As mobile computing technologies continue to develop, we've reached the point where stylish, wearable technology has actually become a reality. Apple and Motorola have both released their own “smartwatches” that run on batteries that need to be charged daily. Both watches have their own distinct styles; the Moto 360 mimics the circular style of actual timepieces, while the Apple iWatch has a square shape with rounded corners. Much more than simple timepieces, these devices include a variety of features such as heart rate monitors, wireless charging, barometers and built-in pedometers. The fact that these devices can maintain a charge throughout an entire day's use and are completely contained in waterproof housing captures just how far modern mobile technology has come.
With so many mobile phone companies releasing their own wearable technology (Galaxy gear, LG G watch, Sony Smartwatch), I fear that many people will thoughtlessly board the “iBandwagon” and purchase one of these devices before or during this holiday season. The watches are priced around $250-$350. That’s the same price as some brand new smartphones about to be released. The Wall Street Journal claim that “the Apple iWatch isn't at all what its name would imply. Let's call it what it is: a wrist-top computer.” But really? Can we use a computer that has two buttons and a 1.5” screen to properly navigate BuzzFeed? I don’t think so.
I don’t think that we are being tricked into buying another sleek glass and metal device; we don't need to be tricked to do that. Instead, I think that we may be being convinced to buy a whole new category of electronics that we simply don't need. The only real difference between a smartphone and a smartwatch is that a smartwatch is more easily accessible because it can be worn as an accessory. Sure, smartwatches will also be able to tell us our heart rate, but how useful will that even be? Does it make sense to pay nearly $400 for a fancy pedometer when we can buy very accurate wireless pedometers for a fraction of the price?
Smart watches are a great concept; they are mobile devices that allow users to stay up to date with their online lives without the hassle of opening up a laptop. Indeed, one of the few unique advantages these watches offer is providing instant yet subtle haptic feedback whenever we receive a message, email or other notification. The problem is that smartphones already serve this purpose. Moreover, smartphones have also been growing larger and larger ever since Apple introduced the first iPhone. Apple has recently fallen behind with the screen size of its phones but aims to make up for lost time with the iPhone 6 Plus, which Apple claims is “bigger than bigger.” How will we adjust from these huge, finger-friendly screens to tiny thumb-sized displays?
In summation, smartwatches currently offer us no new potential. Before buying one of these new flashy devices, we should wait for these watches to be updated since they don’t feel like a game-changer just yet. It’s simply not the right time to buy a smartwatch.
