Related
How is the watch supposed to function ambient versus non ambient mode? In non ambient mode the watch screen shuts off, if I turn the watch it lights up, seems to work ok other than it doesn't turn on 3/4 of the time.
In ambient mode I get the screen in a dim mode all of the time, kind of odd but the second hand in the watch face gets deactivated but oh well. Now when I hold it up it lights up, but has the "ok Google" text on the screen, where with non-ambient mode it would not do this. Is this normal? It's kind of annoying to see the ok Google text.
spinedoc said:
How is the watch supposed to function ambient versus non ambient mode? In non ambient mode the watch screen shuts off, if I turn the watch it lights up, seems to work ok other than it doesn't turn on 3/4 of the time.
In ambient mode I get the screen in a dim mode all of the time, kind of odd but the second hand in the watch face gets deactivated but oh well. Now when I hold it up it lights up, but has the "ok Google" text on the screen, where with non-ambient mode it would not do this. Is this normal? It's kind of annoying to see the ok Google text.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a really good post describing how ambient mode works: http://www.droid-life.com/2014/09/08/moto-360-ambient-screen-mode/
I think the second hand gets deactivated to save battery(fewer animations). I haven't seen the "ok Google" text on my watch but maybe it depends on your watch face.
I see the OK Google text also. I think that it is trying to let you know that you can say it at any time now and input voice commands for the watch. I understand showing this to people who do not realize such a feature is available but it really should go away after popping up the first 5 times. I really do not need a constant reminder.
Yeah but I wonder why it doesn't show OK Google when ambient mode is off.
The "Ok, Google" text only shows until you've used voice commands ~5-10 times then it goes away.
djuniah said:
The "Ok, Google" text only shows until you've used voice commands ~5-10 times then it goes away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool thanks, I gave it some voice commands and eventually it went away.
Anybody else having issues when placing your palm over the screen to dim it? It should turn the screen off and vibrate. I think I only saw that happen once, but I can't seem to get that to work.
Can somebody try it and tell me if it works for you all the time, some of the time, or rarely to never?
Thanks.
I got it working if I turn off the ambient screen setting on the device. You can also use the button too.
Ambient Screen Off
kpjimmy said:
I got it working if I turn off the ambient screen setting on the device. You can also use the button too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, I tried with both, ambient screen on and ambient screen off. No luck. Yeah, I guess I'll just have to use the button, seems faster anyway, or wait until it turns itself off. I guess I was just concerned my ambient light sensor might be defective, haven't had the chance to see if auto-brightness works correctly since it has been raining and cloudy outside and light indoors generally keeps it mid-brightness.
DaPhang said:
Yup, I tried with both, ambient screen on and ambient screen off. No luck. Yeah, I guess I'll just have to use the button, seems faster anyway, or wait until it turns itself off. I guess I was just concerned my ambient light sensor might be defective, haven't had the chance to see if auto-brightness works correctly since it has been raining and cloudy outside and light indoors generally keeps it mid-brightness.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you go to the android wear app and turn off ambient screen? I assume so. Mine turns "off" when I either "palm" it or push the button. I left the ambient screen sensor on and it still turned off for me.
Make sure your palm is touching the screen. If you're just cupping your hand over the screen, it won't work. It's not a "oh, it just turned dark" thing, but more of a "oh, my entire surface is being touched at once" thing.
Touch Screen Palm
jt3 said:
Make sure your palm is touching the screen. If you're just cupping your hand over the screen, it won't work. It's not a "oh, it just turned dark" thing, but more of a "oh, my entire surface is being touched at once" thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much, that was it. It works now, operator error.
It is my understanding that the display is supposed to dim, but never shutoff when ambient mode is selected. Is this true? if so, since mine does shutoff, could the fact that I have a screen protector be impacting this?
wethead4 said:
It is my understanding that the display is supposed to dim, but never shutoff when ambient mode is selected. Is this true? if so, since mine does shutoff, could the fact that I have a screen protector be impacting this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it will still shut off after a certain amount of time. It's normal from what I heard.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
wethead4 said:
It is my understanding that the display is supposed to dim, but never shutoff when ambient mode is selected. Is this true? if so, since mine does shutoff, could the fact that I have a screen protector be impacting this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, if you want to turn it off....
