Features

Fossil Q Hybrid: Reinventing the smartwatch

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In the tech world, to win you must innovate.

It’s a fast-paced, uber-crazy rat race, where each year, feature upon feature is piled onto new products dubbed the latest and greatest of tech.

Not everything makes sense, not everything practical or groundbreaking. But these headline features are what sells these products, and it gives us tech journalists something to write about.

But what if scaling back was even better than moving forward?

It’s an unconventional approach to product design, but one that might make sense in the smartwatch space and maybe even the tech world at large. More on that later.

I’ve owned and used many a smartwatch over the last two years, but nothing has really become a daily companion. Either charging becomes cumbersome, the need to be constantly connected drains my smartphone faster, or the novelty of owning one wears off.

If I didn’t write about tech for a living, I would think twice about buying a smartwatch knowing that unlike a traditional watch that I could theoretically pass down to my children, a smartwatch would be obsolete in a year, two at best.

Samsung’s Gear S3 smartwatch has built-in navigation features.

Sure everything’s gotten better — watch designs, software, and hardware features like buttons, knobs, and rotating bezels that make it easier to interact with these smart devices are much improved.

But more than two years since the first Google-powered smartwatch was unveiled, and over a year since the release of the original Apple Watch, the smartwatch industry is still at a standstill.

[irp posts=”8920″ name=”Smartwatches are doing even worse than expected”]

Recently I was at the launch of Fossil Q smartwatches in the Philippines. I wasn’t particularly interested at first, but I own a few Fossil watches myself, and was curious to see how a traditional watchmaker would approach smartwatch design.

Unlike brands such as Apple, Samsung, and Motorola that are primarily tech companies, Fossil is a first and foremost a fashion brand.

It’s an easy fit. Usually smartwatches from any of the tech companies mentioned above come in two to three variants; Fossil’s new Android Wear-powered smartwatches — the Fossil Q Marshal and Q Wander — are available in a wide range of styles, as are Fossil’s traditional watches.

My Fossil Q Crewmaster Hybrid

But what caught my attention was the Q Hybrid, which is unlike any other smartwatch that I’ve reviewed before. I was so smitten, that I’ve since gone ahead and purchased one of my own — mine is called the Fossil Q Crewmaster Hybrid, a nautical-inspired watch with a multi-colored face and black silicone strap.

Fossil refers to its Hybrid line as smartwatches, but they don’t fall into the usual model. They are, for all intents and purposes, traditional watches. They look just like any other Fossil watch; don’t have a touchscreen or an operating system, you don’t have to charge them at the end of every day (you replace the standard CR2430 batteries every six months), and you can’t use them to make calls or read text messages.

But they are smart in the sense that they can track your steps and sleep. They connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and sync with a smartphone app. And they can be programmed to vibrate when you get a notification — I’ve programmed my watch to vibrate only when I get important calls from loved ones.

Fossil Q Hybrid watches come with built-in fitness tracking features. You can view your stats on your smartphone.

My Hybrid watch also has an extra button that can be programmed to extend the functionality of my smartphone — like being able to play and skip music tracks, using it as a remote shutter button for taking photos, or having it make loud noises when it’s gone missing.

If you compare these features to any other smartwatch in my collection, there’s plenty the Fossil Q Hybrid can’t do, but that’s fine with me. In fact, maybe that’s exactly what makes the Fossil Q Hybrid an excellent idea.

Not everyone will agree, but perhaps this is what all smartwatches should be like.

In Manila, I sat down with Fossil APAC Merchandising Manager Justin Paxton.

He says, “Over the next couple of years, customers will eventually get to the point where they’re going to say, why does my watch only tell the time. There will be a point where customers will want smart features and expect it to be a standard.”

Perhaps that time has come. We want traditional watches and we want smart features, but we don’t need to have them all. We don’t need extra features at the cost of battery life, or the legacy of a watch that can last several lifetimes.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for the latest and greatest tech — I’d still fawn over a super watch that can do it all. But as tech creeps into more aspects of daily life, maybe tech companies can learn a thing or two from outsiders like Fossil.

