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Taking smartwatches to a whole new level
Want to see what your smartwatch can do for you? Our guide will take you through all the tips and tricks to get the most out of your gadget.
Smartwatches might have started out as a fun little extra, but they’ve become really handy helpers. We’ll show you what else they can do and how their tech can make life easier. Not every smartwatch will have every feature, so shop around to find the right one for you.
The everyday essentials
The usual features still do a great job. Quick notifications, gentle reminders to move and fitness tracking all help keep things ticking along without constantly reaching for your phone. But there are plenty of smaller features that can make life feel a bit smoother once you start exploring them.
The quietly clever stuff
Many newer smartwatches can track blood oxygen levels, which gives you a better sense of how your body’s doing during exercise or sleep. Stress tracking is another nifty one, looking at your heart rate patterns to spot when you might be feeling tense, even if you haven’t noticed it yourself.
Sleep tracking keeps getting better and better as well. You’ll get a breakdown of your light, deep, and REM sleep, which can help you understand your habits and maybe tweak things if you want to feel a bit more rested.
Some watches can even flag irregular heart rhythms or let you adjust your smart home settings from your wrist. Nothing dramatic, just small additions that can make a big difference.
A more personal touch
What makes a smartwatch genuinely helpful is how it can be tailored specifically to you. Think of it as a mini personal trainer. Instead of just collecting numbers, it’ll offer small suggestions, keep tabs on your workout stats, or nudge you towards an early night if you need it.
Smart home control from your wrist
More than just tracking your steps, if you've set up a whole ecosystem of smart devices in your home, then a smartwatches gives you control over all of them. So, whether that's popping your favourite playlist on the speaker, checking who's knocking with your smart doorbell, or adjusting the heating, you can switch things up with a few taps on your wrist.
Finding the right smartwatch for you
For iPhone users
If you've already got an iPhone, an Apple watch is a natural fit. It'll easily sync up with your apps, track your steps, and keep you up to date with your texts and calls without you ever having to touch your phone. But if you’ve lost your mobile, you can use your watch to help you find it, whether it’s behind the sofa or in a pile of laundry.
For health and wellbeing
Where some smartwatches focus on keeping up with socials, others are more about helping you keep up to date with your health. From tracking the quality of your sleep, and counting your steps, to keeping a close eye on your resting heart rate, they open up a whole world of handy insights for everyone from the gym newbie to the cross-country winner.
For Android users
If you're all-in on Android phones, there are plenty of smartwatches out there that'll seamlessly link with your device. This makes it simpler than ever to check your messages, emails, and answer calls, all without needing your phone to live right next to you.
For busy lifestyles
If your day-to-day doesn't give you much time to chill, you'll want a smartwatch that can keep up with your packed schedule. There are lots of devices on the market that'll give you a helping hand when it comes to managing your calendar, reacting to notifications, contactless payments, and important calls without having to spend every minute of the day on your phone.
For fitness enthusiasts
If tracking workouts is at the top of your to-do list, you should be on the hunt for a smartwatch that has GPS, workout tracking, and heart rate monitoring. They come with lots of clever tech that can really help you stay on top of your fitness goals.
For longer battery life
If you're the type who always forgets to keep your devices charged up, you don't want a smartwatch that'll just add something else to the list. Look for a device that shouts about its extra-long battery life, so it'll be sure to last whether you're travelling, out on a hike, or just don't want to plug it in every night.
If your smartwatch has been doing the same few jobs for a while, it might be time to see what else it can help with, while an Oura Ring is the perfect addition to help keep tabs on your health. With lots of tech tucked away, you’ll have everything you need to take each day in your stride.
