Everyone goes with an ecosystem for a reason. I don’t consider myself an Apple loyalist by any means. I am a fan of technology, exemplary design and quality. Some continue to use and buy every Apple product because of iMessage and not wanting to see that dreaded green bubble.
For me, the answer is different. For me, I’ve got to have Apple Watch.
Why
Apple Watch is the only relevant smartwatch on the planet aside from devices by companies such as Garmin and Fitbit — yet these are fitness trackers first.
Where is Android Wear? Stagnating because of the fact that Google isn’t doing the best job managing the platform. Samsung wearables are seen from time to time; however, the device that occupies most wrists that are charged daily is the Apple Watch. At this point, it would be difficult to move to a different platform without having a dependable form of wristwear to accompany my smartphone.
Intangibles
There are many things that Apple Watch does that you can’t see. A device that’s so reliable, you never need to worry about it working. Additionally, the safety of having a solid ecosystem behind you is second to none. Watchbands are made by Apple to the established Hermes.
Final Thoughts
Apple Watch, not only the best smartwatch but an excellent ecosystem to be apart of.
The Apple Watch, some view it as a fashion piece, others view it as a great notification center that allows for your phone to stay in your pocket thus making you more productive. In addition, some view it as a tool that should be used almost as a standalone device itself — either way, wearable technology is here to stay and this is one product that does a lot good while being slightly confusing at times, too.
Build Quality:
The Apple Watch comes in two sizes, 38mm and 42mm in 3 materials: aluminum for the Apple Watch Sport, stainless steel for the Apple Watch and 18-karat gold for the Apple Watch Edition. Size and composition make no difference in performance or OS setup on the watch — these are the same across the board. Other than that, I was concerned about the dial (dubbed by Apple as the digital crown) getting in the way and did not think that it would be useful at all; however, for creating watch-faces and manipulating the time forward or backward to view events past or present — it is useful and consequently your only choice. In addition to creation and time travel, it also serves as the Apple Watch home button when pressed by returning you to the previous screen.
Day to day use:
Using the Apple Watch is a “once you Apple Watch, you don’t go back” feeling and I believe the same can be said about most other smart watches. Having notifications on your wrist is always a big plus and while some find it nerdy or invasive is very forward-thinking. In my case, I dislike constantly taking my phone out of my pocket to see every notification and text. Responding and dismissing items from the watch is quick and easy, although it would be useful if an item could just be swiped away without the need of a confirmation.
Notifications present a very distinct vibration to your wrist without rattling your wrist off in addition to light sounds, which by default are on (you may want to disable these). Apple Watch also fully supports phone calls on the device itself, which I’ve never tried because of my deep Google Voice integration; however, trust me when I say, “it works.”
Like some, I begin my day in the gym and for me, that means steps are being counted, calories and being tracking while being burned and my fitness-self is being pleased. This is one feature that the Apple Watch just does well, even without a GPS, which over half of Android Wear devices don’t have either. Next, battery life is solid with me ending my day with usually 65% or more left. One note about battery life is that it is usually constant without any major variances from day to day.
Apps:
Apps on the Apple Watch automatically sync over upon the first booting and initial setup. Following setup, apps with a corresponding watch app appear on the apps screen after installation. Performance of the apps is not the best, usually performing well after they load, but loading itself is the problem — apps simply load slow. In some respect, I feel as if Apple wants us to engage in long sequences of interaction touching the watch, while I feel like the interface should be for short, quick activities. Both can work; however, app loading time would need to be sped up and further optimized to promote users wanting to interact with apps directly on the device more.
Pros:
Battery life
Standardized watch bands (Other smartwatch OEMs take note, please)
Fitness and health capabilities
Excellent Bluetooth connectivity
Cons:
Costly accessories
Slow loading apps
Takeaways: The Apple Watch is primed and ready to go. With a mostly positive experience, it is difficult for me to speak against purchasing an Apple Watch, especially if you’re an iPhone user — there is simply no better all-around wearable. Continual improvements in WatchOS will further optimize and streamline the experience. Also, did I mention standardized watch bands? These are phenomenal and are easy swappable, making personalizing your watch easy and fun.
Android Wear is great, it really is. But why on earth is fitness tracking an afterthought? Especially when these devices are becoming more and more expensive!
Why does a fitness band at $90-150 dollars do fitness way better than a device, which has fitness companion apps, yet costs upwards of $400? Not only could OEMs include GPS so that runs could be triangulated, the app developers could do a better job at showing us fitness details about ourselves. As noted on the Android Central Podcast (Ep. 254: New toys, old grievances), people that want fitness should just get a fitness band. No. That is where you are wrong. Why should we accept a half-backed solution? If there are fitness apps to go along with these devices, then naturally it should be able to track my fitness-self more accurately. Apple Watch is a perfect example, as it is a premium device at it’s finest; however, the most expensive one (excluding the gold edition) is approximately $1049, with no GPS. New Android Wear devices, with increasingly higher price tags also do not have GPS.
Popular smartwatches.
My question is: Why? With our mobile devices becoming larger and larger, it would be great to be able to track a run with carrying around a gigantic iPhone 6 Plus, Nexus 6 or Galaxy Note 5 — it just makes sense. These bands that are supposed to do so much for us but they cannot integrate such a simple thing as fitness tracking properly.
Bottom line: OEMs, GPS should go in a wearable, period. Until then, I’ll pass on the next round of Android Wear devices.
In a reactive move Apple Inc. has officially released a beautiful new product line called the Apple Watch. This device will pair easily with your iPhone to display notifications, make mobile payments and make your life easier — or so the company says.
However, the interface seems too difficult to use. Let’s take a step back and remember that this thing sits on your wrist and should require minimal attention and touching in order to initiate a task or act upon an actionable item — this doesn’t seem to be the case.
Of course time will only tell how users interact and feel about the device but it is surely different than the likes of Android Wear devices.
Tech for the masses, meant to empower, educate and inform by Dexter Johnson.
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