16 of 23 customers found the following review helpful:
 Nice idea, HUGE watch, HORRIBLE service agreement, 2004-11-13
OK, I did my homework... researched extensively in as many web sites as I could, for reviews and ratings, and finally decided to go for it and get the watch with the most favorable reviews (Fossil, Square Face). What a DISAPPOINTMENT!!
Seriously, the watch is scaringly ENORMOUS!! As in UNWEARABLY BIG (over 1/2 and inch thick!! 2 inches long!! 1.5 inches wide!! WOW!!!)... my wife and I actually laughed when I took it out of the box! It looks like some kind of weapon or wearable instrument (sci-fi movie like), but definitely not like a watch. G-Shocks are considerably smaller than these!!! I do not know how big the other reviewers--with favorable ratings--are, but I can tell you that on a 5'7" person like me (average height of the population in the planet, and the one used in ergonomics designs), it looks like a bad joke. Good luck if you wear long sleeved shirts!
But, since the gargantuan thing had arrived, I decided to, at least, test its functionality. After all, that is why I got the watch on the first place.
My funcitonality test endeded when reading the MSN Direct service agreement's "fine print". There are so many provisions AGAINST the user, that it is actually fun to read: they take no responsibility, whatsoever, for any service disruption or if the service does not work at all (and will charge you anyways)... they limit the number of instant messages and calendar notes AND will charge you MORE MONEY for receiving more than the limit (which is not stipulated ANYWHERE in the agreement--scary!)... there are no refunds WHATSOEVER, for any reason... there is no clarification if the "first month free" is the same "trial period" mentioned in the contract or not, so I could not tell if after testing the service for less than a month and cancelling it, I would still be charged the yearly fee (as in other services, "first month free" could mean that the yearly service cost is for 11 months + 1 "free" month... where the latter is NOT a trial period, but a package deal)... and it goes on and on... NO WAY I AM SPENDING AN EXTRA SIXTY BUCKS FOR A SERVICE I WILL POSSIBLY NEVER GET!!!
This puppy is going back to the store, I'll just wait a few more years till the technology matures and someone other than MSN, with a true concept of "service", offers and alternative solution. On the meantime, back to my old, faithful Tissot and my cell phone... which together, do more than these watches ever could.
3 of 5 customers found the following review helpful:
 Loved it!, 2004-05-25
I brought this recently for my husband and I must say I think it is great. Everything right at your wrist. I am able to send him messages; get my lotto numbers; get my horoscope and he is able to keep up with his sports and select what teams he wants to get updates on. Excellent, Windy today, humidity, just look at your watch. Excellent. You do have to have a subcription for 60 a year. but its worth it. Your also able to change the face of your watch. COOL!
5 of 6 customers found the following review helpful:
 A LOT more than the time..., 2004-02-04
Given all the negative words written about these watches, I thought I'd chime in with a positive review (and no, I do not work for Fossil or Microsoft).I love it. Period. After wearing my Wrist Net Square for the past couple of weeks I can't imagine wearing a simple "watch" anymore. Being able to glance at my wrist and have access to news, stocks, weather, IMs, and my Outlook calendar appointments is nothing short of amazing. And yes, I do own a wireless-enabled PDA and cellphone, but there are plenty of times when using them is inappropriate or inconvienient. Mind you, keeping your expectations grounded in reality is helpful. You're not going to be receiving the entire NY Times on these watches, nor will they serve double duty as dedicated Bloomberg Stock feeds. If, however, you're looking for quick updates and news alerts, SPOT can't be beat. The display is crisp and clear, the backlight can double as a flashlight in a pinch, and the ability to change watch faces depending on mood/situations is a nice touch. Of course, it also functions quite nicely as a watch, with all the usual features present: dual alarms, stopwatch/lap timer, countdown timer, dual time... True, the band can be a bit of a pain to adjust, but it certainly doesn't require a trip to your local jeweler. Just use a thumbtack to push the pin in, and you're good to go. Now that mine is sized correctly, it's actually quite comfortable - and I have thin wrists for a guy, in spite of the fact that I'm six feet tall and weigh 170lbs. My advice to potential buyers: Don't cheap out, get a Fossil Square, Round, Dick Tracy, or Suunto. They won't crap out on you, and at least in the case of the Square, it actually looks cool (I've never received so many compliments on a watch - and that's before people see what it does). Also, be sure that you live in a supported area, and do not sign up for the yearly plan. You get a free month's service, so use it. See if the watch is useful to you before you commit to longer contract.
1 of 6 customers found the following review helpful:
It's crappy..., 2004-01-25
I was very excited to get my watch. Unfortunately the excitement faded pretty quickly as I had to let the darn thing charge for six hours before I could put it on my wrist. When it finally finished charging I quickly found out that the clasp and band are incredibly hard to work with. Once I was able to get the band to size and figure out the tricky clasp I was very disapointed with the way it fit. It really bites into my wrist. The service itself is fun, but I am able to get all of the same services on my cell phone. After two days of use, the watch started to malfunction. It would just shut off by itself. I called Fossil and they told me that it sounds like the watch was defective. I returned it the next day.
Maybe I'll cobble up a new watch made of my cell phone and some cheap leather...
42 of 51 customers found the following review helpful:
Not ready for prime-time or any time., 2004-01-14
Do yourself a favor - wait on this technology!I live in suburban Chicago - clearly within the published coverage area of MSN Direct service. I was unable to receive any signal with the watch. $179 is a lot to pay for a bulky digital watch. Be aware - it is quite a bit larger that it appears in the pictures and the strap is very cheap for a watch of this price. Also, it must be charged on a stand at least once per week (the stand is well made and has a great cool factor though) Technical support a Microsoft was simply no help. In one call they told me they were giving my case to a upper-level support tech who would work on it and call me. In my follow-up call (I initiated after not receiving a call), they stated that it must be the watch. They could not tell whether the network was up or down, or what an upper-level tech support person could do - maybe they are flying someone out to look at the watch. In conclusion - Unless you live in the HEART of a coverage area, do not count on the product working. If you have trouble, do not count on MS technical support. If you want to know what time it is, do not count on this watch.
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