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Pixels, dots and points of view

pixels, dots and points of view

  • Blog
  • Categories
    • All posts
    • Concepts
    • Illustrations
    • Thoughts
    • Reviews
    • Freebies
    • Sketches
  • Projects
    • UX Recipe App
    • UX Recipe Show
    • Paper Smartwatch Kit
    • How Romanians Plan Their Electric Car Trips
  • HCI2025
  • About

The current status of wearables

I have a thing for wearables and I don't hesitate to show it. Now that the market exploded there are quite a lot of options to choose from. I do intend to buy one of them (or two) in the near future and for that I made a short list of those that stand out.

The list includes smart watches, fitness trackers, wrist bands, cameras etc. I won't enter into specifics... I'll let you discover more (just follow the links). So let's start:

Android Wear

There a couple of watches with Android Wear, but I'm limiting myself to only two (both with round displays, because I find that intriguing).

Moto 360

I gotta say, Moto 360 is the most beautiful smartwatch I've seen so far. It is elegant and I like how it embodied the classic watch design into its physical build. Too bad for the battery thou. 

Explore the Moto 360

LG Watch R

As much as I like the Moto, recently I can't take my eyes out of the Watch R. It might be a bit pricey, but the battery lasts longer and the display is better. And it also looks good too.

View the LG Watch R

Apple Watch

After Android's Wear, Apple responded. Its device is fashionable and sleek, but I'm not convinced with the whole UI. Something feels out of place and I'm curios to know how it all adds up when it will launch in 2015.

Explore the Apple Watch

 

If you want to draw some Moto360 or Apple Watch sketches, you can check out the templates I made especially for these smart watches.

 

Microsoft Band

Microsoft entered the wearable market with its new Band. Nothing new here in terms of features, but I do appreciate the fact that they made cross-platform apps to sync the data (Windows Phone, Android and iOS).

Explore the Band

Samsung

Galaxy Gear Fit

This tracker would have been in my top spots if only it allowed more than its its exclusive compatibility with Samsung Galaxy devices.

View Gear Fit

Galaxy Gear Neo 2

The Neo 2 really makes you feel like James Bond. It has a built-in camera so you can take those subtle pictures you always wanted.

gearneo.png

View Neo 2

Fitbit

Flex

I believe that the Flex is the best product Fitbit has. It stands the test of time and it still is a good choice in terms of fitness trackers.

View Flex

Charge HR

The Charge is the much awaited update to the Force. Hope this time there will be no more rashes.

View Charge HR

Surge

This is the latest entry in Fitbit's line-up: the Surge super watch. It packs all the features you need and displays the data in a bigger and useful display.

View Surge

Basis Peak

For those who are not seeking a well known brand, but want all the features a tracker can score... this is the one for you. It will really help you reach your peak.

Visit Peak

Misfit Shine

I love it when a product can say so much with so little. Besides as an activity tracker, Shine doubles as a watch and it only uses one set of light indicators.

Visit Shine

Jawbone

UP Move

I'm not that much of a fan of clip-on(s), but I really like how the LED indicators work in this device. Also you can use it around your wrist just like a watch.

View Move

UP 3

I'm not that blown away by UP3, depite Jawbone naming it the most advanced activity tracker known to man. But it does pack Activity Tracking, Sleep Tracking, Smart Coach and Heart Health.

View UP 3

UP 24

This is my favorite piece from Jawbone. It's sleek and I love how it all bends around your wrist. And the connector is very smart integrated.

View UP 24

Pebble

What I like about Pebble is how it takes advantage of its e-paper screen to display the right amount of data you need: e-mails, notifications, fitness tracking to name a few. It's close to what I imagined wearables will tend to be in the future.

Visit Pebble

Razer Nabu

Besides the display, what's interesting about NABU is the fact that the bands can communicate together (It's not called the social smartband for nothing).

View the Nabu

Withings

Activité

This is probably the best looking watch with smart features. It's so clever how it displays your progress in such a manner that you just can't see it as a smart watch. The rest is synced with its official app. PS: the battery last up to seven months.

View Activite

Pulse O2

The Pulse can be used with or without the strap. You can clip it on your clothes. It reminds me so much of Apple's iPods. It's like a combination between the Shuffle and Nano.

View Pulse

Intel MICA

More of a bracelet than a watch, this luxury smart accessory is designed by Opening Ceremony and engineered by Intel.

