Other by stefan @ 2014-02-07
The latest breed of smartwatches have a lot of integrated stuff and run on Android OS; the TrueSmart from Omate comes with hardware GPS, can receive and make phone calls, browse the web and many more; we could think it as a fully-featured smartphone disguised as a wristwatch. Let's check the product in more detail now, shall we?
At first we would like to thank Omate for offering a sample of their TrueSmart Smartwatch for testing and reviewing.
“Omate® is a leading hardware / software design company that develops telecom wearable products and services designed to keep the world connected through your wrist.
The company’s flagship product, the TrueSmart, is a smartwatch 2.0 which has been funded through Kickstarter becoming the 5th most funded project of the Design category in September 2013.
The TrueSmart is the World’s first water-resistant Android smartwatch 2.0 setting new standards in the wearable computing field as the most advanced wearable lifestyle product to date.
Our goal is to make the World connected through your wrist especially in situations where you can't bring your smartphone with you. (Outdoor activities)
- Omate has designed the world’s first software running on top of Android dedicated to wearable devices (a.k.a Omate User Interface OUI).
- Omate has set a reference design of the world’s first Android smartwatch 2.0 running on MediaTek MT6572 along with the OUI 2.0 a.k.a the TrueSmart™
Omate’s first product, The Omate® TrueSmart™, is the most advanced wearable lifestyle product, setting new standards in the wearable industry. More than a watch, more than just a Bluetooth accessory, the Omate® TrueSmart™ is a genuine standalone Android smartwatch 2.0 that can also work independently from your smartphone. The Omate® TrueSmart™ is the World’s First IP67 water-resistant Android standalone smartwatch 2.0.
The Omate® TrueSmart™ features a Dual Core 2G/3G GSM modem, Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity into its IP67 waterproof stainless steel casing, antennas built-in wristband (patent pending), and runs the OUI 2.0 on top of Android 4.2.2 + full Omate software strategic partnership ecosystem.”
IP67 Water-Resistant
When we were designing the TrueSmart, we thought what is that one most basic and important thing for a wearable? Water-resistance! There’s rain, thunderstorms, simple washing of hands, redbull spills, showers, swimming, jogging… unlike a smartphone that you put away, a smart wearable you wear with you – we don’t think anyone is going to take off their smartwatch before washing their hands. So in the design process, we ensured the TrueSmart is designed to IP67 standards, perfect for daily use, resistant to water and dust.
-Metal body encasing internals in a watertight seal
-Charging connectors are special waterproof connectors
-microSIM card slot is designed at the side for a balance of water-resistance and accessibility, with a relatively easy to access water-tight cover
-Side buttons were added for simple interaction in water (touchscreen does not work when there is water on the screen)
Smartwatch 2.0
Smarter than all existing smartwatches, faster processing dual core brain than any other, most developer- & user-friendly Android 4.2 platform than the others, more functions than all, stronger than a rock with a protective metal casing and silicone strap, welcome to the new generation of Smartwatch 2.0, the Omate TrueSmart.
Multifunction
More multifunction than any other smartwatches: watch, phone, camera, GPS, notifications, Android apps, LBS tracker, SOS device, monitoring and more.
Smart Wearable Technology
Imagine Google Glass with Omate TrueSmart’s complete phone & 2G/3G data connectivity abilities, you would be able to go 100% wearable. Omate TrueSmart functions as the world’s smallest wearable smartphone, a perfect companion for all your smart wearables.
World's 1st Smartwatch 2.0 with Dual Core processor
Omate® TrueSmart™ is powered by a 1.3GHz dual core processor ensuring all your apps will run smoothly and developers can create new apps and uses beyond imagination using Omate full suite of sensors independently or in an ecosystem with other wearables and smartphones.
World's 1st Smartwatch 2.0 with Google Play App Store [new] - Delayed
Omate TrueSmast is the World's First Smartwatch 2.0 with Google Play App Store, full access. This gives maximum access to the world's largest collection of apps for users, and also gives maximum access to users for app developers. Omate is also committed to facilitate and encourage the interaction between users and developers pushing the frontier of apps and new uses for Smartwatch 2.0.
World's 1st Smartwatch 2.0 with Sapphire Crystal Glass - the Best Scratch-Proof
Sapphire Crystal is stronger and more premium (pronounced as "more expensive") than mineral crystal. Used by the grandmasters of watchmakers to protect their masterpieces (Rolex, Omega, Hublot, Tissot, Tag Hauer etc). The only things that can scratch a Sapphire Crystal glass is another sapphire crystal and a diamond. Time-tested and with a history of proven track record, Sapphire Crystal glass has protected the timeless timepieces we all know, also protected the investments of their owners (Imagine a hundred thousand dollar Rolex scratched!). We hope that Sapphire Crystal glass shall protect each and every Omate TrueSmart - not just for the active lifestyles of rock-climbing and kayaking, also for the daily life protecting against that accidental scratch from a steel gate.
Make history, make a statement, make Omate TrueSmart the first Sapphire Crystal Smartwatch and set new standards for all Smartwatch 2.0.
