I currently have widgets disabled because I noticed is slows the watch down and just have Txt msg, Missed calls, Call handler, Calendar, and Gtalk notify enabled. Just the txt messaging feature and call handling alone is worth it for me.
Sometimes the phone loses connection with the watch but most times if the phone is near I get a nice connection for then entire day. I really wish Sony would continue developing the software for this but I kind of doubt it. Sony has a habit of putting out technology and not really following through if sales aren't up in my opinion. I do see a lot of room for growth and I would like to customize the interface more but other then that it's a great first step in what will become the next big thing that's if Google glass doesn't steel its thunder.
Here are a few examples on how I use/enjoy my Sony Smartwatch:
1.When driving I like getting notifications and not having to check my phone while diving. I can choose to respond at a light or wait till I get to my destination.
2.If I'm at a noisy bar I really feel special reading a txt I get. People notice and it's a great conversation starter.
3.You can know who is calling you before you pull your phone out of your tight skinny jeans. For the ladies they will know who is calling them before they can dig it out of their bag.This watch is a companion to an Android Smartphone and pairs by bluetooth. I have it connected to the GSM version of the Samsung Google Nexus (Ice Cream Sandwich/ICS version). The watch connects to your phone and runs a selection of both widgets and applications. The apps designed to run on the watch are those that are very useful for doing/checking quick things that you don't want to take your smartphone out for, i.e. reading text messages, seeing whose calling your phone & sending back pre-defined text messages, checking missed calls, controlling your music player app, turning your phone's sound mode (normal, vibrate, silent), gchat notifications, meeting reminders, weather updates with detail, facebook status, twitter updates, etc. There are new apps being added all the time.
I really find it useful for things like when I'm driving and I don't want to pick up the phone, i just turn my wrist and can quickly see who is calling (you can also decline from there), or when I'm working or doing something that requires both hands and I have a bluetooth headset in my ear...I can scroll through my contact favorites and just dial from the watch. Or when I'm in a meeting and someone texts me and I don't want to appear to not be paying attention, I can just look at my wrist and read the text and even hit a quick reply saying "in a meeting, let me call you back later."
The watch "face" can easily be attached to different color bands or you can even attach it to other 20mm bands. (I bought 2 additional colors..definitely recommend the gray.)
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When I initially heard about this watch, I was very excited. Where I work I'm not allowed to have my phone out whenever I wish to. This would allow me to discretely see who's calling me, or what texts I might have.I've had this device for over a month now, and while when it works it's great, its flaws drag it down terribly.
First flaw, charging. The device does not use the fairly standard micro-usb port when plugging it in. Instead it has a four pin charging cable that matches to 4 pins on the device. The cable is only help in place by the spring loaded clip that holds the watch to the watch band. Any jostling while setting the device down has the potential to break contact with the pins causing it to not charge. I've found it best to just remove it from the band when charging and even then making sure its actually charging before leaving.
Two related problems with the clip itself are the fact that the pin holding the clip to the device itself has come loose on me twice, though I've managed to slide it back into place, I shouldn't have to. The other problem is the fact the plastic loop the pin slides into is very thin, and looks as it could break easily.
Yet another flaw is the fact the device is extremely sensitive to vibration, and enough of a shock will turn the device on without the power button being pressed. Unfortunately with my job it gets many vibration shocks through my arm throughout the day, thus draining battery life considerably.
It also has the annoyingly frequent habit of losing connection to the phone, even when it is only inches from the handset, I do not exaggerate! This is perplexing as I've also been quite some distance from my phone and it works fine.
Now even with all these flaws when it's working properly it is indeed a very handy device. As mentioned in the beginning, its usefully for checking who's calling, reading texts, and I've also used it for my to do lists, checking the weather, and other things. The most amusing, and considering the tightness of the seating useful use I've had for the watch was being able to silence the phone at the theater without having to contort myself to dig it out of my pocket.
However despite its usefulness I cannot in good conscience recommend this device to anyone at this time, particularly at that price point. Sony appears to have tried to create a useful device at a reasonable price point, but cut too many corners to achieve that goal.
I can only hope if there is a second generation if this device, they do better.