There is an Ambient setting in the Android Wear application on your phone/tablet.
If you wait for the watch to dim, and then uncheck the Ambient setting box the screen will turn off.
Good luck!
It has to do with orientation and motion. It dims most of the time but is able to turn off if not in use or held down at your side.
SilentAce07 said:
It has to do with orientation and motion. It dims most of the time but is able to turn off if not in use or held down at your side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks all. All the reviews online indicate that when ambient screen is enabled,the face would never shutoff, but enter a dimmed state. This clears it up. so the only difference between ambient and ambient mode off is that it would shutoff immedietely instead of entering a dimmed state prior to fully shutting off?
wethead4 said:
Thanks all. All the reviews online indicate that when ambient screen is enabled,the face would never shutoff, but enter a dimmed state. This clears it up. so the only difference between ambient and ambient mode off is that it would shutoff immedietely instead of entering a dimmed state prior to fully shutting off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically. Ambient mode is on and dimmed quite a bit. Not always. Just a lot.
Ambient mode off basically dims the screen briefly before turning it off completely.
While ambient mode off seems like it would be bad, it's not. The gesture to turn it on is pretty sensitive and responsive. Also, you can just touch the screen or the button to turn it on as well.
?
Anyone know if you can turn off the gesture motion and only turn it on by pushing button. I believe this would save a ton of battery.
Just driving into work this morning the screen turned on 20+ times on a 45min commute.
SilentAce07 said:
Basically. Ambient mode is on and dimmed quite a bit. Not always. Just a lot.
Ambient mode off basically dims the screen briefly before turning it off completely.
While ambient mode off seems like it would be bad, it's not. The gesture to turn it on is pretty sensitive and responsive. Also, you can just touch the screen or the button to turn it on as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OrionNE said:
Anyone know if you can turn off the gesture motion and only turn it on by pushing button. I believe this would save a ton of battery.
Just driving into work this morning the screen turned on 20+ times on a 45min commute.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah just about everyone wants that feature so I would expect it to be included in a future update sometime, it's mentioned on basically every page of this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-360/general/battery-life-discussion-t2806528
So I've finally had the chance to play with one of these watches extensively, and I am baffled by ambient mode.
It's not that it still turns off sometimes; that makes perfect sense. What's wrong with it is that it doesn't actually update even when the screen is on.
Test it yourself. Use the default watch face, enable ambient mode, and go in a completely dark room. You can leave the watch still or move it about, just don't let it act as if you're raising your arm and brighten the display.
Watch it for two or three minutes, and you'll notice that even though the screen remains on, it never updates -- the minute hand never moves, and so it doesn't actually show the right time very quickly after it dims. (This is with the official, default watch face, a just-rest watch, the latest firmware installed, and plenty of battery remaining.)
When the screen turns on from a raise or tap in ambient mode, you can actually see the minute hand jump forward several minutes in one go. Even with ambient mode disabled, the watch still turns on automatically with the raise gesture, and it takes no longer to do so than it does in ambient mode.
That implies there is no reason to use it other than vanity. After all, in the brief time before the backlight comes on the watch shows the wrong time, and it doesn't actually show the right time any faster than it would have.
But it's not really a vanity mode either, because except in a very dark place, the dimmed screen is indistinguishable from a powered off one to those standing near you. So you're wasting power, but still look like you have a blank screen on your wrist.
So what, precisely, is the point? It seems to me to add no benefit, just to waste battery. I'm baffled.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk
I played with Ambient Mode a little before the recent update, but battery life just wasn't sufficient to keep it on. After the update, battery life improved enough for Ambient Mode, so I switched it on. I dealt with it a couple days, then ultimately turned it off for this very reason. It just seemed clunky to me, and as you stated, I'd often glance at my wrist only to see the wrong time until suddenly the watch came fully on and updated.
I was excited for Ambient mode, but like you, I no longer see the point. I'd rather just have a user-controllable setting for "fully on" sensitivity. If I could make my 360 just a little more sensitive to my raising my wrist action, it'd be perfect without Ambient Mode.
