This month has been a thrilling ride for Samsung enthusiasts. The tech giant introduced its latest folding innovations—the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7—during a high-profile event in New York City. Alongside these smartphone unveilings, Samsung also rolled out its Galaxy Watch 8 series, which aims to rival the Apple Watch Series 10.
The Galaxy Watch 8 lineup boasts an impressive array of health features. For instance, it offers an Antioxidant Level check, vascular monitoring during sleep, and remarkably, it can detect an ectopic heartbeat—a first for smartwatches.
The new Galaxy Watch 8 runs on Samsung’s One UI Watch 8, which is layered atop the Wear OS 6 platform. Notably, both the watch and Wear OS 6 harness the capabilities of AI, specifically Google Gemini.
Having spent the last two weeks testing Gemini on the Galaxy Watch 8, I firmly believe the smartwatch form factor is ideally suited for AI. Here’s why.
The First Smartwatch with Gemini Preloaded
Undoubtedly, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic stands out as the first smartwatch to come with Gemini pre-installed. While Google introduced its assistant with the Pixel Watch 3 earlier this summer, this marks a significant advancement for Samsung’s offering.
On the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, Gemini operates seamlessly like it does on Android phones. It’s surprisingly well-optimized for the 1.34-inch display, and the intuitive rotating bezel allows for effortless navigation through longer replies. Whether checking the weather, managing home lighting, or getting directions to an airport, Gemini proves to be incredibly handy.
Why is AI on Smartwatches So Important?
Many users question the practical value of AI on smartwatches. The simple answer is accessibility. Often, you may not have your phone at hand, but smartwatches are commonly worn, ensuring that AI assistance is just a wrist lift away.
While many rely on smartwatches primarily for health and fitness tracking or notification management, this is evolving. AI on a smartwatch transforms it into a tool for everyday tasks, like managing schedules and smart home devices.
How Does Battery Life Hold Up?
With all these features, how does battery performance fare? Remarkably well. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic can last up to two days on a single charge, which is on par with many other high-end smartwatches. Charging is convenient, taking roughly an hour and a half to reach full capacity.
Will Smartwatches Fully Utilize AI Capabilities?
A common inquiry is whether smartwatches can fully leverage AI capabilities in standalone mode. Currently, Gemini functions only when connected to your phone, leaving many to wonder if Google and Samsung will enable a cellular version in the future.
The implications of a standalone AI would be significant, especially for smartwatches, which could then realize their full potential.
How Does Gemini Compare to Other AI Assistants?
Using AI assistants can sometimes feel hit or miss, but Gemini on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is a breath of fresh air. Unlike traditional assistants that struggle to respond accurately, Gemini is always active, leading to less downtime. Compared to many smartphones where assistants often fail to activate, this makes for a reliable experience.
What Makes a Smartwatch Ideal for AI Integration?
The convenience of having AI on your smartwatch means you can more effectively manage daily tasks without juggling multiple devices. Imagine asking your watch to dim your lights as you settle down for a movie—it’s that type of seamless integration that makes smartwatches so appealing.
While the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic does not possess a camera to access features like Gemini Live, recent advancements like Google’s Project Astra-powered glasses aim to solve that by offering interactive capabilities without needing a camera directly embedded in the smartwatch.
As we’ve seen with other startups attempting this technology, the integration of AI with wearable devices can yield promising results. Samsung’s approach with the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic indicates that they understand the current landscape, elevating the smartwatch experience, making it richer, and allowing users to engage with even greater ease.
Will AI replace your smartphone? Not entirely. However, with innovations like the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, it does enhance its utility tremendously.
Are consumers ready to adopt AI-driven smartwatches? As the potential becomes clearer, it seems likely. A device that’s always on hand, guiding you through tasks, seems like a natural progression.
Ultimately, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic isn’t just another smartwatch; it’s paving the way for smarter functionality in our wearables. If you’re keen to delve deeper into tech trends and mobile innovations, I encourage you to keep checking back with Moyens I/O.