Smartwatches: history, OS, apps and design

Smart watches fully correspond to the spirit of our impatient time – more like a mini-computer than just a gadget equipped with an electronic dial. Marketers in advertising campaigns emphasize that a smart watch is a personal minion-assistant that can immediately solve a wide range of owner's tasks, from time management to organizing a presentation for partners and colleagues. Is it so? Let's figure it out.

The only mandatory functionality for such a form factor is the countdown, but in the additional functionality, developers successfully show their imagination. But the history of smartwatches began long before the technological 21st century. The course for high tech was taken in the late 1970s.

Smartwatch with Carousel system

Smart watches – technology between the past and the future

The history of high technology is closely related to the development of miniature computing devices. In 1978, the Hamilton Watch Company developed the first digital watch (the time is shown in numbers on the display, the dial and hands are missing), which became a real smart watch of its time. The next year, the development was bought out by the Japanese manufacturer – Seiko.

It was in the land of the setting sun that the Pulsar NL C01 model was released, capable of storing 24 digits in its memory (the watch showed not only the time, but also the date). The model could be programmed by choosing the most suitable formats for displaying data on the scoreboard. The more advanced Data 2000 model had an external (wireless!) Keyboard, the system acquired a memory capacity of 2000 characters, and it was possible to perform long calculations on the built-in calculator. Already in 1982, Seiko developed a TV watch. Yes, a real miniature color TV, fixed on the wrist.

Smart watch with TV from Seiko

During the same period, the only full-fledged competitor of Seiko – Casio – also began to produce programmable watches. In addition to the calculator, their prototypes CMD-40 from 1994 were supplemented with mini-games and the ability to control the simplest equipment, for example, a video player or TV.

Surprisingly, the early 2000s cannot be called a breakthrough in the world of miniature gadgets. The improved models largely followed the technology of the 90s. The main innovation of that period was the presence of a built-in mobile phone. An example is Samsung's SPH-WP10 watch, which looked exactly like that visually – a mobile phone adapted to a wristband. In 2001, Samsung engineers finalized the look and button interface.

Built-in mobile phone in Samsung watch

In 2003, Bill Gates personally presented a watch that allows you to remotely control home appliances, a personal computer and a telephone. Modern smartwatches are also able to work in conjunction with other electronic devices, including phones and tablets.

Types of smart watches

All smartwatches, regardless of price, place of assembly and software, can be divided into three large groups:

• Alternative to the phone. Such models have a slot for a SIM card, they are capable of performing the functions of a regular phone: sending SMS messages, outgoing calls, receiving calls with hands-free communication.
• Time optimization and remote control tool. Watch-trackers for sports, as well as watches with the function of controlling a tablet, smartphone, household appliances.
• A watch instead of a tablet. They are convenient for minimalists, although they cannot yet fully replace the 'workhorse'. Working with documents using such a smartwatch is inconvenient due to the small screen size and on-screen keyboard, but organizing presentations using remote connections, for example, to a slider, is quite.

Another logical classification system for smartwatches is compatibility with various platforms. Giant manufacturers (Apple, Asus, Microsoft, Samsung) most often release models focused on communication via the protocol Bluetooth with their own products, while third-party manufacturers offer universal models.

Smartwatch operating systems

Today there are four main (non-experimental) smart watch systems.

Android and designed specifically for smartwatches Android Wear

A 'people's' system that does not need any introduction and supports any technological solutions, up to the control of robots. Developed by Android Inc., acquired by Google, served by the Google Play app store. Due to its versatility, this OS is used by most manufacturers. Examples of devices include Sony Smartwatch , Samsung Gear Live, Asus Zen Watch, Omate TrueSmart.

Sony Smartwatch

watchOS

OS from company Apple for watches Apple Watch. The menus of the system are implemented using Carousel technology, which in theory should help increase usability. Initially, it was produced as an addition to the phone, however, modern watch models on this system are independent gadgets, although the portfolio of applications for them cannot boast even half of the capabilities that are available iPhone.

Apple Watch

Tizen

'Taizen' is an open kernel-based OS Linux that manages a very wide range of technologies, from mobile gadgets to smart home devices. Developed by Samsung and Intel, respectively, many smart watches from Samsung – for example, the updated Samsung Gear line and Samsung Gear Neo – are controlled by this particular operating system. The OS is served by the Application Bank Tizen Store.

