Smartwatches and Connected Watches:
Main Functions and Comparison with Traditional Watches
The world we live in today is filled with a variety of technologies to help us achieve a fulfilling lifestyle. Even when it comes to watches, there are now more options than ever, including watches with smartphone connection functions.
Here, we'll talk about smartwatches and connected watches, which are digitalized wristwatches that feature the latest technologies.
- Smartwatches
- Connected watches
- Functions
- Comparison
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What are Smartwatches and Connected Watches?
Smartwatches and connected watches are generally watches that can be connected to your smartphone to run and use various functions. Most smartwatches have an LCD (touch panel) display. Their major features include their ability to connect with your smartphone.
Smartwatches that have their own OS (Operating System) installed allow downloading of apps. Adding to their appeal is the fact that you can freely customize the functions you want, just like with a smartphone.
Many domestic and foreign manufacturers (watch manufacturers, electronics manufacturers, sports brands, etc.) now offer smartwatches and connected watches, with mainly touchscreen and analog types available. So, let's jump in and take a look at what makes them different.
How Smartwatches and Connected Watches Differ from Traditional Watches
Smartwatches and connected watches are evolving, but how are they different from standard quartz watches?
Let's have a look at the table below.
| Touchscreen smartwatches and connected watches |
Analog smartwatches and connected watches |
Standard quartz watches (GPS satellite - synchronised watches, radio watches, etc.) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Time accuracy | Yescan be synched with the time on the smartphone | Yescan be synched with the time on the smartphone | Yessome receive time information from GPS satellites and radio towers to display an accurate time |
| Easy time zone conversion | Yesmost can be set using the connected smartphone | Yesmost can be set using the connected smartphone | Variestime is adjusted using the watch's crown or buttons; but some allow intuitive operation by just pulling out the crown and rotating it |
| Battery life and charging | Not goodmost run out of battery after a day to a week; and most need a cable for charging | Variesmost run out of battery after a day to a week; but some are battery-powered and needs battery replacement only once every six months to one year; and some are solar-powered and don't need a cable to charge | Gooddoesn't need a cable to charge; battery-powered types need battery replacement only every two to three years; and solar-powered types don't need battery replacement |
| Dial/display | LCD display that can be modified in a variety of ways to suit your mood | Display with a beautiful, three-dimensional look owing to the dial and hands | Display with a beautiful, three-dimensional look owing to the dial and hands |
Note: Some products require battery replacement depending on their battery life.
Summary: Advantages and notes on the three types of watches
Looking at the differences of touchscreen and analog smartwatches and connected watches with quartz watches in the table above, we can make the following conclusions.
Touchscreen type: Advantages and features
Touchscreen advantage: No need to take out your smartphone numerous times a day!
You can easily check e-mail and social media notifications (although the display is somewhat limited) if the apps on your smartphone are also installed on your smartwatch or connected watch. For example, if you're wearing pants without pockets, then it's a hassle to take out your smartphone from where you put it. With this function, however, you can greatly reduce the number of times you have to take your smartphone out.
People whom touchscreen smartwatches and connected watches are most suited for
- Those who want to master the use of a wearable device by customizing the arrangement of its various functions
- Those who want to show off their innovative streak rather than having a traditional design on their wrist
Notes on touchscreen smartwatches and connected watches
- A certain level of knowledge is required to completely master all of their functions
- Awareness of the remaining charge is required
Analog type: Advantages and features
Advantages of analog smartwatches and connected watches
Their advantages include beautiful, classic watch designs befitting an analog watch and their highly convenient notification functions. You are notified of calls, e-mails, LINE and other social media messages with a sound or vibration from the wristwatch, or by the movement of the hands. Your wristwatch will alert you even if your smartphone is in your bag, so you'll never miss an important notification.
People whom analog smartwatches and connected watches are most suited for
- Those who want to wear a device that still looks like a wristwatch but also want to master useful functions that work with their smartphone
- Those who aren't confident that they could completely master advanced functions and just want select functions such as receiving message notifications
Notes on analog smartwatches and connected watches
- As with touchscreens, you need to be aware of their charging or battery requirements.
Quartz watch: Advantages and features
People whom standard quartz watches are most suited for
- Those who want to sport a traditional watch design
- Those who are not interested in complicated functions and just want to wear a watch without any hassle
- Those who not only want to know the time, but also want to make a fashion statement or wear a status symbol
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CITIZEN's Eco-Drive Bluetooth Connected Watch Series
Citizen has developed the solar-powered Eco-Drive Bluetooth connected watch series that features a superb analog watch design with select essential functions.
Link to the product lineupMajor features of the Eco-Drive Bluetooth series
- Has an elegant, beautiful design that is characteristic of a traditional watch
- Comes with select essential functions
(e-mail/social media notifications, incoming message notifications, smartphone time synchronization, smartphone search, etc.) - Comes with the light-powered Eco-Drive technology that makes charging unnecessary
(no cable charging or battery replacement required; can operate for up to nine months on a single full charge, even when connected daily with your smartphone; can also be powered by artificial light )
The Eco-Drive Bluetooth series comprises authentic analog watches that incorporate the concepts above. This watch series is perfect for those who need a design that's suitable for any business setting and a smartphone connection function for convenience and functionality in everyday life and business.