Visit the Mica

Garmin

Forerunner 620

The 620 offers your pretty well known stats, but it also calculates your recovery time and VO2 max estimate when used with heart rate.

View the 620

Vivofit

I like how it motivates you to move. It tells you the time, but it also tells you to move. Vivofit doesn't like inactivity.

View Vivofit

Vivosmart

The Vivosmart doesn't like inactivity too. It also has smart notifications: Each time you receive a message it vibrates and automatically displays the information. Touch and swipe the screen to read more.

View Vivosmart

Tom Tom Multisport

This is more than a sports watch if you want to. You can choose from the simple versions to the one with heart monitor, altimeter, cadence etc. You control all of this just by using one button.

View Multisport


Martian Notifier

I'm glad to see someone trying to depart from the classic formula and the Martian succeeds combining the classic face with the sport strap.

View Notifier

MOTOACTV

I'm not that attracted to its whole bulky design, but I like the tile based display. It's useful and direct.

View Motoactv

Nike Fuelband SE

Nike's gamification elements go very well with the fitness goals. It keeps you motivated to make an extra push. Too bad it's not that flexible in dimensions so you'll have to know your wrist size pretty well before buying one.

View the Fuelband

I AM PULS

Despite the reviews it got, I gotta admit that Puls is something different. It's far from perfect, but it's out to something with some of its features (e.g. detecting your emotion based on the tone of your voice). Good luck with its next iteration, Will.I.Am.

View the Puls

Suunto Ambit3 Peak

If you are the adventurous type, this is the watch for you. It even displays your route navigation for you to not get lost.

Explore the Ambit3

Sony

SmartBand Talk SWR10

What's interesting with this device it's the ability to bookmark your moments. It also looks very well tailored.

View SWR10

SmartBand Talk SWR30

The SWR30 is pretty cool. You can make voice calls using it and you can log your daily activity. It also has a curved display.

View SWR30

SmartBand Talk SWR50

The SWR50 is a more colorful version of the popular Android devices such as Gear or Watch R. In fact I was surprised to see Wear on a Sony.

View SWR50

Adidas miCoach Smart Run

For miCoach, Adidas teamed up with MixRadio to deliver a personalized and motivational experience. I consider a good selling point adding music into the fitness tracking formula.

Visit miCoach

Polar Loop

What's interesting about this fitness activity tracker is that besides your pack of data to display on a regular basis, it also offers you some really nice Smart Coaching features.

View Loop

Mutewatch

Another simple, yet different and elegant watch that does what a watch needs to do: show time. Its smart features consist of how the vibrations adapts based on your movements and of its (limited) touch gestures to set it up. To put it simple: I love how it looks.

Visit Mutewatch

DURR

I also featured this wearable back when I presented the products I admire. I just have a great fascination towards its simplicity: no display, just vibrations at each five minutes.

Visit Durr

Oculus Rift

The Oculus guys put Virtual Reality back into our attention. And now once they teamed up with Samsung they made it even sexier.

Visit Oculus Rift

Narrative clip

If you want a more subtle and non-disruptive device to record parts of your life, then Narrative is the thing for you: clip it and tap it to capture your moment.

Visit Narrative clip

Google Glass

Although projecting images on my retina doesn't quite comfort me, Google Glass represents an advancement in the tech industry. With all this I hope that they will make it less obvious and more subtle.

Visit Google Glass

Google Cardboard

This is something that I'm really gonna try. It's an affordable and intriguing Virtual Reality solution powered by Google. Now that I have an Android device, I'm just a cardboard away.

Visit Google Cardboard

GoPro Hero4

There is no denial: GoPro is the best wearable camera out in the wild. It's well suited for extreme sportsmen or professional documentarists. 

Visit GoPro cameras

Conclusions

There are a lot of great products out there. We simply can't keep up. But regarding my personal selection, I'll keep a close eye on Moto360, LG Watch R, Pebble and Fitbit Surge. Anyways, the future looks good and it's a great time to be a consumer.

 

PS: I don't own the pictures. They are taken from the official websites or campaign pages.

tags: wearables, design, list, status
categories: Thoughts
Friday 12.26.14
Posted by Alecsandru Grigoriu
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Pixels, dots and points of view - a blog by Alecsandru Grigoriu
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