Samsung Gear Neo

Pebble OS

Authentic Pebble system for in-house smartwatches. The main idea of ​​the OS is to provide the user with maximum opportunities for remote control of a mobile gadget. Pebble and Pebble steel working on this system (especially in conjunction with the Tasker and Autopebble applications) are full miniature copies of all the functions of the device right on the wrist. Pebble OS works with both Android and Apple.

Pebble Steel

What to look for when buying

It cannot be said that in terms of design, any revolutionary solution has been found that distinguishes the smart watch from ordinary watches. It all comes down to a variety of forms and designs for specific needs. So, for example, in appearance, smart watches can resemble sports trackers or completely emulate classic chronometers with hands. For people who are fond of sports, they produce either narrow models in the form of a bracelet, or large models with a massive (often plastic) case. Watches imitating the usual chronometers can even be made of precious metals.

The situation is similar with the bracelet. For sports models, silicone, plastic or rubber are often used. Such straps are easy to change, and you can easily purchase an additional set of bracelets for universal gadgets. They are traded today, including by retailers. Leather and metal bracelets look more high-status, their cost pays off in appearance, but replacing them will be more problematic.

Silicone, plastic or rubber bracelets are easier and cheaper to replace than metal bracelets

Thus, when choosing a smart watch, you need to pay attention to 3 factors: the operating system, the shape of the model, and the type of strap. If you plan to keep the watch in pairing with the gadget via the protocol Bluetooth, then the OS of the watch and the gadget should be compatible. The shape of a smart watch should correspond to the rhythm of life, and the type of bracelet should correspond to money (sooner or later it will have to be changed).

Smart watch dials

The design of the interface of electronic chronometers is different, from the usual analog to animated. Watches with an analog dial are similar to classic models with hands, where, in addition to time and date, additional information can be displayed on the display: number of steps, weather, battery level, calendar, compass, and more. Such models of chronometers can be a good helper for a traveler, driver, sportsman. Due to the external resemblance to classic watches, they are organically combined with a business suit.

Smart watch with classic dial from Huawei

Chronometers with an interactive dial are more familiar to young people who gravitate towards hi-tech. Dial customization features are available on all smartwatches. This can be done for free through applications downloaded from the Internet, or through the menu, where some interface options are presented. You can separately customize the external design for the background, and separately for the desktop. However, some manufacturers and their fanatic consumers have gone much further by creating formal communities. Within these small worlds, third-party wizards develop hundreds of applications and upgrades for in-depth customization.

Additional smartwatch features

Most smartwatches are a convenient addition to mobile gadgets, speeding up access to some applications, allowing you to control your music player, receive calls and read SMS messages without taking your phone in hand. At the same time, several different smart watches can be simultaneously connected to one gadget on the system Android, but the smart watch itself can simultaneously communicate with only one device. Below are three popular smart watch apps.

Smart alarm clock

This program, using an accelerometer (the watch must be on the wrist!), Measures the phases of sleep and organizes the wearer's ascent only in the phase of REM sleep, when the brain is ready to wake up. As a result, the person will feel vigorous and slept.

Smart Alarm App

Fitness tracker

Unlike sports bracelets, smartwatches in the same price range offer a more extensive menu. In addition to the usual pedometers and heart rate monitor, even an inexpensive watch can measure physical activity, calories, allow you to control a music player during training, and much more.

Polar A370 hr – smart watch tracker

Navigator

This feature is available on almost all models, regardless of platform. Most navigators are supplemented with a voice assistant, which is convenient given the size of the watch display. There are smart watches on sale with pre-installed maps, you can update or download them through the Navigator application and its variations in the corresponding application bank.

Garmin Epix Topo – smart watch with a navigator

Smartwatch battery and charging

The advantage of a smart watch is a long work without recharging. On average, the battery can hold a charge up to three days with active use. Fast battery drain occurs due to the large number of preinstalled programs running in the background. The battery can keep Apple Watch for up to four days due to the starting minimum set of functions. Some apple models can keep the battery up to five days.

Apple Watch and branded docking station

The smart watch is charged via a computer using the USB cable that is attached to the chronometer. Some modern models also charge at docking stations, which can be purchased separately.

Conclusion

Smart watches are a practical tool for active life. Such chronometers give wide access to phone applications, can become a personal trainer and even keep their wearer alert. With a variety of designs, smart watches do not lag behind classic models. For convenience, you can keep several chronometers in different designs (sports and classic).