You may have already heard of smartwatches but if you’re unsure what exactly they are or whether it’s just another ‘fad’, you’re not alone.
Firstly, wearable technology is definitely not a ‘fad’ or a momentary hype; it’s here to stay. But some forms of wearable tech are better than others and that better form factor seems to be the watch. If you haven’t been living under rock for the past 2 years then you’ll have heard of Google Glass; the more unconventional wearable.
"It's here to stay"
Personally I think it looks obtrusive and a bit (very) pretentious but you can see for yourself why it’s not catching on any time soon regardless of the $1500 (£880) price tag.
This is why more and more manufacturers are pooling their cash and research into smartwatches and why Samsung are already onto their second generation the Galaxy Gear watch.
This is why more and more manufacturers are pooling their cash and research into smartwatches and why Samsung are already onto their second generation the Galaxy Gear watch.
How they work
Some smartwatches are able to show you notifications from your phone; make/answer phone calls; take photos; track your fitness and download apps. But all of them of late have been very dependent on a wireless connection with a smartphone via Bluetooth so they remain just as accessories to supplement your smartphone experience. You needn’t worry about the Bluetooth connection draining your phones already limited battery supply now that most new smartphones utilise the new Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) technology. But don’t expect smartwatches to become independent anytime soon since that would require them to have SIM card slots and other hardware of the like, making the watch big and bulky. And who wants to wear a heavy, bulky watch ‘cuz…
You’d be forgiven for thinking that smartwatches made by the same manufacturers who made your smartphone would be the best match to make the most of their features and in some ways they are. However, one of the best featured smartwatches is made by the insanely popular and successful Kickstarter project Pebble; an independent manufacturer whose smartwatches are compatible with both Android and iOS running phones.
Since smartwatches don’t carry the core functionality of a smartphone I, like many, won’t be as dependant on them as much as a smartphone hence why I’d purchase them less frequently. This is why it’s advisable to invest in a more versatile smartwatch that isn't restricted to certain phones such as the Galaxy Gear and their Galaxy Smartphone counterparts. That’s not to say “don’t buy into Samsung’s offerings or else you’ll be trapped in glossy plastic hell” but if you don’t see yourself sticking with Galaxy devices in the future it wouldn't be wise.
Enter Android Wear
"it’s going to be a minimum requirement"
So far we've discussed the hardware side but the software is just as important, if not more so. With the growing popularity of smartwatches Google have responded with a tailored operating system for smartwatches called Android Wear. This is predicted to be a platform with a lot of developer support for apps and compatibility with most Android devices which is why it’s going to be a minimum requirement for my next smartwatch. Not to mention all the Google services integration like Google Now and Google maps all of which can be activated via voice command. Unfortunately, Android Wear hasn't been released to the public yet but in the meanwhile Google have posted a video demonstration for us to salivate over.
"the iWatch"
Windows Phone
If you have a Windows Phone I have bad news for you son; I've got 99 Windows Phones but smartwatches support none. I don’t really have 99 Windows Phones but you get the gist. There have been claims of future smartwatches supporting Windows Phone but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Now that Microsoft have absorbed one of the highest quality and long standing hardware vendors, Nokia, it shouldn't be too long till we see some top quality Windows Phone supporting smartwatches. This is only still speculation at this point.
The bottom line
So if you’re thinking of investing in a smartwatch then you might want to wait till the technology and the market matures just a little bit more so you don’t fall under the curse of the early adopter. From what I've seen I really want the Moto 360. There’s just something so classy and understated about its design that would allow me to wear it with formal attire and be taken seriously. But I also like the water resistant feature of the Pebble Steel. If there is a smartwatch that you prefer or you already own one please let me know why in the comment section below.