The Age of the Smart Watch
The idea of a smart-watch is nothing new and there have been various models since the mid 1980's. The definition of a smart-watch is a computerized wristwatch that has functionality that is enhanced beyond its primary function of telling the time.
But in today's terms when people talk about Smart-watches they tend to talk about computerized wristwatches that are touch screen enabled, run apps and are connected to the internet usually via a smartphone.
With the success of the Pebble smart-watch in 2012/13 other companies have also come up with their devices and have released their versions of a smart-watch (More in development) with varying styles and featured technologies.
For people who have purchased these new line of smart-watches are known as early adopters. Early adopters are people who who starts using a product or technology as soon as it becomes available. Companies gather feedback from these early adopters to improve the product in later releases of the hardware/software.
As with all technologies the smart-watch is designed to make people's lives more convenient in the way they communicate with each other and perform tasks. For example when a message arrives on a user's smartphone (SMS, Facebook,Whatsapp, Viber, etc.) it will be displayed on the watch interface saving the need to take the smartphone out of the pocket.
With several technologies like:
- Bluetooth
- Decent Internal Storage
- High quality touch screen
- Barometer
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- Heart Rate Monitor (HRM)
- Ambient Light/UV sensor
- Compass
- GPS
built into the different models of smart-watch developers have the ability to create useful apps/systems at low cost.
For example the heart rate monitor sensor can be used in conjunction with an app that can measure a persons pulse as they go about their day and with the Bluetooth connection with their smartphone this data can be compiled and uploaded to a web server for the user to review via a web browser on a PC/mac. The use of the HRM in sport related activities has shown interest with those who are health conscious and wish to monitor their vital signs.
Few more examples is that the user could respond to messages via the touch screen on their smart-watch or change the music track currently playing on their smartphone.
Since this trend is still a fairly new one (only the last few years) it is still too early to tell if this is a technology that people will stick with. Also with the issues of short battery life and an expensive price tag some may hold off before embracing the is technology.
References
Google Wear Home Page
http://www.android.com/wear/
Smartwatch History
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartwatch
Apple Watch Home Page
https://www.apple.com/watch/
Ambient interaction by smart watches
http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=2413097.2413147&coll=DL&dl=GUIDE&CFID=627244361&CFTOKEN=86566476
How the Pebble Smartwatch Became the Most Funded Project in Kickstarter History
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michaelprice/heres-how-the-pebble-smar_b_5798406.html
List of released/upcoming smart watches
http://www.wired.co.uk/smartwatches
Best Smart Watches 2015
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-smartwatches,review-2156.html
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