Having used a smart watch for a little bit (Sony SmartWatch 3) its made me think on some aspects that affect the usability and experience of a smart-watch in general. Im not in anyway trying to say the SW3 is better or worse the AW, or that either are perfect. Just what general issues Ive noticed which I may not initially have done. Many have been discussed, but using an actual smartwatch for a bit has really made me think about what I would want from another one, especially as the Apple watch will be a desirable item.
Size / Thickness: I have fairly big wrists and I found that the SW3 doesnt really feel overly big for what it is. I think for the occasions I would wear a smartwatch (generally out and about / more active things), I certainly dont feel that its obtrusive. I imagine the Apple Watch will be similar, the dimensions are fairly similar, and the rounded rectangle look as well.
Straps: The SW3 has a rubber strap. Its actually quite comfy, and I think were I to get an Apple watch, I would go for this as well. For running, having it grip well helps stop it sliding about. It not so much that the strap is tightly clamped on my wrist, more that the rubber has more friction to stop it moving around. In the case of the Apple watch, then I reckon that if you want to make use of the sensors whilst on the go, then a strap which will stop it sliding around will be key.
Location / GPS: Having used the SW3 for tracking running and cycling and not having to take my phone with me at the same, I think the Apple watch not having it is big downside for me personally, and possibly the main reason for not wanting to get the Apple Watch at the moment. Its a feature I would really want from a smartwatch. I realise thats personal, but heart rate is really only useful if you know what/where you are at the time, and being tied to having a phone in a pocket for that just really negates a lot of why your would be wearing the device for health activities.
As a Watch / reading the display: Really useful. Hold it up, it lights ups and shows the time brill. The aWatch will be the same Im sure. Some of the faces are quirky but on a normal watch type face, Im just as able to tell the time as quickly as a real watch. That being said, an aspect of the SW3 Ive come to like, and I think I would miss on the aWatch, is the trans-reflective screen. With the backlight off, it still displays the watchface, and in normal lighting conditions (inside and out) its really quite readable. This means that Im able to glance at the watch and tell the time without having to make that movement of twisting the wrist and facing it to me so that the watch will light up. I use that feature more than I thought I would. Even in its passive mode, its useful as a plain and simple watch and thats something I think I would miss on a watch device that doesnt do this.
Usability: Overall, Android wear is OK. Takes time to customise the things your want displayed or not. But I do find the whole smartwatch experience a little fiddly. The screen is small, and swiping is not always getting the result I expect. I know that Apples implementation is different with the crown wheel etc, but again, having hand-wind watches with crown wheels, I can envisage that twiddling the crown wheel will at times be fiddly too. I cant see past that however easy Apple claims it to be, the reality is that itll be fiddly and the user will need to remain notably more accurate in their gestures compared to phones.
Integration with a Phone: The smartwatch <> phone pair is good I feel. I like the experience of mini-notifications of emails, texts etc. As time goes on, I begin to use more of the features, and find the process quite satisfying. Simple thing like picking up a missed call. Look at the notification, swipe across and tap to call back. As it takes a few seconds for a mobile to connect through, you then can pull the phone out your pocket and bring it up to your ear and its just started ringing. Its only a few seconds of my time, but its still an elegant means.
Not 100% sure why I posted it, other than it might prompt discussion on the general aspects of using these devices.
Size / Thickness: I have fairly big wrists and I found that the SW3 doesnt really feel overly big for what it is. I think for the occasions I would wear a smartwatch (generally out and about / more active things), I certainly dont feel that its obtrusive. I imagine the Apple Watch will be similar, the dimensions are fairly similar, and the rounded rectangle look as well.
Straps: The SW3 has a rubber strap. Its actually quite comfy, and I think were I to get an Apple watch, I would go for this as well. For running, having it grip well helps stop it sliding about. It not so much that the strap is tightly clamped on my wrist, more that the rubber has more friction to stop it moving around. In the case of the Apple watch, then I reckon that if you want to make use of the sensors whilst on the go, then a strap which will stop it sliding around will be key.
Location / GPS: Having used the SW3 for tracking running and cycling and not having to take my phone with me at the same, I think the Apple watch not having it is big downside for me personally, and possibly the main reason for not wanting to get the Apple Watch at the moment. Its a feature I would really want from a smartwatch. I realise thats personal, but heart rate is really only useful if you know what/where you are at the time, and being tied to having a phone in a pocket for that just really negates a lot of why your would be wearing the device for health activities.
As a Watch / reading the display: Really useful. Hold it up, it lights ups and shows the time brill. The aWatch will be the same Im sure. Some of the faces are quirky but on a normal watch type face, Im just as able to tell the time as quickly as a real watch. That being said, an aspect of the SW3 Ive come to like, and I think I would miss on the aWatch, is the trans-reflective screen. With the backlight off, it still displays the watchface, and in normal lighting conditions (inside and out) its really quite readable. This means that Im able to glance at the watch and tell the time without having to make that movement of twisting the wrist and facing it to me so that the watch will light up. I use that feature more than I thought I would. Even in its passive mode, its useful as a plain and simple watch and thats something I think I would miss on a watch device that doesnt do this.
Usability: Overall, Android wear is OK. Takes time to customise the things your want displayed or not. But I do find the whole smartwatch experience a little fiddly. The screen is small, and swiping is not always getting the result I expect. I know that Apples implementation is different with the crown wheel etc, but again, having hand-wind watches with crown wheels, I can envisage that twiddling the crown wheel will at times be fiddly too. I cant see past that however easy Apple claims it to be, the reality is that itll be fiddly and the user will need to remain notably more accurate in their gestures compared to phones.
Integration with a Phone: The smartwatch <> phone pair is good I feel. I like the experience of mini-notifications of emails, texts etc. As time goes on, I begin to use more of the features, and find the process quite satisfying. Simple thing like picking up a missed call. Look at the notification, swipe across and tap to call back. As it takes a few seconds for a mobile to connect through, you then can pull the phone out your pocket and bring it up to your ear and its just started ringing. Its only a few seconds of my time, but its still an elegant means.
Not 100% sure why I posted it, other than it might prompt discussion on the general aspects of using these devices.
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