Happy Early BD to me :D

[kjsspot]

My workplace is giving me an additional $575 toward my insurance premiums if I log and average of 5000 steps a day for 6 weeks. So I decided to get my BD early this year so I can participate. I also used the cash back as an excuse to over extend myself a bit on the present this year... lol

Now I can track my steps, watch the time, and have hands-free control of my phone for things like music, navigation, audio books, and other things.

[Lydia]

Nice gift from your company and nice what you've done with it! Is there a reason you chose the Moto over a Pebble or other?

[kjsspot]

Long post but just in case you're researching yourself...

ya, it had the most of what I was looking for. At this point, in smartwatches, it's really a trade off. None of them really do everything perfectly yet but this was the best I could find to fit my needs. The pebble had much better battery life but I'm not into the e-paper surface. The Pebble also didn't have a heart rate monitor.

So here's what was important to me that lead me to the Moto 360 2nd Gen. (better battery life than Gen 1)

Looks. LoL I definitely wanted something that could have a bit classier look in case I ever do get a field sales job at Dell. The job search is currently on hold but I wanted to be ready just in case.

I also wanted Android Wear instead of Pebble Time because I want the open technology of Android. More apps, more customization. Yes, also a bit more fiddling since it's open source, but I'm geeky so that doesn't bother me as long as I can get things to do what I want. Without all the extras the original install is pretty easy.

For example, (and I haven't set these up yet) but you can get an app called IFTTT which is basically an If This, Than That type of app. So for example, you can set it up to do something specific when your in the car, or at the store, or whatever.

But the trade off is battery life. The Pebble lasts a lot longer.

But, so far I have my Moto set up to do these things. Some require an extra app.

- I can answer a call and it automatically puts my phone on speaker. (I don't use blue tooth headphones)
I'm tracking my steps.
- I'm tracking my heart rate.
- I'm using Sleep as Android to monitor my sleep patterns. It also reminds me to go to bed. And it wakes me during the correct sleep cycle with a vibration and bird sounds as opposed to being startled awake during a deep sleep cycle.
- I've got my lists with me for shopping, etc.
- A big one for me, I get a remote notice for incoming calls and texts. If my phone is in my purse or if I walk away, previously I often missed calls.
- Hands free navigation. I was able to say, "OK Google, Navigate Home", when I was lost the other day.
- I can control my audio book or music from my watch while working out, etc. Previously it was always irritating to have to fumble with my phone to stop the play when someone wants to talk to me. My family is ALWAYS coming up when I'm in the middle of something. lol And my hearing is such that I can't hear them if there is other noise.
- I have an app to remind me to get up an move a bit when I've been sitting too long. This is important for when I'm engrossed at work.

Probably more than I'm remembering. lol

[PinkDiamond]

Impressive! Big congrats KJ, and an early happy birthday. Nice gift!

[kjsspot]

Thanks! It was so cool! I was working it on the treadmill and my son texted me. Previously I would have had to stop my treadmill, fumble with my phone to stop my book, and then open his text. This time all I had to do was glance at my wrist to see he was asking me for a banana split! lol I didn't have to stop at all.

[crazy8s]

Amazing Happy B-day.

[kjsspot]

TY!!

[Lydia]

Thanks for the answer KJ. That is exactly what I was hoping for. The company I work for is using Android based tablets and smartphones as user interfaces for our biomedical test instruments. Smartwatches could also enter into the UI in the future. If I ever need help, I have a few really smart engineers to rely on! I'm not quite ready for a smartwatch yet, but I'm guessing I will not be able to resist soon.