Casio G-Shock GBX6900B – Review the Bluetooth Watch that goes to the iPhone
We tests the Casio G-Shock GBX6900B watch with Bluetooth Low Energy that goes to the iPhone. Here’s how it works and how it can be used next to the Apple mobile phone.
Casio has launched a series of watches with Bluetooth, able to interface with the iPhone and also Android. We tried one of the latest models, the Casio G-Shock GBX6900B, the Tokyo company’s marketing these days with the curiosity to understand how it works, how it interfaces with the iPhone and who can be helpful.
What is Casio G-Shock GBX6900B?
The Casio G-Shock GBX6900B is not a smartwatch. It has functions of data processing, and does not even have a touch screen. Basic is a real watch, whose basic function is to tell the time and date. But Casio, thanks to a Bluetooth LE, and low power consumption (essential not to force us to change the battery too frequently) introduced into it some ancillary functions, potentially interesting, arising from the connection with a smartphone.
Among those, we have also supported the iPhone, in all versions with Bluetooth LE, then the model 4s forward. In addition to this characteristic, we are dealing with a phone with a traditional look ” rugged “, withstands submersion up to 200 feet, alert with vibration motor, 35 time zones, stopwatch, countdown.
How is it done?
Not being our specific interest to evaluate the Casio G-Shock GBX6900B as the simple clock, we have not taken care of its specific functions in this area, although we must say that the version we have with dark screen and numbers in contrast, do not seem to us the ultimate in readability, at least in the light; different discourse in the dark where the powerful LED provides information very clear and also some suggestion saw the red outline of one of the three screens. From the constructive point of view, in any case, the Casio G-Shock GBX6900B provides a good feeling.
The materials are certainly quality and assembly looks really sturdy. We are not even in the face of a clock excessively heavy (82 grams), despite the size. The style is classic G-Schock that will attract those who appreciate this line that made the fortune of Casio.
The screen is divided into three parts; a larger offer’s information dedicated time and two smaller deal to manage some specific functions of the Bluetooth connection. The smallest of the sections of the screen is dedicated almost exclusively to indicate the status of the connection. The second provides more information related to services ” smart. ”
What is it does?
The key to the system is an application that you download from the App Store. It is thanks to it that we can match the clock to iPhone and provide the data that we will present on its display. In particular, the application sends to the G-Shock: email notifications, Twitter, Facebook or Weibo, notification of an event calendar and a reminder of the iPhone. The G-SHOCK these cases, sounds and even a vibration.
The application also allows you to adjust the clock time, applying that measured by telephone, set alarms, select the illumination duration, to enable energy savings, choose the time format and so away. We will receive a notice of the arrival of a call, or the loss of the connection with your phone.
The application also allows you to adjust the clock time, applying that measured by telephone, set alarms, select the illumination duration, to enable energy savings, choose the time format and so away. We will receive a notice of the arrival of a call, or the loss of the connection with your phone.
In practice, the Casio G-Shock GBX6900B reads the data coming from the GPS and presents them in kilometers per hour. Finally, we can use the phone to find the iPhone snapping sound on it (of course, the iPhone must be within reach of the clock, or by a couple of meters away).
How is it going?
The combination of the iPhone and Casio G-Shock GBX6900B was easy. Once you put in the search mode the clock, the phone immediately found. At that point, we set some basic functions necessary, including our mailing address, by using the functions of the application that is very well-planned and complete, are officially supported some important services such as gmail, hotmail, iCloud, but we did not have any problem in getting even our account.
It is important to note that the application does not use Mail, but has its own integrated client that we will have to specifically configure. We also have the ability to change a few settings, including, for example, filter messages that will be reported by the clock sending it to only those contacts that are registered in our section, or adjust the reading time of the server.
As far as Twitter and Facebook, the application for direct access to the information contained in applications receiving updates from them on the timeline and mentions of Twitter messages, requests and notifications from friends from Facebook. All this information is sent to the small screen of the G-Schock. We can also choose whether to have a silent alert (through vibration) or a sound style time signal.
This feature is also evident in the field of music control, in practice the keys are a replica of the controls that are on some Bluetooth headsets or headphones made for iPhone and as such may not be useful precisely because the phone monitoring is carried out for listen to music using the earphones or an external speaker and since in any case iPhone cannot be more than two or three meters away from clock.
In any case, as mentioned above, the application is built with care and reveals with its functions and its options, the idea that the person who created the app had in mind to what can aspirate Casio G-Shock GBX6900B over a Bluetooth connection, and knowing the limits drew carefully the options available.
Casio G-Shock GBX6900B – Conclusions
As we mentioned at the beginning, the Casio G-Shock GBX6900B is not a smartwatch, but only a watch with Bluetooth’s technology, which is able to make the most of its limited potential to integrate with a smartphone like the iPhone. It cannot claim to have become an extension of the mobile phone display, but only to provide features that reduce, though certainly not cancel, the need for power on.
It is a notification system, a sort of ” increased alert, ” which in addition to a sound, like the iPhone could do alone, there also has additional information on calendars, things to do and our lives on the social network while the iPhone itself is out of sight or is muted.
The application that accompanies the watch is carefully constructed and leaves the bounds of the clock, rather presenting all options to maximize its potential. Interestingly, beyond the control mode of functions in combination for Email, Facebook and Twitter, the ability to use the application to check now, alarms and time zones watch itself, erasing almost completely the need for keys, which are always awkward to use; Only this feature alone, even in the absence of the notification system or control of the music, would make sense.
Our Opinion
PROS : One of the rarest true thought watches with Bluetooth for the iPhone, Efficiently warning system for some functions of the iPhone, Match easy and transparent, Well organized iOS app to control.
CONS : Limited by the amount of features Bluetooth's technology, Poor quality of the information provided.
- Overall
