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Comment by Kayou | Hacker News Reader

Same specs as Samsung and LG smartwatches, toy-like design, unpractical charging port, 230€, not really interesting.

> toy-like design

I think this is due to Sony marketing it as an "active watch", similar to the fit bands that also look like rubber toys. Personally I like it, at least the black one. It actually looks nicer than the Pebble, not that the Pebble is a standard of style.

..except GPS

I haven't seen NFC on others either

Sorry, I didn't see the GPS. So if there are apps compatible with this, then it can distinguish itself from other smart-watches. Would be nice to go running without a smartphone and still tracking the speed.

A Garmin Forerunner might be up your alley, and their GPS watches are down to around a hundred dollars these days. No other "smart" functionality, though. I leave the Pebble and Samsung Gear at home when I run.

I hear this a lot, what exactly is the problem with running with a smart phone? I run with my 5S all the time and I barely notice it is there. Is this just a problem with larger screened phones? Is it really such an inconvenience that it justifies a +$200 watch to solve the problem?

Yes, I wear my Nexus 4 on my arm and it's not the nicest thing. I previously had a 4" phone which was much better. Also, the smartwatch is nice to see your speed and the time, so you would wear it anyway (I can't really check the phone's screen on my arm, but I have audio feedback). If you can get rid of the smartphone, which is here just for the music and GPS, that's perfect. An update to android wear is going to bring bluetooth offline music, perfect for my bluetooth headset I use. Why take your smartphone with you when you don't need it?

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