I wish I could have the screen on all the time in some cases.. like if you go to someplace classy, i would have the face on all the time displaying the watch face. Thats just me.
I've seen the screen update while it was dim. I do think that it is too dim to use outside like you mentioned.
I noticed this as well. Surely just a bug or an issue with android wear that will be fixed at some point. I'm also sure they will provide a lot more features to regulate screen controls, on, off, brightness, etc in future updates. It's just a matter of time.
I look at it this way... the sensor is kind of future proof if anything. Might not be very useful now, but could have a lot of potential in the next few months or once custom ROM's start rolling out.
Android wear is still in the early stages. It can only get better. Just be patient, we are early adopters on first generation hardware.
tlxxxsracer said:
I wish I could have the screen on all the time in some cases.. like if you go to someplace classy, i would have the face on all the time displaying the watch face. Thats just me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is a way you can set the screen on all the time:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=55311726
knoxploration said:
So I've finally had the chance to play with one of these watches extensively, and I am baffled by ambient mode.
It's not that it still turns off sometimes; that makes perfect sense. What's wrong with it is that it doesn't actually update even when the screen is on.
Test it yourself. Use the default watch face, enable ambient mode, and go in a completely dark room. You can leave the watch still or move it about, just don't let it act as if you're raising your arm and brighten the display.
Watch it for two or three minutes, and you'll notice that even though the screen remains on, it never updates -- the minute hand never moves, and so it doesn't actually show the right time very quickly after it dims. (This is with the official, default watch face, a just-rest watch, the latest firmware installed, and plenty of battery remaining.)
When the screen turns on from a raise or tap in ambient mode, you can actually see the minute hand jump forward several minutes in one go. Even with ambient mode disabled, the watch still turns on automatically with the raise gesture, and it takes no longer to do so than it does in ambient mode.
That implies there is no reason to use it other than vanity. After all, in the brief time before the backlight comes on the watch shows the wrong time, and it doesn't actually show the right time any faster than it would have.
But it's not really a vanity mode either, because except in a very dark place, the dimmed screen is indistinguishable from a powered off one to those standing near you. So you're wasting power, but still look like you have a blank screen on your wrist.
So what, precisely, is the point? It seems to me to add no benefit, just to waste battery. I'm baffled.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just watched mine move the minutes hand just fine in ambient mode... this is with the classic Motorola face.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsTpDpgYwFY
I have started using ambient mode for the first time in a bright office environment and noticed that at random times the display completely turns off. It turns back on once I move my hand ever so slightly. For me Ambient Mode should always be on regardless of lighting condition and watch orientation.
zarks said:
I have started using ambient mode for the first time in a bright office environment and noticed that at random times the display completely turns off. It turns back on once I move my hand ever so slightly. For me Ambient Mode should always be on regardless of lighting condition and watch orientation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought it would stay on the dimmed mode the whole time too... but like you said it turns on with even the slightest rotation of the wrist now, and that means we can finally glance at the watch and see the time!
:good:
The minuets do update in real time so idk what you're seeing?
This observation definitely needs to be settled because we have 2 conflicting reports here. Some of you are claiming the watch does not update the time even when the screen is on unless you fully wake the screen. Others are saying it updates just fine, so what gives?
FYI my G watch always displays the correct time, even when dimmed, so I dont think it's an Android Wear problem. Sounds kinda like additional battery conservation steps by Moto. They are essentially sleeping the CPU so that there is just enough juice remaining to keep the screen on for 16+ hours. I just dont understand how some of you are experiencing this and others are not.
for me, in ambient mode, the screen still turns off after a while. but it turns back on much quicker than with ambient mode off. it often takes an exaggerated bring-up-arm movement to turn on the screen with ambient off. i used to resort to tapping the screen instead. with ambient on the battery still last me a "work day". off charger at 7AM and dies around 10PM or so...battery lasts longer with stock faces compared to Facer faces...
Most developer purposes.
