How Smart Watches Function

With smartphones now handling nearly every aspect of our daily lives, the tech trend is leaning towards packing even more "connectivity" into ever smaller devices.

At the same time, wristwatches have become somewhat obsolete for many. When asking someone for the time, they are just as likely to check their phone as they are to glance at a traditional wristwatch. The new generation of smart watches aims to change that dynamic.

Smart watches are digital timepieces that do far more than simply tell time. We’re not talking about the calculator watches of your school days; these are sophisticated digital gadgets that offer a wide range of capabilities.

Smart watches can run applications and play various types of digital media, such as audio tracks or radio streamed to Bluetooth headphones. Many of these devices feature touchscreens, giving users easy access to functions like a calculator, thermometer, compass, and more.

Most current smart watches aren't fully independent devices because they lack an Internet connection. Therefore, many are designed to connect directly to other devices, such as your smartphone, that do have Internet access.

Similar to smartphones, Internet connectivity unlocks a wide range of features for smart watches, including message alerts, GPS navigation, and syncing with your calendar. Additionally, a Bluetooth connection to your phone allows the watch to assist with making calls and sending or receiving messages.

Some smart watches are specifically designed for athletic purposes, enabling users to track lap times, distance, and routes. They may also be paired with accessories like heart rate monitors or cadence sensors. There are even smart watches created for sailing enthusiasts, helping them monitor factors like speed, wind direction, and wind speed.

While many may think of smart watches as a groundbreaking new technology, they've actually been on the edges of gadgetry for a long time. The first might have been Microsoft's UC-2000, a digital watch from 1984 that allowed programming in BASIC through its keypad. In 2002, Microsoft introduced Smart Personal Object Technology (SPOT), aiming to add new functions to everyday items through smart software. Although SPOT watches were discontinued in 2008, the concept of the smart watch endured.

Many believe the time has finally come to bring the digital magic of smart watches into the mainstream. Keep reading to find out why.

Watches on the Rise

Smart watches aren’t something that will sneak up on anyone. Digital watches with computing functions have existed since the 1970s, though their features were much more basic back then.

Well-known brands like Seiko, Pulsar, and Casio have all released watches with digital features. These watches could store small amounts of information, perform basic calculations, and even let users play simple games. Swatch, Fossil, and Microsoft also joined the market with their versions, though none of them truly captured consumer interest.

When it comes to functionality, today's smart watches don't offer anything particularly revolutionary. They simply condense many of the features from your smartphone into a wearable device. However, with technology shrinking at an accelerating pace, some believe these watches are ready to become a mainstream product.

Experts at NextMarket Insights predict a significant growth in the smart watch market. They forecast that sales will rise from a modest 14 million in 2014 to an impressive 373 million by the end of 2020 [source: NextMarket].

Numerous companies, including some industry giants, are banking on smart watches to drive major profits. Samsung, Sony, Qualcomm, Motorola, Nissan, Adidas, and Timex are already selling their own versions of smart watches. Other players like Blackberry, Toshiba, and LG are also eager to join, and as of 2013, there were strong rumors that both Google and Apple are planning to enter the smart watch market soon.

Other figures also shed light on the future of smart watch sales. NextMarket forecasts that about half of all smart watches sold will run Google's Android operating system [source: NextMarket]. For those familiar with Android's dominance in the smartphone market, it's easy to see why Google might emerge as a strong contender for controlling the smart watch market.

But let's not jump ahead. So far, smart watches haven’t caused much of a stir with consumers. Still, there are some impressive models available.

Smart Watches to Watch

There are already a number of smart watches available for purchase. Here are a few of the most talked-about models.

The Sony SmartWatch 2 boasts a 1.6-inch (4-centimeter) square touchscreen display housed in a body just 0.3 inches (7.6 millimeters) thick. It responds to common gestures such as swiping and pinching, and you can select a digital or analog-style clock face by default. The watch is water-resistant and comes equipped with NFC, as well as Bluetooth connectivity. To emphasize style, Sony allows you to swap the default rubber band for any 24-millimeter (0.94-inch) strap. It also features a USB port for charging and data transfer, and under moderate usage, the battery lasts around four days.

A startup company called Pebble produces one of the best-selling smart watches of late 2013. Priced at $150, the Pebble watch steers clear of trying to replicate your smartphone’s features. Instead, it focuses on doing a few things really well, while offering a more fashionable design than most other models. You can choose from a variety of watch faces to change the watch’s look with the press of a button. The Pebble measures 2 inches (5 centimeters) long, 1.4 inches (3.6 centimeters) wide, and 0.4 inches (10.2 millimeters) thick.

