Smartwatch for voice calls without requiring phone?

mrcheez

I was out the other night and forgot my phone, but had my Fitbit on and thought it would be excellent if I had a watch that I could use a SIM card with to make calls/text messages without needing a phone.

It was actually a pleasure not having the phone in my pocket all the time, or having to worry about losing it.

Did a quick Google and found a few options but the articles were around 2016, so any recommendations on a watch with decent battery life that can be used to make phone calls/text messages WITHOUT a phone?

I take it we don't have the option to use 2 SIM cards with the same number so I'd probably just have to use the watch to make calls, and my phone for all other multimedia.


EDIT: actually found this article after I posted: http://www.smartwatches4u.com/news/Top-Standalone-Smartwatches


Anyone have experience with any of these?

The high horse brigade

It's pointless here because you can't have 2 Sims with the same number like you can in other areas. I have a Huawei smartwatch and could've gotten the slightly more expensive one with a Sim slot but it's something I definitely would never use. I don't even use Google Assistant in mine like I do with my smartphone. I just use it for notifications

some of those watches use e-sims (software not physical sim cards) which I don't think are available in Ireland.

mrcheez

The high horse brigade wrote: »

It's pointless here because you can't have 2 Sims with the same number like you can in other areas. I have a Huawei smartwatch and could've gotten the slightly more expensive one with a Sim slot but it's something I definitely would never use. I don't even use Google Assistant in mine like I do with my smartphone. I just use it for notifications

To be honest I rarely use my phone for voice calls.. just use Whatsapp, so on the occasion when I do need to make phone calls the watch would probably suffice so I could keep the SIM card in the watch.

It would be handy on a night out or gigging etc. You could literally just have your Debit card, and the watch and no need to carry anything else

The high horse brigade

mrcheez wrote: »

To be honest I rarely use my phone for voice calls.. just use Whatsapp, so on the occasion when I do need to make phone calls the watch would probably suffice so I could keep the SIM card in the watch.

It would be handy on a night out or gigging etc. You could literally just have your Debit card, and the watch and no need to carry anything else

With Google pay you don't even need the debit card. I've used it a few times using my watch

mrcheez

What sort of battery life would I be looking at for these? I'm used to the 10-14 days of the Fitbit ... but don't mind if it has to drop down to 3 days or thereabouts

this might be an option

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Huawei-Watch-Sport-Smartwatch-Black/dp/B06Y68678G?th=1

you'd have to swap sim cards though.

you can't pass connectivity from the watch to the phone.

battery life on smartwatches is bad - there is a lot more going on to draw power especially with cellular connectivity being used than a fitbit and the battery has to be tiny to fit in a watch.

1 day max or less for heavy usage.

The high horse brigade

glasso wrote: »

this might be an option

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Huawei-Watch-Sport-Smartwatch-Black/dp/B06Y68678G?th=1

you'd have to swap sim cards though.

you can't pass connectivity from the watch to the phone.

I have the non Sim version

The high horse brigade

mrcheez wrote: »

What sort of battery life would I be looking at for these? I'm used to the 10-14 days of the Fitbit ... but don't mind if it has to drop down to 3 days or thereabouts

A day is the max for any of these. It's doing a lot more than a Fitbit. I charge mine nightly, I have a docking cradle for it beside my bed. This doesn't bother me because I wouldn't wear a watch in bed anyways.

mrcheez

The high horse brigade wrote: »

A day is the max for any of these. It's doing a lot more than a Fitbit. I charge mine nightly, I have a docking cradle for it beside my bed. This doesn't bother me because I wouldn't wear a watch in bed anyways.

Right... yeah I guess you need to make sacrifices for the portability.

Can you use a bluetooth headset to make/accept calls?

Would be handy to have a pair of in-ear buds in your pocket for listening to music and making calls private.


I'll need to also invest in a Dick Tracey style trenchcoat and hat to complete the look

The high horse brigade

The high horse brigade wrote: »

I have the non Sim version

I was replying to the OP

mrcheez

mrcheez wrote: »

Right... yeah I guess you need to make sacrifices for the portability.

Can you use a bluetooth headset to make/accept calls?

Would be handy to have a pair of in-ear buds in your pocket for listening to music and making calls private.


I'll need to also invest in a Dick Tracey style trenchcoat and hat to complete the look

yes bluetooth earbuds / headphones to make calls.

mrcheez

glasso wrote: »

yes bluetooth earbuds / headphones to make calls.

Recommendations on any in-ear buds to go along with this?

Something small enough that I could carry them around in my pocket all day when not in use.

something like these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Headphones-TaoTronics-Travelling-Waterproof-Cancelling-Black/dp/B017I9CBPC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1544194062&sr=8-3&keywords=bluetooth+earphones

mrcheez

... aaaaand bought!

