The benefits of owning a smart-watch for the technologically inclined fitness enthusiast
A smart-watch, or a “watch phone,” is a computerized watch that offers many functions, which extend beyond telling the time. Not dissimilar to a Personal Digital Assistant, these smart-watches are capable of performing tasks ranging from acting like a phone to doubling as a media player.
But many question the usefulness of these watches. When every person seems to own a cellphone, a computer, or an mp3 player, what additional benefits could a smart-watch offer that cannot already be gained from any other electronic device?
The Ontarion spoke to William Fines, owner of the Pebble watch; a device that is both customizable and offers plenty of apps. The watch has the ability to connect to an iPhone or Android phone using Bluetooth, and can alert you to incoming calls, emails and messages.
Fines motivation for purchasing this watch was “to get text messages and email notifications without having to take my phone out of my pocket.” But he seems to use this watch primarily for the apps, which are beneficial to those who are athletic or want to monitor their health and fitness stats.
The watch offers the ability to access GPS from your smartphone to display your speed, distance, and pace data while biking, and you can also get similar data if you’re a runner.
For golfers, the Freecaddie is an app that offers the benefit of viewing the distance to the green right on your wrist. Fines uses a similar golfing app that gives him “the distance to the hole in real time.” He states that this can also be done with a cellphone, but that it isn’t as convenient.
The watch also has the ability to sync with a music player on your phone and can be used to control your music – the screen will show the song playing and other useful information. This can be valuable if you’re engaging in an athletic activity, especially in a situation where a cellphone or another device would be inconvenient to access or carry while on the move.
“I can see messages on the fly and don’t have to bother with retrieving my phone,” said Fines.
Other types of smart-watches can offer personal information such as; amount of sleep, sleep intensity, pulse, movement and nutrition.
Though many question the value of smart watches, there seems to be a benefit to those who take part in physical activity. The practicality offered in terms of convenience and helpful apps, and that it can stay comfortably secured on your wrist, may prove to be beneficial over any other technological device for those who are always on the move.