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At the dawn of this year, Apple made a valiant effort to unleash the smartwatch into the realm of necessity, thus igniting an intense allure for this innovative device. While Pebble focuses on functionality and simplicity, the Apple Watch exudes a friendlier aura, aiming to engage rather than simply exist as a passive gadget that only catches your attention when you check the time or emails. But did it accomplish this? Is the Apple Watch truly worth investing in? The answer is both yes and no. Smartwatches have the potential to become the future of smartphones, and the Apple Watch boasts an array of intriguing features that give us a glimpse into what lies ahead. Furthermore, it operates with remarkable finesse, especially thanks to its updated software. So, if you crave a device that not only monitors your heart rate and tracks your steps, but also allows you to wirelessly play music, send animated emoji, dictate messages, view notifications, send your heartbeat to loved ones, and more, then you will find great satisfaction in owning an Apple Watch. It helps you rely less on your phone while still keeping you connected. However, it is important to remember that the Apple Watch is not a standalone device. In order to fully enjoy its functions, it must be connected to an iPhone (within a range of approximately 30 feet) or through WiFi to extend the range. Now, let’s take a more in-depth look at the offerings of the Apple Watch!
Design:
Undeniably, the Apple Watch is an attractive timepiece with its discreet, elegant aesthetic. Clean lines converge with a curved glass seamlessly embracing the curved metal, forming a timepiece free of sharp edges. The case, available in stainless steel, rose gold, or aluminum, appears thick, but its inward curve creates the illusion of a slimmer profile. Many smartwatches suffer from this same issue, and regrettably, the technology behind smartwatches has not evolved as much as we desire. Nevertheless, the Apple Watch maintains a reasonable balance (weighing 1.5 pounds and measuring 0.4×1.4×1.6 or 0.4×1.3×1.5 inches), and if you have experience wearing a watch, you likely won’t find the thickness to be a significant compromise. The Apple Watch is available in two case sizes: one and a half inches and 1.3 inches. This differentiation caters to both males and females, although the larger size does provide superior battery life. Positioned on the right side of the Watch, you will find the Digital Crown and a button. The Digital Crown allows you to navigate the watch and access features like showing or hiding friends, accessing Apple Pay with a double click, and powering the watch on or off. Located at the base of the watch, you will find the heart rate sensor and the magnetic inductive charging system (Qi compliant). A tiny speaker and microphone rest on the left side of the Watch for making phone calls, though they are hardly noticeable. While the Apple Watch may possess a more attractive appearance compared to other smartwatches in the market, it also comes with a higher price tag. Our Apple Watch came with three straps: a Black Sport Band, the Milanese Loop, and the Leather Loop. The Sport Band, similar to other plastic bands on different smartwatches, provides exceptional comfort and features a unique clasp mechanism that becomes second nature over time. The Milanese Loop boasts a mesh-like texture that seamlessly complements the metallic case, although it presents a more feminine aesthetic compared to other strap options. Despite its flexibility and comfort, the Milanese Loop does come with a few shortcomings. After a few days of use, we noticed some scratches on the clasp, and there is a possibility of having to adjust the strap throughout the day, as it may occasionally slip a link or two. The Leather Loop bracelet employs a magnetic closure and utilizes magnetic segments to secure itself. However, it, too, has a few drawbacks, including the potential for scratches on the clasp after regular use and the need to readjust the strap periodically, as it may slip.
Display:
The Apple Watch features a 1.5-inch (or 1.3-inch for the 38mm) OLED display with a resolution of 312×390 pixels (or 272x340p) and a pixel density of 326ppi, akin to that of the iPhone 6. Diverging from the typical LCD technology found in iPhones, Apple opted for a flexible OLED from LG, resulting in a unique display for the Apple Watch. The display is protected by either toughened Ion-X glass (for the Apple Watch Sport) or sapphire glass, providing resistance against scratches and minor bumps against furniture. The OLED screen is vibrant and bursting with color, boasting high color accuracy. Overall, it stands as one of the most vivid displays seen in any smartwatch. However, it falls slightly short in terms of sharpness when compared to the Samsung Gear S, which sports a larger color palette.
Let us delve further into the Force Touch technology, which elevates the Apple Watch to new heights in the smartwatch realm. This innovation senses the level of force applied to the screen, distinguishing between light and hard presses through tiny electrodes encircling the display. Its addition brings additional options and functionality to certain apps without cluttering the interface with extra buttons.
Hardware and Battery Life:
Powering the Apple Watch is a 500MHz Apple S1 processor, a PowerVR SGX543 GPU, 512MB of RAM, and 8GB of storage (accessible only when connected to an iPhone). Additionally, the watch comes equipped with a heart rate sensor that employs infrared and visible light LEDs, along with photodiodes, to measure your heart rate. It also features a gyrometer and an accelerometer, though regrettably, there is no built-in GPS. Encased within the watch lies a 205mAh (or 246mAH) Lithium-Ion battery. The watch promises 18 hours of battery life with regular use, 6 hours of music playback or heart rate monitoring during exercise, 3 hours of talk time, and up to 48 hours of timekeeping.
Software:
The Apple Watch runs on WatchOS 2.0, an updated version that addresses lag issues present in the previous generation. For the Apple Watch to operate optimally, it requires an iPhone 5 or a later model. It is not designed for prolonged use; instead, it offers a superior experience when utilized in shorter intervals. This is especially true due to the relatively slow performance of certain apps and the limited selection of complex apps (using Facebook or any other Google app on the small screen of the Apple Watch may prove to be undesirable in the long run).
Now, let us delve into the interface. A swipe away presents the watch face with notifications and Glances, while pressing the Digital Crown grants access to the apps. It does require a small learning curve, but after a few days of usage, operating the watch becomes second nature. The watch faces now offer a myriad of options since the recent update, allowing you to customize the color, add or remove elements to your liking. In addition to the usual notifications and watch faces, you also have the option to choose a single screen that provides quick summaries of information from frequently accessed apps. Accessing the Glances is as simple as swiping up on the watch face or requesting Siri to open it, even if it is not in your active Glances list. Watch faces and Glances impress on the Apple Watch, but there is still more to explore. The Taptic Engine, an innovative feature, taps your wrist discreetly to alert you of incoming notifications, ensuring that you never miss anything important. It can also provide tactile feedback when navigating, tapping your wrist multiple times to indicate left or right turns. You can even incorporate it into Digital Touch, a unique form of messaging exclusive to Apple Watch, which allows you to send taps, finger sketches, or your heartbeat to other Apple Watch users. Apple Pay, a feature similar to what you find on your iPhone, proves to be immensely useful if you stumble upon establishments that accept this form of payment. It grants you the ability to make purchases with a single touch of your watch on the payment terminal (two taps of theā¦
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