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What time tells me: we tested five smart watches - and here are the conclusions Israel today

2022-09-12T22:56:22.846Z


In a world full of stress that encourages a sedentary lifestyle with an abundance of high-fat foods, we set out to check whether technology can really help and make our lives healthier.


During a family vacation in the Sea of ​​Galilee, the dark watch worn by Elad Golan alerted to abnormal heart rate and blood oxygen readings.

After an EKG performed by the watch, an immediate evacuation of MDA was automatically ordered, and Golan was rushed to the Furia Medical Center where his life was saved.

This case, which happened last April, joins more and more cases around the world in which smart watches save lives through the advanced technology they are equipped with.

Without them, according to some doctors, those people would not have remained alive.

But most of us don't buy a smart watch at all to deal with extreme health scenarios.

Most smartwatch wearers want to avoid the scenario described here, and buy the watch to improve their health and lifestyle in the first place.

According to estimates by the "Statista" research platform, in 2021 the number of global users of smart watches was about 202 million people.

It is true that this is a rather small share of the population, certainly considering the proportion of smartphone users, which is about 83% of the world's population;

But in view of the growing awareness of health, which is also fueled by the expanding obesity epidemic, it is not impossible that the increase in the number of these watches will continue to soar in the coming years.

And if, by chance, you also already use a smart watch, you are really not alone.

According to 2022 data from the research company ValuePenguin, 45% of Americans wear smart watches regularly.

They are especially popular among Generation Z (those born from the late 1990s to 2002), and also among Generation Y (born in the 1980s and 1990s), and in a special way - among women (51% of them).

92% of watch owners wear them to maintain health and fitness, and they also do more sports (4.3 times a week on average), compared to those who don't wear them regularly (and are satisfied with three days of sports, at best, of course).

In a more targeted way - most people use the watch to do sports regularly and to increase their daily number of steps.

In a study published at the beginning of this year in the British Health Journal, it was found that among 16,000 subjects, the number of daily steps increased by an average of 1,235 steps among those who wore a smart watch.

In the current article, we tried to understand the contribution of wearing a smart watch for two weeks to the physical and mental health of the experimenter.

It is important to note that this is not a controlled experiment.

Our whole purpose was to try and provide a more in-depth examination of the meaning of the change in the lifestyle that has taken place among the wearers of the smart watches.

However, the contents of the test we conducted are consistent with the results of controlled trials conducted around the world.

Experts from all countries, of course, reinforce the studies and confirm what we all know intuitively: we are addicted to positive reinforcement, and this is perhaps what smart watches are based on - they encourage us to take action, tell us how many kilometers we ran and how many calories we burned.

After all, what is more rewarding than seeing that we met our weekly step quota, or our daily stress goals, and remained calm despite the half-daily stress?

Even when we don't meet our goals - the watches, at least some of them, encourage us and explain to us how we can improve.

It is not for nothing that the technology companies try to incorporate into the watches game elements related to the accumulation of points, competition and cooperation, with the understanding that these will increase the response to the recommendations of the watch.

The smart watch has become, therefore, a true friend of man - it is always there for us, encourages us, improves our lifestyles and sometimes even saves our lives.

But he is not perfect: he still cannot implement the physical activity, healthy diet and desired hours of sleep in our place.

Thus ours only remains the truly challenging part - to hear his voice.

The director: From war to self-listening - Garmin Venu 2 Plus

On Thursday evening, at the end of another week, I decided after many months of intense work to relax.

listen to myself

to see myself

It was the second day with the Garmin Venu 2 Plus watch that I tested, and after several alarming alerts throughout the day I decided to leave the office earlier, take a short afternoon nap and get on the treadmill at home after six months of avoiding it.

Garmin Venu 2 Plus, photo: PR

So what actually happened?

The watch signaled to me that I had not drunk a single glass of water for 14 hours.

My stress graph looked like a world war, with curves that threatened to breach the limits of the watch screen;

My sleep hours were far from enough, and that's even before we talked about the cigarettes.

The Garmin, in its elegant way, scolded me and wondered with me: what am I doing to myself, my body, my soul?

Not long after the walk, my stress graph dropped sharply.

At the end of the workout, and after a light meal, I remembered the alarm on the clock from noon: "You haven't accumulated enough moments of rest to balance the stress level."

I decided to take another step and go to bed earlier.

