One week with an Android smartwatch – the LG G

New technology is an interesting thing. There are times when new tech is created and it solves an existing problem, and then there are clearly times when new technology is created in search of a problem. I think smartwatches are somewhere in the middle.

I’ve written a lot about my experiences with the Pebble watch over the last year or so. I recently started wearing it again and the main reason is that I can have my Droid Turbo phone stay unlocked as long as it is connected to the Pebble (via bluetooth). That’s enough of a reason to push it over the edge for me to start wearing it again.

But smartwatches seem to be a technology that I enjoy while using it, but I’m also totally fine not using it.

I recently borrowed an Android smartwatch from a friend of mine, the LG G. And I really liked it. Below are my thoughts on it. I think if I could find it on a crazy good deal, I might pull the trigger and get it (or the Moto 360).

Pros:

• Makes my favorite Android feature – Google Now – even better. Getting Google Now cards on my wrist is awesome.
• Turn-by-turn directions on your wrist is far more useful than on your phone.
• Battery lasts a full day. I know a lot of people think that’s a problem, but I’m already in the process of charging my phone each night, so charging my watch was no hassle. Yes, it would be better if it lasted a week like the Pebble, but it really was just fine.

Cons:

• Bit too large for me to feel comfortable with it.
• Price is too high (listed at $229 on Motorola’s site).
• Typing on the computer was a bit annoying when wearing the watch. I found myself taking it off while working on my laptop. That wasn’t a big deal, but sort of annoying. I do that some with the Pebble as well, so it might just be a “wearing a watch” thing.

My main takeaway at this point is that when these watches get thinner on the wrist, I’ll probably start wearing one all the time.

I’d love to hear anyone else’s thoughts on smartwatches they’ve tried.