Standards set for Android Wear, be warned of "dev-keys"
Samsung's Gear Live is the one of the first 3 devices that came out with Android Wear, back in 2014. Now, in 2016, I'd say it's set the standard pretty high.
The Gear Live, from the outside, is a very basic device. It offers a decent 1 1/2 inch screen, a semi-metallic frame, and some rubber-ish, and somewhat stiff bands. Still, it's actually lightweight, and while you'll likely notice it, it has a slim form that allows it to slide under the cuff of almost any shirt.
Packed inside is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 512mb of RAM, 4GB of onboard storage for the apps, a 300mAh battery that should last you a day, two if you're a light user, and the important offering it had on release, a heart rate sensor. This, along with included gyroscopes and accelerometers, make it a very decent companion device and fitness tool. It's also IP67 water-resistant, so don't worry too much about sweating all over it. Just don't take it for a swim.
It also offered an AMOLED display, the only kind you could find then, and it makes the versatility as a watch VERY high. Most watch faces will offer an "ambient display" mode, which causes complex details to fade out, and colors to almost disappear. The result is a basic, but excellent and functional watch display that allows simple time checking without any real effort.
The reason it sets the standard is, the other two devices that launched at the time were the LG G Watch, and the Moto 360. The LG G Watch had very similar specs to the Gear Live, lacking fitness tools and the AMOLED display, contributing to poor battery life by contrast. The Moto 360 had very underwhelming hardware, only justified by the round display it had, which was also tackled because of the light sensor on the bottom, giving it a "flat tire" look. The Gear Live sets the standard for specs, as most devices use the SD400 processor, and have at least 300mAh. And current devices are starting to offer heart rate sensors and the like, much like Samsung did.
The question is, why would you buy the Gear Live over others? When there's decently affordable options from LG, and Alcatel, why bother with Samsung?
It's affordable.
At this point, Google, nor Samsung, offer the Gear Live. If you've been quick and dirty with Android phones before, you might want to read up on the Gear Live. A lot of them are selling low because of a VERY peculiar, and somewhat critical issue.
"dev-keys."
Dev-keys is appended to software builds of Android Wear. This actually locks them into their version, likely because Samsung was offering a lot of demo units for shops, and for developers to make Wear software. The problem is, now those models are being sold, without the warning of "Dev-keys" that will restrict them from the software updates. If you don't have knowledge of Android, you might find yourself stuck on the original release, restricting you from most, if not all of the software Android Wear has available in the Play Store.
Before you purchase, ask them to check their software version. That can be done by going to Settings, and hitting About. If they say it has "dev-keys" on it, YOU then need to make a decision. Do you have the intelligence, or at least, the sense to follow some instructions to get it on the right track? If yes, buy it and good luck.
Personally, I bought one without a charger. BE WARNED, third-party cradles WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO DO DEVELOPMENT ON THIS DEVICE! They simply lack the necessary data lanes to allow ADB debugging, which is needed to force an update over ADB. Find an OEM Samsung-branded cradle for the Gear Live, or hope they included it. You'll want the model SM-R382 cradle.
Follow some instructions on XDA-developers, and you should be able to get the Gear Live up and running on Android Wear 1.4 (based on Marshmallow) in no time.
Using it for a few weeks, I'd say it's become integral in my life. I don't check my phone for the time now, I have a lot more management of my notifications, and I don't even use my phone's ringtone now. My watch just buzzes me, and I take my call. Mind, you can't take the call ON the watch, but it is a great substitute, and I have very few problems with it. As an aspiring software developer in college, I'm at computers all day. I don't find it any hassle to wear while developing.
If you can go through some hurdles, this is highly worth it, especially considering the prices you can find it at. Just remember the "dev-keys" and to get an OEM Samsung-branded cradle. Model SM-R382.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned