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Smartwatch
The most popular wearable technology would be in the form of smartwatches - wearable computers on the wrist. It became the hot topic in 2013 when there were widespread speculations of an Apple iWatch. Major companies then came up with their own smartwatches in the same year (and some many years before). However, smartwatch technology may still be in its early stages with room for improvement before it is able to evolve and capture the attention of mainstream consumers (including the skeptics).
Ariel Adams, a luxury wristwatch expert in an article on Forbes Magazine, highlighted the top 3 smartwatches that was released at the 2014 annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
1. Pebble Steel
2. Omate TrueSmart
The Pebble Steel is an improved version of the original Pebble that was introduced in 2013. Even then, the unsophisticated and lightweight Pebble that could last a week without charging became a hit among consumers. It came with simple functions and applications that allow the display of notifications, text messages, emails, phone calls and calendar connected to the user’s smartphone and the control of music playback conveniently on the wrist. It was also affordable to average consumers, making it accessible to almost everyone at a price of US$150. However, the Pebble developed in 2013 was ugly and less appealing to the general public.
The Pebble Steel launched in 2014 upgraded the image of the smartwatch from a plastic face in vibrant colours to a stainless steel case that comes with metal or leather bands. Although the improved version gives a more premium feel, it may be more suitable for males since the smartwatch will look too big and masculine when worn on a female’s wrist. An additional difference would be the new app for iOS and Android that allows for easier customization on their personal Pebble Steel as well as a new app store with independent developers and attractive new apps.The company behind Pebble is currently at the forefront of the wearable market but will continue to face competition as more wearable devices are produced by other tenacious companies. The challenge would include developing useful apps for the smartwatch and not silly apps that could do the same job better on a smartphone.
The Omate TrueSmart Smartwatch is unlike any other smartwatches that merely display information received from the user’s smartphone via Bluetooth. It is a 4GB or 8GB water-resistant smartphone reduced in size and worn on a wrist, running an Android 4.2.2 mobile operating system and uses a built-in SIM card to connect to the mobile phone provider. The TrueSmart is able to receive incoming information in the form of text messages and email, receive and make phone calls (works best with a Bluetooth headset) and even surf the Internet from the smartwatch itself with a full colour LCD touchscreen. It is even able to capture images and record videos from a camera that is in-built at the edge of the watch face.
TrueSmart has vast potential in reaching out to consumers who prefer their smartphones in a smaller size or who need it to be in their sight most of the times. However, with its small size, there are barriers to enhancing user experience. Its small size would mean a drastic reduction in battery life as compared to ordinary smartphones and a small screen would limit the functionality of the wearable device. Nonetheless, Omate has brought us one step closer towards a future where smartwatches are able to receive data independently without being connected to another device.
 The display is able to show a variety of watch faces based on the wearer’s preference |  There are two programmable buttons at the side acting as an “on/off” or “home” button, with a 5-megapixel/ 720p camera in between |
|---|---|
 The apps are displayed in grids and can even be organized into folders |  Similar to an Android smartphone, the notifications can be pulled down from the top |
 The TrueSmart is able to receive and make phone calls with a built-in dialer and an address book once the SIM card is inserted |  Twitter apps can be accessed to send a tweet and a snapshot. Apps like Instagram can also be accessed on the TrueSmart to view the images clearly |
 Typing on the TrueSmart can be done via an on-screen QWERTY keyboard from Fleksy. However, it requires a lot of patience since the keys are smaller than on a smartphone. A Bluetooth keyboard can be paired for greater effectiveness. |
3. Casio Sports Gear STB-1000
The Casio Sports Gear STB-1000 does not have a highly dynamic screen and it is unable to download apps for the device. This fitness watch does not resemble a smartwatch, but more of an ordinary watch that is not as “smart”. Yet, it is claimed to be the most useful and the most wearable among the wearable devices introduced at CES 2014.
The STB-1000 acts as a display for the fitness apps that run on an iPhone. Sensors are embedded in the phone to measure running pace and distances, elapsed time, cycling speed, pedal rotation and to monitor the user’s heart rate using the apps that are currently being supported on iPhone: Abvio’s Runmeter GPS, Walkmeter GPS, Cyclemeter GPS and Wahoo Fitness. Apart from these measurements, the watch uses Bluetooth 4.0 to show notifications such as a new message or a missed call on the phone. These data will be relayed onto the watch in real-time, allowing the user to have constant access to information that is crucial to him during fitness activities. The watch is durable with a lifespan of two years on a single battery and 100-meter water resistance.
The STB-1000 is commendable as it is focused in bringing together a wide scope of functions for better user experience during fitness activities. It combines interactive technology with wearable technology (on the wrist) and introduces it to the mainstream in a manner that is slow and acceptable for higher success rates, before continuing to improve on the functions. However, the watch lacks its own pedometer and is a factor they could improve on to allow the user to measure and track his fitness activities even without having to bring a phone along.
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Image source: http://www.pricena.com/en/product/price-of-pebble-smartwatch-cherry-red-in-dubai-uae-192827
Image source: http://www.cnet.com/pictures/omate-truesmart-smartwatch-2-0-puts-full-android-phone-on-your-wrist-pictures/
If you wish to find out more about this fashion technology, do not hesitate to head over to their website!
If you wish to find out more about this fashion technology, do not hesitate to head over to their website!
If you wish to find out more about this fashion technology, do not hesitate to head over to their website!