Like the first gen Apple watch, or a convertible car. it doesn't work in a lot of scenarios, but for the ones where it does, it absolutely shines. A generation or three later, it'd be better, for sure, but early adopters have to give up some things to be that early. I just don't know why they had to force it to be independent of your smartphone this early in its lifecycle. It's an accessory, like a smartwatch, and sure, a later generation could operate independently, just like there's an LTE Apple watch, but that's not where they are yet.

For hardware that doesn't require me to break out my TS80P soldering iron and no breadboarding (that is half the fun though, although it becomes a different kind of project)? I mean I could, but then I've got to make a whole harness for the thing and and and. It's worth it to me to not have to do all that. But you're right, $700 is a lot.