March saw the debut of the new Apple (APPL, Financial) Watch. The Android Wear, a version of Google’s (GOOG, Financial) Android Operating System has already been powering smartwatches from major manufacturers like Motorola (MSI, Financial), LG (LG, Financial), Samsung (SSNLF, Financial).
Both Apple Watch and Android Wear watches help you organize your information and deliver it to you even before you ask. You can get messages from your friends, or get weather updates in a glance while you are on the go. You can also respond to your messages and emails by voice using these cool devices, without having to take your smartphone out of the pocket.
According to reports, Google is planning to add Wi-Fi facility in the next version of Android Wear. The new Apple Watch already has this facility, but you have to wait till it hits the shelves because Apple’s official website just says ‘coming soon’. With nearly all other features looking the same, it becomes hard to choose between the two. So let’s start with the design.
Design
Android Wear is available in multiple shapes – rectangular, square, and round. On the other hand, Apple has stuck with a simple, yet impressive square screen. The smartwatch manufacturers seem to realize that a watch does not just have to be a piece of advanced gadgetry, but rather a style statement. A lot of emphasis has been placed on design, which differentiates these smatwatches from their less smart counterparts. Apple is even planning to launch an 18-carat gold Apple Watch. So if you are looking to strike an impression, this one should surely be on your wish list.
Features
First, Android Wear will have the “OK Google” function, which allows you to speak to the watch for any queries related to flight times, hotel reservations, game scores, etc. The software even allows you to respond to your messages through voice commands. Similar functionality will be offered by the Apple Watch, too, likely derived out of Siri. The Apple Watch also allows you to send a vibration to another Apple Watch. Also, you can pay for things by just waving your Apple Watch over the NFC payments terminal.
Fitness has taken the center stage in both IOS and Android powered smartwatches. Android Wear will provide for functionalities like reminders, exercise goals, fitness summary, and real-time speed and distance calculation for your daily activities. Apple is not behind, with its fitness tracking app Healthbook. The recent onboarding of two techno fitness experts, Nancy Dougherty and Ravi Narasimhan show that Apple intends to keep fitness at the core of their smartwatch functionality.
Conclusion
Both the devices need to be paired with smartphones to enable all the features. Currently, Android Wear supports only Bluetooth connectivity. On the other hand, Apple Watch will be launched with preloaded Wi-Fi connectivity, offering you the ability to transfer data even when your phone is out of the Bluetooth range. Apple Watch has aced Android Wear on this front.
