Smartwatches: The most important information such as incoming emails, news, the weather forecast, or your calendar are easily readable on your wrist. (Photo: © Milosh Kojadinovich/123RF.com)
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2 October 2020
Industry 4.0: Smartwatches have become little multi-talented devices. These digital assistants on the wrist really shine when used in conjunction with a smartphone. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of the different models? And what should you look out for when buying one?
Smartwatches provide valuable services in everyday work life: they display emails and messenger messages, provide route guidance while on the go , function as hands-free devices, and can be used for contactless payments . Many models also keep an eye on the wearer's health – for example, via heart rate monitor , ECG, sleep, stress , and activity tracker , as well as pedometer . Some smartwatches even measure blood oxygen levels. While these functions cannot replace medical examinations, they do reveal trends and often provide valuable insights through app analysis.
This wide range of functions is making smartwatches increasingly popular: According to a representative survey conducted by the digital association Bitkom in February 2020, almost 40 percent of all smartphone users have already connected their device to a smartwatch. Smartwatches also prove useful for manual tasks : Most important information can be easily read at any time on the wrist – such as incoming emails, messages, the weather forecast, or one's own calendar. Operation is usually via a touchscreen and physical buttons, sometimes also via a rotating bezel.
Those who want to operate their smartwatch hands-free should look for optional voice control , for example via Alexa, Siri, Bixby, or Google Assistant. With some models, you can even dictate emails and send them via voice command. Higher-end smartwatches, thanks to their built-in microphone and speaker, even function as a fully-fledged hands-free system . This is especially practical when your hands are full and you don't have a free hand to take out your smartphone. Smartwatches with a built-in SIM/eSIM and a suitable mobile data plan are completely independent of smartphones.
Operations management
Operations management
Operations management
When buying a smartwatch, tradespeople should consider a few important points to ensure the watch best meets their needs. Not every smartphone is compatible with every smartwatch : Apple watches, for example, can only be paired with iPhones. Most smartwatches , however, are compatible with Android or – with slightly limited functionality – with Apple's iOS devices . It's always advisable to check beforehand whether your smartphone meets the watch's minimum software and operating system requirements. Some smartwatches also have compatibility lists.
A particularly important factor for daily use is battery life: some smartwatches only need charging every two to three weeks , while other models don't even last 24 hours . This naturally depends heavily on individual usage intensity , but manufacturers' specifications in this area are often very optimistic. Depending on the model, a smartwatch can also contribute to personal safety: top models from Samsung and Apple, for example, detect severe falls and automatically respond with an SOS emergency call. The ECG functions of some devices can even detect atrial fibrillation – even if the wearer experiences no symptoms.
The functionality of most smartwatches can be expanded as desired via apps . A few brands, such as Huawei/Honor, rely on proprietary operating systems without the possibility of expanding functionality. For outdoor work, a waterproof watch is recommended . For particularly harsh environments, models tested to the military standard MIL-STD 810G are advisable .
Smartwatch prices currently range from €30 for very basic devices to €1.540 for designer editions of Apple Watches. Really good models with many features are available for €150 to €250. When using services via smartphone and smartwatch, tradespeople should ensure strict compliance with GDPR regulations.
ECG
Abbreviation for electrocardiogram. An ECG measures the electrical activity of the heart muscle fibers to obtain information about heart rhythm and rate.
GPS
Abbreviation for "Global Positioning System" (Global Positioning System). The worldwide network of up to 30 satellites locates GPS receivers with an accuracy of up to one meter.
NFC
Abbreviation for "Near Field Communication" (Near Field Communication). An international standard for wireless data transmission over a distance of a few centimeters.
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