I think of myself as an early adopter, but the truth is that I normally let others spend money on the beta stage, before investing myself.
Zweiacker & Associates employs an unnamed architectural photographer who's been quietly wearing a Pebble since its early release. In April our property superintendent, who rides a Harley when he's not transporting signs, purchased one so he could see text messages and email while on the motorcycle. Both gave good reports on the watch.
Now, deep inside I wanted the big brother to the model 302, which is the Pebble Steel ($249). It has the same innards, but a smart steel frame and band for an additional $100. The model 302, which retails for $149, was available for immediate gratification at Best Buy. I made a quick, easy decision.
The watch is as unpretentious as you can get. It's light, slightly large for my wrist and uses a back-lit epaper screen. Setup involves downloading the app to your smart phone...apple our android...then pairing the watch with the smart phone app. Watch apps are then downloaded through the smart phone app to the watch.
There are several cool watch faces and bunches of apps for the watch. The watch can only hold eight apps at a time, with the remainder in a holding area on the smart phone. Loading and unloading is quick.
How this device has changed my life...
One might worry that by putting a smart phone on my wrist, I am further chaining yourself to the Internet. For me that's farthest form the truth.
All of my notifications come quietly, in the form of the slight buzz of my watch, where a small turn of my wrist allows me to read the message. There is no fumbling for a phone, drama or noise. The people around me aren't aware that I just read a text message.
Now, if I received the text or email on my phone, since I'm already holding the thing, I may as well reply. And, oh, squirrel, maybe post to facebook and do some other stuff. But, because I can't SEND texts or email from the watch (well, err, you actually can), I ignore the notifications until I have a break when I can reply in order. I'm happier as are my clients and colleagues.
In addition, having my wrist buzz every time I receive an email, text or whatever can get a little overwhelming. Now I participate in Unfollow Friday and I've reduced my unnecessary email intake by over 70%!
The Pebble doesn't like getting too far from its mothership, which is your smart phone. When it loses contact, I get a buzz, and the temperature is X'd out. Time and other displays not requiring the tether to the Internet continue to function.
The watch is rated for five atmospheres, so it's at home in the pool and the shower, and battery life has been four to five days. My total cost was $200 with the added protective screen and extended warranty.
So far, I have nothing negative to say about my Pebble!
Of course, I'll mention that we are located in College Station, Texas, which is the home of Texas A&M University. With over 50,000 students to house, many parents invest in rental properties. If you know anyone headed our way, we'd love their referral. The Texas A&M University System is the clean, cash engine that drives our economy. We value our students and investors, and take good care of them.
Give us a call at 979-450-0455, email us at info@zarealestate.com, or visit our website, zarealestate.com.
Blue skies,
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