Let me ask you something: What time is it? No, we are not interested in the specific time, but whether you wear a watch. I have found for myself that, ever since I have a smartphone, I don’t wear a watch. Moreover, I have started considering watches just as a fashion accessory and not as a device that shows the current time and directs my life, besides my girlfriend (just kidding :). I thought about this after watching a lecture by Sir Kenneth Robinson (a great lecture, by the way, but the topic is different), in which he gave an example of his daughter who didn’t wear a watch. She thought it was obsolete and not multifunctional. And it really is not, no matter whether it has a lot of hands on its face or is a digital watch with multiple indicators. It is limited in terms of the technology by which the familiar watch is made.
Watches are a fashion accessory, too. They add style and sophistication. Therefore, there are a lot of luxury watches. The industry generates billions, no matter whether is sells mass models or metal watches, decorated with precious stones. I cannot say for sure that watches are not fashionable but I think that more and more young people prefer using their smartphone as a replacement for this accessory. Why? Because smartphones are multifunctional and avoid the need of carrying another device - comfort and practicality.
A little history
The electronic watch appeared in 1972 and its creator was the "Hamilton Watch Company". It had the brand name Pulsar. In 1978, the company was bought by Seiko. The Japanese company Seiko was the first to make the first attempt to put various electronic computing in the watch. The first model was called RC-1000 Wrist Terminal. In the 1980s, IBM in collaboration with Citizen Watch Co tried to create a watch with Linux. Its battery life lasted for only 6 hours.
Nowadays
Smartphones made a boom - this year, they outsold conventional mobile phones. Of course, the introduction of mobile operating systems was not limited to smartphones alone, but it expanded to all sorts of devices: tablets, hybrid notebooks and e-book readers, and even... glasses with innovative Google GLΛSS. Expansion has been observed even in terms of watches and the first smart watches have already appeared on the market.
Currently, users can enjoy several famous models smart watches: Sony Smartwatch, Motorola MOTOACTV, Pebble, etc. There are dozens of brands and models, but it seems that they have not had the effect, which is yet to feel. It is expected that Apple and Samsung will present their models, too. LG has also announced that it is developing such a device, as well as several other popular Asian technology companies.
What are smart watches?
As I already mentioned, like smartphones and tablets, smart watches have a mobile operating system. This allows the installation of various applications that are optimized for the small screen of the smart watch. We will be able to check our email, see the weather, and have a set of applications for sports and recreation, GPS navigation, social networks, etc. ... This is almost everything that is offered by smartphones and tablets. Moreover, smart watches can be connected with a smartphone in order to exchange information and enjoy various features of the smartphone (its camera, for example). Some models will have their own digital cameras. We will be able to use them as a hands-free device, or control the music player. In short, if as children you have watched fiction movies where the protagonist has a watch via which he or she receives images and hears a voice, then you can be sure that you can also use such a device now.
Pebble e-paper Watch
Pebble is the watch that triggered the trend of smart watches. It began as a project in Kickstarter –a platform for innovative start-up projects. It received funding from enthusiasts who bought it in advance. The project gained the record 10 million dollars.
The watch is targeted at active people and its functionalities are concentrated in this area. If you like jogging, you're a fitness lover or don’t get off the bike, maybe this is the right device for you. The watch is water-resistant.
Features and capabilities of the watch:
600 MHz OMAP3 (3630) ARMv7 CPU
256MB of RAM and 8GB of NAND Flash Memory
802.11B/G/N Wi Fi connectivity
Bluetooth 4.0 (low-power mode)
ANT+ for connectivity to fitness sensors (heart rate, etc.)
Unfortunately, the production of the watch is now discontinued by Motorola.
Sony SmartWatch
Sony has been making a lot of efforts recently in order to restore its presence in the mobile segment. The presentation of their smart watch is part of the strategy of the company that wants to offer a wide range of stylish mobile devices. The watch can display messages, calendar events, integration with social networks and more.
Features of the watch:
1.3 "OLED touchscreen display with aluminum body
128x128 pixels resolution OLED display
65K colours
Bluetooth V3.0
Waterproof
The watch is priced at $ 149.
What awaits us?
Samsung Gear
During the 2013 IFA technology fair in Berlin, we expect Samsung to present its smart watch Gear. There have been rumours about the watch for months, but now it is confirmed that it will be shown to the general public on 4 September. Here are some speculations about the features and functions of Gear:
Square OLED display with a diagonal of about 2.5 "with a resolution of 320x320 pixels
Exynos 4212 dual-core processor with a frequency of 1.5GHz
Graphics accelerator Mali-400 MP4
NFC capabilities
Bluetooth 4.0 LE
Android 4.2
Again, we can expect that the watch will show all kind of messages, such as mail, SMS, social networks, calendar, etc. Probably, it will also offer applications from Samsung in terms of diet and exercise monitoring. There have been speculations of a built-in camera. The final features and capabilities of the watch will be known in a few days, but until then, we can enjoy a conceptual design that is unlikely to represent the final view of the watch:
iWatch by Apple
There have been rumours of such a device for a long time on the Internet. For the moment, traditionally, there is no information from Apple. We know that the company has gathered a team of about 100 people for the design of the watch. Currently, there is no technical data, but we can also enjoy a lot of conceptual models made by enthusiasts.
According to analysts, the price of the watch by Apple is expected to be around 250 dollars.
We see that technology will change an accessory and everyday item. Technology companies are eager to intervene in this market, predicting sales of billions of dollars. We, as consumers, can only accept the change and adapt to it. The term "electronic watch" is about to disappear and be replaced by "smart watch". Maybe the time when all watches will be mini computers is not far and we will be able to carry out all the communication, for which a variety of devices are used now. I look forward to the development in this segment. Who knows, I could start wearing a watch again. And you?
Do you wear a watch?
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