When it comes to wearable devices, the first things that spring to mind are fitness trackers and smartwatches. Whether you want to keep fit or just stay trendy, these gadgets always come to your aid. Although smartwatches seem to be more functional, fitness trackers don’t seem to be lagging far behind. Let’s see who can benefit from each of these devices and what features they possess.
Why choose a smartwatch?
If you want to put smartphone functionality on your wrist, choose a smartwatch. It’s a mini-computer that serves a more general purpose than a fitness tracker. Smartwatches do track fitness, but they are also capable of receiving messages and calls, their customizable faces show notifications and run the vast majority of your smartphone apps. The Apple watch gets most attention, but there are plenty of Android-compatible devices, for instance, Samsung Gear S3 or Huawei Watch. Smartwatches mobile app development is now one of the most sought-after areas in software development.
Despite so many undeniable advantages, smartwatches have their weak points. First and foremost, such devices need frequent charging, though this drawback is likely to be eliminated soon. If long battery life is a top priority, then think twice before buying a smartwatch. Another weakness is the price, which is high and obviously not suitable for a tight budget.
Who needs a fitness tracker?
If you are low on funds and don’t need all the bells and whistles of a smartwatch, a fitness tracker will do just fine. Today’s market offers plenty of choices for every wallet: From Xiaomi to Fitbit to Garmin. Also, a fitness tracker is believed to be the best option for those who need to monitor their fitness results and health condition.
But not every tracker is for everyone. There is a wide range of wearables designed to cover the needs of both fitness newbies and professional athletes. A lot of trackers are built for a particular kind of sport, for example, waterproof devices for swimmers. Choosing a perfect fitness tracker, pay attention to the features that you value most.
The majority of fitness trackers focus on counting steps, measuring calories wasted and monitoring the quality of sleep. Heart rate tracking, an alarm with wake-up vibrations, notifications about incoming calls and messages are additional functions of modern fitness devices. Another standout feature of trackers is their long-lasting battery life that lets you forget about charging. For example, Garmin Vivofit keeps working up to a year.
The mobile app that accompanies your tracker is one of its most valuable components. It lets you run through all the data, set goals, monitor progress and even challenge your friends. So, choosing a fitness tracker, check that it works well with your smartphone, or, at least, the mobile app for your platform is in the App Store.
Conclusion
The fine line between smartwatches and fitness trackers doesn’t seem to blur. Keeping the above mentioned points in mind, pick the best option that will correspond to your needs: health tracking and / or communication. A wisely chosen device will never disappoint you.
