Smartwatches with older phones?

[PCunicorn]

I am thinking of getting a Evo 4G (because of Freedom Pop), but I REALLY want a smart watch. I've done. A little bit of research, and I can't tell. All I've seen is "Any phone with 4.3+". Now, I can get a 4.3 ROM for the Evo, so that's not a issue. What I'm worried about is the Bluetooth (or does it use NFC?). The Evo 4G has Bluetooth 2.1, the Smartwatches use BT 4 LE.

 

[Aurelius]

I am thinking of getting a Evo 4G (because of Freedom Pop), but I REALLY want a smart watch. I've done. A little bit of research, and I can't tell. All I've seen is "Any phone with 4.3+". Now, I can get a 4.3 ROM for the Evo, so that's not a issue. What I'm worried about is the Bluetooth (or does it use NFC?). The Evo 4G has Bluetooth 2.1, the Smartwatches use BT 4 LE.

It uses Bluetooth, and that's the big problem -- it's not going to work nicely, or at all. I would spring for the GS4 on FreedomPop if you just have to have a smartwatch.

 

[mi7chy]

You answered your question. Android 4.3 or higher and BLE 4.0 which should be available on most 2012 or newer phones.

 

[PCunicorn]

So Bluetooth is not backwards compatible like that?

 

[mi7chy]

Emphasis is on Low Energy since smartwatch batteries are tiny.

 

[Meaker]

Exactly, older bluetooth without the low power modes would kill the batteries in very short order.