Dear Garmin, I am meeting my goals.

Since then I continue to be careful about my sleeping hours, which also leads to an improvement in my productivity.

Another thing I found that disturbed my night's rest was the number of cups of coffee I drank.

Before receiving the watch I used to drink three glasses because the rest of the time I am "obliged" to drink water.

But the awareness brought by the watch has another, more complex side.

The war graph I described earlier, the stress curve, made me think for the first time, is this stress necessary for me?

Maybe, in general, it's better for me to find a more relaxed position that will improve my lifestyle?

These questions do not have an immediate answer, they require in-depth and patient observation, but the very ability to flood them with myself indicates a growing awareness.

This awareness also extends to more concrete dimensions.

In the two weeks when the test was conducted, I make sure not to do things distractedly.

So, for example, I stopped dragging lunch until the early evening hours, and started eating at a reasonable and earlier time - and no longer in front of the computer screen but in the kitchen.

In the technical aspect, the watch's battery lasted 6 working days - not much (in standard working mode the watch can last up to 9 days).

The voltmeter worked most of the time effectively, but sometimes it showed gray areas where no monitoring was performed, perhaps due to the loosening of the strap on the wrist.

It also includes a dialer for making phone calls directly from the watch, a 1.3-inch screen, GPS, support for wireless payments, and of course a built-in heart rate sensor, blood oxygen measurement and body energy level.

The Garmin watch came to me just in time - just before my internal war took its toll, and enough time to stop and regain myself peacefully.

True, there are still quite a few things to improve: more awareness and activity, and more creation of islands of peace during the working day.

I haven't given up cigarettes either, and unfortunately I still continue to smoke.

Maybe if the Garmin engineers read these lines - in the next model they will help me solve this matter as well.

(Available at the Garmin flagship store in the Port of Tel Aviv and at authorized resellers).

The new father: about mammals and abandonment anxiety - Galaxy Watch 5 Pro

Rising from the depths of the pool, the new Galaxy watch resembles a marine mammal more than a typical smartwatch.

After a light and particularly cute beep, it releases pressure and emits a light stream of water from it, like a whale exhaling carbon dioxide above the surface of the sea.

There is something addictive about watching the summary of the training program presented by the Galaxy model we tested - "5 Pro".

At the end of a 30-minute swimming workout, he "infused" my brain with the exact level of dopamine to wake up the next day and command the pool again.

So what was there?

400 calories, heart rate monitors throughout the workout (165 on average and 184 at the peak), as well as the number of pools (40) and the distance in kilometers (about one and a half kilometers). He even calculated the number of movements miraculously.

Fat percentage a click away.

The Galaxy 5, photo: PR

These indicators also provided me with motivation to improve the results the next day, and several more times during the two weeks that the watch was tested.

However, it would be interesting to check its contribution to the level of motivation for sports in a longer period of time.

After leaving the pool, I returned, of course, to the office.

After about 50 minutes of sitting, the Galaxy vibrated slightly on my wrist and warned me that I had been sitting for too long, and advised me to get up and move around.

A small walk towards the kitchen seemed to satisfy his desire, and from that I learned an equally important lesson: sometimes a small break, to stretch and breathe, makes a difference.

What else did I discover during the test?

My heart rate at rest is extremely low - 55 (the average, according to the watch, is 61-76), and my body fat percentage is 25%.

Yes, what was once the property of professional clinics and learned dietitians has today become the common property and is accessible to us at a click away.

The Galaxy has several other features: it knows how to alert designated contacts in the event of a fall at home, and enjoys access to Google Maps.

The tested model, like all models, is water resistant, and also supports NFC, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Some models also have LTE connectivity, cellular capability in the watch itself.

It also benefits from durable sapphire crystal glass and a 1.4-inch screen.

In addition, it includes a BioActive sensor that provides heart rate indicators, blood oxygen level and stress level, and this in addition to blood pressure monitoring, EKG and a guide for better sleep.

By the way, it seems that his presence during the night disturbed my sleep and caused me to twitch.

The fact of being monitored around the clock activated my stress system on an unconscious level.

The knowledge that at the end of the night I would receive a grade for the last sleep did not help either.

In the array of relative disadvantages, we can mention a fairly standard design (I got the black version, which is boring to me, but Samsung offers several other colors to choose from), which is upgraded with a sporty strap with a luxurious closure.

