News & Reviews:   SmartWatch

While there are still no leaked images (the one above is just a concept render) of the upcoming rumoured Google LG smartwatch, tech specs of the device have been leaked courtesy of @evleaks. According to the master leaker, the smartwatch will have a 1.65-inch IPS display with 280 x 280 pixel resolution 512MB RAM and 4GB storage. While we still don't have any Malaysia release dates or pricing, many are expecting the Google LG smartwatch to make an appearance in June 2014 at the Google I/O event. Rumours also indicate that Google is working on a version of Android designed for a smartwatch (and other smaller devices) which will be used for the Google LG smartwatch.

For the most part, smartwatches and smartbands today are just companion Bluetooth remote control devices you wear on your wrist. You actually need your smartphone around for the smartwatch to work. However, there are some smartwatches that let you do away with the smartphone like the Neptune Pine and Goophone smartwatch, but the latest one is the Exetech XS-3. Following the slab of touchscreen school of design, the Exetech XS-3 is a fairly thick smartwatch that has no back cover for the battery underneath it. This battery comes in direct contact with your skin (and sweat) so we're a bit wary that you might short the smartwatch out (and yourself).

While it has been announced, the Samsung Galaxy S5 is only coming on 11 April 2014 but if you've missed some of it's features or tech specs, Samsung have come out with some official hands-on videos of this latest flagship smartphone. The video highlights key features like the camera, heart rate monitor and fingerprint sensor while showing how to use them. In addition to the Galaxy S5, Samsung have also come out with an official hands-on video for the Galaxy Gear 2 smartwatch and Gear Fit smartband. Check out the videos for yourself in this article.

It isn't impossible to type on a smartwatch, but the small display size usually means other methods of control like voice commands or gestures are more suitable. Acknowledging this, ASUS could be coming out with a smartwatch that has voice commands, gesture controls and a more natural user interface. We're not exactly sure what they mean by that but Jonney Shih, ASUS CEO has said that they will enter the wearable market with "attractive prices" which would certainly be welcome. Most wearables such as smartwatches, smartbands and smart glasses are rather expensively priced, however, things could change as more affordable wearable devices are coming soon so ASUS should speed it up a little.

Up until now, there have been many GPS devices in the form of watches that track your kids. However, most of them look bulky and something most kids would try to take off the moment they could. The HereO GPS watch could change that by offering a slimmer and more colourful option, at least for kids who like to colour coordinate their wrist wear. The watch does look smaller and more likely to stay on a kid's wrist while showing time much like any other kid's digital watch. Tech specs and features seem to be limited to just that, allowing the kids to tell time while providing an alert which goes off if the device leaves a geo-fenced area pre-set according to the app it is paired with.

Considering that Project Ara is already well on the way to making an affordable yet customizable modular smartphone, Blocks is going the same way but for smart watches or smart bands. Like Project Ara, each component of the smartwatch, such as the display or the GPS or processor can be customized according to the segments of the device. These segments hook up to each other to create a very angular looking smartwatch which looks more sharp than comfortable, at least to us, but lets you customize your smartwatch as you need it. For now, Blocks is more of a realistic concept render and an idea with no news yet on a possible Malaysia release date or pricing, but if it does come true it could be a good step forward for the wearable mobile device many are expecting to replace the smartphone. Check out the Blocks video for yourself in this article or go to the Blocks site for more information.

Samsung revealed quite a lot of new devices recently including the Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 and Samsung Gear Fit. Just in case you haven't seen everything there is to see about them, Samsung have also released some official highlight videos as well. Check out the videos in this article.

The computer scene in the movie Minority Report may have visualized it best, but everyone dreams of writing in the air and having it appear on your computer, smartphone or other device. While there are a whole bunch of motion controlled wearables coming, the Logbar Ring could well allow us all to write in the air once more. Currently a Kickstarter crowd-funding project, the Logbar Ring is a bluetooth device which allows you to write or gesture in the air, interpret these gestures and send them to your device of choice, sort of like an air keyboard. It also gets notifications but the main focus of the Logbar Ring is for gesture control. It is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows Phone devices, even smart watches and Google Glass, and you can customize gestures as you will. In terms of design the Logbar Ring looks like a large thick ring and can do 1000 gestures on a single charge. Logbar have already reached their Kickstarter goal with another 30 days to go so you can still get the Ring set from $165 (RM540). The Logbar Ring will be shipped in July 2014. Check out Logbar Ring site for more information.

The Samsung Galaxy Gear 2, Galaxy Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit smartwatches and smartband were recently revealed at the MWC 2014 with many hoping that the pricing would be somewhat more affordable than the previous Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch. As it turns out, pricing could actually be the same or higher, but with a wider range to choose from this time around. Rumours from Sam Mobile indicate that the Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 could cost 299 Euros (RM1343), while the Galaxy Gear 2 Neo and the Gear Fit could go for 199 Euros (RM894) each. With the original Samsung Galaxy Gear already costing RM999, this dashes our hopes of a more affordable smartwatch alternative, but the price could change when it comes to Malaysia. No specific Malaysia release dates were mentioned but we'll find out soon enough (probably with the Samsung Galaxy S5 launch in Malaysia).

Like a couple of other smartwatch makers, it isn't the first time Motorola have come up with a smartwatch. Back in 2012 they came out with the Motorola MOTOACTV, which was a smartwatch health tracker fitness device that didn't really fly off the shelves. Now it seems like Motorola may be coming back on the smartwatch bandwagon as Rick Osterloh, Vice President of Motorola was quoted as saying that the new Motorola smartwatch would look good at the same time. He didn't really reveal all that much about other tech specs and details but his exact words were:

“Right now, there are no wearable products you actually want to wear, and it’s because they’re all extremely ugly”