Last Updated on May 21, 2025 by nice2buy
Smartwatches Pitch
Back in 2014, the tech world collectively lost its mind. Suddenly, everyone decided they needed a watch that could vibrate, beep, and die after two days. And so emerged the era of smartwatches — glorified wrist pagers marketed as revolutionary. Now that it’s 2025, let’s look back and ask the most important question: were they brilliant or were we all just sleep-deprived and gullible?
Pebble Steel
Imagine a Game Boy fell in love with a Rolex and they had a slightly underwhelming child. That’s Pebble Steel. The stainless steel casing gave it the illusion of class, but deep down it was running a monochrome e-paper display like it was stuck in a Kindle from 2009.
Verdict: Elegant in an “IT guy at a wedding” kind of way. Built like a tank. Displayed like a calculator.
LG G Watch R
If you ever wanted a smartwatch that looked like it borrowed its styling cues from a Casio diving watch circa 1996, this was your boy. Round display, decent screen, and a strap that screamed, “I do CrossFit and talk about it.”
Verdict: The best Android Wear of its time… which is like saying it’s the least confusing IKEA manual.
Apple Watch (1st Gen)
Launched with the subtlety of a nuclear test, the original Apple Watch promised to change the world. Instead, it changed how often we charged things. It came in two sizes, but only one battery life: abysmal. Still, it was shiny.
Verdict: The wrist-mounted iPhone sidekick no one asked for but everyone bought. Because Apple.
Moto 360
Finally, someone made a round watch that didn’t look like it came from the vending machine at a petrol station. The Moto 360 had beautiful lines — and also that infamous “flat tire” black bar at the bottom of the screen, presumably for added disappointment.
Verdict: Gorgeous from 3 feet away, tragic up close.
Samsung Gear 2
Ah yes, Samsung’s attempt to do everything at once: touchscreen, camera, heart rate monitor, and even infrared TV control — because clearly your watch should also double as a universal remote.
Verdict: More features than friends, less style than a blender.
Use Case in 2025
Remember when everyone thought these things would replace smartphones? Turns out, most of them couldn’t even replace a decent kitchen timer. In 2025, the only place you’ll see a Pebble Steel is in a tech museum or an ironic TikTok. First-gen Apple Watches? Collecting dust in drawers next to fidget spinners. The Moto 360? Occasionally spotted on nostalgic dads who still listen to MP3s.
The only semi-redeemable quality? They paved the way for current-gen wearables that actually track your sleep, play music, and don’t look like rejected prototypes.
Final Verdict
The smartwatches of 2014 were less about utility and more about saying “Look, I’m futuristic!” while charging every other day and showing you your latest email from Groupon. But we loved them — not because they were good, but because they made us feel like we were living in a sci-fi movie… right until they crashed mid-jog.
So, were they necessary? Absolutely not. But are we glad they existed? Also yes — because without their glorious failures, we wouldn’t have what we have today.
Rating (2025 hindsight): ★★☆☆☆
Stay tuned for more sarcastic looks at outdated tech. Because history is best served with a smirk and a dead battery icon.
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