My ambient mode used to stay on all the time now it turns off the screen..
ws6kid said:
My ambient mode used to stay on all the time now it turns off the screen..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just started using it and noticed the screen stays on if you keep it flat horizontal, but if you turn your wrist past 45 degrees it turns off.
Maybe they added that with the update, did ambient mode used to stay on even when that watch is sideways?
Ambient is so useless for me, the screen is almost off all the time... So frustrating coming from a g watch
RunNgun42 said:
This observation definitely needs to be settled because we have 2 conflicting reports here. Some of you are claiming the watch does not update the time even when the screen is on unless you fully wake the screen. Others are saying it updates just fine, so what gives?
FYI my G watch always displays the correct time, even when dimmed, so I dont think it's an Android Wear problem. Sounds kinda like additional battery conservation steps by Moto. They are essentially sleeping the CPU so that there is just enough juice remaining to keep the screen on for 16+ hours. I just dont understand how some of you are experiencing this and others are not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, I believe I have seen my watch 'get stuck' maybe once or twice where the time on the dim screen wasn't the same as I had on my computer. This could just be a difference in the clocks, as whenever I check both my phone and my dim watch together, they are the same. Like RunNgun42 said, I think it might be a thing where the proc is in sleep mode to try and save power and isn't keeping up the time as accurately as it could. Once you shake it though and the screen lights up again, the proc will come out of sleep and maintain more accurate timekeeping.
Isn't there a screen always on option in the android wear app?
And yes ambient mode still turns off when the watch is at an angle consistent with being down at your side or is completely still.
SilentAce07 said:
Isn't there a screen always on option in the android wear app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can't keep the screen on at all times out of the box, but some 3rd party software can do it...
Ambient mode is a lot quicker to wake up and react than non-ambient, it's a lot more accurate (non-ambient often stays off when I turn my arm to look at the time), it's easier to see what time it is, and it acts a lot more like a conventional watch- the display is on when you need it.
Battery drain is not a biggie, I get through the day, every day.
Notice there're like two types on how people use their Moto 360.
1) Ambient Mode: on - Tilt to wake screen: off
Can always see the watchface, backlight light up by touching/interaction.
2) Ambient Mode: off - Tilt to wake screen: on
Tilt will turn on the screen with backlight. Nothing if it doesn't.
Which are you? and why?
philippecr said:
Notice there're like two types on how people use their Moto 360.
1) Ambient Mode: on - Tilt to wake screen: off
Can always see the watchface, backlight light up by touching/interaction.
2) Ambient Mode: off - Tilt to wake screen: on
Tilt will turn on the screen with backlight. Nothing if it doesn't.
Which are you? and why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless my watch is defective and everything I've read is wrong, the face on a Moto360 will never always stay on, even when tilt to wake screen is off (I just tried it to confirm). Turning ambient mode on and tilt to wake screen off only makes it so you have to tilt to get the ambient mode screen.
But to answer the question, I'm neither. I have ambient mode on and tilt to wake screen on. I use this configuration because I want my watch to behave like a normal watch, and I don't want to have to touch it to see the time. I also want the screen to be on as much as possible because sometimes I hold my arm at an angle that isn't detected as a true "tilt" by the watch, and I want to be able to check the time despite this.
I have tilt to wake on and ambient off because I dont want touse more battery by keeping ambient on but I also want to be able to view the time without having to touch the screen or button.
TheSt33v: u had both of them on? How is the battery life?
I have them both OFF. I found out tilt to wake off extends my battery live tremendously. But I miht be a special case since I drive for living and the watch wakes up way too often.
I'd welcome some kind of "custom calibration" for cases like this and also it would be nice, if the screen would turn off IMMEDIATELY after you move the watch away from face.
I miss voted - I have both OFF (not on).
I like to tap or hit the button to see it. Otherwise it is on virtually all the time with my hands moving so much for work.
The the new app wod i kight turn mine into a boost gauge ....lol
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
philippecr said:
TheSt33v: u had both of them on? How is the battery life?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I's fine. I charge it overnight, and it's usually 20-30% by the time I go to bed.
until today I used all OFF, but after seeing this post I decided to try with Ambient Mode ON and Tilt to wake OFF.. I'll post later on the battery life comparaison in my case. I'm surprised to see the screen go black when not moving the watch at all even with ambient mode ON.
