A growing trend among mobile professionals is the smartwatch allowing you to check your smartphone for updates without ever taking it from your pocket.
Reports suggest both Samsung and Apple have sights set on developing new smartwatches by the end of the year. Samsung could release its Galaxy Gear as early as Sept. 4, according to Bloomberg, but some debate remains about just what this new device will be able to do.
For a look at the capabilities of smartwatches already on the market, see more on the Kickstarter funded Pebble or see an overview of the Sony Smartphone 2 expected in the U.S. in September.
What Smartwatches Can do for Small Businesses
Though they are not exactly like Dick Tracey’s gadget watch in the comics, smartwatches have some valuable uses.
They can’t yet be used as phones, but let you keep up with things happening on your smartphone while it’s still safely tucked away.
You can keep track of social media updates relative to your business, monitor incoming email from clients or partners, or even be notified of text messages coming in with questions about your products or services.
But you can also set alarms and updates for yourself and check incoming caller IDs to figure out whether you need to take your phone out and take this call or not.
Best of all, with more of these devices coming on the market, you will have more choices than ever when picking the wearable technology to compliment your phone.
Image: Video Still
Not sure how useful this additional gadget will be, but will keep a look out for it by the end of the year. Thanks for the post!
Joshua Sophy
Hard to tell where this trend will go: I can see the ups and downs of it.
I think if you wore a calculator watch in the 80s, you’re probably going to LOVE your smartwatch or already do.
Anita Campbell
Good analogy, Josh!
I predict this will be a specialty niche product, not one for the mainstream. It’s not quite as “hands free” as Google Glass. Yet it’s less convenient to look at and use than your smartphone (except in meetings when you surreptitiously glance at it and need to avoid pulling out your smartphone). But even that etiquette taboo is going by the wayside quickly. A lot of people don’t seem to think it’s a big deal to use your phone in meetings, as long as you do it silently.
For most of us, if we’re going to fiddle around with something with our hands anyway, we’ll probably just pull out our phones. Or tablets.
– Anita
Aira Bongco
I think the screen is rather small for social media updates, don’t you agree? Besides, smartphones are already “mobile” so why settle for another smartphone replica that is smaller? I’d go for it if you can use it as a phone though.
The first version of this Smartwatch won’t have a flexible display as predicted by experts. That means users again have to buy the device when the second version launches after 6 months from now.
Joshua Sophy
I still think calculator watches are cooler, even today. Ironically, I think a smartwatch and a calculator watch sell for the same price today.
Dick Tracy had a smartwatch, too. Who knew he’d be 70 years ahead of his time?
In all seriousness, though. I do see this going somewhere very soon. Maybe not as a watch but more of a wristband or wearable cuff.
We’ve reported on the flexible screens and in doing research for some of the upcoming smartphones, I’ve seen that it’s only a matter of time that a flex screen is mainstream.
Still a niche market? Sure. But if it’s more useful than just for checking texts and the time, it’s a bigger niche market to target.