Standalone AND Companion
Smartwatches launched till now have been mostly Bluetooth companion accessory to the Smartphone. Omate TrueSmart is a new generation of Smartwatch 2.0 which are standalone AND companions. There are two camps of thoughts, some users believe smartwatches should be standalone, some prefer them as companions. With Omate TrueSmart, this debate is moot. Why choose? When you can have best of BOTH!. Connect Omate TrueSmart as a companion to any of your smartphones (all smartphones are supported) via Bluetooth 4.0 or Wifi 802.11b/g/n. Or as a complete standalone, your Omate TrueSmart follows you wherever you go, even to places you wouldn’t have thought of bringing your phone – swimming, beach, jogging, clubbing, hiking, and more.
Dual Core Cortex A7 – 1.3GHz
Omate UI 2.0 / Android 4.2.2
1.54’’ TFT by LG display (240 x 240)
Multi-touch Capacitive Touch Screen
Connectivity capabilities:
+ 2G Quad Band: 900/1800/ 850/1900 GSM, GPRS, EDGE
+ 3G Mono band: 2 versions: 2100 (Europe) or 1900 (US), UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA, HSPA+
+ WiFi: IEEE 802.11b/g/n
+ Bluetooth 4.0
GPS
Embedded 3Mpixel camera
Audio Speaker & Microphone
Memory: 512MB + 4GB + (expandable by microSD 8/16/32GB)
+ Optional upgrade from 512MB to 1GB memory
Micro SIM card
600 mAh battery: up to 100 hours standby time
Messaging Hub: SMS/MMS/Email/SNS
G-sensor (Accelerometer), E-Compass, Gyroscope, IP67
Vibration alert
Full set of pre-qualified Android applications
Over-the-Air (OTA) system firmware update
The next smartwatch generation has added a new member from Omate and the project was funded via the well-known TrueSmart Kickstarter campaign. During this campaign, there were multiple stretch goals and all have been completed, exceeding one million dollars. What could we expect from this new generation of smartwatches? These practically contain the hardware of a regular smartphone along with the software so the product can be used standalone but also as a companion. Let’s take a look first at the exterior aspect of the TrueSmart; the watch is a little bulky when compared to the Sony Smartwatch and does come in an all-black variant:
Here is a closer look at the 1.54 inch display which sports a resolution of 240x240 and has a protection of sapphire crystal:
On the left side we have the SIM cover along with the microphone port:
The right side is equipped with two control buttons and in the middle we have the camera lens; we have found that taking photos is a little bit difficult with the lens in this position, but using the camera for recording short clips should not be an issue:
The rubber wristband is another important component of the smartwatch because it contains vital components like the antennas for WiFi, Bluetooth, GSM, GPS; because of this, the wristband is not removable:
On the back side of the watch we have a Stainless Steel Alloy cover, holding the logos, but also the contact points for recharging purposes. Depending on the version of the watch, different logos will appear on the back:
The rest of the watch bundle will be found on the bottom layer of the box; we did not show you guys the top side since it has arrived quite damaged in our labs:
A small leaflet with instructions tells us how to open up and charge the smartwatch:
On the bottom side of the box we have the technical specifications listed along with the supported connectivity options:
Omate has chosen to go with the Fleksy keyboard and inside we will also find a leaflet explaining the usage modes:
With the watch we have also got a charging dock which is quite compact:
By using the button near the USB connector of the dock, we will be able to open the top cover:
On the opposite side we will get to see the plastic hinge:
If we look on the inside, we will be able to see the metallic pins which will make direct contact with the watch back cover contacts:
When we have the smartwatch in the docked position, we will have access to the screen but not to its lateral buttons:
An USB cable also accompanies the dock:
The manufacturer has also packed a small screwdriver and spare screws:
The used screws are quite little and of two different types (SIM cover and bottom cover); after removing the SIM cover, be careful not to lose the rubber material on its back:
By removing the four screws on the back, we must lift the cover quite gently because a rubber gasket is placed between the main chassis and the cover:
If the gasket is not centered, it may break when the screws are tightened and it won’t secure a good seal either:
Here is a view of the back side of the cover which shows the small metallic contact feet:
The battery is also easy removable and on its back we will be able to see its power rating:
Inside the chassis we will easily locate the microSDHC card slot along with a sticker which shows the product serial number and IMEI:
The microSDHC card is easy to install:
After the OS has completed loading, we will be welcomed with a custom watch face which can be changed at will:
Even if the screen may seem little at first, it can display properly the top notification bar and on the OUI interface launcher the icons are displayed in groups of four; on the first screen we will find the dialer application (phone), the messaging application, email, but also the contact list:
Next we have OStore which is a separate application store from the Google variant, a File Manager, but also the Settings application. Omate does not yet include the Google Play Store yet on the watches, but a code has been made available which must be entered with the dialer in order to install it unofficially:
With the OUI launcher we can also have directories which will be filled with multiple applications:
We also have available the Search function, stock browser but also a Backup and Restore utility. Inside the other directory we have some other system-related applications:
Omate has preloaded by default the Sonic Emotion application, Fleksy and Omatefaces which allows changing the initial watch layout:
Next we have the usual Camera and Gallery applications and some other preloaded social applications:
Here is a view of the dialer. Thanks to the sensitive screen, we can type in the numbers with ease:
Accessing the SMS app is quite easy and we will have to enter up the message with Fleksy:
With the People app we can either scroll through available contacts or type in with the on-screen keyboard:
OStore has made available a lot of free applications lately from different categories:
