What Is a Smartwatch and Do I Need One?
Smartwatches are the new trend in wearable technology. These watches can be used for fitness tracking, mobile payments, and even as a remote control for your TV! It’s no wonder that they have become so popular. But what exactly is a smartwatch? Let’s take a closer look.
What Exactly Is a Smartwatch?
A smartwatch is a type of wearable computer. They are worn on the wrist, and they can be connected to your phone via Bluetooth. A smartwatch allows you to perform many of the same tasks that you would on your phone right from your watch face, including checking emails, making calls, and texting friends.
Here are some of the features available on smartwatches:
Fitness Tracker
Many smartwatches have fitness tracking software built-in. This means you can track your steps, distance traveled, and calories burned right from your wrist!
Music
Spotify and other music apps can be downloaded onto your smartwatch. This allows you to stream music from either the watch or the phone itself!
Messaging
You can send and receive text messages from your smartwatch, as well as make/take phone calls. Some watches even allow you to respond with a short message service (SMS) right from the watch face!
Notifications
If a notification comes through on your smartphone for an email or social media site like Facebook, you can check it on your smartwatch. You can choose which apps you want to ‘mirror’ onto the watch face so that you are not bombarded with unnecessary notifications all day long.
Apps
There are many apps you can download directly to your smartwatch, which means there’s no need to take out your phone every time you want to use it.
GPS
Some smartwatches have their own GPS feature, so you can track your runs and bike rides without needing to bring your phone along.
Voice Commands
Smartwatches that boast voice command features give users hands-free abilities to control the watch. You can use voice commands to do things like calling a friend or family member and play music on your smartwatch via Bluetooth headphones/speakers without having to touch the screen.
Should I Buy a Smartwatch?
It depends on your needs. If you want a watch that does more, then get a smartwatch. But if you just want a watch to tell the time, then do not bother.
Smartwatch technology is still relatively new compared to traditional watches. There are lots of different smartwatches on the market, with many features and price points available.
You should not buy a smartwatch just because it’s “trendy” or because you think one day everyone will have a smartwatch. This would be a waste of your money.
Like any tech purchase, you should do some research before buying a smartwatch to avoid spending money on unnecessary features or poor-quality devices that will break easily and require replacement in just months.
It is worth considering the value that a smartwatch could add to your life before spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on something that does not meet your needs.
Features to Consider Before Buying Smartwatches
Battery Life
The battery life of the smartwatch is a crucial thing to consider. It may be a good idea to compare how long each watch lasts from fully charged before buying it, so you know whether or not the battery would work for your needs.
Water-resistance
Another thing to think about is the water resistance of the smartwatch. If you plan on swimming or doing any activities with your watch that might get it wet, then you will probably want one that has some level of waterproofing.
Waterproof Rating
The rating for how well a watch holds up in the water can be found by looking at its IP rating. A smartwatch should have an IP67 or higher, meaning it can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of one meter (about three feet) without the risk of damage.
Style
In addition to considering if you want a touchscreen or how big its screen is, another factor in what kind of smartwatch you should buy is what style best fits your taste. In this category, it’s essential to think about the design and form factor and any other aesthetic elements that could make a watch more or less appealing to you.
Fitness Tracker
If fitness tracking features are something that interests you in a smartwatch, make sure to read about whether or not the watch has any sensors for activity tracking, including an accelerometer.
Price
Price is also a significant factor in choosing what smartwatch is right for you. It’s vital that you know your budget and understand exactly how much money you can spend on a new device like this before you begin looking at options.
Extra Features
One thing to look for that some smartwatches have and others do not is Near Field Communication (NFC) capabilities. NFC allows the watch to make contactless payments, which could be helpful if you’re looking for a way to pay without carrying your wallet around with you.
Smartwatch for iPhone
The Apple Watch 6 is considered the best watch for iPhone users. It’s packed with features such as Blood Oxygen Sensor, Heart Sensor, Fitness Tracker, Sleep Tracking, and water-resistant up to 50 meters. It comes in two sizes, 40mm and 44mm-and a range of colors.
Smartwatch for Android
Fitbit Sense is the perfect all-in-one activity tracker for starter and intermediate users. This smartwatch combines accurate health tracking with a stylish design. The ECG sensor that can detect heart problems, SpO2 sensor to check blood oxygenation levels, Skin Temperature Monitor which allows you to assess if you have certain inflammations or sensitivities, and Sleep Tracking that can tell how well you rested last night. The Fitbit sense also has other impressive specs that will help keep track of your fitness!
Conclusion
Smartwatches are a great way to keep track of your fitness while also maintaining the look and feel of an everyday watch. Smartwatch technology is constantly improving, so it’s important that you know what features matter most to you. Once you know what features are suitable for your needs, it will be much easier to find a smartwatch that suits you best!
