5 Reasons to Wear a Watch Again

With all the new buzz around Apple’s new Apple Watch, the question remains, will people wear a watch again?

Soon after I bought my first smartphone, I stopped wearing a watch.  I could look at my phone anytime I wanted to see what time it was, so why did I need a watch?  Almost a year ago I started wearing a watch again, something I didn’t think I’d do again.  Why?  Because today’s watches are smart watches and they house a lot of convenient features.

In this past year, I have worn the original Samsung Galaxy Gear, the newest Gear Fit, and the newest Galaxy Gear 2.  Although I absolutely love the look, shape, and color concaved screen, I set the Gear Fit aside in favor of the latest Galaxy Gear 2 watch.  I prefer having a full-function watch with all the bells and whistles.

Samsung’s Galaxy Gear 2 is much less bulky than its predecessor and now offers changeable watch straps.  The straps were not changeable before due to the camera being enclosed within the watch strap.  It has been a noticeable difference the weight between the original Galaxy Gear and the Galaxy Gear 2, the Gear 2 is much lighter on the wrist.

5 Reasons to Wear a Watch Again

So let me give you five thought-provoking reasons why wearing a smart watch is convenient, helpful, and fun.  You can…

1.  Answer and Make Phone Calls

Just like Dick Tracey, you can actually make and receive calls…right on your watch!  The Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 watch does not have it’s own cell signal, it simply connects with your phone via Bluetooth.  This way you can take advantage of a lot of features on your phone without needing another SIM card and more service.  I have actually taken calls on my watch, when I did not have enough time to react with my phone, and found it surprisingly clear…though it’s not my preferred method of communication.  Talking this way sure does raise a lot of eyebrows!

Answering a call through your smart watch is very helpful, especially when you hands are full or it’s just too hard digging around in your purse to find it.  Note, your smart watch will only work if you are within 15 feet of your phone.

2.  Check Your Email and Text Messages

Whenever I receive a text message or an email, I receive a notification on my watch.  I hear a little “ding,” although, if I chose, I could have the smart watch vibrate instead.  Or, no notification at all if I desire.  I really love this feature because I get notified right away when something comes in.  I don’t need to constantly check my phone to see if there’s anything there and it’s particularly helpful when I’m expecting an important message.

According to Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers’s annual Internet Trends report, the average person checks their phone 150 times a day! Pressing the button, unlocking the phone, and checking email, Facebook, Twitter, the time, etc. takes a toll on your phone battery.  Using a smart watch slows down your phone battery drain.

This is great, but how do you respond to a message?  Easy, Samsung built-in voice commands into the Gear 2 smart watch, so you can reply verbally back to texts as well ask ask for directions, direct your phone to call someone by saying “Call David,” etc.

3.  Take pictures and Video

The other day I wanted to take a picture during my walk but was bummed that I didn’t have a camera.  Until I remembered, I had one around my wrist!  The 2 mega-pixel picture quality is much better than I expected.  In a pinch, it’s a great little camera…and video camcorder. In fact, it takes video at 720p.

I have used the Galaxy Gear 2 smart watch on numerous occasions to snap a photo.  The kids in my daughter’s 5th grade class love the camera too.  Far more students have asked me if I was wearing the Galaxy Gear watch rather than my adult friends.  These kids are astute!  They love it when I take pictures of them.

After you take a picture, the picture immediately shows up on your phone, if you have it close by.  If not, pics and video will upload once you connect with your smart phone again.

4.  Track Your Physical Activities without a Phone

Yes, you certainly can track your running, walking, jogging, etc. on your phone, but sometimes you just don’t have your phone on you.  I’m an avid walker and I don’t like the bulk of carrying a phone around.  With my watch, I track every step.  In fact, you can also track running, hiking, and cycling as well as walking.  With the running feature, you can receive tips on how to improve.

Once I connect back with my phone, all of my steps are transferred to the S Health app on my phone so I can see a fuller picture of my fitness and history.

And guess what?  The Gear 2 smart watch even comes with a stand alone music player, so you can download your music on your Gear 2 and listen to your tunes while exercising…without the need of your phone.

5.  Check Your Heart Rate while Exercising

If you’re a runner or you like to pay careful attention to your heart rate during exercise, the built-in heart rate sensor in the Galaxy Gear is very helpful.  I have tried numerous heart rate measurements and the ratings seem to be correct.  My heart rate measures  58-62 at rest and this morning after walking up a steep hill, I came in at 105.  You can also check your watch to see your history of your heart rate scores with the time and day of each result.

Checking your heart rate with your smart watch is so much easier and less cumbersome than with a phone.

With new apps being created for Samsung’s smart watches all the time, there is a wealth of other things you can do easily with your watch without having to search for your phone.  Here are a few of our favorites:

• PacMan!
• QR/Barcode Reader
• Flashlight
• Calculator
• Timer
• Voice Memo
• Weather
• WatchON – control the TV from your watch!
• Life360 App – keep track of family members
• Vivino – take a picture of a wine label to get feedback from other customers
• Tic-Tac-Toe – helpful with kids while waiting for food!
• Lots more!

The Galaxy Gear 2 smart watch sells for $299.99 plus free shipping at Amazon and works with phones:

Samsung Galaxy S5 / Galaxy Grand 2 / Galaxy Note 3 / Galaxy Note 3 Neo / Galaxy Note 2 / Galaxy S4 / Galaxy S3 / Galaxy S4 Zoom / Galaxy S4 Active / Galaxy S4 mini / Galaxy Mega 6.3 / Galaxy Mega 5.8 / Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) / Galaxy NotePRO (12.2) / Galaxy TabPRO (12.2/10.1/8.4)   [more to come!]

A Mom’s Perspective

As I said earlier, I’m quite surprised that I’ve taken to wearing a watch again.  I didn’t think I would take to it so well, but I have to tell you, even having the convenience of seeing what time it is without having to search for my phone,  has given me a sense of freedom.  And then to have all of these other great features to boot has been convenient and fun.  Because smart watches are still relatively new, I get a lot of compliments on the Samsung Gear 2 smart watch.  The rose color metal is striking and the screen and colors are vibrant.

For a watch, regardless of how smart it is, it still is a bit pricey.  I believe prices will come down in time.  But there are many apps available for free and if you are looking for a tool to help make your day a little easier…a hands-free assistant like this watch sure can help.

1. A study by Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers found the average user checks their phone nearer to 150 times per day. In its annual Internet Trends report, carried out in May this year, found that people check their phones, on average, 23 times a day for messaging, 22 times for voice calls and 18 times to get the time.

   *  I was given a Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 watch in exchange for my opinion.  All opinions and app choices are my own.