Having tried many smartwatches at this point, I can honestly say I’m not a fan of many. Looking back, my all-time favorite is the original Moto 360, followed by the Moto 360 (2nd-Gen), original Huawei Watch, and a few others from that time period. For me, a lot of the hardware didn’t look very appealing following those, leaving no wearables that I wanted to carry around on my wrist. I haven’t worn a smartwatch for an extended period in years. However, with the Pixel Watch seemingly right around the corner, I have that feeling of excitement that is reserved for only things that really pique my interest. We’ve been discussing the potential for a Pixel Watch for years, and while I can’t wait for Google to finally take the plunge, I think the best approach is cautious optimism.
- Look: Pixel Watch on the wrist!
If you’re one of the people that thinks what we’ve seen so far looks good, then you’re with me. I like the appearance of the device. For those calling it a “round Apple Watch,” yeah, how is that a bad thing? It looks minimal and clean, unlike some of the clunky looking monsters some of y’all be lugging around. Thanks, but no thanks to those.
So while there is optimism for its appearance, the strap situation has me nervous. Proprietary bands are an issue for me. What if I don’t want cheap rubber straps that Google will likely charge $40-$50 a pop for? Maybe I want a leather or canvas strap? Whenever I do wear a watch, I double it as a fashion piece, so I will switch out straps to match a pair of shoes or something else that I am wearing. If Google doesn’t make that possible, and all we get is a black rubber band, that’s a big time yawn.
Others may be thinking that buying anything 1st-Gen from Google is a crapshoot. They aren’t wrong. This watch has the potential to have plenty of issues, but it’s an argument best saved for once the device is actually released. We can discuss hypotheticals all day and night, but until we know the watch is bad or good (and what issues potentially plague it), we shouldn’t assume that any of that will happen. Google has had quite a bit of time to nail this wearable, so the hope is that they pulled it off well. Of course, the thought continues to linger, so again, I will approach it with cautious optimism.
And then there’s the price. Oh, please, don’t be stupid expensive. My guess for the Pixel Watch WiFi-only is $279, $329 for a cellular model. That seems reasonable, but also overpriced at the same time. To me, that’s usually a good sign that it’s priced appropriately.
While we’re beginning to see the watch appear on wrists, there are still many unknowns. So many so that it’s still premature to label as anything other than an unreleased prototype that has popped up on reddit. A lot can change still. It’s not a winner and it’s not a loser. Yet. With that said, I urge all my fellow Android fans to approach this device with a healthy level of cautious optimism. After all, pessimism isn’t healthy for your mental wellbeing.
“Cautious Optimism”… hmm, I think we all really know how it’s going to turn out if we’re honest with ourselves
Is it not using Fitbit bands? That could alleviate the fact it doesn’t use standard bands. Full Fitbit integration is likely what’s going to make the watch stand out from the WearOS field, it will be interesting to see how Google leverages it.
I’ve been reading that pricing is expected to be between $300-400 (which probably means $350). I think it’s a hard sale at any price due to all the reasons you mentioned. However I have to think that at those prices even loyal Pixel enthusiasts will have a hard time pressing the “purchase button”.
I can’t wait for its release. As far as I can tell, the sooner it’s released, the sooner my GW4 gets Google Assistant
Im sorry, but this thing is the size of a ladies watch. Were it men’s sized, I might agree with you
i didn’t realize your masculinity was tied to watch size. far as i know the fitbits don’t have men’s and women’s sizes, same for the apple and samsung watches.
I think yours is, moreso than mine. Now that we’ve exchanged childish chides; 36-40mm is today’s “ladies” 42-44 is unisex and 44+ are considered “mens”. This is how watch mfgs size their watches. Fitbits are all far too small, Samsung offers a 46mm. I don’t use an iphone as my primary device, so the apple watch is out.
There’s no evidence it won’t come in a larger size for us men.
That would be awesome
That watch is THIIIICK!. First gen tech — once again. Only someone who really loves Google would buy.
Or regular sized men who like smartwatches.
It looks great, now I’m curious about the bezels/borders and how it looks with the screen on
“After all, pessimism isn’t healthy for your mental wellbeing.” The best bit of advice. https://media0.giphy.com/media/xTiQyLxmuj4YwQhyMw/giphy.gif
Blind optimism can be just as bad
Well now I’m sad and scared again.
eh, it’s just a watch…. buy it, don’t buy it… you won’t go bankrupt and the sun will still rise.
not really
Look how much it sticks up ABOVE the strap! This thing looks so stupid on wrist. Too much high-gloss for everyday use. Scratch city within 1 week of use.
Agreed. I think the galaxy watch looks sooo much better. If they just used that and threw on pure wear os that’d be great.
Because when I wear a watch, I hold my arm up in that position all day and stare at it from the underside.
Because when I wear a watch, I hold my arm up in that position all day and stare at it from the underside.
I’m getting that Pixelbuds vibe. Hype hype hype and then https://media3.giphy.com/media/l22ysLe54hZP0wubek/giphy.gif
I can’t wait, will place a pre order when Google announces.
I wish it took standard watchbands like my Skagen Falster Gen 6 (and every previous Wear OS watch I’ve owned)
They will support it for 2 years then cancel it. Outside of Pixel, I am pretty much done supporting google experimental products.
But it is a Pixel…… https://media3.giphy.com/media/l0NhZ0aUSE8fXag12/giphy.gif
I also completely agree with your statement.
Pixel phone*
I would like to see if with the screen actually on, those reflections have me very skeptical on its usability outside.
Hope that one pic that might show the screen and bezel ratio isn’t. Lol. If the screen came as close to the edge as possible it would be great. Especially being bezel less.
Are they going to stop updates for this watch after just 3 years, like the pixel phones? Cause that’s super fun and makes me want to buy it…
If you’re expecting not to look into updating your smartwatch after 3 years, you probably shouldn’t be buying a smartwatch.
I’m not too crazy on the design but if this watch performs well and gets consistent updates/support from Google then this watch is a no brainer.
Inconsistent performance and update schedules has been dragging down WearOS watches for years.
Especially the updates. Apple’s Watch OS is on version 8, while Android is on version 3 after nearly a decade. I was just saying the other day how important it is that these new devices receive regular updates. I would say a minimum acceptable level of effort would be quarterly security updates, but monthly security updates with at least 1 annual feature update would be ideal if they really want to start taking wearables seriously again. WearOS is so far behind that any updates to it at this point would be as exciting as in the early days of Android.
I miss my OG Moto360, flat tire and all. Since the battery crapped out on it, I just have been making due with Fitbit trackers. I just upgraded last week to one of their ‘smartwatch’ versions, and while it’s nice enough, it’s not the same and the limited apps bug me.
But people want this to be thinner and supported for 5+ years!
Ill stick with my 2 year old samsung watch
sorry
I know Fitbit is definitely a much larger market but their bands are proprietary too and I can find hundreds of styles of band for my Charge 5 on Amazon.
If the device sells well, 3rd parties may want to support it with band support. That’s all we can hope for!
Honestly I don’t think it even takes that much for Chinese companies to make them, I think they just do it.
Google will obviously have not only their own bands, but Made for Pixel bands. And there will be cheap bands all over Amazon before the watch even releases.
I don’t hate it. It’ll all come down to battery life and software.
The proprietary watch bands definitely have me concerned. However, in reality I’ve only changed the band once on my galaxy watch 4, but having the option with infinite choices is a plus for me.
I wonder if they will do trade ins. I would certainly consider trading in my watch 4 for the new pixel watch.