(CNET) Remember that hard-hitting, fast-shooting, comic strip police detective
Dick Tracy, who wore the wrist watch with a two-way radio? Now you can
be like Dick Tracy too with your own smartwatch that lets you answer
phone calls and keep track of how far you've walked.
OK, I'll admit I am far too young to remember when Dick Tracy sported his now iconic radio wristwatch in the 1940s comic strip. But for years, this idea of a watch doing more than telling time has seemed like a very cool idea that has found its way into other famous characters and their stories -- think James Bond and Inspector Gadget.
These "smartwatches" have been on the market for consumers for more than a decade. But they've never really taken off in any big way. But with a slew of new devices shown off this year at the Consumer Electronics Show, plus rumors that Apple may jump into the market, is 2013 finally the year of the smartwatch? In this Ask Maggie, I explore this question and look at some of the newest and hottest devices shown off at CES.
I also offer some advice about whether to ditch Android for iOS to ensure you get the latest software updates for your smartphone.
I'm an avid reader of Ask Maggie. And I've seen you answer a wide variety of topics from countless other avid readers who are in need of insightful opinions. I'm next on that list. I've been in the market for a smartwatch. Yes, you read that correctly: a smartwatch, not a smartphone, tablet, or smart TV, but a watch.
So far I haven't seen anything that really knocks my socks
off. I know many companies have attempted to make devices in this
category, but no one has really been successful. My question for you,
Maggie is, in your opinion, what do you feel is the best smartwatch on
the market? And are there any that a middle class customer can really
afford? I know some big tech companies have tried to sell smartwatches
in the past. But what will it take to finally make this product category
mainstream? Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Monty Python Dear Monty Python,
You asked this question at just the right time. Wearable technology is in. And it was all the rage this week at the Consumer Electronics Show. And luckily for you, price points have also come down. Of course, these watches aren't as inexpensive as a Swatch. But the price tags aren't as hefty as a Rolex either.
It's difficult to pick just one product and say that it's the "best" smartwatch on the market, because smartwatches often aren't just watches. These devices do a lot more than just tell time.
This means that picking the one that is best for you requires you to figure out what additional features and functionality you want. For instance, do you want a music player on your wrist? Or maybe you want a device that will also help you stay fit and healthy, tracking your workouts and even how well you sleep. Perhaps you're looking for something that's an extension of your phone that will allow you to answer calls on the go. There are different devices focused on these different areas.
What's out there?
Cookoo Watch
The Cookoo watch is one of
the more basic smartwatches. It has a digital face of an analog watch
and looks a lot like a real watch. But compared with some of the other
smartwatches on the market it's pretty limited in functionality. Telling
time is the most important feature. And it syncs with your iOS devices
(iPhone or iPad) to provide updates. You can also check into some
social-networking sites like Facebook. The device will soon work with
Google Android devices. It costs $130. It supposedly has a long-lasting
disposable battery that's good for a year. And it's waterproof for up to
50 meters.
I'm Watch
From a design perspective, the I'm Watch
smartwatch is among the coolest, with a touch screen that allows users
to drag, swipe, or pinch their way through the interface. It syncs with
Apple iPhones and Google Android smartphones. The device acts as an
extension of your smartphone, allowing you to answer calls by hitting a
button on your watch. You can also receive text messages, emails, and
notifications. In addition, it allows you to view your calendar,
pictures, weather apps, as well as listen to music from your wrist. It
has a 1.55-inch, 240x240 color display, and comes with 4GB of built-in
storage. The tiny gadget uses a 450MHz Atom 9 processor and comes with
128MB of RAM. All this technology and swanky design come at a price. The
I'm Watch starts at $349. The device was first shown off at CES last year.
Martian
If you've always dreamed of having a Dick Tracy watch so you
could talk directly into your wrist, then look no further than the Martian smartwatch.
The company claims on its Web site that it has "taken the 'SmartWatch'
to the next level by adding hands-free voice communication. Use your
Martian Watch to talk, listen, initiate voice commands, and be notified
of incoming calls and texts, all without your phone leaving your pocket,
purse or backpack!"
This is the only smartwatch that I have seen that actually allows you to make phone calls. It uses Bluetooth to connect to either an iPhone or Android phone. If you have an iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S, it also allows you to initiate Siri voice commands and listen to Siri replies through the watch. You can access the integrated voice controls in iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS.
The watch sports a traditional analog face, and it has a tiny screen at the bottom of the device where you can see who is calling your phone. It also gives you a 40-character preview of text messages sent to your smartphone. Like some other devices in this category, the Martian doesn't come cheap. There are currently three styles of the watch available ranging in prices from $249 to $299. The Martian Watch was a finalist for CNET's Best of Show at this year's CES.
Basis Science
Basis Science is one of
several companies offering devices that are geared to helping you stay
fit via a wearable smartwatch. Similar to FitBit and Nike+ Fuel Band,
the Basis Science device tracks your workouts and activity and measures a
wide range of biometric data in real time. Sensors measure things like
heart rate, skin temperature, and your sleep patterns. And the device is
also able to measure how active you've been as well as how much you
sweat during a workout.
The idea is that people can use this information to improve their lives by changing behaviors and living a healthier lifestyle. Currently, the device does not sync directly to an Android or iOS app. But the company's executives say that's in the works. Currently, the data can be viewed and manipulated via a Web interface. The Basis fitness gadget sells for $199.
As mentioned earlier, there are tons of wearable fitness devices that are not "smartwatches" per se. Their primary use isn't to be a watch, but because these devices are typically worn on the wrist and keep time as well as keep track of your activity and fitness levels, they can be used as watches.
The Basis Band was also a finalist for CNET's Best of CES in the category of wearable technology.
