Smart Watches

Overview

By definition, a smartwatch is a device with features that go beyond just keeping time, a touchscreen that can connect to the internet and designed to be worn on the wrist.

The greatest benefit achieved by owning a smartwatch is that it keeps you updated without having to check your smartphone every time you receive a buzzing notification. This not only allows you to spend more time paying attention to your boss at a meeting or with your eyes on the road but also improves your phone’s battery life.

apple watch plus phone

Every Apple Watch must have a companion iPhone in order to connect to the internet

Current Tech

Think of your watch as an extension of your smartphone. Just like with phones, every smartwatch has something unique to offer and uses an operating system to control what it can do and what it cannot.

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The two dominating smart watch operating systems

All smartwatches connect to your phone via Bluetooth and use your phones’ wireless connections to access the web and interact with apps. To start off, you need to know the two main operating systems used in Smart Watches: Android Wear and WatchOS.

Android Wear was initially made for Android only devices but Apple has now allowed Wear devices to work with iPhones! Because they are made using the Android operating system, Wear devices tend to have more freedom and offer users more integrative features such

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The Digital Crown feature is exclusive to the Apple Watch

as Google Now, Gesture commands, voice search, offline music playback and GPS support.

On the other hand, WatchOS is designed to function only on the Apple Watch and cannot communicate with any Android devices. Some well-known Apple features pertaining to the Watch are Siri functionality, ability to change the wristband for some more luxurious and colorful ones, and the Digital Crown feature which allows you to zoom, scroll, head to the home screen or use Siri!

Finally, there are some cool features that both OS’s share that include:

  • Getting turn-by-turn directions right on your wrist
  • Use Voice Search to text, launch apps or search the web
  • Send drawings to your friends
  • Stay informed with news updates and weather alerts
  • Create or reply to messages
  • Play music or shop

Regardless of which watch you decide on, you will definitely need to charge it every night.

References:

  1. Bean, D. (2014, March 9). What the Heck Is a Smartwatch, and Why Might I Want One? Retrieved July 18, 2016, from https://www.yahoo.com/tech/what-the-heck-is-a-smartwatch-and-why-might-i-want-80069897362.html
  2. Kim, Ki Joon. (2015). An Acceptance Model for Smart Watches. Internet Research, Volume (25), Issue 4, p527-p541.
  3. (2014). Apple Watch Set to Drive Wearables into the Mainstream. Biometric Technology Today, Volume (2014), Issue 9, p1-1

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