5 reasons to jump on the smartwatch bandwagon

Maturing technologies have made smartwatches a reality and the release of Apple’s Watch is expected to drive adoption in Australia. Testing many smartwatches has helped us grow to appreciate the features smartwatches have to offer.

5. No hands

Smartwatches make it possible to do tasks while keeping your hands free. Most smartwatches double as a bluetooth speakerphone and that can come in handy when you’re half way through a chore and the phone rings.

A smartwatch is a fancy remote for your smartphone. No need to reach into pants pockets or the handbag to change a track or a television channel when a smartwatch is resting, readily, on your wrist. Even taking selfies can be easier with them doubling as a remote viewfinder.

4. Restoring social etiquette

Ever go to a restaurant and notice people making eye contact with smartphones? Having the power of a computer in the palm of your hand can be distracting. And it can bring the rude right out of us.

The average interaction with a smartwatch lasts for seconds. The small screen proves valuable in displaying glanceable notification summaries and many smartwatches can be customised to only present only the most important notifications.

Select Samsung smartphones have tried to mimic this functionality by curving the edges of a smartphone with varying success.

3. A face for every occasion

Smartphone watch faces can be changed on a whim and fine details, such as the colour of the hour hand or minute markings, can be tailored to individual tastes. Here smartwatches prove advantageous because the watch face can be different every day.

Most smartwatches are compatible with existing band standards and this makes it possible to have one watch for a multitude of occasions. One watch can be three with different bands for work, exercise and a night out.

2. A healthy conscious

A plethora of sensors crammed into smartwatches log all physical activity, including how often you stand, walk, run and sleep. Findings are presented in easy-to-digest interfaces.

Many models have integrated heart sensors to provide accurate insights on the intensity of specific workouts. Recordings of a run will have information regarding top speed, distance travelled, calories burned, average heart rate, and more. Many different exercise modes are available.

Accompanying smartphone applications then chart the progress made daily, and offer weekly, monthly and even yearly overviews.

1. To tell the time

People will be looking to buy a watch at one time or another, and the price of smartwatches relative to traditional timepieces make them a steal.

Check out some of the smartwatches available
Apple Watch
Motorola Moto 360 v LG G Watch R
Samsung Galaxy Gear
LG Watch Urbane
Asus Zenwatch