The Pebble features an ARM Cortex-M3 processor and a 3D accelerometer, making it useful with fitness apps like RunKeeper. It’s waterproof and offers a week-long battery life. Rather than using an energy-draining LCD touchscreen, it uses a monochrome e-paper display, similar to the ones found on e-readers. This means you’ll navigate the menu using side-mounted buttons.

The Pebble is compatible with both Android and iPhone devices. After pairing it with your smartphone through Bluetooth 4.0, it can display text messages and allow you to control music playback. The manufacturer promises additional features will be added in the future.

Samsung’s $300 Galaxy Gear is packed with features, including 4GB of memory, voice command input, a 1.9-megapixel camera (for video and photos), voice memos, a pedometer, and a speaker. It has a 1.6-inch (4.1-centimeter) display and is about half an inch (1.3 centimeters) thick. The Galaxy Gear is designed to integrate smoothly with apps like Runtastic and RunKeeper. Additionally, Samsung includes a customized version of Evernote to pair photos and voice notes quickly on the device.

Goophone, a company mainly recognized for selling replica iPhones, is now seriously investing in smart watches. The Goophone Smart Watch operates as a fully standalone device, featuring built-in antennas that allow you to make calls without the need for your smartphone. A 2G version is priced at $250, while the faster 3G model costs $300. It comes with a 1.5-inch (3.8-centimeter) screen, a 1.2GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, and a 2-megapixel camera. Essentially, it’s a smartphone packed into a wrist-worn form. It runs an older Android version, limiting compatibility with newer apps.

While some models show more promise than others, it’s evident that even the largest players in the industry are still facing hurdles in creating successful smart watches. On the next page, we’ll explore the reasons behind this.

Form, Function and Fun

Smart watches haven't become a widespread phenomenon for a variety of reasons. The technological barriers are significant, and the fashion missteps are simply too much to overlook.

Let’s begin with the technology side. Since wrists have limited space, wrist watches must be incredibly compact. This inevitably means the display size is small, which presents a challenge for people used to giant smartphone screens. They must adjust to a much smaller interface on a smart watch.

This also means that software developers need to create intuitive graphical interfaces that can fit a watch’s tiny display. As any developer who designs smartphone apps knows, this can be a make-or-break factor for a product’s success.

Battery life is another critical design challenge. The current battery technology can only keep a smart watch’s numerous functions running for a few hours before it needs to be recharged.

And of course, there's the fashion element to consider with smart watches. Whether we like it or not, a watch is a fashion accessory, and it can say a lot about your morning style choices. Many manufacturers are still struggling to blend functionality and style in ways that don’t scream 'geek.' The designs often end up looking bulky, overly large, and out of place with anything beyond casual wear. A smart watch at a formal event? Get ready for the laughter to roll in.

Considering the challenges manufacturers face in perfecting smart watches, it’s worth questioning why so many people desire them so much. One key reason is the overwhelming demand smartphones place on our attention. Everywhere you go, people are glued to their phones, as if those devices hold the key to their soul (and perhaps they do).

A gadget that’s more discreet and less intrusive – like a watch – could redefine how we interact with personal technology. Rather than constantly using both hands, a watch simply rests on your wrist. The right watch might allow you to reclaim some of the mental space consumed by the smartphone frenzy.

A Product to Watch

Up until now, no smart watch has truly captured the imagination or loyalty of consumers. With so many companies investing massive time and money into these products, it seems inevitable that one will eventually strike gold in the industry.

It’s possible that the rumored smart watches from Apple and Google could be the ones to hit the mark. Apple is renowned for its ability to combine practicality with design, and Google’s vast resources and extensive Android user base could provide the perfect boost for a smart watch to succeed.

Until the first truly groundbreaking product emerges, it's impossible to predict where smart watches will go from here. Perhaps they’ll forever be seen as accessories to smartphones, always dependent on a more powerful handheld device. Or, with advances in user interfaces and battery technology, they might evolve into standalone gadgets, rendering smartphones unnecessary – and maybe even, dare we say, unfashionable.

It could be that the limited space on a watch is simply too much of a challenge for today’s technology to conquer. Right now, each manufacturer is essentially casting their products into the market, hoping that one of them will capture the public’s attention. So far, Pebble – arguably the most unlikely contender in the field – has emerged as the leader, selling over 250,000 units in its first launch.

If a small company like Pebble can carve out a niche with its digital devices, you can bet that larger corporations are working tirelessly to do the same.