That innovation alone doesn’t sell a product. And that scaling back and just perfecting something already existing, makes for the best tech of all.

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Accessories

The GameSir G8 Galileo is great for PS Remote Play

While we wait for the PlayStation Portal

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November 30, 2023

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Gamesir G8 Galileo | PS Remote Play

We happen to be in a region where the PlayStation Portal has yet to be released. Good thing, PS Remote Play is available and GameSir has a controller you can hook up to your smartphone that’s readily compatible. Enter the GameSir G8 Galileo.

You might not see it right away, but the biggest difference with the G8 Galileo compared to other smartphone controllers (even the ones GameSir made themselves) is it’s actually full size. 

Watch our unboxing. 

@gadgetmatch

Unboxing the Gamesir G8 Galileo. Best smartphone controllers right now? #gaming #mobilegaming #remoteplay #RemotePlay #remoteplayps5 #mobilecontroller #controller #controllers

♬ original sound – GadgetMatch – GadgetMatch

 

Most smartphone controllers prioritize portability. Thus, they’re more compact. That means smaller face buttons, smaller thumbsticks, and generally smaller overall profile. 

Usable, sure. But not exactly ideal for people with chubby hands like yours truly. 

BackBone One | GameSir G8 Galileo

This is also one of the primary reasons why, despite owning a Backbone One, I’ve rarely used it for its intended purpose. And the reason why the PlayStation Portal is appealing to me. 

Gamesir G8 Galileo | PS Remote Play

The GameSir G8 Galileo changes all of that because of its size. It’s also not just larger. Its ergonomics are great too. Your hands will sit nicely on the nice, curved handles for a more comfortable, more enjoyable handheld gaming session.

PS Remote Play 

Gamesir G8 Galileo | PS Remote Play

Another big area of convenience is you don’t necessarily have to have the GameSir app to make it work. Simply download the PS Remote Play app, register, and fire it up. 

To make sure it’s on PS Remote Play compatible mode, just press the Share and Options buttons simultaneously. Those are the tiny buttons on the left and right hand side of the controllers right above the left thumb stick and the face buttons. 

Upon pressing simultaneously, make sure the color on the GameSir logo on the lower right part of the controller is white. That’s how you know it’s on PS Remote Play mode. 

Currently green so you have to press the buttons for Remote Play.

Once done, just easily plug-in your smartphone with a USB-C port on GameSir’s signature flexible USB-C plug and off you go. 

Actual play time

Here’s a quick Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 gameplay using the GameSir G8 Galileo along with the HONOR Magic5 Pro with Remote Play:

This under a minute clip, naturally, isn’t representative of the entire Remote Play experience. Anyone who has tried it before knows that with extended play time, you’ll likely experience a few hiccups here and there. That’s just the nature of the beast. 

That said, this whole set-up has been generally great. Other than Spider-Man 2, I’ve managed to play a handful of quick NBA 2K24 games like this. I still racked up a handful of wins despite suffering from occasional latency trouble. 

The feel of the controller is fantastic and is easily the most enjoyable out of every other smartphone controller that I’ve tried before. And I’ve tried a few other than the Backbone One. There’s the GameSir X3,  GameSir X2 Pro-Xbox, and the Razer Kishi V2. 

Compatible games, mapping

Depending on the platform you’re on, the GameSir G8 Galileo will work on multiple other games. If you’re an iPhone 15 Series user, Remote Play, select Apple Arcade games, and even the AAA games set to release for that iPhone will work with this controller. 

For Android users, it’s the usual handful of controller supported games that will work with this. For everything else, you’ll have to resort to mapping — a task for those with patience. 

If you need more tutorials on how to get it working, just follow GameSir on Facebook or YouTube. They constantly post tutorials. 

You can buy the GameSir G8 Galileo here: https://bit.ly/gsg8galileo 

Use G8Creator on the Coupon Code for 10% off.

 

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Buyer's Guide

The Best TV Buyer’s Guide 2023: Black Friday Deals

Which TV is right for you?