Pebble
If you're looking for an all-around smartwatch that can do almost everything, from running fitness apps to connecting to Facebook, then I'd go with the Pebble smartwatch. This Kickstarter-funded startup has raised more than $10 million, and it officially kicked off its new product at CES.
The company says on its Web site that "apps bring Pebble to life." The device is "infinitely customizable." This means you can download everything different watch faces to Internet-connected apps that will allow you to use your smartwatch as a fitness tracker, accessing GPS on your smartphone to display speed, distance, and pace data. You can also use the music control app to play, pause, or skip tracks on your phone.
This new smartwatch has a 1.26-inch screen that uses e-paper technology so that it can be viewed even in bright sunlight. The device is water resistant, and it's battery should last a week on one charge.
Like other devices in its category, it uses Bluetooth to communicate with your iPhone or Android smartphone. And it allows you to check text messages, email, and all kinds of social-networking apps such as Facebook and Twitter.
The Pebble watch will begin shipping to Kickstarter backers on January 23. After that, it will be available to the public. And it will only cost $150. It comes in several colors, including red, white, black, orange, and gray. And it also uses a standard watch strap, so that you can swap the style and color that you like best.
Read more article here.
OK, I'll admit I am far too young to remember when Dick Tracy sported his now iconic radio wristwatch in the 1940s comic strip. But for years, this idea of a watch doing more than telling time has seemed like a very cool idea that has found its way into other famous characters and their stories -- think James Bond and Inspector Gadget.
These "smartwatches" have been on the market for consumers for more than a decade. But they've never really taken off in any big way. But with a slew of new devices shown off this year at the Consumer Electronics Show, plus rumors that Apple may jump into the market, is 2013 finally the year of the smartwatch? In this Ask Maggie, I explore this question and look at some of the newest and hottest devices shown off at CES.
I also offer some advice about whether to ditch Android for iOS to ensure you get the latest software updates for your smartphone.
The smartwatch
Dear Maggie,I'm an avid reader of Ask Maggie. And I've seen you answer a wide variety of topics from countless other avid readers who are in need of insightful opinions. I'm next on that list. I've been in the market for a smartwatch. Yes, you read that correctly: a smartwatch, not a smartphone, tablet, or smart TV, but a watch.
Thanks,
Monty Python Dear Monty Python,
You asked this question at just the right time. Wearable technology is in. And it was all the rage this week at the Consumer Electronics Show. And luckily for you, price points have also come down. Of course, these watches aren't as inexpensive as a Swatch. But the price tags aren't as hefty as a Rolex either.
It's difficult to pick just one product and say that it's the "best" smartwatch on the market, because smartwatches often aren't just watches. These devices do a lot more than just tell time.
This means that picking the one that is best for you requires you to figure out what additional features and functionality you want. For instance, do you want a music player on your wrist? Or maybe you want a device that will also help you stay fit and healthy, tracking your workouts and even how well you sleep. Perhaps you're looking for something that's an extension of your phone that will allow you to answer calls on the go. There are different devices focused on these different areas.
What's out there?
Cookoo Watch
The COOKOO smartwatches
(Credit:
COOKOO)
I'm Watch
I'm Watch
(Credit:
CNET)
Martian
Martian Watch
(Credit:
CNET/Brian Bennett)
This is the only smartwatch that I have seen that actually allows you to make phone calls. It uses Bluetooth to connect to either an iPhone or Android phone. If you have an iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S, it also allows you to initiate Siri voice commands and listen to Siri replies through the watch. You can access the integrated voice controls in iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS.
The watch sports a traditional analog face, and it has a tiny screen at the bottom of the device where you can see who is calling your phone. It also gives you a 40-character preview of text messages sent to your smartphone. Like some other devices in this category, the Martian doesn't come cheap. There are currently three styles of the watch available ranging in prices from $249 to $299. The Martian Watch was a finalist for CNET's Best of Show at this year's CES.
Basis Science
Basis Technology watch
(Credit:
Basis Technology)
The idea is that people can use this information to improve their lives by changing behaviors and living a healthier lifestyle. Currently, the device does not sync directly to an Android or iOS app. But the company's executives say that's in the works. Currently, the data can be viewed and manipulated via a Web interface. The Basis fitness gadget sells for $199.
As mentioned earlier, there are tons of wearable fitness devices that are not "smartwatches" per se. Their primary use isn't to be a watch, but because these devices are typically worn on the wrist and keep time as well as keep track of your activity and fitness levels, they can be used as watches.
The Basis Band was also a finalist for CNET's Best of CES in the category of wearable technology.
Pebble
The Pebble watch connects with the iPhone and Android to deliver email, text messages, and calendar alerts, among other things.
(Credit:
Pebble Technology)
The company says on its Web site that "apps bring Pebble to life." The device is "infinitely customizable." This means you can download everything different watch faces to Internet-connected apps that will allow you to use your smartwatch as a fitness tracker, accessing GPS on your smartphone to display speed, distance, and pace data. You can also use the music control app to play, pause, or skip tracks on your phone.
This new smartwatch has a 1.26-inch screen that uses e-paper technology so that it can be viewed even in bright sunlight. The device is water resistant, and it's battery should last a week on one charge.
Like other devices in its category, it uses Bluetooth to communicate with your iPhone or Android smartphone. And it allows you to check text messages, email, and all kinds of social-networking apps such as Facebook and Twitter.
The Pebble watch will begin shipping to Kickstarter backers on January 23. After that, it will be available to the public. And it will only cost $150. It comes in several colors, including red, white, black, orange, and gray. And it also uses a standard watch strap, so that you can swap the style and color that you like best.
Read more article here.