Installing an application only implies clicking on the download button and afterwards we will be redirected to the Android prompt for confirming the action:
The File Manager is the same as we have seen as on other MTK devices:
From the other usual applications we could count Calculator, Recorder, Clock, ToDo, Calendar:
With the help of “Wireless Input Device” application, we will be able to add new devices to the watch with ease:
Searching in Google for different terms while accessing the stock browser can be considered acceptable, but when navigating through more complex websites, it won’t be reasonable because of the small text display:
With the help of the Backup and Restore application we can execute different tasks if we have a microSDHC card installed:
In order to enhance the audio experience we can always use the Sonic Emotion app which can create a virtual 3D sound field. When paired with headphones, the tech will create an out-of-head experience, for giving the listeners a hyper-realistic, immersive audio experience while on the go:
Fleksy is the virtual keyboard we have been talking about and after passing through the initial tutorial, we will be able to adjust some of the options:
We have got a while to play with the Fleksy keyboard, but unfortunately the application has expired and waiting for Omate to fix the problem; more users have experienced the same thing so far and the problem has been already reported:
Here are some more examples of the available Watch Faces:
From the social apps we could enumerate WhatsApp, Skype, WeChat, Facebook:
1Mobile Market is also available as a variant of Google Play Store:
The Settings menu looks a little bit different compared to what we have seen on smartphones and tablets, but the sub-menus are very similar:
The Wireless and Networks menu can be used for connecting to nearby Wi-Fi networks, attaching different devices via Bluetooth, creating a hotspot and more:
Inside the Device menu we have options like Audio Profiles, Display, Storage, Battery or Apps:
For Audio we have two predefined profiles: General and Silent:
Here are the available Display options:
The well-known MTK Storage menu allows us to choose the default write disk and in the same area we will be also able to monitor the total and free space:
Next we have Battery info, where we can see which applications are consuming the most power:
From the Apps menu we will be able to see the downloaded applications and remove/clear their cache:
Inside the next menu we have Location access, Security, Language & input but also Backup & reset:
The options from Location access are no different than on other tablets/phones; here we will be able to enable the hardware GPS:
Security options are available from the next menu:
The Language & input menu will allow us to choose additional input methods, enable the spell checker and so on:
The Backup & restore menu will allow us to save data to the cloud but also to perform a factory reset:
The last menus are Date & time, Scheduled power on & off, Accessibility but also About “TrueSmart”:
From the Date & time menu we will be able to automatically adjust or set manually:
Another MTK menu also makes its presence here:
The Accessibility menu contains most of the options we have seen regularly:
Lastly we have the About “TrueSmart” menu which allows us to do OTA updates and view several other details regarding the product:
We told you before that Play Store is not officially included, but via a special code via dialer we can enable it, along with other Google applications:
The new Omate Truesmart smartwatch is an interesting device which can be used in both companion mode but also as standalone for making phone calls, sending SMS and so on. The companion part is a work in progress since it is based on two separate applications, one which must be installed on the Omate and the other on our smartphone; the applications are built by community members and will bring all the notifications which are present on the smartphone to be read on the Truesmart.
During our tests with the watch in standalone mode, we have observed that during calls we could hear the person on the other side with a decent level of quality, but our caller could hear us quite muffled and did not understand all the words we were saying. We have then paired the smartwatch with our Antec “iso” and the conversation could be heard perfectly both ways.
Omate has acknowledged many of the initial firmware issues concerning stability and security; one of the updates was released as an OTA back in December and another update should be underway. The community has already picked up this smartwatch model and we have seen a lot of new applications appearing inside the OStore. What Omate needs to bring to the users is official support of the Google Play Store so no code would need to be entered in order to install the Google software suite. The 240x240 screen is well readable but this does not mean that it is alright to use any application, like the ones with lots of text because we will hurt our eyes pretty quickly; we also do not recommend using the watch for extensively browsing the web.
The camera is only 3MP with interpolation to 5MP and the quality is average; if we would like to use it in low light conditions, the photos will appear quite grainy and we won't recommend it.
For now we would recommend the Imperium Operative v1.1.0 ROM from Lokifish Marz which contains quite a few fixes like an added adware/malware filter list, increased battery life, memory and network performance tuning while keeping the stock features and capabilities. We also get a different "Smart Launcher" which is easy to operate and the applications are automatically sorted on different categories.
We think that this device has a lot of potential if all software issues will be ironed out; the community support is quite strong and the number of available applications which support the small screen is growing. In order to test out the performances of the device, we have ran an instance of Antutu which ended with a final score of 10253 points.
Our sample was a bit damaged and scratched because of the courier transport conditions and the internal gasket seemed to suffer along with one screw which cannot be fastened anymore. If it will be possible for Omate to send out an additional unharmed sample, we will promptly update the review with new info.
We would like to thank again to Omate for making this review possible!