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November 28, 2023

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With plenty of different sizes, models and tech to choose from, do you go QLED or OLED? 4K or 8K? 55, 65, 75, 85, or 98K? Which TV is right for you? This Holiday Season we’ve partnered with Samsung to help you find your dream TV.

This Buyer’s Guide will feature three TVs from Samsung: two from their Neo QLED series, the Neo QLED 4K QN90C and Neo QLED 8K QN900C, and another from their OLED line, the OLED S95C.

If you’re in the market for a new TV, you can get up to $2500 off on Samsung’s Black Friday deals: Samsung Neo QLED 8K, Samsung Neo QLED 4K, Samsung OLED 4K.

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Cameras

GoPro HERO12 Black: Making heroic shots with the new HERO

Small but not terrible

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November 24, 2023

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The HERO of action cameras is back! And no doubt, the GoPro HERO 12 Black is one of the hottest action cameras around.

Not only does it provide great video output, it’s also packed with features and improvements that make it stand out from the crowd.

Packed Inside and Out

If you’re already planning to purchase the new GoPro HERO 12 Black, here’s what you should expect with its thicc packaging.

 

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If you’re here for the nitty-gritty new features of the brand’s latest action cam, you can see all the specifics in this article.

Keep on reading for the actual hands-on experience..

Reels-Ready

With the continuous rise of Reels and/or TikToks, having to shoot vertically is the way to go.

This is where the new Vertical Framing feature comes handy as it can shoot vertical videos for you without actually turning the device — as opposed to other action cameras including its older counterparts.

Make It Even Wider

The GoPro HERO 12 Black, just like any other action camera, comes with a default lens that it’s enough to shoot wide enough footage.

But with the optional Max Lens Mod 2.0, it makes shots even wider.

You can choose between three lens views: the default Wide (16-34mm), Max SuperView (middle ground), and the Max HyperView (the extremest view).

Just remember, you can only apply these when shooting in the default horizontal orientation.

If you’re shooting for Reels or TikTok and want this super wide look, you can stick with the default FoV (Field of View) of Vertical Mode. Otherwise, you can shoot in Horizontal Mode and just rotate it during post-process (or via GoPro’s Quik app available in both Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store).

Also, don’t forget to enable it in its drop-down quick settings menu. This way you can fully-maximize its full-blown super-wide angle view whenever, wherever.

Memento Making

I enjoyed using the combination of the new lens and vertical shooting of this wonder cam during the duration of my travel. And with just one press of the top button, it instantly starts recording.

Several swipes also enables it to shoot photos or record timelapses.

Terrific Thailand.mov

 

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Cute Capy Cafe.mp4

 

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Short Singapore Stop.mkv

 

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What’s Poppin’ in this Pop Up.hevc

 

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Compact Camera Companion

The GoPro HERO 12 Black is fantastic for recording and keeping travel mementos. But other than that, it’s also be good for documenting your everyday life.

The thing I love about the GoPro HERO 12 Black is that it features a built-in mount that can be flapped out within seconds.

My former action camera relies on its case before it can actually be mounted.

 

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Despite the continuous advancements of smartphone cameras and their video-making improvements and capabilities, the ultra-wide lenses aren’t the best performers when you’re trying to shoot videos. This is true even if you rock the latest flagship Android smartphone or even the maxed out iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The GoPro continues to exist to fulfill that vital role in shooting. Its compact form, ease of access, easy usability, and rugged-readiness are more points to consider on owning a GoPro HERO12 Black. It’s better than actually pawning your phones just to shoot UWA (ultra-wide angle) footages in the harshest conditions.

Pricing and Availability

The GoPro HERO12 Black is being sold for PhP 24,990 (US$ 399.99 / EUR 449.99 / GBP 399.99 / SG$ 580). Meanwhile, the HERO12 Black Creator Edition retails for PhP 36,990 (US$ 599.99 / EUR 679.99 / GBP 599.99 / SG$ 890).

The Max Lens Mod 2.0 is a separate purchase for PhP 7,490 (US$ 99.99). A special bundle is available for other regions. Visit GoPro.com for specific pricing and other bundle offers in your respective regions.

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