Wifi When Not Connected to Phone

[Marauder2]

I was deciding between the Ionic and Gear Sport and chose the former as the fitness tracking is supposed to be better and still has some smart watch features.

I got one today and set it up, got my Philips Hue app working, then when I disconnect from my phone the apps all stop working and in about, wifi is turned off.

Can someone clarify, without a connection to the phone, apps that require wifi do not work? If so, I don't understand the point of this device then as a smartwatch.

Thanks!

[SunsetRunner · Accepted solution]

@Marauder2 At the moment all apps that require access to the internet or external devices do so via your phone. The Ionic can’t leverage the connections without. As such, the apps effectively use your phone as a conduit.

What’s the point? Save you getting your phone out of your pocket perhaps. I don’t know and to be honest, I don’t use any apps on my watch (and didn’t with my two previous Apple watches either. They seem fun to start with but, by and large, it’s easier just getting the phone out.

[Marauder2]

Thanks for your reply @SunsetRunner

I'll try to get in the habit of connecting my phone while I am home, see if I even use the apps. At least my main "needs" in music and gps work without the connection. I think the Gear Sport can use wifi on its own but everything I've read online says the gps performance is very poor.