Its battery lasted for about two and a half days.

In a technological device loaded with features, this time flew by, and my expectation was to have at least a working week with it.

But don't let the relative and subjective disadvantages fool you.

The new Galaxy 5 Pro watch is a cool device, accurate and worth every shekel.

He made me more active, and also calmer and more aware than usual.

At the end of 14 days of using it, it will be interesting to see my stress reaction to the moment of separation from it.

(The watch is courtesy of the Samsung store chain, owned by Sunny Communications).

The healthy: more sports, more breaks - Xiaomi Watch S1

The various studies that show a connection between wearing a smart watch and a healthier lifestyle also met me, with wearing the Xiaomi S1 watch.

As someone who is generally aware of his health, the effect of the watch made even me more conscious of nutrition, consistent sports activity and greater attention to the level of sleep and the need to occasionally stop the daily routine to stretch.

In general, it can be said that the watch is definitely useful for those who want to consistently and meticulously monitor their life habits and improve them.

Unlike other watches, it less emphasizes running and nutrition indicators, but the quality of life, and encourages improvement both by encouragements and incentives and by a convenient interface.

Also, important indicators such as heart rate and blood pressure appear clearly, and when there is concern that the user's stress level exceeds the recommended, it alerts, and is therefore effective for people who are in a stressful work environment.

It also knows how to inform the user to stretch and take a break when necessary.

Fast charging and thorough monitoring.

Xiaomi Watch S1, photo: PR

Its pedometer detects the start of a walk and alerts when goals are reached.

This is a psychological effect that encourages walking, by reminders and encouragements.

The interface is relatively convenient, but you have to get used to it and also give permissions to the functions in a way that is not always explained in the printed manual.

The Wi-Fi function of the watch remains a mystery: when you want to connect to a Wi-Fi network, the device asks for a password in the application, but there is no prompt that asks for a password on the cell phone.

Its ability to connect to a sports app like Strava is important, as well as a weight app.

On the other hand, it does not know how to identify the type of physical activity (except walking), so if you want to measure activity, it must be defined in advance.

In terms of synchronization with the cell phone, it meets the basic definition of synchronizing messages and alerts, including an alarm clock and more, in a way that actually reflects the cell phone almost completely on the watch.

In the technical aspect, the connection to the cell phone and the installation are not optimal - you need to connect to Bluetooth first and then to the application.

The app did not immediately recognize the watch.

On the positive side - it charges quickly and monitors the quality of sleep quite thoroughly in a way that may surprise the user: even those who sleep well will find that their quality of sleep probably needs improvement.

The application shows the duration and depth of sleep, in impressive graphic visuals.

It should be noted that charging the watch requires a special device that comes with it, meaning there is no way to charge it if you forget the device.

On the other hand, the battery is enough for a week or even more.

In conclusion, for those who do not care about measuring clear and consistent indicators of the extent of caloric expenditure and quality of life, this watch may not be necessary.

Even for those who are engaged in sports professionally, the watch may not be the right answer because it is not intuitive when it comes to the types of sports and how to calculate caloric expenditure.

On the other hand, for people who want to improve their quality of life in a measured way and in a way that doesn't change world order all at once, this watch is definitely suitable, if only to create a long-term trend.

It can be said that this is a watch that opens the user to directions he has not yet thought of.

(The watch can be obtained from the official import of the Hamilton Group at Xiaomi network branches and at authorized resellers).

The fitter: make friends with the Stress Amizfit - GTR 3 PRO

I received the Amazfit GTR 3 PRO smart watch after a year of continuous change in lifestyle and diet - during which I lost close to 40 kg through a combination of proper nutrition and fitness. When I received the watch, I seriously wondered if such a device had anything to offer beyond the knowledge I had gained in the great process i passed

In terms of operation, this is a fairly simple product that looks great and gives the feeling of a luxury watch.

The smart watch offers a lovely option to personalize the screen.

It is very easy to sync it to the mobile device after you download the app, and the overall user interface is clear and requires very little adaptation.

For me, this is the first device of its kind, so personally it took me some time to get used to a small "personal assistant" that follows me and collects data about my daily conduct, but after a few days I discovered a greater interest in it than expected.

Great battery life and memory.

GTR 3 PRO, photo: PR

The first option that immediately caught my eye is the pedometer.

The watch encourages you to reach your destination, and in my case I was happy to find that I was walking much further than I thought.