Thanks lads... first step in setting up my spy network

mrcheez

mrcheez wrote: »

... aaaaand bought!

Thanks lads... first step in setting up my spy network

let us know how you get on - you bought the 4G version that takes the sim card yes?

mrcheez

glasso wrote: »

let us know how you get on - you bought the 4G version that takes the sim card yes?

Yep. The one linked earlier, plus the Bluetooth headphones and threw in an extra charging cable for office

mrcheez

mrcheez wrote: »

Yep

that's not a bad price - was a lot more expensive at launch for the sim card one.

as I said would be interested to see how you get on.

take care on the battery life - definitely have it charged up fully before heading out.

you can also of course use it for notifications connected to your phone by bluetooth when the sim is in your phone.

btw - you won't as far as I know be able to use whatsapp on the watch to send messages - you can receive them on the watch when connected to the phone.

i.e. you can't load up whatsapp on the watch directly

although there is some conflicting information here - not sure - you'll find out when you get it

https://www.soyacincau.com/2017/07/24/huawei-watch-2-malaysia-4g-lte-review/3/

somebody has managed to do it here in spanish!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAwP6HmNlmU

would be pretty hard to type accurately on that tho I would say.

mrcheez

Yeah that's fine. SMS will do when away from phone.

This is gonna be great for Spotify everywhere. I hate carrying a phone around.

Dele

Is an android smartwatch better? and which one would you recommend

Dele

mrcheez wrote: »

Yeah that's fine. SMS will do when away from phone.

This is gonna be great for Spotify everywhere. I hate carrying a phone around.

Yes i do agree. I kinda prefer Apple and Google music tho

Dele

Dele wrote: »

Is an android smartwatch better? and which one would you recommend

this huawei watch 2 4g is the only option for the poster as he wants an actual phone in the watch (takes a physical sim card).

most people are using watches in conjunction with the phone, not as actual phones.

there are lots of choices on android - none are perfect imo

was interested in the battery life on this and here's some info about how to improve battery life by disabling some apps that you might not need to be using

https://forum.xda-developers.com/watch-2/how-to/discussion-post-battery-life-bt-4g-t3614861

mrcheez

Typing on the watch won't be a problem as I'll just dictate what I want to say, or I'm sure you can pre-load common things like "Where are you?" Etc

Did I see u could load Mario64 on this??

mrcheez

mrcheez wrote: »

Typing on the watch won't be a problem as I'll just dictate what I want to say, or I'm sure you can pre-load common things like "Where are you?" Etc

Did I see u could load Mario64 on this??

I see that - just a gimmick - not really playable.

I remember that you could run doom on a tiny mp3 player that I had before also

https://youtu.be/YC5XNK30v0A?t=58

mrcheez

Lol I wonder if you can pair a Bluetooth controller to it

mrcheez

mrcheez wrote: »

Lol I wonder if you can pair a Bluetooth controller to it

trying to get a bluetooth controller to work with android is a nightmare - nevermind with a watch.

mrcheez

glasso wrote: »

trying to get a bluetooth controller to work with android is a nightmare - nevermind with a watch.

Works fine with my Go, but perhaps that's a custom version of Android.

Aren't Android-compatible gamepads common enough?

mrcheez

mrcheez wrote: »

Works fine with my Go, but perhaps that's a custom version of Android.

Aren't Android-compatible gamepads common enough?

they are but most apps don't support them and they are a bit of a nightmare to get to work in general in my experience.

what's a Go?

mrcheez

glasso wrote: »

what's a Go?

VR headset, Oculus Go

ah ok - that would be specifically designed for VR and with specific software written for the controllers.

the general support in android is very bad tho.

mrcheez

mrcheez wrote: »

Yep. The one linked earlier, plus the Bluetooth headphones and threw in an extra charging cable for office

how did you get on with this?

I imagine that battery life with the 4G cell connectivity on is fairly short?

still usable?

mrcheez

glasso wrote: »

how did you get on with this?

I imagine that battery life with the 4G cell connectivity on is fairly short?

still usable?

I've been playing around with this for a few days now.

At first it wasn't working out at all. Constantly rebooting, or NFC not working, and other issues, but then I did a factory reset and installed the latest Wear OS on it (version 2.2) and it has dramatically improved.

If I'm playing around a lot with the watch I get around 9 hours, but if just using the watch normally I get a full day.

The SIM card functionality is really good and speech detection is sharp and clear without needing to use a hands-free and I can have my hands hanging down by my waist (no need to go all Dick Tracy with wrist up to my face)

The NFC is working really well too, though there's a finicky issue where it disables randomly. I downloaded an app that got around that issue though.

