At the beginning of the year, Apple attempted to fully open the gates and put the smartwatch into the must-have zone, therefore actually generating significant interest towards this new device.
While Pebble is all about functionality and simplicity, the Apple Watch feels a lot friendlier and it attempts to engage people, not just be a passive gadget that you remember about it only when checking time or emails.
But did it actually manage this, is the Apple Watch worth buying? Yes and no. Smartwatches can be the future of smartphones and Apple Watch does have a lot of interesting features that do give us a glimpse into the things that may come.
Besides this, it works like a wonder right now, especially thanks to its updated software. So if you like a gadget that monitors your heart rate, tracks your steps, you can play music wirelessly, send people animated emoji, dictate messages, view notifications, send your heartbeat to your loved ones and more, then you will appreciate owning an Apple Watch.
It helps you to look at your phone less while keeping you connected, but don't forget, it's not a standalone device. In order to enjoy all of its functions, you need to have it connected to an iPhone (you need to be at a range of around 30 feet of your phone or you can connect through the WiFi to further extend the range).
Now let's get a more in-depth view of what the Apple Watch has to offer!
Design
The Apple Watch is without a doubt an attractive watch, featuring a discreet and elegant look, with clean lines and a curved glass that unites with the curved metal. Yes, you won't find a single sharp edge.
The case is made from stainless steel (also rose gold or aluminum) and it's rather thick, but because it curves inwards, it looks thinner than it actually is. Most smartwatches are plagued by this issue and unfortunately, right now, we have to accept that the smartwatch technology hasn't evolved as much as we would like yet.
Still, the Apple Watch feels reasonably balanced (weighing 1.5 pounds and measuring 0.4x1.4x1.6 or 0.4x1.3x1.5 inches) and if you wore a watch before, you most likely won't feel that the thickness is much of a compromise. The watch comes into two variants, one inch and a half and a 1.3 inches case. This differentiation has been made in order to please both males and females, but the bigger one does have better battery life.
On the right side of the Watch, you'll find the Digital Crown and a button which you can use to show or hide friends, access Apple Pay with a double click and turn the watch ON or Off.
At the base of the watch, you can find the heart rate sensor and the magnetic inductive charging system (Qi compliant). There's also a tiny speaker and microphone on the left of the Watch for calling, but you will barely notice them.
Yes, the Apple Watch may be better looking than most smartwatches on the market, but it does cost a lot more.
Our Apple Watch came with three straps, a Black Sport Band, the Milanese Loop, and the Leather Loop. The sport band is very comfortable, but similar to other plastic bands on other smartwatches and it has a unique clasp mechanism that you'll get used to in no time.
The Milanese Loop has a mesh-like texture and it nicely complements the metallic case, but it does feel a lot more feminine than any other strap option. It's quite flexible, feels comfortable, is easily adjustable and it is suitable for either casual or more classy clothing. The clasp is magnetic and stays shut (because the bracelet is really lightweight it may be better to leave the band looser so it balances with the weight of the watch itself).
The Leather Loop bracelet also closes magnetically, it uses magnetic segments that attach to each other. But there are a few shortcomings, as we noticed some scratches on the clasp after a few days of use and you may find yourself in the position to adjust the strap throughout the day as it tends to slip a link or two once in a while.
Display
The Apple Watch features a 1.5in (or 1.3in for the 38mm) OLED display with a resolution of 312x390 pixels (or 272x340p) and a pixel density of 326ppi (just like the iPhone 6). The Retina display is a bit different than the one found on iPhones because Apple has chosen a flexible OLED from LG rather than the usual LCD technology.
The display is covered by a toughened Ion-X glass (for Apple Watch Sport) or sapphire glass, both meant to protect it from scratches or minor bumps into furniture.
The OLED screen is bright and colorful, with high color accuracy and overall it is one of the most vibrant displays we've seen from any smartwatch, but still, it isn't as sharp as the one from Samsung Gear S (which also has a much larger color palette).
But let's focus a bit on the Force Touch technology (something new in the smartwatch world) which senses the level of force, distinguishing between light or hard presses, thanks to its tiny electrodes around the display.
It is an interesting addition that adds some more options and functionality to some apps without adding more buttons or overcomplicating things.
