STACK #182 Dec 2019

GAMES FEATURE TECH

FEATURE

novelty not even four years ago. Today is a completely different story – spotting someone without one is a challenge. In 2019, the marketplace is awash with product and most of the major brands we associate with IT are competing in this space. Most smartwatches utilise

Thankfully, smartwatch designers are now compensating for both, implementing elegance and style with functionality

a proprietary operating system and will work on both Android and IOS smartphone platforms. The exception to this rule is the Apple Watch which is only compatible with IOS. Why the sudden interest? Well, while it might feel sudden to the uninitiated, sales of smartwatches have been on an upward trajectory for several years now and with each new generation comes a new suite of features. Manufacturers have had a long slog to encourage the adoption and break down traditional barriers. Watches have generally been associated with style and fashion, and while that isn’t a factor when putting yourself through the paces of a gym workout, if you’re heading out for the evening and still want to remain connected and track your heart rate or send and receive texts, it’s doubtful that you’ll want something reminiscent of a diver’s watch strapped to your wrist. Thankfully, smartwatch designers are now compensating for both, implementing elegance and style with functionality. Demystifying the smarts So, what exactly is a smartwatch? In short, it’s a term that encompasses a broad series of features that cover fitness, healthcare, communication and err, of course the time. Many smartwatches (especially the budget level) don’t feature a direct internet connection and thus have to be paired with your smartphone via an app. Depending what you’re after (more on that later), the top end models are capable of a full gamut of functions. We’ve moved well past the gimmick stage in smartwatch technology, with many users now relying heavily on the handy device around their wrist. And why is that? Once paired with your smartphone, your smartwatch can utilise GPS navigation, sync and remind the user of calendar obligations, search the internet with a voice command, pay for your lunch, receive messages, monitor your sleeping patterns,

heart rate and overall health, provide a myriad of useful tools for the fitness conscious amongst us, and even transmit an SOS in the event that you take a heavy fall whilst wearing one. Phew! Some of the premium brands offer models that allow calls to be made alongside all the other feature sets, too (now that is proper Dick Tracy territory). When you analyse just exactly what a contemporary smartwatch is capable of in terms of staying in touch, monitoring your health and tracking your fitness all with impressive levels of accuracy, it’s not hard to ascertain why they’ve become an essential tool in modern life. Digital Revolutions So if you haven’t joined the revolution, you might well be asking yourself, why should I? I already have a smartphone; why do I need a smartwatch? It’s all about convenience, convenience, convenience. We’re all familiar with the story: trying to cram 48 hours of work, leisure, exercise and family time into 24 hours these days. As a nation, we’re all hyper- connected – do you know anyone who doesn’t own a smartphone? Beyond the obvious communication essentials, much of our daily lives are organised through our smartphones. Whether we’re working out at the gym, running through the city, cycling, or picking up the kids, spinning your wrist to check a message (like a post you’ve been tagged in) or answer an incoming call without pausing is an enticing proposition. It’s all about mobility and practicality. Once you put one on your wrist and sync it to your life, we guarantee you’ll wonder how on earth you got by without one.

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