Are smartwatches the next must-have gizmos?

Watches are some of the longest enduring gadgets man holds dear. Before people started wearing them on the wrist, watches used to reside in pockets.

In the 1900s, they became wearable devices they were still analogue before turning digital in 1970s. Now the buzz is about smartwatches and smartphones, and the marriage between these two gadgets.

We all constantly reach for our phones in our pockets, purses or holsters. It’s inconvenient to keep stowing phones and pulling them out to check for new messages, or missing a call because you didn’t hear your phone ring. But what if you could get alerts for incoming calls and messages while your phone is still securely put away?

Now you can, thanks to the wide variety of smartwatches.

Because they connect to our smartphones via Bluetooth, we can read e-mails and text messages by looking at our wrists rather than reaching for our handsets.

The same holds true for checking updates on Facebook, tweets from Twitter, and notifications from other social media platforms.
And the fun doesn’t even stop there. These smartwatches allow us to control the music players on our phones, track distance covered as we run or bike, or even get the latest weather updates.

And as anyone who has watched the smartphone market grow knows beautiful devices aren’t worth much without apps; so, needless to say, nurturing the app developer community is going to matter.

Although the smartwatch category is young, some models offer dozens of hundreds of apps. Pebble smartwatch leads the field with more than 1,000 apps in the appstore.

Sony’s smartwatch has hundreds of apps available while Galaxy Gear debuted with close to 100 apps and growing.

Before you choose the smartwatch that’s best for you, here are a few things to consider. Because most watches are designed to serve as companions to your smartphone, device compatibility is important.

Not all smartwatches work with all phone operating systems. Some are for Android only, while others support Android, iOs and Windows phones. For instance, the Pebble and Pebble Steel (pictured) both work with Android and iOS devices.

You should also check the smartwatch’s charging method to make sure it works for you. The longest smartwatches tend to run for about four to five days on a single charge. Those with colour screen require more frequent charging.

It is preferable to look for a watch that uses a microUSB because it is easier to find a cable when you don’t have the one that came with your device.
People have different tastes and preferences.

Not all smartwatches are designed with equal attention to aesthetics. Some look a little techier, while others are designed with fashion in mind. If you are interested in reading text messages or e-mails on your watch, make sure it has a large screen.

Functionality is perhaps where smartwatches vary the most. Some only alert you when your phone receives a message, e-mail, phone call or alert. Others include social media notifications for sites such as Facebook or Twitter.

Clock and calendar functions are present on most, but not all models. A few have advanced voice control features.

Above all, the smartwatch you choose should be easy to use. Its design and functionality should be intuitive to learn by reading the included manual. After all, these devices are made to simplify your life – not make it more difficult.

Enjoy your Easter break!

Sam Wambugu is a monitoring and evaluation specialist. [email protected]