Encouragement from the clock makes any tedious chore that requires walking feel part of a kind of big game, and provides motivation that is sometimes, especially in the harsh heat of the Israeli summer, much needed.

In terms of the other types of fitness, it took me some time to understand the different indicators, such as cardio and swimming - the main physical activity I engage in.

The watch is waterproof and gave me for the first time a tool with which I can really know how much I swim.

In the area of ​​sleep, the watch provided me with a certain surprise, and to a large extent also a relief.

Due to working in a stressful profession and wanting to get everything done, my sleeping hours were significantly reduced.

The smart watch showed me that although I sleep relatively little, I enjoy quality and deep sleep.

The watch provides data that helps to understand when it is better to go to sleep and what you should do before going to sleep to improve the quality of sleep.

Also regarding stress and productivity in the workplace, the watch provided surprising data.

Apart from the fact that it makes sure to warn about excessive and long sitting, it also gives an indication of the level of stress in which the user is.

I was surprised to find out which situations during the working day stress me out, and as part of the experiment I changed my habits to see if I could lower the stress level indicated by the clock.

In addition, the device gives a total weekly score for the health and sleep indicators, and in the two weeks that I used the watch I discovered many ways to improve my health indicators.

Assuming that there is indeed a connection between the indicators and health itself, long-term use of the smart watch can be critical for those who have decided to take matters into their own hands and live a healthy and correct lifestyle;

Not only as a short-term task but in the long term, without the process becoming a very tedious task.

(Amazfit watches can be obtained from electrical networks and from authorized dealers).

The athlete: extracting bones in marathon sessions - Apple Watch 7

Let's jump to the bottom line: Apple Watch 7 does not offer a shocking line.

But this is precisely his strong point.

The new watch from the trillionaire apple company comes with history, public recognition and an image that asks for one thing: to be more of the same.

An Apple product, whatever it is, does not need public relations.

The brand does its part and guarantees packaging beyond the product - a holistic experience that starts with the mobile device, goes through the iPad, HomePod and Apple TV - and reaches the ear cavity with the AirPods.

When the dark spectrum of devices is interfaced, the company gains a huge advantage over its competitors in advance.

Still, Apple is aware that stagnation is not possible in the digital world, and therefore offers minor but significant improvements in the seventh version of the watch, which was launched in its first version in the spring of 2015 and has since been worn, according to estimates, by over 100 million users worldwide.

the natural selection.

Apple Watch 7, photo: PR

For the sporty users of the Apple Watch, the new "touches" are even more significant: increasing the diameter of the watch by one millimeter (the diameter of the tested watch is 45 mm) which provides a better screen capture in the eye during activity; the sporty silicone strap that rests well on the wrist even while running and swimming ; and updating the WatchOS 8 interface that makes the buttons larger and more accessible, even during high heart rate activity. The watch also includes medical applications that were included in the previous version - heart rate monitor, EKG test, high heart rate and ventricular fibrillation alerts, and a blood oxygen sensor.

The watch definitely made me more active about my daily activity rings, and also to extract bones in the middle of long sessions.

It also offers moments of self-awareness to relieve stress - but I didn't get the impression that these reminders necessarily popped up at the perfect timing, but rather randomly.

As a swimmer, it was good to see the accuracy of the watch in monitoring the swimming styles, with an accuracy of a few meters.

The same goes for strength training in the gym - the heart rate monitor is updated with maximum accuracy, and the activity rings - which can be set in advance - give a good warning of the training pace.

In the durability segment - the seventh version steps up.

During the many workouts I performed with the watch, my hand slammed into the pool wall, ran into weights in the gym and temporary bars.

The durability, even at the level of scratches, was perfect.

A bad surprise was recorded in the battery section: the watch does not cross the 24-hour mark (battery life - 18 hours), but charging has become faster.

Bottom line - Apple's seventh watch is a natural choice for athletes, provided they are longtime Apple consumers.

For iPhone holders and AirPods owners, the Apple Watch is an almost required complementary product.

For those who own devices from different companies, this is a good and efficient watch, nothing more and nothing less.

And that's not a bad achievement either.

(Available at the IDIGITAL network, the only premium store chain in Israel selling Apple products)

were we wrong

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If you found an error in the article, we would appreciate it if you shared it with us

Source: israelhayom

All tech articles on 2022-09-12

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