Smartwatches compared | |
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Samsung Galaxy Gear
£190 ($299)
Released: September 2013
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Samsung has beaten its main rivals to get its smartwatch out first. But with a hefty price tag, and an inability to connect to non-Samsung devices, the Galaxy Gear is not expected to be a game-changer.
Killer feature: Can be used to make calls when paired with a Samsung handset.
What they say: "It's too dependent on its parent device for functionality - which will cost you a fair amount too - and, like all other smartwatches, fails to truly live up to the "smart" part of its name." - The Verge
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Pebble
£95 ($150)
Released: January 2013
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The Pebble watch was a crowdfunded phenomenon, raising a record-breaking £10m on Kickstarter. However, distribution issues have stunted its growth so far.
Killer feature: Clever integration with IFTTT.com (If this, then that) lets users set up highly customisable and useful functions.
What they say: "The Pebble isn't cheap, and it's definitely not yet a must-have device. But it's close." -The Verge
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Sony Smartwatch 2
About £130
Released: September 2013
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Sony's Smartwatch 2 does its very best to look cool - even with its chunky 1.3in screen - but it needs to be significantly better than its predecessor, which Gizmodo described as "maybe the worst thing Sony has ever made".
Killer feature: Using near-field communication (NFC), the watch can be contactlessly paired with other devices.
What they say: "The Sony Smartwatch 2 is a stylish, good-looking smartphone accessory. But it feels like it lacks a killer feature." -Trusted Reviews
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Omate Truesmart
£190 ($299)
Released: October 2013 (limited supply)
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It took less than 24 hours for Omate to hit its $100,000 target on Kickstarter last month. Intriguingly, the watch has a built-in five megapixel camera, for those moments when you really need to shoot from the... wrist.
Killer feature: Full access to the Google Play app store, meaning the phone can make use of the entire ecosystem of Android apps, just like a smartphone.
What they say: "Just one problem... the way wireless plans work... you'd have to pay for a separate plan to enable voice, text and data on your watch." - Time
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Hyetis Crossbow
£770 ($1,200)
Released: December 2013 (planned)
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Sensing an opening in the smartwatch market for something a little more sparkly, the Swiss-made Crossbow has positioned itself as something of the Rolex of smartwatches.
Killer feature: The Crossbow has a rather staggering 41 megapixel camera - and biometric sensors.
What they say: "It has two batteries built in so you can record your entire brutish life using the built-in camera." -Techcrunch
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Casio calculator watch
£20
Released: Early 1980s
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The original and the best! Some 30 years since it first took the watch world by storm, the Casio Calculator watch, in its various guises, is still going strong as the ironic hipster timepiece of choice.
Killer feature: Has a calculator.
What they say: "When I look at it, I am transported back to 1983 in second grade, and I remember how envious I was of Nicholas, who had this watch and was all stoked about going to see The Return of the Jedi." - Amazon reviewer
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Thursday, 5 September 2013
Smartwatches compared
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