Smartwatch facts for kids
A smartwatch is a special kind of wristwatch that can do much more than just tell time. Think of it as a tiny computer you wear on your wrist!
Early smartwatches could do simple things like math problems, translate words, or let you play basic games. But since the 2010s, smartwatches have become like tiny, powerful computers. Many of them can run mobile apps, just like a smartphone, using a special operating system. Some smartwatches can even play music or videos, like a portable media player, connecting to Bluetooth headphones or using a USB cable.
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What Can Smartwatches Do?
Smartwatches are super handy because they can connect to your phone and show you notifications. This means you can see messages, calls, and alerts right on your wrist without taking out your phone.
Staying Healthy with Your Watch
Many smartwatches are great for keeping track of your health. They can:
- Count your steps throughout the day.
- Measure your heart rate.
- Track how well you sleep.
- Help you with different exercises and sports.
Some watches can even remind you to move if you've been sitting for too long!
Smartwatch Features and Apps
Smartwatches come with many cool features and you can often add more by downloading apps.
- Notifications: Get alerts for texts, calls, and social media.
- GPS: Find your way around or track your runs.
- Payments: Pay for things by just tapping your watch at the store.
- Music Control: Change songs on your phone without touching it.
- Voice Assistants: Ask your watch questions or give it commands using your voice.
How Smartwatches Work
Smartwatches are small, but they have a lot of technology packed inside. They usually have a screen, a battery, and many tiny sensors. These sensors help the watch collect information, like your heart rate or how many steps you've taken.
Connecting to Your Phone
Most smartwatches connect to your smartphone using Bluetooth. This wireless connection allows the watch and phone to share information. Your phone usually handles the internet connection, and the watch uses that connection to get updates or send data. Some advanced smartwatches can even connect to the internet on their own, without needing a phone nearby.
History of Smartwatches
The idea of a "smart" watch isn't new! People have been trying to make watches do more than just tell time for a long time.
Early Smart Watches
- In the 1980s, companies like Seiko made watches that could store notes or connect to a computer. These were some of the first steps towards smartwatches.
- In the early 2000s, some watches could run simple programs, like a tiny PDA on your wrist. These were still quite big and clunky.
Modern Smartwatches
The smartwatches we know today really started to become popular in the 2010s. As technology got smaller and more powerful, companies could pack more features into a watch. Now, smartwatches are a common sight and continue to get smarter every year!
Images for kids
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A smartwatch from the early-2000s (Fossil Wrist PDA)
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Seiko Data-2000 with docking station, 1984
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Timex Datalink Model 150 as worn by commander William Shepherd during Expedition 1 and cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin, Expedition 14, on the International Space Station in 2006
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The first Linux Smartwatch was shown in 2000. Steve Mann was called "the father of wearable computing" for his work.
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Watch face display of a Sony Smartwatch 2
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Inside Amazfit Bip
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Samsung Gear 2 smartwatch with a camera
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HOT Watch by PHTL lets you answer calls on the watch.
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HOT Watch speaker and microphone on the strap.
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A person wearing a modern smartwatch (Apple Watch)
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Samsung launched Galaxy Watch with smartphones.
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Tizen in a Samsung Gear2.
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See also
In Spanish: Reloj inteligente para niños
