Do you really need another gadget? What about another gadget to remind you how much you’re not exercising? Yeah, sure you do.
I don’t know about your phone, but my phone basically does everything for me. However, because we’re humans and seem to have an insatiable appetite for new, new, and more new things, activity tracking has contributed to the revitalization of a classic technological form: the watch.
This makes sense. Obvs, who needs a watch when you have a smartphone? Except that sometimes it is annoying to have to dig out your phone whenever you want to know what time it is. When we’re talking activity tracking, though, the watch form makes more sense than things that strap your (increasingly large) phone to your biceps.
Which brings us to wrist gadgets, a more accurate descriptor than just plain old “watch.” There seems to be three main players in today’s wrist-gadget market: Apple Watch, Fitbit and Garmin.
To the casual observer, these gadgets appear basically the same but, truthfully, they’re fundamentally different. The Apple Watch is a smartwatch (read: mini-phone), but has more health-tracking features than its peers. Fitbit makes lightweight step-counting wristbands. Fancier models have a few more features, but a Fitbit is basically a modern-day pedometer. Garmins are for, like, athletes – or at least serious weekend warriors who want to keep track of way more fitness stuff than just steps.
TechCrunch recently reported about a new Garmin model that’s doing its best to hone in on smartwatch territory while still staying hardcore enough for its target market. The Garmin Vivosport offers all the smartwatch features most users need –- well, as much as anyone “needs” to text from their wrist –- along with key health and fitness elements that could inspire better habits and improve existing routines for those with active lifestyles.
Meh. Like I said, do you really need a gadget that reminds you of how much you’re not exercising? Scratch that, Garmin. (And you too, Fitbit.) But this got me thinking: Could the smartwatch actually be a cam models best friend?
According to Gizmodo, smartwatches are basically useless. “Just another lame gadget that’s lost under a couch cushion after a week of use,” to be exact. Except the smartwatch seems to be a way to keep up on all necessary things minute by minute, from time and texts to Tinder, without the visual obstruction of a phone. That little visual cue –- or lack thereof –- when members and potential new friends are peeping your room is interesting.
There are endless listicles online trying to convince users about the benefits of smartwatches. App Data Room, for instance, talked about 21 dumbass things –- from texting to ordering food –- that were 1) super necessary to be able to do from your wrist, and 2) all things you can do with your dang phone.
But maybe that’s the point? Maybe the smartwatch is the cam model’s best friend, only miniaturized. And on your wrist.
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Erika is a sex positive people watcher (and writer). Email her at erika@ynotcam.com.
Some of these watches have cameras. WTF?
