The connected watch is one of the most talked about connected fashion accessories. With the arrival of the behemoths on the market (Apple, Samsung), smart watches are particularly attractive to lovers of new technologies. Here is an overview of their features and the models that make the accessory so successful.
Alternative terminals
Connected watches or "smartwatches" are alternative terminals, connected by bluetooth or wifi to the smartphone.
They offer functions directly linked to smartphones, on a digital screen allowing information to be displayed.
Several manufacturers have already launched their connected watch models, such as Sony and Samsung. The arrival of the Korean giant, then the announcements of Apple and Google, have given new impetus to the “smartwatches” market.
Accessories like the FitBit activity tracker are also exploring the tracker market, with activity tracking available through a dedicated app and a WiFi or bluetooth connection.
Fonctionnalities
The functionalities of connected watches are quite similar to those developed on smartphones or tablets ... but with lower capacities.
- Alert in case of phone call,
- Answer calls for some models,
- Alert in case of new messages,
- Reading emails and other messages from the digital screen,
- Access to dedicated applications,
- Access to social networks and the internet.
Certain models, more developed, also turn to functions GPS, multimedia or even games and monitoring of physical activity.
Autonomy is a factor to take into account: like some greedy smartphones, connected watches must be recharged daily. A limit which is due to their capacities and their small footprint.
The flagship models
- Under Android 4.0, Sony's SmartWatch 2 offers a 210 x176 pixel touch screen. Email, call and social media notifications are accessible. The Sony model also has a micro USB port and an MP3 player and is already available.
- With a 320 x320 pixel touchscreen, Samsung's Galaxy Gear model has a larger screen, 4 GB of storage capacity and 70 dedicated apps. In Android 4.3, the connected watch also supports voice commands and is equipped with a camera. It has been available since October.
- Apple has announced the release of its iWatch for 2014. Presented as the new generation of iPod, the iWatch will be linked via bluetooth to the iPhone. The American model should also be equipped with sensors, to add applications aimed at monitoring physical activities and health to the list of its functionalities.
- Google is also participating in the race for “smartwatches”, but the American giant's project is not as advanced as those of its competitors.
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