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I read a few reviews that mentioned connection problems and other glitches. Upon powering up and pairing the watch for the first time I was prompted for a firmware update, which I did. I am guessing the new firmware fixed a lot of issues as I have not had any issues with connection problems (as long as I am with in 25 30 feet of my phone which is the normal limitation for Bluetooth communications).I have it paired with a Spring Galaxy Nexus. I was running Ice Cream Sandwich (CM9) with no issues, and am now running stock Jelly Bean also with no issues. All of the apps work. I have zero complaints about this watch. I have also been able to use it with multiple other watch bands that I currently own, making this a very customizable watch. I have had the battery last me almost two days with out having to charge it, and I use it quite frequently.
I also pair my phone with my car stereo to stream music & calls via Bluetooth, while connected to the watch and have not experienced any sound quality issues.
If you were on the fence about this watch I believe that the latest firmware update has addressed any issues.
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I was a little skeptical because many have given the Sony Smartwatch poor reviews. But I thought I'd give it a try. Overall I am very happy with the device although it is a little frustrating because it could be so much better.I am an IT guy and I have to answer my emails promptly. I work in an office and I get tons of emails each day and I know my phone constantly beeping with incoming emails can be annoying, and vibrating notifications weren't working for me either. So I was hoping the Sony Smartwatch would allow me to get my email notifications on my watch, thinking I would never miss something vibrating on my wrist. Well, it does just that. It vibrates quitely when I receive an email or text message or a phone call. I can turn the ringer off on my phone and nobody ever knows in the office. I can take a quick glance at my watch, decline a phone call or peek at the sender and subject of an email without the person I am talking to even knowing.
The things I like:
Style and Look: Except for the clip on back (more on that later) the design of this device is elegantly modern without making you look like a nerd. Really, if you pick a classic watch face design, and there are many to choose from in aftermarket software, it is a very good looking watch. With free aftermarket software, you can customize the look of the watch in many ways, the background color, digital or analog clock faces, the color of the hands, you can even put a photo as your watch face. The lady who sits next at work to me mentioned that she would love to be able to change the color of the watch to match her accessories.
Bluetooth connection: I've heard many say their Bluetooth connections are poor. I'm sure it depends on your phone but with my Galaxy S3 I have never once lost the connection to the phone; not once. In fact, I was surprised to find out that I can leave the phone on a table and walk all over my 2 story house and not lose connection. I was very impressed with this. Again, I think this may depend on your phone.
Battery Life: Because the main thing I wanted this watch for was work it needed to last all the work day, at least, and I am happy to say that mine lasts from dawn to dusk and longer, even when I leave the watch display on all day. Like many devices, including smartphones this thing connects to, you should expect to charge it at night, every night. I have been pleasantly surprised at the battery life because many other reviewers have mentioned poor, even unusable, battery life. You also have to take steps to reduce battery usage when necessary. For example, widgets tend to use up your battery faster and really don;t offer much. I don't use them at all, instead of a widget, I just open the app as normal.
Software: It wasn't apparent to me what to do when I received this device and I work with electronics for a living so that's a problem with the documentation that comes with the device. It does NOTHING, it won't even tell time, until it is connected to your phone via software you download to your phone. It was very ambiguous what this software was even called; it's called SmartConnect or LiveManger depending on what Android version you have. I soon figured that the SmartConnect app controls many other aftermarket apps. Most are free, some cost a buck or two. Some are very useful and it is fun to explore the apps available for the Smartwatch
Things I don't like:
The clip on back. I hate it. It adds 50% to the thickness of the device and offers nothing. It's called Smartwatch, it's a watch. I don't want to clip it to my backpack. This stupid clip makes the watch stick up 50% higher off my wrist and is the only thing I do not like about the look of this watch. This clip cost the Sony Smartwatch 5 stars in my review.
The charging cable/connector. Why oh why would Sony put this horrible, proprietary connector on an otherwise great device instead of a micro USB connector? Grrrr! The cable that comes with the Smartwatch is not very long and you won't find one like it at your local electronics store. It also does not make a very strong connection. I recommend taking the watch off of the band when charging because this ridiculous connector may not charge correctly with the band on. This nearly cost the device another star.
Overall: I would recommend this to friends because the pros far outweigh the cons. The thing that gets me is that the cons, namely the USB connector and the clip on back, were intentional chosen by Sony. How can they design something so cool then muck it up with the clip and horrible USB connector. Even with those mistakes, this device does what it says it does and works very well for me. Even my non-geek friends think it is cool just because of the way I can change the appearance of the clock face. My more tech-minded friends think it is cool that I get all my mobile notifications on my wrist. I have experienced none of the connection or battery failures other reviewers have written about.


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