Hybrid time keeper
The traditionallooking Nowa smartwatch is both elegant and feature-packed, writes Edwin Kee
WHEN it comes to smartwatches, there is a growing number of models to choose from. However, one major drawback is limited battery life due to design and engineering issues. A hybrid smartwatch offers the classic look of a regular analogue timepiece with a touch of modernity. The Nowa hybrid smartwatch measures just 40mm across and fits both genders elegantly.
DESIGN
Minimalist is the best word to describe the Nowa hybrid smartwatch which boasts of a pure matte white dial alongside indigo blue hands, and matte black indices on the face.
Telling the time is easy; the natural steel that makes up both the case and clasp come in a glossy finish for a cultured look.
The strap itself is flat, and depending on the colour you choose, there is a beige lining to accompany it. The strap can be changed from one colour to another to suit your wardrobe.
The Nowa hybrid smartwatch is a classically designed watch that is more suitable for the boardroom and the office than an outdoor adventure.
While it has a 3ATM water resistance rating (up to 30 metres), do not use this when you go swimming, snorkelling or even hiking. There are other more suitthat able brands and makes would outlast the Nowa.
Sweat can stink up the band of the Nowa hybrid smartwatch, so frequent cleaning and care is necessary, particularly if you wear this timepiece to a high powered meeting.
HARDWARE
The watch is powered by a standard CR2025 battery, where under normal usage, it ought to be able to last up to eight months before a replacement is required.
The case itself measures just 9.75mm thin, allowing it to look elegant on your wrist without looking too bulky. The watch relies on quartz movement, while the case has a scratch-proof glass made of flat mineral with sapphire coating.
In terms of where the “smart” prefix comes in, this Nowa timepiece features Bluetooth low energy connectivity to hook up to your smartphone. When synchronised to your handset, it will show the local time regardless of where you are in the world.
You will of course, need to download the Nowa app that is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, depending on which mobile platform you are using. Setting up a connection between your smartphone and Nowa is a cinch and it should not take more than a couple of minutes to get them “talking” to one another.
Unlike a regular smartwatch, the Nowa does not have any kind of digital display whatsoever, it is completely analogue like an old school timepiece.
However, there is a small ring in the top centre segment of the watch’s face that will blink in red when you push the dial on the right side of the case to indicate that it is connected to your smartphone’s app.
PERFORMANCE
Fitness tracking bands have their fair share of fans, as more and more people are trying to get in their 10,000 steps each day. However, do not take the Nowa hybrid smartwatch as your primary fitness or activity tracker, as it was primarily designed to be a timepiece with such add ons as a bonus.
Firstly, it can keep track of your daily activities including recording the number of steps taken, distance covered and calories burnt. However, these are mere estimates, so do leave some wiggle room for the final count. If you are used to wearing a watch while sleeping, the Nowa will also perform sleep monitoring by keeping track of your sleep duration and quality (deep or light). Being connected to Apple’s HealthKit and Google Fit is the bare minimum these days, and the Nowa hybrid smartwatch goes about its tasks without missing a beat.
All of your activity and sleep monitoring details can be referred to on the Nowa app, allowing you to make the necessary adjustments if you feel that you need to walk more often.
What I find most practical in terms of functionality on the Nowa would be the ability to reject incoming calls, locate my phone, and more importantly, snap a selfie from afar (as long as it does not go out of Bluetooth range) simply by pressing the dial or shaking my wrist.
CONCLUSION
Is the Nowa hybrid smartwatch worth the US$199 (RM832) price tag, considering that you are able to pick up a dedicated fitness tracker that is far more durable and capable of keeping the time within the same price range?
How about forking out a bit more to obtain a true smartwatch such as the latest Samsung Gear or Samsung Galaxy Watch models?
It really boils down to personal preference, and if you love a minimalist design that tells the time no matter where you are in the world with the added bonus of knowing you have racked up 10,000 steps under your belt for the day without having to look for a power outlet at the end of each day, then the Nowa hybrid smartwatch is for you.
Otherwise, those who lead a far more active lifestyle and want something more robust would do well to look elsewhere.