When Smartwatches will finally reach the mainstream remains uncertain. But until then Apple with the in-house Watch (and not iWatch) to inspire buyers - and the recently released watchOS 2 should also play its part in making the device palatable. We show you whether the purchase of the Apple Watch is worth it or whether you should not wait a little longer.
How the Apple Watch works
Basically the following applies: If you do not have iPhone the purchase of the Apple Watch is not worth it. Because for many functions of the smartwatch, you must necessarily pair the device via Bluetooth to the iPhone. The calculation of many Apps for example, takes place on the smartphone, only the results are then forwarded to the watch. If you use the smartphone without Bluetooth pairing, you only get the features known from ordinary watches - such as a time or date display. Due to the sometimes very high price of the Apple watch, this would of course be a waste of time, so an iPhone must be included.
High-end technology on the wrist
In the Apple Watch, the company incorporates everything that can currently be built into a Smartwatch in a visually appealing manner. This includes a display with a pixel density of up to 303 ppi, which is made of sapphire glass and is therefore scratch-resistant. Furthermore, the watch contains sensors for the number of steps, light intensity, heartbeat or acceleration. Connections to other devices can also be made via NFC, the internal memory amounts to quite extensive 8 gigabytes. Practical: The Watch's battery charges wirelessly, making it easier to put the Smartwatch on its small station in the evening.
Speaking of batteries...
A gladly criticized weakness of the Apple smartphone is the battery life: about 18 to 24 hours of normal use are realistic, after that it's over. This means: if you really want to use the device extensively, you won't be able to avoid recharging every evening. If you also take off your usual watch in the evening, you should not be bothered by this. Especially in comparison to the competition, the small battery is still surprising: Apple stows away only 205 mAh in the Sport edition of the watch, LG for example presses 410 mAh (and thus twice the amount) into the G Watch R. We wouldn't be surprised if the surely upcoming Apple Watch 2 will tackle this problem.
The Apple Watch in everyday life
When using the clock, the typical "switch on, and go" feeling of Apple products quickly unfolds: Raise your hand, the clock turns on automatically and shows the last active screen (such as the dial, which you can customize in great detail). Alternatively, the display will show you the last app you used. You can also personalise the dial itself in great detail, for example to show the current temperature, battery status, sunrise and sunset phases or the phases of the moon. You can control the watch with simple gestures directly on the display or via the so-called crown, a wheel on the side of the Smartwatch that is reminiscent of ordinary watches. More practical in most cases is the operation via the crown.
Using the Apple Watch
Think of Smartwatch as a kind of assistant for your iPhone: In the message centre, for example, you can find out whether you have received (and missed) e-mails or other text messages or even phone calls on your smartphone. You can also reply to short messages or use the watch as a hands-free device for the iPhone. This means you can make calls even if you leave your comparatively bulky phone in your trouser pocket or handbag. Siri also lives in the Watch, so you can also use voice control to initiate instructions (such as reminders).
Which model suits me?
Apple offers the Watch in three different versions: Sport, Watch and Watch Edition. The latter is only aimed at people who are looking for luxury due to the price of up to 18,000 euros (the case is then made of yellow and rose gold). For ordinary mortals, the other two models are ideal, which differ mainly in the materials used. Aluminum and similar light metals are intended for the sports version in order to disturb as little as possible during fitness activities. The ordinary watch relies on stainless steel and can be individualized by countless bracelets.
Suitable for fitness?
The Apple Watch uses the aforementioned sensors to count the steps taken, distance, estimated calories burned, measures the heart rate, and indicates which activities are particularly useful for sports. The device is therefore also suitable for people who want to bring a little more fitness into their everyday lives. But: The Watch cannot keep up with the range of functions of "real" fitness wristbands. A GPS tracker - essential for displaying the distance walked or driven - is not on board, for example, and can therefore only be used when paired with the iPhone.
Whether the purchase of Apple's first Smartwatch is worthwhile, you have to decide for yourself. Still(!) the device does not offer a killer feature like the iPhone with its gigantic, button-free display, which was a minor sensation in 2007. But those interested in technology are welcome to take a look, as the workmanship is of an enormously high level, typical for Apple.
