Neo is the one to watch
Smart watches that can use apps, measure people’s activity and make phone calls are very popular. Now, mobile operator Vodafone has teamed up with Disney to make a smart watch aimed at young people.
It’s called the Neo and it recently went on sale in the UK. One of the main benefits is that it’s good for those who haven’t yet got a phone because it allows you to stay in touch with grown-ups. There’s a 4G SIM card inside, so you don’t have to be connected to a Wi-Fi network to make contact.
The Neo’s messaging feature has been designed to be safe. You can only send messages to people with the Neo app and they have to be approved by your parent or carer, to make sure that they are someone you already know, rather than a stranger. The messaging is a bit restricted, though. You can’t type your own messages but instead use the watch’s selection of pre-written texts and emojis. You can make and receive calls on the watch, although again, you can only communicate with approved contacts who have the app.
There’s a built-in camera that you can use to take photos and then access them from the phone-based app. Although it sounds like a good feature, the quality of the photos isn’t that great – certainly not compared to a smartphone’s camera. Like smart watches for adults, the Neo will also measure how many steps you take and it sets you goals to help you stay active.
Disney’s involvement includes turning some of its famous characters into fun “sidekicks” – your own animated assistants from its famous films and TV shows. The battery lasts all day, so there’s no danger of its running out when you’re busy – although you do have to remember to recharge it at night so it’s ready for the next morning. The watch is also waterproof.
The Neo is one of the cheapest smart watches, at £99. The latest Apple Watch costs from £379. However, Vodafone also charges a subscription to cover the 4G data, which is at least £7 a month. That may put off parents and carers, especially for young people who already have a smartphone – which can do many of the things the Neo does, only better.