I was out last night on the Christmas party and the watch really came into its own:

- Was able to pay for drinks / food using the watch

- Didn't have a huge phone in my pocket... literally just had my watch and house keys (and a bit of cash just in case NFC didn't work)

- Was able to make calls and even added a chick's number via the watch... smooth


So yeah, it's working out great.

mrcheez

mrcheez wrote: »

I've been playing around with this for a few days now.

At first it wasn't working out at all. Constantly rebooting, or NFC not working, and other issues, but then I did a factory reset and installed the latest Wear OS on it (version 2.2) and it has dramatically improved.

If I'm playing around a lot with the watch I get around 9 hours, but if just using the watch normally I get a full day.

The SIM card functionality is really good and speech detection is sharp and clear without needing to use a hands-free and I can have my hands hanging down by my waist (no need to go all Dick Tracy with wrist up to my face)

The NFC is working really well too, though there's a finicky issue where it disables randomly. I downloaded an app that got around that issue though.

I was out last night on the Christmas party and the watch really came into its own:

- Was able to pay for drinks / food using the watch

- Didn't have a huge phone in my pocket... literally just had my watch and house keys (and a bit of cash just in case NFC didn't work)

- Was able to make calls and even added a chick's number via the watch... smooth


So yeah, it's working out great.

cool. did you try to put whatsapp on it?

mrcheez

glasso wrote: »

cool. did you try to put whatsapp on it?

Not yet. I haven't done any sideloading yet, just happy to stick with the official stuff for now.

I may need to sideload Whatsapp plus a navigation app as, for some reason, there are no Wear OS apps that use the watch for navigation without relying on a phone (this is despite the watch having GPS and the sim card).

mrcheez

mrcheez wrote: »

Not yet. I haven't done any sideloading yet, just happy to stick with the official stuff for now.

I may need to sideload Whatsapp plus a navigation app as, for some reason, there are no Wear OS apps that use the watch for navigation without relying on a phone (this is despite the watch having GPS and the sim card).

yeah can be hard to solve the navigation issue - for any good solution may need to use phone (e.g. to send over google maps directions)

would be interested to see if you can get whatsapp working.

the dictation working without looking like a tool is a bonus!

mrcheez

glasso wrote: »

the dictation working without looking like a tool is a bonus!

Tbh it wouldn't bother me how it looks, as long as I'm relieved of the burden of having to carry/worry about a phone being carried/crushed/lost.

I've never liked carrying phones regardless of how small, one more thing to worry about :pac:

mrcheez

Just found the killer app for daily use at home: Alexa on the watch.

Can control my lights/heating/TV at the press of a button and I don't need to be in earshot of my Echo Dots.

Very handy, especially for changing TV channels when volume is too loud for my Echo to hear me.

Can also set heating via the watch while I'm away from the house, and no need for phone. Handy when cycling home on a cold night!

The high horse brigade

mrcheez wrote: »

Just found the killer app for daily use at home: Alexa on the watch.

Can control my lights/heating/TV at the press of a button and I don't need to be in earshot of my Echo Dots.

Very handy, especially for changing TV channels when volume is too loud for my Echo to hear me.

Can also set heating via the watch while I'm away from the house, and no need for phone. Handy when cycling home on a cold night!

You can do all that with Google Assistant also which is already built into wear os

mrcheez

The high horse brigade wrote: »

You can do all that with Google Assistant also which is already built into wear os

Don't think Google Assistant works with Alexa (which is what my house is networked up with) and I find Google assistant seems a bit slow or doesnt understand unless I repeat twice.

It also doesn't respond via voice, just outputs text on screen. The Alexa app can read out what the weather is, or latest scores, etc while my eyes don't need to look at the screen (driving or cycling for example)

Google assistant on my phone talks back but Wear OS version doesn't.

The high horse brigade

mrcheez wrote: »

Don't think Google Assistant works with Alexa (which is what my house is networked up with) and I find Google assistant seems a bit slow or doesnt understand unless I repeat twice.

It also doesn't respond via voice, just outputs text on screen. The Alexa app can read out what the weather is, or latest scores, etc while my eyes don't need to look at the screen (driving or cycling for example)

Google assistant on my phone talks back but Wear OS version doesn't.

That's actually something that annoys me about Google assistant on my phone and Google Homes. When I tell it to turn on the lights/heating etc I would prefer if it would just do it without verbally telling me it's done it. A notification on my phone/watch that it's done is all I want.

mrcheez

glasso wrote: »

i.e. you can't load up whatsapp on the watch directly

somebody has managed to do it here in spanish!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAwP6HmNlmU

would be pretty hard to type accurately on that tho I would say.

