While there’s no doubt some of the biggest tech companies dominate the smartwatch category, there’s one company, Martian, that has been a favorite of mine even before the AppleWatch.
For those who want a smartwatch and the elegant retro look of a great wristwatch, the Martian PTL 02 Smartwatch is worth the look.
After pairing the smartwatch with an iOS or Android smartphone, you’ll get full access to the smartphone’s voice command functions through the noise-canceling microphone. There’s also a directional speaker to hear through the watch.
The vintage analog features of the watch work off a replaceable battery that should last up to 2 years. The digital features work off of an internal rechargeable lithium polymer battery that will last up to 5 days before needing a microUSB charge.
Among the endless features the watch will bring to your wrist: receiving and placing calls, email, text messages, music setting, web searches and calendar alerts. You can also set the Martian to use a button on the watch to fire the smartphone camera’s shutter.
Within minutes of unpacking the watch, I had it set to do many of these including having my iPhone GPS talk to me from my wrist.
A scrolling display along the bottom (96 x 16 pixel graphic OLED display) shows the info, alert or caller ID, which is easy to read.
The smartwatch also has a wireless leash feature allowing you to tap on the Martian menu to tell you where the phone is or have it alert you when you walk away from the phone.
The watch base is black, with tangerine color highlights. An interchangeable 22 mm wide light brown leather strap with a stainless steel buckle is included.
www.martianwatches.com $195.00
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I have never been a fan of selfie sticks, nor do I think I ever will be, but I have found a piece of hardware to assist in selfie taking that I am a fan of.
The Jody GripTight POV Kit with universal smartphone compatibility creates a mounting system you can use just about anywhere for something simple like giving your phone a more stable grip for selfies.
You can use the grip in any position with the front or rear-facing-camera in landscape or portrait views with the 180-degree pivoting ergonomic handgrip. The top of the bracket has a cold shoe for attaching camera accessories including a microphone or video light.
A Bluetooth adapter is also included so you can just angle the camera with one hand while firing the shutter with the other.
The kit weighs 2.1 ounces and opens up for devices 2.2 to 3.6-inches wide. — expandable with a built-in wrench to keep the bracket locked in place or to open it for removing the smartphone. Rubberized teeth on the inside of the bracket keep everything in place and scratch free.
The versatile kit can also be used has a tabletop hands-free mount for viewing. You can remove part of the handle to expose a standard GoPro mount for using with an endless line of available mounting accessories (sold separately).
http://joby.com $39.95
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The Cuff is a low-profile attachment for point-and-shoot cameras.
It’s designed with a quick release for one end to attach to the built-in connections on almost every camera’s strap loops. The other end is a strap that can wrap around your wrist, attach to a backpack, or be secured inside a bag.
They click into place for a secure connection to keep a camera locked in place; just unlock it to separate the two with Cuff’s patent-pending Anchor Link connection system.
When not in use, Cuff stores as a bracelet for quick accessibility.
The company claims the newly upgraded anchor system can hold well over 200 pounds. I used it with a pocket camera and a standard size DSLR and it worked great.
One Cuff, two anchors, and a microfiber pouch are included.
www.peakdesign.com $19.95
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Contact Gregg Ellman at greggellman@mac.com. Follow him on Twitter: @greggellman
