Ask Slashdot: What Would It Take For You To Buy a Smartwatch?

An anonymous reader writes: I don't wear a watch. I never have. So, to me, the push for smart watches has always been a non-starter. But I was discussing with friends some of the features of Android Wear that Google demonstrated at the I/O conference today, and it got me wondering: what set of features would be required for a smartwatch to become viable? Obviously, this is different for everybody — millions of people wear regular watches even though they could easily pull out their phone and check the time there. Any smartwatch can also tell time, but it has advantages (apps that do other things), and disadvantages (needs charging). Clearly, there are some functions for which it's useful to have an object strapped to your wrist, even if that function could be served by the device in your pocket. Telling time is one, and lots of people use sundry fitness doo-dads to measure exercise. It makes sense to me that checking the weather forecast would fall into this category, and perhaps checking notifications. (Conversely, other functions do not translate at all, like taking photos or playing games.) Thus, two questions: if you already wear a watch, what would it take for a smartwatch to replace it? If you don't wear a watch, what features would motivate you to get one?

It would have to be sexy

[Snotnose]

Sexy enough so a hot 20 year old would hop into bed with my fat 56 y/o self when she sees me wearing it.
/ make that a hot 20 y/o female
// human female
/// I have no explanation as to why she would wander into mom's basement to see me wearing it tho.

Re:No plans to wear a watch

[arth1]

Maybe what you need is an anti-watch that uses anti-time: not only does it not tell you what time it is, but suppresses other clocks around you.

I have one that lacks hands, and the dial says "now".

The problem is it's always late. I want an upgraded version that says "then" instead.

Her'er are some answer'ers

[fyngyrz]

You're(sic) car has a watch? how stylish. Most cars just have clocks.

My're car (well, truck) has a monitor, which I often watch. So I don't accidentally clock somebody. It's a timely solution.

You should see what I did to solve my blind driveway problem. That one involves a radio transmitter, a frame combiner, two cameras, and a remote receiver in the truck. I watch that too, similarly concerned about clocking issues. Solves a number of problems hands down.