Smart looking multi-tasker

Smart looking multi-tasker

The Alcatel OneTouch Watch has an elegant round face and sports a black button on the lower part of the face which works as a back button. The display is set on a relatively thick black metallic bezel.

A hidden built-in USB connector at one end of the rubber strap means there is no need to carry an extra charging cable.

The OneTouch Watch does not run on Android Wear but a proprietary operating system that is compatible with both Android (4.3 and above) and iOS (7 and above) smartphones. To pair the watch with your phone, download the Alcatel Move app into your phone.

When paired, the watch displays notifications, controls your music or takes pictures. With its built-in accelerometer, gyroscope and heart-rate sensor, it can track your steps and calories burnt, as well as measure your heart rate.

The display, although not of high resolution, is bright and visible under bright sunlight. To view notifications, swipe upwards on the display. To launch the app menu, tap on the centre of the display. To exit from any of the watch apps, tap on the back button.

The apps work, but they could be more useful. For instance, the heart rate sensor works only when you tap on the app.

However, it cannot track your heart rate when you are working out. The remote camera app works as a remote shutter release but not as a remote viewfinder.

I also found the workout app finicky as it does not indicate if workouts are successfully recorded.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about this watch is its battery life. It lasted five days on a full charge while connected to an Android smartphone.

•An entry-level smartwatch that tries to do a bit of everything, but ends up not doing a lot with its apps.

TECH SPECS

PRICE: $248, available on www.qoo10.sg/shop/MSTATION

CONNECTIVITY: Bluetooth 4.0, Near Field Communication

COMPATIBILITY: Smartphones running on Android 4.3 or above and iPhone running iOS 7 or above

WEIGHT: 60g


RATING

FEATURES 1 2 3 4 5

DESIGN 1 2 3 4 5

PERFORMANCE 1 2 3 4 5

VALUE FOR MONEY 1 2 3 4 5

BATTERY LIFE 1 2 3 4 5

OVERALL 1 2 3  4 5

 


This article was first published on Aug 19, 2015.
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