Hardware and Battery Life
The Apple Watch packs a 500MHz Apple S1 processor, a PowerVR SGX543 GPU, 512MB RAM and 8GB of storage (when connected to an iPhone, you can fully access its storage memory).
The watch is also equipped with a heart rate sensor, that uses both infrared and visible light LEDs along with photodiodes to determine your heart rate; there's also a gyrometer, an accelerometer and unfortunately no built-in GPS.
Also inside the case, you can find a 205mAh (or 246mAH) Lithium-Ion battery. It promises 18 hours battery life on normal use, 6 hours of music playback or working out with the heart monitor, 3 hours of talk time and up to 48 hours of juts checking the time.
Software
The software that runs on the Apple Watch is called the WatchOS 2.0 (an updated version to the more laggier first generation) and in order to be fully operational, the Apple Watch requires an iPhone 5 or a later version.
The watch is not designed for prolonged use, it provides a better experience if used in shorter periods of time, especially because some apps are a bit slow and not many complex apps are developed (using Facebook or any other Google app on the small screen of the Apple Watch may prove undesirable in the long run).
Now, let's talk about the interface. If you swipe away, you get the watch face with notifications and Glances and if you press the Digital Crown you get access to the apps. There is without a doubt a learning curve, but after a few days of using the watch, you get accustomed to the way things operate.
The watch faces have a series of new options (since the new update) that lets you change the color, add new elements or remove them.
Besides the usual notifications and watch faces, you get to choose one of the single screens with quick summaries of information from apps you view frequently. To access the Glances you can either swipe up on the watch face or ask Siri to open it for you, even if it's not in your active glances list.
Watch faces and glances look pretty cool on the Apple Watch, but there's a lot more to it. You get the Taptic Engine, an innovative feature that actually taps you on the wrist when a notification arrives so you won't miss anything important, it can also be used when navigating, it can tap you on the wrist several times for left or right turns or you can use it along with the Digital Touch.
Digital Touch is a unique way of messaging which works exclusively between Apple Watches and allows you to send taps, finger sketches or your heart rate.
There's also the Apple Pay (similar to what you can find on your iPhone) which is a really great feature if you find places that accept this type of payment. What is does it to offer the ability to purchase goods or services with a single touch of the watch on the pay terminal (two taps of the button is all it takes to summon your card)? It also works without an iPhone present.
Besides all this abundance of apps and features, you get the versatile Camera remote that allows you to see a preview of your iPhone's viewfinder and even focus, set a timer or trigger the shutter.
Conclusion
So how has our experience with the Apple Watch been so far? Well, it hasn't been too different than with any other smartwatch. You get notifications, it allows you to keep your watch in your pocket, unless it's something important, it's more discreet, you get a gentle tap on the wrist, unlike a ringtone and overall, meeting up with friends and family is more engaging since we look less on our phone and focus more on the discussion.
The obvious conclusion is that the Apple Watch is not a must-have device, you don't really need it, but if you can afford it it will make your life a little easier in some small aspects.
Apple Watch: A Game Changer or a Gimmick?
Apple has finally declared the new Apple Watch at the Apple Live Event back in Gregorian calendar month ninth this year and it's thanks to be discharged in early 2015. There has been a lot of speculation on the planning, practicality and even the name. it had been antecedently said because the iWatch and even iOS Watch by some. This device is that the company's 1st developed technology that's absolutely wearable.
People these days set several new trends once it involves technology. The emergence of smartphones is additionally the merchandise of constant innovations throughout the years. Nowadays, all major smartphone makers invest heavily in-depth analysis and development comes. The goal is to form the most recent and greatest distinctive technologies. Apples latest try at this aboard the iPhone half-dozen and iPhone half-dozen and has taken the shape of a wearable wristwatch.
The thought of a smartwatch is nothing new. an associate early example of the smartwatch was a product known as the stone Watch that was discharged back in 2013. The stone Watch allowed users to receive notifications, read emails, check the weather and show a large type of custom data. a bit like the Apple Watch, the stone Watch required to be connected to your smartphone to profit from most options. therefore currently let's take a glance at the Apple Watch in additional detail and evaluate if it very is going to be a game-changer simply} just another gimmick.
