These watches offer a wide range of features and capabilities, from fitness tracking to mobile payments, and all are designed to make your life easier. We've already looked at several smartwatches that focus on notifications, including one that also includes a camera and the ability to make phone calls. But until the Martian Watch appeared, none had harnessed the power of Siri (on the iPhone) or Google Now (on Android). Both virtual assistants are tailor-made for hands-free computing, so we were eager to try the Martian Watch.
After turning on the watch, the first thing you'll want to do is connect it to your phone via Bluetooth. You can then download the complementary application Martian Alerts (available on both the App Store and Google Play), where you can change settings and configure notifications. The app also includes links to tutorials and FAQs in case something isn't immediately clear. Notifications work great with Android phones, but are more limited with iPhones.
The Android app will send any notification from your phone to the watch, and you can also choose which apps you receive alerts from. However, on iOS, you can only make calls, text messages, Facebook and Twitter messages, calendar alerts, reminders, and emails. That's a solid list that covers all the basics, but all the other iPhone apps and services are left out. A representative of Martian told us that a future update will enable full compatibility of the Notification Center on iOS and will send you alerts from any application you want (as the Android version already does).
Every time that update arrives, the value of the Martian for iPhone owners will increase. However, as things stand now, the notifications on the iPhone are a little lacking. But, I repeat, we can't overstate how great it is to have Siri or Google Now on your wrist. When you add solid notifications on Android and some basic notifications on iOS (which should improve over time), you have one of the most interesting candidates in this first wave of smartwatches.
Perhaps most importantly, you get a smart device that could easily pass for a standard analog watch. Well, that is, until you start talking to him. In reality, many smartwatches have fitness tracking tools, and many fitness trackers have smartwatch functions. The rest of the basic health and fitness functions are as precise as you would expect from one of the best Garmin watches.
The Martian Watch also lacks any type of fitness tracking, native music controls, third-party apps, cameras, or standalone wireless capability. Calling from the Martian Watch is a simple experience, and even if you don't feel comfortable talking to your watch in public, it can be a practical way to answer or make a call when you're on the move or with your hands full.
