you had already mastered the basics. 

When are you planning to get your Apple Watch, and which one will you get? One more little thing for the office-in-a-bag. :D Because, even if not in the bag, it will have productivity applications as well.

-Susan
Curt Franklin
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Curt Franklin,
 User Rank: Strategist
7/1/2015 | 2:57:02 PM
Re: Steps towards the Apple Watch
@Susan, it really has been a learning experience. One of the big things I've learned is the importance of the app on my phone -- using the watch as an additional device rather than a primary device is what makes sense to me.

I'll probably wait until later this year to think about an Apple Watch, and I'll almost certainly get one of the least expensive models. I'd love it if Apple would bring out a more "rugged" version with better water resistance, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Believe me, I'll be writing about it when I finally make the decision!
larryloeb
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larryloeb,
 User Rank: Author
7/1/2015 | 3:49:56 PM
Re: Steps towards the Apple Watch
I didn't find this in the article or at the store so I will ask you.

What kind of battery? Hearing aid or recharageable or what?
mak63
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mak63,
 User Rank: Ninja
7/1/2015 | 5:44:36 PM
Re: Steps towards the Apple Watch
@larryloeb The manual of the Dynamo 2/Dynamo 2+ says:
When the smart core is fully charged, it lasts about 5-7 days. The operation time varies depend on actual usage.
If I'm not mistaken the batteries are Li-ion 00, and they're rechargeable thru USB or some other power source.
larryloeb
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larryloeb,
 User Rank: Author
7/1/2015 | 5:57:17 PM
Re: Steps towards the Apple Watch
Thanks for the information,
Curt Franklin
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50%
Curt Franklin,
 User Rank: Strategist
7/1/2015 | 11:20:45 PM
Re: Steps towards the Apple Watch
@mak63, that's exactly right. When the battery gets low you get a little buzz and display annunciation from the "core" (the part of the watch that slips in and out of the band and contains all the smart bits) but the device might actually be a little too polite: I let mine run to zero one time and found getting it to re-associate with the phone to be a bit of a pain. All in all, though, I don't have to recharge it so often that it's an issue.
Curt Franklin
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50%
Curt Franklin,
 User Rank: Strategist
7/1/2015 | 11:17:13 PM
Re: Steps towards the Apple Watch
@larry, sorry about that: It's a rechargeable battery. The charging dock takes power from pretty much any USB charging bricklet. 
Susan Fourtané
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50%
Susan Fourtané,
 User Rank: Author
7/2/2015 | 2:01:51 PM
Re: Steps towards the Apple Watch
Curt, it's now better to wait for the new one released later this year. -Susan
Li Tan
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Li Tan,
 User Rank: Ninja
7/3/2015 | 10:46:33 AM
Re: Steps towards the Apple Watch
I would still prefer a smart watch. But current iWatch is still at least few miles away from perfect. I am looking forward to its successor this year.
Susan Fourtané
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50%
Susan Fourtané,
 User Rank: Author
7/3/2015 | 3:24:40 PM
Re: Steps towards the Apple Watch
Li Tan, are you going to get one? -Susan
zerox203
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0%
zerox203,
 User Rank: Ninja
7/1/2015 | 10:01:17 PM
Re: Considering An Apple Watch? Try This First
The big stinker to me when it comes to smartwatches is quite simply the price - that is, considering they're connecting to your phone for so much of their functionality. How can I spend $400 (admittedly, non-apple products lean towards more reasonable prices, but we're still wading into multi-hundred dollar territory) on something that depends on another $400 device to function? The value doesn't add up for me . At $100, though, something like the Ssmart Dynamo 2+ seems much more manageable. I suppose it should be noted that the Oregon Scientific website lists the $99 price as a sale, though there's no mention of how long that's good for - the full price is still not bad at $129.99.

"There's a small display on the device where the first characters of the alert scroll across. And that's it."... how long is 'the first few characters?' If you wait a bit, will more text scroll by? Obviously, it's a case where you get what you pay for in terms of features, but I assumed the Ssmart Dynamo 2+ could at least display whole SMS messages - the list of features on their store seems content to give that impression. The store page also mentions that the watch has a '7 day memory', but I assume the app has an indefinite one via your phone? So, as long as you sync the phone up with the app at least once a week, you're good to go? That seems like it could come in handy for those that want to take it to exercise or even on a weekend trip, and leave their phone at home. Seems like a nice product all around.
Gary_EL
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50%
Gary_EL,
 User Rank: Ninja
7/1/2015 | 11:30:17 PM
No sweat, huh?
A fitness device that warns you not to sweat??!!! YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME! Earth to consumers - if you're not sweating, you're not exercising! Forget about "fitness" applications. Twenty minutes a day, four times a week, jogging or on a cardio machine as you prefer. If you want to buy a toy, then buy a toy, but an hour and twenty minutes of moderately hard work each week will change your life.


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