Smart watches do you have one, how much was it, what do you use it for, etc?

[ua_guy]

Guys, what does a wearable smart watch give you that your smartphone does not?

The Apple smart watch can do EKG analysis with your heart. Good for older folks, the fitness crowd, and those with heart conditions. I believe there's functionality to dial 911 and send location and wearer information in the event a-fib or heart-stopping events are detected. The latest generation was also going to be able to monitor blood sugar for diabetics, but I don't think that feature made it into this round.

Apple Smart Watch also has fall detection. Again, great for older users. It can send alerts to contacts or dial 911 if the fall alarm is not silenced/acknowledged by the user.

As mentioned above, it's also a fitness tracker which automatically records activity and has apps to gamify fitness, a sleep tracker (duration/quality).

[scfr]

The Apple smart watch can do EKG analysis with your heart. Good for older folks, the fitness crowd, and those with heart conditions. I believe there's functionality to dial 911 and send location and wearer information in the event a-fib or heart-stopping events are detected. The latest generation was also going to be able to monitor blood sugar for diabetics, but I don't think that feature made it into this round.

Apple Smart Watch also has fall detection. Again, great for older users. It can send alerts to contacts or dial 911 if the fall alarm is not silenced/acknowledged by the user.

As mentioned above, it's also a fitness tracker which automatically records activity and has apps to gamify fitness, a sleep tracker (duration/quality).

Can a smart watch be worn 24/7, including in the shower, go without charging, and require nothing of a wearer who can't even operate a DVD player and forgets to charge an old-style cell phone? Asking for a friend who might want to get one for her mom if all of this is true.

[ua_guy]

Can a smart watch be worn 24/7, including in the shower, go without charging, and require nothing of a wearer who can't even operate a DVD player and forgets to charge an old-style cell phone? Asking for a friend who might want to get one for her mom if all of this is true.

I can't speak for other brands, only experience with Apple here. The Apple one is "water resistant" and people report showering with it just fine. Probably not swimming, though.

It does need to be charged like a phone and it will go dark and be inoperable just the same if not charged.

The screen may be tough to read/navigate for someone with poor or degrading eyesight. BUT, it can also just be used for basic features like telling time (but with fall detection and ECG features enabled). But I think like all technology, those who didn't grow up with tech have a difficult time understanding how to interact with tech at an old age. Apple's UI is very simple to use (my parents in their late 70's use iPhones), they are easy for their kids (me) to support because of Apple's very tight/closed iOS and app ecosystem.

[scfr]

Thank you for the info ua_guy

[LivingAlmostLarge]

samsung galaxy is waterproof but also has a water resistant setting for swimming!

[QuarterMillionMan]

Google Pixel watch starting at $349 for all you Google Pixel phone fans, today on CNBC. I was thinking of the Google Pixel 6 pro but I'm done with the rest and going with the best iPhone. It is costing me too much $$$$.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

i am thinking of gettting a google watch i have a pixel 6 phone

[kork13]

Google Pixel watch starting at $349 for all you Google Pixel phone fans, today on CNBC. I was thinking of the Google Pixel 6 pro but I'm done with the rest and going with the best iPhone. It is costing me too much $$$$.

I'm not sure how I missed this!! I've been on the lookout for the Pixel Watch for literally years, when rumors about it first started back before Google bought FitBit. I forgot exactly when in October the official launch would be.

I'm definitely going to be getting one, having recently had my (cheapo 13y/o Timex) watch stolen. I just don't know if it's worth the extra upfront & ongoing cost of having it LTE-enabled.... Any perspective from those who do have smart watches?

[SavingBucks]

I use a cheap knock off from Amazon -- $33 at the time and probably about $40 now. Large number display for old folks. I use for the time and tracking steps and not much else. I don't like to look at my phone all of the time so this fits my needs just fine. This is an Android and I downloaded VeryFitPro app to the phone for syncing.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I'm not sure how I missed this!! I've been on the lookout for the Pixel Watch for literally years, when rumors about it first started back before Google bought FitBit. I forgot exactly when in October the official launch would be.

I'm definitely going to be getting one, having recently had my (cheapo 13y/o Timex) watch stolen. I just don't know if it's worth the extra upfront & ongoing cost of having it LTE-enabled.... Any perspective from those who do have smart watches?

i have a samsung galaxy watch active and just use wifi and connected to bluetooth. It's wonky now kinda old and the interface with pixel isn't as smooth as with a samsung watch. I don't want to pay for a LTE watch i just use it for notification and sending stuff by wifi or bluetooth to my phone.

[crazyliblady]

I do not have one and do not want one.

[kork13]

i have a samsung galaxy watch active and just use wifi and connected to bluetooth. It's wonky now kinda old and the interface with pixel isn't as smooth as with a samsung watch. I don't want to pay for a LTE watch i just use it for notification and sending stuff by wifi or bluetooth to my phone.

I remembered that my brother & his wife both have Apple Watches, so I asked for his perspective on it.... Which largely mirrors what you said. After ~2 yrs with them, they've rarely had a time where they might have wanted the LTE connectivity. So I put in my pre-order a couple hours ago for the WiFi/BT version!

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I remembered that my brother & his wife both have Apple Watches, so I asked for his perspective on it.... Which largely mirrors what you said. After ~2 yrs with them, they've rarely had a time where they might have wanted the LTE connectivity. So I put in my pre-order a couple hours ago for the WiFi/BT version!

I probably should but my spending this month has been out of control. Flights for next summer and deposit on our trip means I spent around $10k on airline tickets and trip for next year already

[kork13]

I probably should but my spending this month has been out of control. Flights for next summer and deposit on our trip means I spent around $10k on airline tickets and trip for next year already

Sounds like a great adventure!

If you want a bad influence, I'm happy to say that after $10k in travel spending, another $350 is just a drop in the bucket! Otherwise, it's not like they're a limited-time thing -- you can probably reduce optional spending fairly readily to build up the spare cash for it over a couple months. No rush.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I'm going to wait a week or two and see if costco will bring it out....