Thread by @tnkgrl

1) I have a rant about today's many negative @oneplus #OnePlusWatch reviews...
But first, read my own review on @HotHardware -- I gave it a 4/5. My analysis goes beyond the narrow, US-centric view of what a smartwatch should be! hothardware.com/reviews/oneplu…
(cont'd)

2) 1st, I was @Pebble's chief evangelist and head of communications during the company's heyday -- I know a thing or two about smartwatches :)
2nd, The #OnePlusWatch is far from perfect. The hardware is excellent, but the software needs improvement -- it's unfinished. (cont'd)

3) It's bad enough that we pretty much have a smartphone duopoly is the US -- @Apple and @SamsungMobile -- when Chinese phone manufacturers like @Xiaomi and @Huawei are the ones really innovating and pushing the envelope. We don't need the same thing with smartwatches. (cont'd)

4) I'm disappointed that my fellow tech journalist are being short sighed about what a smartwatch can be. Yes a smartwatch can be an #AppleWatch, #GalaxyWatch, @fitbit, or @WearOSbyGoogle device -- with installable apps & voice commands (& short battery life), but... (cont'd)

5) A smartwatch can also just be a fitness band on steroids, with a solid (but more basic) set of features & -- as a bonus -- long battery life. This is a thing! Ask anyone in China or India, or even here in the US -- hello @AmazfitGlobal and @ZeppGlobal :) (cont'd)

6) Or even @WithingsEN, for that matter! The point is that there are different categories of smartwatches, each with their strength and weaknesses, and you can't review a fitness band on steroids smartwatch like you review an Apple, Galaxy, or Wear OS watch... (cont'd)

7) And that's before I even get into accessibility and price point! These fitness band on steroids smartwatches are typically around $150-$200 (or even less). An #AppleWatch Series 3 (launched in 2017 !) is $199 right now -- you're comparing Apples to Oranges here :) (cont'd)

8) Not everyone can afford a new, modern, $279 #AppleWatchSE or $250 #GalaxyWatchActive2, especially in markets outside the US. Why shouldn't they enjoy a smartwatch? Also, not everyone wants to charge every day or needs an voice assistant on their wrist. (cont'd)

9) Yes, the #OnePlusWatch needs more polish, but we should celebrate that one more fitness band on steroids smartwatch is officially available from a familiar brand in the US. It's a great first effort with a solid (bit more basic) set of features. (cont'd)

10) There's no reason the #OnePlusWatch won't be as good as similar smartwatches from Huawei and Xiaomi in a few weeks, and unlike those, it's officially available and supported here in the US. My current go-to smartwatch is #HuaweiWatchGT2Pro and it fits my needs. (cont'd)

11) I used the #AppleWatchSE for a few months when it was first released, and there's no AoD, battery life sucks, sleep tracking sucks, Siri is useless beyond "set a timer". My #HuaweiWatchGT2Pro easily lasts a week on a charge with the AoD and automatic sleep tracking. (cont'd)

12) I've tried most these smartwatches (in both categories), and all of them track activity about equally well (including the #OnePlusWatch in my experience)... My favorite smartwatch with installable apps and short battery life has been the #GalaxyWatch. (cont'd)

13) Anyway, that's my @oneplus #OnePlusWatch rant! Thanks for coming to my #TEDTalk :) @dcseifert, @CherlynnLow, @JulianChokkattu, @BStoly, @raywongy, @theMrMobile, @michaeljosh, @RDRv3, @OutOnALumb