Locker Talk: The Samsung Galaxy Gear: The Next Step Into The Future...?

Samsung made a big splash in the smart tech-world with the unveiling of the new Galaxy Gear, covered by Chris Cottrell of The New York Times. I've read reports comparing the Gear to the old Dick Tracy watch. While that was one of the first thoughts that popped in my head when I saw the pictures, my initial reaction was, "Finally! A Power Ranger watch!" I don't know why, as it looks nothing like the wrist communicators from the original show. Well, the original in the states, anyway.

It's not so much fashionable as it is functional. I hope you 'Batman' fans recognized that opening sentence. Anyway, the box-ish frame of the watch makes it look a bit odd on a feminine wrist, from the pictures I've seen in Christina Farr's article featured in venturebeat.com. It's as if the design department had James Brown's, "This is a mans world!" playing on continuous loop at the Samsung Secret Lair.

Galaxy Gear in an assortment of colors

The Gear has a set price of $299 and actually beat Apple to punch -- finally. With the announcement and unveiling of the Galaxy Gear, Samsung is showing to the world that they're innovators as well, and not content with following in the footsteps of Apple. The design of the watch has had it's share of mixed reviews. Most publications have stated that it's a bit bulky and clunky. The coolest features in the watch, I found to be, was the 512MB of RAM, the 800MHz processor, and the 4GB of storage.

No, the S Voice isn't impressive. It's Androids answer to Siri, and this is just my opinion and is in no way shape or form the opinion of the masses, but just because Apple does it, doesn't necessarily mean you need to do it. Find your own road to drive down, just be sure to follow the Unwritten Book of the Road, as taught by George Carlin.

Photo by John MacDougall/AFP/Getty Images

One of the biggest flaws of the watch, I feel, is the 10 hour battery life. The fact that you need the new Samsung Galaxy Note 3, or any other Galaxy device running Android 4.3, to even be able to use the watch doesn't bother me nearly as much as the battery life, or lack there of. After all, who wants to own a technologically advanced wrist watch that you have to worry whether or not it'll last throughout the day? Think of it as buying a luxury car, only without the reliability of what a luxury car should have. Basically, it's like owning a new Lincoln.

Now, let's get to what most interests smart-device users: the apps. While there will be only 12 apps available when the Galaxy Gear goes on sale, Samsung has promised at least 70 at some point down the line. Banjo is one of the apps that was made official. It will let you know when your friends are nearby and provide a live stream of pictures they've taken. Think of it as the ultimate stalker app. Having social media apps ready from the get go is almost a rule nowadays, so I won't go into those. Also, Samsung has, apparently, been focusing on health-tracking technology with reports of a health startup helping the company create fitness apps for a while, now. Last year, Samsung launched the S Health app.

I don't know about any of you, but when I wear a regular rubber-banded watch while I work out, my wrist gets awfully sweaty. I'm going to assume there will be nothing more invigorating than wearing a $300 watch while you feel it sliding up and down your wrist with the accumulating sweat acting as a lubricant. I wonder if they'll have the Send Me To Heaven app available at some point for the Gear.