The hype around the Apple Watch is reaching epic proportions, and while I am far from an Apple fan boy, there are some very good reasons you should buy a smart watch based on my recent interaction with my own smart watch (see more on that below).
Here are the 7 reasons most people should consider a smart watch, most preferably the Apple Watch.
1. Knowing who is calling and when your phone is ringing
Sounds stupid until you use a smart watch. Pulling your phone out of your pocket or purse is a bigger deal than you think and when you no longer have to do it, you see a great feature of a smart watch. Plus, you have the ability to reject the call with a message very easily.
2. Important notifications
We’ve all done it, kept our phone on silent or vibrate and did not get the notification or phone call. The watch quietly and gently vibrates to remind you and just like your phone, you can control which notifications you get. It’s more useful than you realize.
3. Health tracking
Track your steps, exercise, heart rate and more with the Apple Watch. I have never bought into the Fitbit craze because it didn’t do enough for me (although I’m getting one as part of the Geiger wellness program and plan to use it—see more below) but all these built into a smart watch are really useful. I have been using my phone pedometer and it makes me more careful to stay active to see my steps every day towards my goal.
4. Sleep tracking
A minor benefit, but I am surprised how much I like knowing how much I moved during the night as well as having a record of how long I slept. This helps me identify if I get enough sleep, and recognizes if I slept soundly or not and compare that to how I feel each day. It’s also great for testing pillows that help you sleep better.
5. Find my device
Ever lost your phone? Yup, all of us have. The ability to make your device ring from your watch is a very useful feature.
6. Apps
Flashlight? Yes please. Weather? Of course. Camera remote? Maybe. The ability to use an app to trigger your phone to take the photo is available on the Android so I suspect it will be on the Apple Watch at some point. And of course, more apps will surprise us all.
7. To tell time
While this feature is a little tongue in cheek, I forgot the benefit of not having to check my phone for the time.
I have not used an Apple Watch and I don’t plan to buy one because I use an Android phone. However, I think the Apple Watch will be the very best smart watch available for at least a year if not longer. The momentum, application support, and Apple design are all coming together nicely. There are also plenty of reasons not to buy a smart watch, but after using my “cheap” smart watch for a week, I’m sold on the potential of smart watches. Here is a quick summary of my week with my smart watch, which is a Galaxy Gear Fit (which I bought on sale for $75).
Monday
My Gear Fit arrived in the mail, I charged it, and I put it on. It immediately told me the time. I paired it with my Samsung S5 which took a few tries because I did not realize both devices wanted me to confirm the code (I kept confirming only one). Other than my lack of following instructions, pairing worked easily.
I was looking forward to seeing how my steps compared to my cell phone step counting but didn’t realize you have to manually start the pedometer so I missed the step count on Monday. Once started, however, it stays on so I’ve never had to restart it again.
When I go to bed, I did not activate the sleep tracking so several times when I moved the watch automatically lit up which was annoying.
Tuesday
My phone rings and my watch vibrates. This is an unexpected feature that I had not anticipated liking so much. I often forget to turn my sound on after a meeting and this helps me not miss a call. I also get to leave my phone in my pocket while seeing who is calling and can reject the call with a text message.
While having drinks with my wife, a stranger notices the watch and we have a nice conversation. I take a selfie using the watch as a remote to trigger the camera. I turn on sleep tracking and document that I had a great night’s sleep.
Wednesday
I adjust the text messages to fit my “voice” so I can feel better about rejecting calls when needed. I start to get more notifications of text and email messages. I am not sure how I feel about this. I really don’t need another reason to check email. I’m like most people—I check it more frequently than I should. This is probably my least favorite reason to have a watch.
I realize I have kept my phone in my pocket more causing me less distractions. I use the flashlight app to get around in the darkness of the hotel.
Thursday
I remove the notification of receiving emails which I have done previously for all my devices (phone, desktop, iPad, etc.). I really don’t like notifications for email. I like seeing how many steps I take every day and feel it must be more accurate than my cell phone recording my steps. I can’t find my phone at one point so I use the find my phone and find it immediately.
Friday
I am notified that I will be receiving a free Fitbit as part of Geiger wellness programs (all employees now get one), and realize I will now be wearing two devices. I’m not sure both will make it but I will use the Fitbit because my team has a contest as to who gets the most steps and I plan to crush them.
I go jogging and use my phone as my GPS to track my jogging. 5 miles later I stop jogging and look at my steps and my heart rate. What? Two miles? The step counter is horrible, as bad as or worse than my phone. No way to adjust the stride either. I’m not happy. Then I find out that you have to manually start the heart rate monitor and there is no way to have it take measurements at random times.
Saturday
Not much new to report.
Sunday
I grill out and use the timer to remind me to flip the shrimp skewers and chicken breasts.
Monday
I write my blog that you just read and, for the first time ever, wonder if I should be using an iPhone? Then I remember how much I love my Android and know that someday I too will have a great watch option to spend $400 on. Until then, I’ll stick with my simple $75 Galaxy Gear watch which I like more than I expected.
Geiger CIO Dale Denham, MAS+ provides practical insights on how you can benefit from technology in no nonsense terms. Follow him on Twitter @GeigerCIO.
