Do I really need a… Smartwatch?

What does it do?

Smartwatches have two basic functions: monitoring activity (such as steps and heart rate) and duplicating functions of your smartphone to avoid having to get it out so often. Models like the he Pebble have been around for years, but the Apple Watch was the first to sell in large numbers. Samsung hopes to gain popularity with the next edition of its Gear watch, the S3 (pictured above), and a third generation of Motorola’s Moto 360 (pictured below right) – based on Google’s Android Wear software – is expected any day now.

Why would I want one?

Compared to simpler fitness bands (see Issue 483, page 22), smartwatches have betterter screens and more advanced options. If you get lots of texts,s, have a calendar full of reminders, or are often in situations where it’s awkward to use your phone, receiving notifications with a turn of your wrist makes sense. You can’t type a full answer on the tiny screen, but you can reply with preset phrases. And you can answer phone calls on the watch, too.

What’s the catch?

You need a smartphone to use a smartwatch, and for most people the watch doesn’t add enough to feel essential.al. One of Computeractive’s writers,riters, for example, bought an Apple Watch (pictured) when it first came out and has worn it just four times.

So should I buy one?

If you like the idea, yes: Apple’s new Watch Series 2 (from £369, www.snipca.com/21885, pictured) is now more practical, with waterproofing and built-in GPS, while the Series 1 is similar without the GPS and waterproofing (from £269). The Gear S3 also looks promising, in Classic (smart) and Frontier (outdoorsy) styles.