(Photo: Michael Sohn, AP)
It’s not breaking news when I say that Apple and Samsung have been feuding for quite some time now. The fact is, that feud has burrowed deep into the electronics world. Now, it can make its way into the world of physical fitness.
There has been a lot of speculation surrounding the “smart watch revolution”. Apple appears to have an iWatch in the works and we all know after today’s announcement that Samsung is releasing its own version of a smart watch: Samsung Galaxy Gear.
With the Galaxy Gear launching on September 25, Samsung is already ahead of Apple in the smart watch war. Rivalries like this tend to give us, the consumers, better end products as each company tries to outdo the other.
But which product is more likely to make waves in the sports industry? Whether it’s physical fitness or tracking your activity on and off the field, one is bound to rise above the other.
With Samsung’s unpacking event today, we were able to get a better idea of how we can expect a smart watch to perform for us, whether it’s tracking a run, counting calories, or monitoring our heart rate. Sports fans should be excited about the smart watch revolution, and that revolution starts today with the announcement of the Galaxy Gear.
Samsung Galaxy Gear
Most of the specs for the Galaxy Gear point to the watch being a good health tracker. Physical features will be part of the deciding factor as to whether it will perform well, say, on a basketball court.
We’ll start with the band. Some of the speculation ahead of today’s announcement said it would be a segmented band that may possibly be made out of metal. This gave me nightmares. I had a watch as a kid that had a similar band that pinched your wrist every minute, on the minute. Luckily, Samsung decided to make the band out of a rubbery material, thus making it flexible enough to workout with.
The screen is a plus. At 1.63 inches, there is plenty of room to see exactly what you are doing and track your fitness. For instance, RunKeeper will allow runners to keep track of their progress in real time. The screen of the watch makes that all possible. Not only that, but I hate trying to navigate through my phone when it’s sealed inside an armband.
MyFitnessPal actually comes pre-loaded on the device so you can start tracking nutrition and keep an eye on your fitness goals right out of the box.
The Gear is also loaded with an accelerometer and pedometer. These two built-in features may make it useful for seamlessly tracking sports activity.
Otherwise, it is notable to mention the fact that the watch is controlled by swipes. This makes it ideal for physical activity and because there are no “taps” involved, unintended operations will be avoidable.
I should mention a few downfalls to the Galaxy Gear, one being the battery life. It is said to last the length of a day, but this remains to be seen. We all know how accurate battery life predictions are.
Another potential problem with the device that is easy to see is the $300 price tag. Nike Fuel Bands are half that price, but without the screen. Each consumer will need to decide if the screen is worth the extra $150.
Personally, I don’t do a lot of texting and emailing while I am in the middle of a Crossfit workout. These features, however, will be useful for those that are trying to squeak in a lunch break workout or run. Not only that, but with apps that are able to track heart rate and other statistics, it may be ideal for some sports as well.
The fact that you can get one in just under a month is a definite win over the iWatch. Again, look for the Galaxy Gear to hit stores onSeptember 25.
Speculation surrounding iWatch
As with every Apple release, there are a lot of rumors flying around about the iWatch. It is a bit more difficult to judge a product that is just speculation, especially as a product meant for fitness and sports.
But based purely off of speculation, the iWatch may end up being better suited for physical activities. One of the reasons I say this is the possibility that a watch from Apple could include a flexible curved screen. This would seem to bode a little better on a basketball court or football field.
Another great reason to believe that the iWatch would be better suited for sports is the fact that a couple of Apple’s new hires include some Nike fitness and sleep analysis experts. This can only lead to good things for the consumer, mainly those looking to track every aspect of the health.
If you knew me, you would know that I am writing this article on an Apple product. However, if you call me right now I will answer on my Samsung Galaxy S3. I have owned an iPhone in the past as well. One thing I have learned from owning both a Samsung phone and an Apple phone is this: Apple products are made to be a bit more durable.
Durability is a major factor when it comes to wearing a smart watch during a physical sport. I believe a speculated iWatch will have the upper hand in this category, making it overall more suitable for sports.
All signs point to the iWatch and Galaxy Gear being well suited to track fitness and health data. But stepping onto a field with a “small computer” on your wrist can be worrisome.
Based on speculation and fact, I believe athletes are will be better suited using an iWatch. But for now, consumers should be excited to wear the Galaxy Gear. I just don’t expect to see Lebron wearing one any time soon.
For more sports and tech insights from Josh, check out his blog and follow him on Twitter.