Features
The Apple watch initially look appearance very similar to your typical wristwatch however with several innovative options. it's 2 totally different sizes, for folks with each tiny and bigger wrists. There ar totally different variations of the Apple watch. the primary is formed of stainless steel, the second from luxurious 18-carat gold and therefore the third is formed of metallic element. The watch straps ar to be offered are an available variety of colors and materials. The Apple Watch will be interchangeable mistreatment magnetic technology.
It is vital to notice that the Apple Watch isn't a complete device. it's connected via Bluetooth associated Wi-fi to an iPhone running iOS. it'll not work severally and just like the Samsung Galaxy Gear, should be connected to associate Apple device. If you're associate golem user then it's most likely not a decent plan to by associate Apple Watch as you'll switch to the iOS platform so as for the watch to perform.
The screen is formed from sapphire crystal glass that includes a robust resistance to scrapes and scratches. Let's face it, there's no purpose having a $349 watch if it damages simply. It conjointly includes a terribly sensitive bit screen which will sense the slightest touch or faucet. Its faucet perform can allow you to simply choose an associate item on the screen and it conjointly as "force touch" that's the corresponding to right-clicking on a mouse for quicker access.
The Apple Watch options a "Digital Crown" that allows you to show or twist the crown for zooming functions and it can even be ironed. this is often one thing that Apple is extremely pleased with because the digital crown may be a distinctive and innovative advancement. The digital crown functions aboard the touchscreen and includes a click wheel management. It allows you to concentrate and out and scroll up and down fully eliminating to wish for pinch and zoom. The digital crown conjointly acts because the home however and can come back you to the app menu once ironed.
The Apple Watch conjointly includes an intrinsical taptic engine that vibrates on your radiocarpal joint to warn you once you receive a notification like incoming messages or email. it is also integrated through Siri, associate intelligent personal assistant and is your navigator.
There is a variety of apps designed for the Apple Watch. A mini notification system known as "Glances" provides for immediate notifications. Glances provided a program of all relevant notifications from apps like maps, passbook, photos, messages, weather, and mail. It conjointly has the buddies app which provides you a convenient thanks to connecting together with your friends by sound on your friend's image to send a message or perhaps create a telephone call. you'll even send a reply directly through the Apple Watch while not having to act together with your iPhone. The Apple Watch comes with integrated audio capabilities as well as a totally operational speaker and mike.
The Apple Watch functions as a monitor for your health and fitness activities. It holds a variety of health and fitness apps that provide you with tailored expertise in providing health-related data like calorie burn performance. It conjointly includes an exercising app that may show your exercise stats and progress. The Apple Watch includes a range of tiny sensors to perform functions like trailing your heartbeat and therefore the range of steps you're taking. The new Apple Pay has been integrated into the Apple Watch too. you'll be able to directly get hold of purchases by swiping the watch although Apply Pay, Apple's new cash payment system.
A Game Changer or a Gimmick?
It is so much too early to provide a definitive answer on whether or not the Apple Watch is going to be a game-changer and set the quality to become vital gismo. it is important to notice that this is often NOT the primary smartwatch to be developed however it will have a variety of extremely competitive options in comparison to different smartwatch models presently offered on the market these days. the straightforward reality it's associate Apple product will facilitate Apple to gain additional attention than a number of its lesser-known rivals with fewer options. Another issue to think about what sets Apple to observe except for the competition is that the elegant and premium style that Apple has chosen to develop. The device could all right end up to be simply a gimmick however it definitely maybe a nice one. different corporations like Samsung United Nations agency have created a smartwatch before have to this point did not generate a fortunate impact on customers. can Apple vary I wonder?
There will appear to be a reasonably substantial quantity of initial interest within the Apple Watch each within the media and on-line. therefore perhaps this type of wearable technology is what customers wish since it's wholly new expertise and really totally different from interacting via smartphones or tablets. can the Apple Watch enhances the smartphone and conjointly become a decent product or can it lose interest and become irrelevant?
Game changer or a gimmick, the Apple Watch remains a good early breakthrough within the wearable technology trade. there'll nearly definitely be a variety of future updates/improvements by Apple through the approaching months to contour and enrich this product supported feedback. The Apple Watch still includes a nice chance to line the quality for wearable devices. at the same time as a gimmick, it showcases the most effective technical style and is a wonderful plan in essence.
So can the Apple Watch succeed wherever others have to fail and win over the patron that this is often a requirement HAVE product? solely time can tell.