A wristwatch has been a staple fashion statement for quite some time now. Aside from the fact that its main purpose is to keep us updated with time, it has also served its objective of completing an outfit or look. One would say that when you have a good and eye-pleasing wristwatch, it would make you look more composed, confident, and well-off.
Because of this interest and continued demand for wristwatches, it has continued evolving along with technical advancements, which are now more equipped with interesting features. Just like televisions and cellphones, a simple wristwatch has now become a techie gadget that can provide exciting features besides timekeeping.
Digital watches with calculator and unit converter features have been around for years but only in 2010 did smartphone-like watches were released. Although the smartwatch key players are Apple, Samsung, and Sony, the first to release a digital watch is Hamilton Watch Company and Electro/Data Inc.
In 1972, it offered the Pulsar wherein users would press a button to see the time. According to some, this was the pivotal point in the history of smartwatch.
In 1983, Seiko released a watch which can be linked to a portable TV receiver wherein, the top part of the watch was used for standard features while the bottom was used for a video output. However, in 1999, Samsung was the first to release a watch with telecommunications features.
There was some downtime for the recognition, however, sooner when it saw the potential of that industry, it continued its operations.
As people start to grow interest in fitness training and workouts, so do their interest in equipment. People are researching the best quality of equipment, from yoga mats to dumbbells. One of the equipment used and trendy nowadays is a smartwatch.
What is a smartwatch?
A smartwatch is a portable device meant to be worn just like an ordinary wristwatch. However, it is not just ordinary in the sense that it uses a touchscreen and offers apps which are either stand-alone or connected with your phone.
Just like an ordinary wristwatch, it is intended for daily use. However, it can be utilized as an alternative to smartphones. Imagine having your phone wrapped around your wrist, what a peaceful thing to see.
Here are some of the ways that a smartwatch can be utilized:
- Smartwatches alerts you of notification from your phone or from the independent apps from the smartwatch.
- Some smartwatches sensor your movement so for example, if you fall and fail to respond to a notification, it will alert the authorities to inform them because it assumes that you are injured.
- Some smartwatches have built-in apps that you can enjoy but some apps appear in your smartwatches when connected to your phone.
- Smartwatches can also control the volume and tracks when you play your favorite music while running on a treadmill or when lifting weights.
- Smartwatches can also help you in answering your messages by voice.
- Smartwatches can monitor your heart rate and and your oxygen rate while you are doing your work-out routines.
Does a smartwatch have to be connected to a phone?
The notion about smartwatches is that it helps you control your smartphone through it. Hence, the thinking that you need a phone to connect your smartwatch with.
For some part, it could be true because there really are smartwatches that need to be connected and must be within a certain range close to the phone. This would also lead to the reaction that smartwatches are not smart enough because it would not work without a phone.
A smartwatch is not termed “smart” without a reason. When you have a smartwatch, there are several ways to use it, either by connecting it to your phone via bluetooth, wifi or app, or just using it independently.
In any of these ways, you can enjoy the features of your smartwatch. The first thing you need to do is to assess your phone if it has wifi or bluetooth connectivity, or if it can download apps. If the answer is yes, then purchase a smartwatch that can be connected in such a way.
Nevertheless, if you are the type of person who does not like to bring his phone all the time, purchase a smartwatch with cellular connectivity feature. In that way, you can have all the functions of your phone without actually bringing it.
How do smart watches connect to phones?
Smartwatches connect to the phone with these two easy methods. Note that you have to make sure that your phone is capable of any of these methods.
Via Bluetooth
- Turn on the Bluetooth on your phone by going to the Settings app on your phone.
- Click on Bluetooth and slide the toggle next to it to turn it on.
- Make your phone visible to others by checking the box under the Bluetooth toggle to turn the Discoverable mode on.
- Turn on your smartwatch and proceed with the pairing process by clicking on the Search for Devices on your phone. Select Smartwatch and click Pair.
Via app
- Install the app as provided by the manual. Each smartwatch has different apps so you have to check which apps suit it correctly.
- Work your way around the app. Sometimes, the app itself guides you how to connect your phone with your smartwatch. However, some instructions can be found on the manual of the smartwatch.
Can a smartwatch work without a phone?
Definitely. Some smartwatches work without a phone. These are the models that require a micro-sim to function which follows that it will also require cellular data for internet- dependent apps. There are still features which you can use even without a phone connected such as playing music, texting, calling, body rate tracking, etc.
Note that you have to take into consideration what is your main goal in purchasing a smartwatch. If you want convenience, consider buying the Apple Watch Series as it contains lots of features with just one look at your wrist.
On the other hand, if you are a gym buff or a fitness guru, consider a smartwatch that is dedicated to fitness trackers such as the brand Fitbit because it provides you with the analytics of your routines and exercises. There are also those that can track speed and wind direction.
Do smartwatches need data plans?
Good news! Smartwatches do not need data plans to function. Smartwatches are smart accessories because they work with your phone. When you connect a smartwatch to your phone, all it does is imitate what is appearing on your phone screen.
When you send a message or call someone, it uses your data and the internet to do that. It is just a mirror of your phone but a portable and convenient one as you don’t have to hold it because it is on your wrist. Depending on the type of your smartwatch, you can either connect it via bluetooth or wifi.
However, it must be noted that there exist stand-alone smartwatches which run on cellular connectivity. This type of smartwatch has its own sim card and uses cellular data which can be controlled in the smartwatch itself.
It does not consume data as much as a smartphone does but it depends on your activities. If you access social media apps through the watch, then it definitely consumes a lot.
However, if you use it for features that are not internet-dependent such as tracking your number of steps or number of minutes spent with your jumping rope, then data is preserved.
Closing
Devices that can be worn are important these days because it reflects your status and how well-acquainted you are with modern technology. Expect it to stick around for a long time because the target market of smartwatch producers are the people who are willing to splurge huge sums of money for the latest gadgets and devices.
Aside from the fact that smartwatches are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, smartwatches are usually purchased for health concerns.
In one of Apple’s presentations of its newly released Apple Watch, the user claimed that her smartwatch saved her from a life and death situation as it alerted the hospitals that her heartbeat was stopping, which she does not know about as she was sleeping.
This story is one of the few examples of how innovative owning a smartwatch can be. It detects activities in your body which could have caused you your life before you even know it. Its consumers grow because it is no longer appealing only to the athletes but also to people who have health related problems.
Is a smartwatch worth your money? The answer is yes. If you want to have a Tony Stark experience, go find the smartwatch that will suit your needs best. Don’t let your hard- earned money go to waste so make sure to do some good research before purchasing one.
