Would you use a smartwatch to browse the web?

posted by Florin T. / Oct 07, 2014, 3:21 PM

Would you use a smartwatch to browse the web?

Earlier today, we told you that Opera Mini would become the first web browser to be available on Samsung’s Gear S smartwatch (which hasn’t been released yet, but it should go on sale starting the next few weeks). Since the Gear S is the first smartwatch to feature 3G connectivity, thus being capable of functioning completely independent from a smartphone or tablet, having a full web browser of its own makes sense. Or maybe not?

While it’s true that the Gear S offers the largest display among current smartwatches (thanks to its 2-inch, curved Super AMOLED panel with 320 x 480 pixels), browsing the web on it would still be a crippled experience, since most of us now find screens smaller than 3.5-4 inches unsuitable for mobile internet. A better alternative to squinting at your wrist would be to rely on Google Now and use your voice for web searching. Unfortunately, as you probably know, Google Now is available only on Android Wear smartwatches, so it can’t be used on the Gear S (as this runs Tizen).

So, we must ask: would you really use a smartwatch (not necessarily the Gear S) to browse the web? Cast your votes in the poll below:

Would you use a smartwatch to browse the web?

Yes

15.28%

39.54%

Only if I'm forced to (by not having a larger device around)

45.18%

Options

27 Comments

1. jesusnexo unregistered

Not worth it, but could come in handy on exams

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 3:22 PM 24

4. DogeShibe

Posts: 1121; Member since: Jan 10, 2014

Yes very 'handy' ;)

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 3:24 PM 7

13. sgodsell

Posts: 7363; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

Give me a break. When would browsing come in handy on a tiny low resolution display. Never. I have a Sony Smartwatch, Pebble, Gear Neo, Gear Live, LG G Watch, waiting for the Moto 360. The highest resolution out of that list is a 320x320 1.63" display. The largest display from Samsung is the Gear S with a 2" 360x480. But the Gear S is in the bracelet relm. The display is too small for actually browsing the web. Clearly if someone said it is very handy doesn't own or even use a smart watch.

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 3:59 PM 1

14. DogeShibe

Read comment #3

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 4:07 PM 1

25. engineer-1701d unregistered

u must be young i remember phones with internet on that size10 years ago, some of us can manage both

posted on Oct 08, 2014, 12:02 AM 1

8. InspectorGadget80 unregistered

Only use watch for STEP COUNT weather and directions. and also time.

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 3:37 PM 3

27. irbaaz

Posts: 175; Member since: Mar 27, 2014

I used internet over my motorola L7 and nokia 2610.. But in present time sorry..

posted on Oct 08, 2014, 8:37 AM 0

2. XperiaFanZone

Posts: 2277; Member since: Sep 21, 2012

Ahaha.

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 3:23 PM 0

3. DogeShibe

Could come in 'handy' if your phones battery is low !! But with that screen , i don't think so.

9. apple4never

Posts: 1064; Member since: May 08, 2013

that moment when nobody gets your fapping joke

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 3:38 PM 0

11. DogeShibe

Pun not intended -_-•

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 3:45 PM 0

5. hmd74

Posts: 540; Member since: Jan 31, 2013

No...But having RSS Feeds on my wrist is a good idea :)

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 3:26 PM 0

6. gigaraga

Posts: 1454; Member since: Mar 29, 2013

Definitely on the Gear S. A nice, large (for a smartwatch, anyways) and curved screen.

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 3:33 PM 5

7. downphoenix

Posts: 3165; Member since: Jun 19, 2010

as long as the website is properly formatted for the device, I don't see why not.

10. seanwhat

Posts: 321; Member since: Jul 11, 2013

Any situation in which i don't have my phone, i'm not going to have my watch either. That said, there's been times where i've turned off my phone in frustration because the browsing experience was too difficult (on particular websites), so i couldn't see myself even trying on a watch.

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 3:44 PM 3

12. Jack58221

Posts: 157; Member since: Feb 23, 2013

I've always felt phone screens where more than big enough for reading... always having to take ibuprofen after reading is just a fluke. Could I stream Netflix on something the size of my thumb?

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 3:53 PM 0

15. OmarKS

Posts: 31; Member since: Oct 31, 2013

Well, Yes. I would like to do almost everything on my wrist as much and as far as I can. I liked the Gear S.

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 4:08 PM 2

16. sunnyfpy

Posts: 281; Member since: May 12, 2013

silly gadget,of not practical use !

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 4:09 PM 0

17. MEeee

Posts: 425; Member since: Oct 19, 2011

It's better to have it than nothing at all. Eventually others will follow just like with phablets.

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 4:14 PM 2

18. Mreveryphone

Posts: 1821; Member since: Apr 22, 2014

I use it on my gear live in a pinch situation but never extensively...

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 4:15 PM 0

19. hurrycanger

Posts: 1761; Member since: Dec 01, 2013

It's a standalone watch, right? So yeah, if I go outside with only this watch and I wanna look up something, why not?

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 4:18 PM 1

20. Elfmonster unregistered

In the future, everything will have a Web browser, and I can't wait. I will Google on a lamp shade, when that's an option. I'll Wikipedia on a girlfriend's back. My cat. Your face. I don't care where a browser is, I'll use it to find answers so I can make money on the job and find people. It's the future, baby.

posted on Oct 07, 2014, 5:29 PM 0

21. mostafawael.1998

Posts: 241; Member since: Oct 01, 2014

Well for that ~2" screen then you will not enjoy browsing internet. But if you have your phone low battery or you are forced to do browse internet for an important reason, then having the option to browse is not a very bad choice. Of course you will not be using the smartwatch to browse internet for fun! It is a 2" screen. That will make your eyes like a bowling ball. For example it will take you alot to scroll through one page. But having RSS is good, as well as email notifications also.