My Galaxy Gear review. Late to the party.

I finally got my own Galaxy Gear.

After reading review after review lambasting the device for its lousy battery life and wasted features, I was still drawn to the idea of a wearable device. I was aware of a number of software improvements to the device, but there wasn't really an updated review of the device.

Obviously the design of the watch hasn't changed, but most people never really had an issue with the design anyway. I was concerned about the speaker at the bottom causing issues with typing, but it's actually better than my current G-shock watch for that. It's quite unassuming on the wrist, and I only get asked about it if it lights up with a notification of some sort.

Speaking of notifications, the original software only had notification support for a handful of apps. The current version however supports any app that has notifications, although certain Samsung software plugs in with a few extra features (SMS is a good example of this). You can pick and choose which apps push notifications to the watch, and the watch basically reflects the text that is displayed on the notification on the phone. The watch also gives you the option to open the app on the phone, which is effectively the same action as tapping on the notification.

You can also answer and reject calls on the phone. When I was researching the gear, I fully expected to use the reject option when in meetings, but I didn't envisage that I would be taking calls at all. Running late for a flight home, arms full of paperwork with my phone in my pocket soon changed those preconceptions.  It's effectively like having your phone on loudspeaker mode, just sticky taped to your wrist. It's really handy in those awkward situations when you find it a challenge to dive into your pocket to get your phone.

The battery lift on the watch is also much improved over review opinions. While I charge the gear every night (it just forms part of my usual "plug everything in" routine) it's usually finishing the day with 75% battery remaining, which says to me that it should last 3-4 days. I know some people complain that a watch shouldn't need charging every few days, but this isn't a watch, it's an add-on to a mobile phone that happens to tell time. Complaining about having to charge a smart-watch is the same as complaining that you have to charge a mobile phone, when your landline never needs charging.

Overall I'm very happy with the device, and I look forward to trying the new Gear 2, Neo and Fit. While the move the Tizen on these devices means that some of the backend android functionality will be lost, I think the main selling points of these devices are still there.