SMART WATCHES (WEARABLE TECH), FINALLY COMING OF AGE: IS IT FOR YOU!?

June 2015

Since the announcement of the iWatch, the Apple community and many other tech observers and first adopters went berserk with the possibilities, but for me and many skeptics, I wondered, do I really need another device??? my initial feeling is no, but most recently as many more companies have launched their own high tech wearable tech/Smart Watches with many many more features and compatible with Android devices I have begun to see a possible use for myself.

Motorola, LG, Huawei, ASUS, Fitbit, Tom Tom, Addidas, and Microsoft are now making these watches as a coordinated effort with Google to offer Android users a plethora of options, including Square and round designs, sizes and designs for women and men,  Multiple digital watch faces to choose from, sport & heart rate tracking for your exercise routines, whether running, walking or climbing, and of course you can check your Gmail, Calendar, Facebook and play music as long as it is linked and synced to your phone. Technically, your phone and Android powers the watch, with the watch being the truncated "display unit" for the information on your phone. So these watches won't function fully without your phone, at least not yet, I'm sure Google is working on building and further miniaturizing mobile cell technology so these watches can run on a version of Android built for watches. one day soon I expect, but for now, you need your phone nearby to use these watches. Of-course certain basics will continue to work without your phone's Android processing power, like the watch faces, time, date and GPS tracking. Some even offer music downloads so you can listen anytime.

For me the most attractive feature is the GPS tracking of my exercise and the main reason I would opt for one of these new devices, so I don't have to get a fitbit or sport tracking device. having all the other added features is a bonus, but then I think to myself, I could already do all that with my Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy 5S, so do i really NEED to get this watch!? what's the opportunity cost, what else can I spend this $400 on?? For me the LG Urbane is the most attractive of the bunch, offering a classic watch style with a round design and built in Wifi. However, I feel buying one of these watches is more for status symbol than actual utility of the device, so since I'm not one who typically runs with the crowd, for now I'll pass, I don't need this status symbol. You on the other hand may want it precisely for that reason. maybe you want to be the first among your friends to have this wearable tech. So this holiday season you can expect a lot of discounts and competition for these new devices as these manufacturers battle it out for market share.

UPDATE 11/20/15: It's about 5 weeks before #Christmas and one week before the biggest shopping day of the year, #BlackFriday, (the day after the #Thanksgiving #Holiday), and as #predicted #SmartWatch ads are becoming more frequent and repetitive with #Samsung leading the charge as HP and #Movado team up to build and share one #smartwatch. if you're in the market, i expect the best prices will come to you the week after Christmas.

Read more about these watches here, at the officical Android Blog: http://officialandroid.blogspot.com/2015/09/android-wear-new-watch-styles-and-sizes.html

Jurgen Klopp: the Master of all Masters

In my lifetime Jurgen Klopp has been the best manager bar none, not just in football, but in business, government, life. The best ever. I knew he was "great" when I first heard that he included everyone at the club in his first meeting, even the lunch ladies! As a manger in business myself, I understood rigth away. Like previous managers before him at first I was apprehensive, but after hearing that I knew we would be okay that Jurgen was the right choice for Liverpool football. 

For years I would scream at the TV for players and managers to do more, to try harder, to stay focused for 100 minutes. To pass more "up the pitch" because I knew that's what it would take. One of the standout players' before klopp's arrival, who embodied that approach was Dirk Kuyt! The energyzer bunny, but I knew we needed a whole team like that, and Jurgen knew that too, and he had the skillet, the toolset and the mindset to make it happen! I was so happy. 

I'm also even more pleased that he is a better man than he is a manager. It's not just that he respects people, he treats everyone with dignity, and that's the mark of a great person. Every day I hear people in the public arena say the respect people and yet those folks treat people deplorably, the same ones they claim to respect. When one treats others with dignity, that comes from a place of love, for your fellow man, for your subordinates for your community for your executives for your competition, for your kids, for your family, blood and chosen family, for your fans for me. Yeah I've always felt his love and respect for me individually,. I've never met him in person but I know him so well, love him so much, and will always be there for him. You will never walk alone Jurgen, do feel free to call on me for anything, anytime, anywhere and I'll show up!

I've also seen that he has true integrity, lots of people, especially politicians say they have #integrity but don't even know what integrity is, for fucks sake. And integrity is not a sometimes characteristic, it's always on every minute of everyday, it means doing what you believe, what you said, even if you only said it to yourself, every minute of everyday.  And how he has done that. From his first press conference we knew he was smart, we later realized he has a #superbrain. He listened to the experts around him, realizing, even before he came to #Liverpool #Football #Club, he knew this was the best way to engender unity of vision, unity of purpose, unity of goals. 

Jurgen klopp's approach as manager is transferable to any industry. He can run any business, Nike, 3M, the Red Cross, The Olympics, FIFA, a city, hell even a country. He has the skillet, toolset and mindset to transform and improve any organization. So Jurgen I have a job for you, I'd like you to take over my business, replace me as C.E.O. I hear you said you haven't decided yet what's your next project, so I'm taking this opportunity to make my pitch. Let's create a worldwide brand that treats employees and customers with dignity and rewards them accordingly.

The adulation and love he receives is not just warranted, it alludes to what most see, what I have seen. That this man, Jurgen Klopp, is a god among men. Yes he will get a statue, even if I have to erect it myself, but more than that, he has occupied a place in my heart, my psyche, my mind, that I can only describe as a touchstone, and so too for a Billion Liverpool fans! And I've seen fans of other clubs, while professing how much they hate @LFC, that they love and respect Jurgen. Such a singular figure he has been in the world. Some may say this is just football, but listen me, this is more important than life or death. This means more!  Liverpool was a great club before Jurgen Klopp, but because of him it is now The Greatest Football Club of all time! Allow me to repeat that, Liverpool was a great club before Jurgen Klopp, but because of him it is now The Greatest Football Club of all time! 

To say that I'm inspired is not enough, the reason don't have a shrink, the reason I don't need therapy is Jurgen klopp's Liverpool squad, every stress, every hurt, every heartbreak, every loss I felt during a given week, has been met with relief for me when I watch Liverpool play once a week or twice a week. If I said it once I said it a thousand times, Liverpool football, Jurgen klopps football is the reason I'm of sound mind. Yeah I could hear the jokes, stfu, I'm good in my own skin, largely due to Jurgen klopp's Liverpool football. What will I do now? My hope, my salvation is to work with Jurgen Klopp day in and day out. #Ihaveadream

Love always Jurgen, 

You'll Never Walk Alone.

@darrel3000