Samsung Gear S (Verizon)

I'm about to head to bed but thought I'd copy my notes on my initial experience with the Gear S:

Could not find the Samsung Gear app, even when using Samsung's instructions at http://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00038393/239278/.  I found that the problem was Chrome...it wasn't seeing the 'download' icon.  Using the OEM browser, I was able to see it.

Next issue I ran into was that the phone wouldn't pair with the watch.  The instructions never said to go into the phone's BT screen and attempt to pair the device.  As well, once the Gear app is opened, it takes over the screen...this implies that the Gear app needs to be used to initially pair the phone with the watch.  I found that when I go into the phone's BT settings and try to pair the phone with the watch, it downloads and installs 11 new apps, but still won't pair with the watch...the watch won't accept the 'OK' clicks to accept the pairing.

I got fed up and kept hitting the 'OK' prompt on the watch when trying to get it to accept the pair attempt...I hit it maybe 4-5 times rapidly and it THEN began to pair.

I also ended up not seeing the "activate" screen, so the watch was only seeing limited 3G and was set to roam.  I performed a factory reset and after the watch rebooted, it was a night and day difference, where the watch could be navigated without hesistation or voice prompting.  I was able to activate the watch and configure mobile usage for 'auto only'.  

I'm not even sure I should compare the Gear S to my Pebble (non-Steel).  I've pretty much retired my Pebble.  I'll either put it away with my other gadgets or try to sell it.  Maybe one of my daughters will want it.

I don't think I'll ever see a week's worth of usage (on one charge) with the Gear S, although I did fully charge it today...the watch is currently at 68%.  I went into the watch's settings (Settings/Connections/Mobile networks/) and set "Gear networks" to auto switch, which will only use mobile broadband when I or an app needs it (phone calls and such).  I've got the watch set to auto-dim as well.  The charging cradle actually holds a charge, although I don't know if it'll fully charge the watch's battery from empty.  The phone charges pretty quickly if you're not using it while it's being charged.

So far I've set up the Gear app to notify the same apps that I'd configured to notify on my Pebble.  I can get a view of my G-mail e-mails but I'm not sure I'm ready to use the default e-mail application on my Note Edge...I'm used to using the G-mail app, but the watch doesn't have an app for that.

I've set up my voice-mail and have to remember the watch's phone number.  I don't foresee using the watch as a standalone smart device any time soon.  I don't even think I'll be using the watch's phone features.  To set up voice-mail, I had to call the VM number using the watch.  The speaker is loud enough to hear with ease, although I've no idea how well the microphone works and if it has good noise cancellation.

The watch has a native browser as well, but I have to use the Gear app to install it.  I don't see the need to use the watch as a web browser.

I'm curious about the texting/messaging features, though.  I attempted to type a text and while the virtual keys were extremely small, I didn't do any typos, so I guess the keyboard is good enough.

The watch is hefty, but I'm enjoying it thus far.  I worry that I'll bang it against something accidentally (I opted out of insurance for the watch -- Verizon's insurance is expensive!).  I'd rather not use a screen protector...that's more hassle than it's worth (I tried to put one on my Pebble but removed it soon after, as it was annoying).

I'll be setting it up to my liking over the next week...there's so much to configure that I'm a bit overwhelmed.  I might do a quick video review of it later, as well.

For now, I'm impressed enough to say I think I'll keep it.  Initially, when I was having issues setting it up, I was irritated enough to where I was thinking on returning it ($399 for something that was giving me immediate issues...uhmmm...no), but I'm OK now.  :)

UPDATE:

I've not run into any problem with the smartwatch, so far.  I have noticed that with set to auto switch  between BT and using the mobile network, I end up with 15-20% battery use in a 24-hour period.  This is without using the watch as a phone or web browsing with it.  I typically only look at it when someone texts, when I'm notified of an incoming e-mail, or when I'm looking at the time (pretty much how I was using my Pebble).

I've also noticed that my dog likes to lick the watch...her tongue activates the watch!

UPDATE 2:

I usually sit or stand with my arms crossed...I can't do that with this watch.  My arm's skin ends up activating the screen, which sometimes enables widgets or other watch tools.  They should build some type of logic where the screen won't activate if at at certain angle.