Since I am not an Apple user, I directly headed towards the Android Wear camp when I first chose a smartwatch. Even for smartwatches, aesthetics matter; after all, if something I wear doesn’t look good, I wouldn’t want to look at it much. The first smartwatch I encountered was the Moto 360 (1st generation). Although there were many smartwatches on the market at that time, my obsession with the round dial led me to choose the Moto 360. Even though the screen had a section missing to accommodate the light sensor, I still considered it the most aesthetically pleasing among its peers. It may not be the most beautiful, but it was the one that looked most like a watch at the time, and wearing it didn’t feel like wearing an oversized smart band. However, if you are used to wearing mechanical watches, the first time you put on the Moto 360, it feels a bit strange because it lacks lugs. This is also why the back of the Moto 360 (1st generation) tends to crack over time; all the stress from the strap is concentrated on the plastic back, leading to noticeable cracks at the four stress points after a year of wear. The subsequent Moto 360 (2nd generation) introduced lugs, maintaining high aesthetics, but the small black area on the screen still remained. Additionally, with Lenovo temporarily abandoning the smartwatch business, I eventually turned to the LG Watch Sport, developed in collaboration with Google. This choice was entirely to experience Android Wear 2.0, as Android Wear 1.0 had a rather rudimentary UI and interaction. Although it supported SIM cards and LTE, the trade-off was that the thickness of the entire watch body was quite noticeable. For users pursuing fashion or a business vibe, the shape and size of this watch could be off-putting. Thus, we see that in addition to tech companies continuously launching new smartwatches, many luxury and fashion brands are also trying to hop on the “smart” bandwagon by releasing their own smartwatches. Emporio Armani, a fashion brand targeting young consumers, has partnered with Fossil to launch its new smartwatch, the EACONNECTED. In fact, EA had previously launched a smartwatch, but it was referred to as a “hybrid smartwatch,” which still had a mechanical body and dial but could interact with the official EA app. The three crowns could control music, step counting, and other functions. Although it wasn’t the typical smartwatch we are familiar with, the leather strap had some design flair. The new release is what we recognize as a smartwatch, featuring a stainless steel body and genuine leather strap, which are essential for a watch, and of course, a round screen is indispensable. However, the addition of the screen sacrifices the overall design sense of the watch and the more textured physical dial, leading to the impression that smartwatches are a blend of science fiction and mediocrity. The EACONNECTED smartwatch supports IP67 water resistance, but the two leather straps may be another story. Additionally, the watch is not very comfortable on the wrist due to the stiff leather strap and the relatively flat lugs, which detracts from both the premium feel and comfort. The 46mm case also means it is not small, but since there is no SIM card slot, the thickness of the watch body is relatively well controlled. However, it seems that the heart rate sensor has also been removed, as I couldn’t find any related settings in the system. Many might think that a smartwatch priced over 3500 RMB, lacking many features, is not worth it. However, let’s not forget that despite its shortcomings, it is still an EA for the young consumer group. In terms of the system, it runs the familiar Android Wear 2.0 operating system, with Android version 7.1.1. One of the most satisfying improvements from 2.0 over 1.0 is the enhanced system smoothness, and the redesigned app drawer and notification styles are much more refined than in the 1.0 era. Since Google services are not supported in China, the Google Play Store in the system has been replaced with the “Ask” store, and the Google Assistant has been replaced with the “Ask” voice assistant. During the experience, the recognition speed and accuracy of the “Ask” voice assistant were quite high, making it a perfect substitute for the Google Assistant, which is unavailable in China. When connecting the watch and phone for the first time, the watch prompts to download the Chinese version of the Android Wear app. After connecting via Bluetooth, I found that this app only had the function of changing watch faces, with no other features. EA prepared an EA Connected app for its smartwatch, but it does not support the EACONNECTED; it only supports its hybrid smartwatch. Therefore, during my few days of experience, all operations were completed on the watch itself. Due to optimizations for domestic users, the Google Pinyin input method worked well on the EACONNECTED. Although using a keyboard on the watch feels a bit strange, the swipe input improves accuracy when typing. Of course, handwriting input is even more convenient, with high recognition speed and accuracy, but it does not support mixed Chinese and English input, although the keyboard does support mixed input. Additionally, voice input is available, but generally, I try to avoid talking to my watch. Speaking of the functions of smartwatches, it has become a cliché; some consider it a useless accessory, but it is indeed that “discardable yet regrettable” accessory. The time I use the smartwatch most frequently is during my commute, as I am either crossing the street or taking the subway. At this time, connecting the watch and phone allows me to answer WeChat messages, texts, and even calls through the watch. If you wear a smartwatch for a long time, you will definitely encounter these scenarios. At this moment in Beijing, it is cold outside, the subway is crowded, and I am reluctant to hold my bare metal phone for too long. When I receive a WeChat message, I just need to raise my hand, click, speak, and it sends automatically. The surrounding people cast strange looks, but I truly felt the instant convenience. Aside from usage scenarios and convenience, the most concerning aspect of a watch is battery life. From the Moto 360 (1st generation) to the LG Watch Sport, if connected to the phone using the network, heavy usage requires daily charging. However, during my few days of wearing the EACONNECTED, its battery life seems to be better, lasting nearly a day and a half under mobile network usage. This may be due to several reasons: first, it is equipped with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 2100 processor designed for wearable devices, which reduces power consumption by 25% compared to the previous Snapdragon 400. The low-power WiFi and Bluetooth integrated into the Snapdragon 2100 also contribute to the extended battery life. Additionally, since there is no heart rate sensor, it does not periodically activate the sensor to measure heart rate like other products, which also reduces power consumption. Compared to the LG Watch Sport and my Moto 360 (overseas version), the EACONNECTED’s system has been customized by “Ask” for the Chinese market, so there is no frequent access to Google Services for devices and networks, which also enhances battery life to some extent. Overall, the battery life of this watch is acceptable. If you do not frequently connect to the mobile network and just use it as a watch, two to three days of battery life is achievable. However, I must say that although I wear a smartwatch every day, my reliance on it has gradually decreased over time. It still cannot replace a smartphone, and sometimes, the limitations of a smartwatch remind me of how dependent I am on my smartphone. Whether it is the EACONNECTED or other brands of smartwatches, perhaps it is more about adding a “smart” category to their product line. After all, technology and fashion can always find a way to combine.
However, I am increasingly uncertain about how much longer my wrist will be willing to wear a smartwatch. If it is just to tell the time, I have heard the call of mechanical watches. But for users pursuing fashion and a sense of technology, smartwatches will still appear on more people’s wrists.
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