I finally had a chance to play around with sideloading this week and gave Whatsapp sideloading a shot.

Needless to say it wasn't terribly straightforward as you first need to identify why architecture version of the apk to upload (x86, arm-v7, etc)... and then which build.

I tried a build from an Android 2+ version first and got a "Date is inaccurate" warning which it wouldn't let me past. This is apparently a common issue with older Whatsapp apks when used in latest Android OS on phones/tablets too.

I then installed the very latest build. This actually worked fine on the watch, although it wouldn't let me past the "Enter profile" screen as there was no scrolling permitted.

Today I had one final stab at it and looked through the comments on the YouTube video you linked above to see if there was any indication as to which version the guy used. Hidden away in one comment reply in Spanish is a link to the apk he used.

I sideloaded it and ... "Date is inaccurate" error


So it's very possible that hidden away in all the builds there's a version that is newer than the "inaccurate date" versions, but also allows scrolling before they implemented the "no scroll" on the profile screen.

It could potentially take hours, so I'm not going to bother any more as I've already spent enough time getting this far!
So SMS-only for the watch I'm afraid.

mrcheez

Just sideloaded Chrome on my watch. It works PHENOMENALLY well (given the tiny screen)!

I can see this being among the killer apps for the watch as literally any website I tried worked, so any web app would work where there isn't an available native app for the watch.


e.g. I was able to get onto Paddy Power and follow live football scores, or get onto Boards.ie... even got onto YouTube, though most videos were buffering. Possibly some lower res ones might work.


So it would be great for finding out bus times etc.

There don't seem to be any good browsers officially released for Wear OS on the Play Store which seems odd.

drunkmonkey

Can you use whatsapp on it?

It's at a good price on Amazon.de for the 4G
Our Price: EUR 229.99 FREE Delivery. Delivery Details
You Save: EUR 149.01 (39%)

Delivery is 8 euro.
https://www.amazon.de/Smartwatch-schwarzem-Sportarmband-SIM-Unterst%C3%BCtzung-Bluetooth-carbon-schwarz/dp/B06XBTT9S6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1546710432&sr=8-3&keywords=4g+smartwatch

mrcheez

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Can you use whatsapp on it?

Nope... see just 2 posts back (https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=109036544&postcount=42)

I tried Skype as well and it kept crashing too.

So it's just SMS, which is fine as I get free SMS with my Three data sub.



There is a plus side to not being able to use Whatsapp though. You can only have Whatsapp registered on one device at a time, so if it did work on the watch there's no way I'd be able to view the images/videos submitted over Whatsapp from friends/family and so I'd be missing that aspect.

drunkmonkey

Mine arrived today from Germany, loving it, connected it to Bluetooth in the car and left the phone at home. I'm liking the new found me time.

The what's app is killing me though most people text me through it and I'm in a few work rated groups as well I need to keep and eye on. Not worried about the pics or video as there mainly junk. Just need the text information though.

I've had a few smart watches and this is the first to feel like a watch and look like one.

I think this watch will improve my life it's a bold statement but the freedom of not having a phone but still having a phone can't be underestimated.

Have finally found a use for my star trek communicator it was a bit pointless pairing it to my phone but it's perfect for the watch if I want a phone for my phone that's not a phone so I can leave my phone at home.

mrcheez

Haha fantastic!

Yeah I'm loving this more and more. Pay for everything with my watch, while listening to Spotify using the Bluetooth headphones, then read some boards.ie on Chrome while eating lunch in the park.

Literally just have watch and clothes on my back and no need for money or phone.

Meanwhile my phone is gathering dust back at the office.

mrcheez

btw it's very possible there is a version of Whatsapp out there that works. I only tried 2 versions: the latest and the one posted in the YouTube video.

The one posted in the YouTube video didn't seem to work with latest Wear OS, and the latest one did work but just wasn't scrollable in order to get past the profile screen.

So perhaps there is a version of Whatsapp a few revisions down from the latest that has a scrollable profile screen.

mrcheez

Just an update. Seems WhatsApp does work after all.

You can only reply to WhatsApp messages rather than initiate a conversation, but it's damned handy when out and about.

It must work via Google's messaging service as long as both phone and watch are connected to the internet.

Emails also work too. Can reply via watch without needing phone nearby.

Tom Dunne

Intrigued with this.

How do you manage phonecalls?

mrcheez

Another update. I can initiate WhatsApp conversations using Google Assistant!

"Send WhatsApp message to Bob"


How do you manage phone calls? Just talk into watch or handsfree.