It's clear, I don't like to use tilt to wake, because of the 1sec lag when I move my wrist to see the time, hate it to feel like I didn't move it correctly even if I did.
I just found out from this thread that it is possible to disable the tilt to wake up gesture. Thanks OP !
Stupidly, you can't find this in watch settings, only in Android Wear app's settings.
For me, tilt to wake up disabled and ambient mode enabled looks like the best combination and battery life seems to be the same or better than with the defaults (Ambient off and tilt to wake up on), especially when driving.
Jungleman_ said:
until today I used all OFF, but after seeing this post I decided to try with Ambient Mode ON and Tilt to wake OFF.. I'll post later on the battery life comparaison in my case. I'm surprised to see the screen go black when not moving the watch at all even with ambient mode ON.
It's clear, I don't like to use tilt to wake, because of the 1sec lag when I move my wrist to see the time, hate it to feel like I didn't move it correctly even if I did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is how I use mine. Ambient ON, Tilt OFF.
Tilt to wake lag's really bad.
Ambient ON means I can always see the time, like a real watch.
Talking to my watch is the daggiest thing in the world, so I would always touch it anyway to activate a task.
Battery:
40-30% left when I got to bed. Turn watch OFF.
Put on charge while I get ready for work in the morning. 95-85% 20 mins later when I leave.
Happy days....
michael_or said:
This is how I use mine. Ambient ON, Tilt OFF.
Ambient ON means I can always see the time, like a real watch.
Battery:
40-30% left when I got to bed. Turn watch OFF.
Put on charge while I get ready for work in the morning. 95-85% 20 mins later when I leave.
Happy days....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I take it you still have to lift the watch to see the ambient mode (watchface) since the Moto 360 screen always goes off when you move your arm down?
SirDigitalKnight said:
I take it you still have to lift the watch to see the ambient mode (watchface) since the Moto 360 screen always goes off when you move your arm down?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, but, when my arm is down, I cant see my watch anyway!
Even with an analogue watch I would need to point it toward my face to read it.
I find the moto360 is pretty good at guessing whether I'm looking or not. With my arm resting on the desk/keyboard as I type this, my ambient watchface is on and I can read it by glancing down, no watch movement required.
I'm pretty happy with the battery life I'm getting in this mode.
michael_or said:
Yep, but, when my arm is down, I cant see my watch anyway!
Even with an analogue watch I would need to point it toward my face to read it.
I find the moto360 is pretty good at guessing whether I'm looking or not. With my arm resting on the desk/keyboard as I type this, my ambient watchface is on and I can read it by glancing down, no watch movement required.
I'm pretty happy with the battery life I'm getting in this mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, I am liking the same settings on mine. Only 2 weeks with the watch so I still have to play some more but 11 hours into my watch use for the day and I am still at 59%!
I use tilt on and ambient off because i don't want use more battery when it not use.
Thanks for all the tips! I just ordered a Moto 360 myself and I plan on enabling Ambient Mode and disabling the tilt to display mode. If I plan on actually using my watch for a task I'm most likely going to tap on the screen anyway rather than tilting my wrist, and battery life will most likely be the same.
Soooo.
My watch just updated to the newest Android Wear version.
Now it seems my Ambient Mode leaves the screen on, regardless of angle!
It will be interesting to see how this effects my battery life!...!...!
I keep it all on.
I find both too useful to keep off.
michael_or said:
Soooo.
My watch just updated to the newest Android Wear version.
Now it seems my Ambient Mode leaves the screen on, regardless of angle!
It will be interesting to see how this effects my battery life!...!...!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought I was crazy but I just noticed this today. It turns out that ambient on and tilt to wake off leaves ambient always on. If you activate tilt to wake, the ambient screen turns off when facing out away from you or down. So tilt off, ambient on is what I'm going to try tomorrow to see how battery life is. The only thing I miss is the OK Google command just by raising my wrist.
Sent from my LG-D631 using XDA Free mobile app