[Libs-Or] Tech-Talk: HARDWARE – Thinking of Getting a Smartwatch?

Tue Jan 17 15:00:57 PST 2023

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HARDWARE – Thinking of Getting a Smartwatch?

Intermediate

[smartwatch]

Are you considering getting a smartwatch but aren't quite sure that having a mini computer on your wrist is as useful as it sounds? What are the features and benefits?

Some might think that if you have your phone with you, that's all you need. It does everything you want, right?

Let's take a look at not only the types of smartwatches, but how they can connect to your phone, and in what ways they may be useful to you.

What is a Smartwatch?

This type of device is essentially a wearable computer designed to be put on the wrist like a regular watch. Just like your smartphone, they have a touchscreen that connects to apps that, in addition to displaying the time, can do almost as many things as you can do with your phone.

What Things Can a Smartwatch Do?

This mini-computer on your wrist can do a lot! Many features are built-in and apps can be downloaded to:

[smart watch]

·    Receive phone calls and text messages
·    Track your health and fitness
·    Manage email
·    Locate your phone with the "find my phone" option
·    Check the weather
·    Listen to music
·    Use as a mobile wallet
·    Use for navigation
·    Post on social media
·    Set alarms and reminders
·    Oh, and see what time it is!

Getting Your Smartwatch Connected

Before we jump in, it's important to note that a smartwatch can: 1) act as an extension of your phone or 2) work independently.

1. Using a smartwatch as an accessory, connected to your smartphone:

[smartwatch]

·    When you set up your smartwatch, it is paired with your mobile phone via Bluetooth so it does not need to have its own cellular plan (or phone number).

·    Typically, you need to be less than about 30 feet from your phone for your watch to have full connectivity, however, this distance varies by phone/smartwatch.

·    A smartwatch can work without being close to your phone as long as it is connected to a Wi-Fi signal. However, if you're driving around town or exercising on the trail (without your phone nearby), you won't be able to access the internet or make calls without a separate smartwatch data plan.

2. Using a smartwatch without connection to a phone:

·    To use these typically higher-end smartwatches independently of your phone, you must have a built-in cellular connectivity data plan. These start at about $10/month as an add-on to a phone plan.

·    In this case, the watch has its own phone number and can operate without being near your phone so that you can make calls, send/receive messages and access the Internet without Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

How Do You Decide Which Type of Connection You Want?

Here are two personal stories to illustrate why each person, based on their situation, preferred either a connected or independent smartwatch.

Scenario - Smartphone as a phone accessory:

[teacher]

My daughter teaches 6th grade. As you can imagine, teachers often need to communicate with office staff or other professionals, but can't leave the classroom. For instance, a parent may have come to pick up a student or the principal may have a message. Answering a cell phone is not the answer. Students are not allowed to have them in the classroom, so to set a good example, the teacher does not want to have hers on display either.

Having a smartwatch is a way to get instant notifications. She can quickly glance when the watch vibrates to see these time-sensitive communications as her connected smartphone is not more than 30 feet away.

Scenario - Smartphone with its Own Data Plan:

[no data plan]

One of my friends is a supervisor in a manufacturing company. He spends time with his crew ... in multiple buildings ... spread over a few acres. The workers are not allowed to have cell phones on the floor, so my friend leaves his phone in the office out of respect for this rule.

The problem is that his boss was frustrated because he wanted to reach his supervisor by phone at all times. The solution? My friend started wearing a connected smartwatch so his boss could text or call him when needed. Because his phone was more than 30 feet away in some situations, a data plan for the smartwatch is needed.

What are the Main Types of Smartwatches?

When purchasing a smartwatch, you need to consider the type that is compatible with your mobile device.

·    Apple Watch (often incorrectly called an iWatch) – pairs with an iPhone
·    Samsung Galaxy Watch – for use with an Android device
·    Google Pixel Watch – works with Android devices as well
·    Other Android-compatible options from Fossil, Montblanc and Garmin

And then there's another category for specific-use watches that work as fitness trackers like hiking watches or Fitbits. These can be phone-dependent or stand-alone devices.

Smartwatch Features to Consider

So you've decided what type of watch you need and the connectivity options. There are many choices when purchasing a smartwatch to think about. Here are a few:

[smart watches]

Aesthetics – The color and finishes of the device (like aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium) and the size and weight.

Display – This is the face of the watch, and how it shows the apps. Choices include LCD, OLED and AMOLED.

·    LCD is the most common display as it is designed to reflect light from the environment (making it easier to see in direct sunlight) as well as being power efficient.
·    OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) offers more vivid colors and faster response time than LCD.
·    AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) displays are very thin, light, and very power efficient, so they won't drain your battery as quickly as other types of displays. They offer superior image quality with vibrant colors, however, watches with this display are more expensive.

Battery life - This varies by watch type and use.

Band options - With some smartwatches, you can swap out the band for a different look.

Water resistance - Is the watch able to go in the water? Can you swim with it on?

Fitness metrics - Does it have built-in health applications like a heart rate sensor or step counter if you want to use it as a fitness tracker?

Apps available - Just like a smartphone, you can download apps designed for a watch. There is a dedicated store for Apple Watches. For Android-compatible watches, visit the Google Play store.

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/f8f1ecc8-4884-4c21-8ed0-cf647e6db944.png]

Communications: Listening

Are you really listening?

How often do you really listen to someone?

Do you find yourself saying “uh-huh” during a conversation, when you really don’t know what was said?

When someone is talking do you anticipate the rest of another person’s thoughts and interrupt them before they are done?

Do you sometimes think about other topics …instead of giving the person your full attention? Answering “yes” to any of these questions would indicate a need to strengthen listening skills.

Effective communication requires active listening: being attentive and using what is called “interactive skills”. These are things such as testing your understanding, clarifying and summarizing.

Practicing these communication techniques helps ensure that what is heard is really what is being said. It shows active listening!

[https://files.constantcontact.com/ee1208b4001/da1c6ee9-ba35-4af5-9c80-8e1b5781189e.png]

Leadership

Give and Ask for Feedback

Making a point to use feedback in a variety of ways is one important principle for creating a great communications environment.

If you're in a management position, you want to give more feedback. It will not only make people feel good (because you'll do it in a positive manner, right), but it will also build trust.

By the way, if you are not in a formal leadership role … you're an independent contributor ... it is important that you ask for feedback when you want or need it. Communication is always a two-way requirement.

This isn’t just about following up on a suggestion someone makes. It’s also telling people what actions you’ve taken on their behalf. It’s not leaving them in the dark … or assuming they know or wouldn’t care.

We do work more effectively when we give feedback and when we ask for it.

Let folks know how they are doing. Don’t wait for some formal gathering. You can also let your colleagues know how much you respect what they have accomplished or how imaginative an idea is.

And, remember, if you aren’t getting what you need, it’s OK to ask for it. Many times people don’t realize that you would appreciate more. You can kindly tell others that you’d find more feedback helpful, useful and interesting. They’ll be receptive to the request.

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Public Library Consultant / CE Coordinator
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