Odds are you’ve heard the hype about Apple’s latest gadget, the Apple Watch. With its release originally scheduled for this week, we thought we’d give you some insight into how the Apple Watch compares to regular wearable fitness trackers when it comes to employee wellness.
Early wearers have provided mixed reviews about the infamous Apple Watch. Does it really stack up as a benefit for the average employee? Take a look at our pre-release analysis.
On Features
The Apple Watch will definitely eliminate the need for both a fitness tracker and any kind of watch because it clearly has features of both. It is also designed to track a wide variety of health metrics including steps, workouts, heart rate and more. There also seem to be quite a few features that are unnecessary—like sending hand-drawn emojis to other Apple Watch wearers.
The wearables on the market also come with the basic fitness features like step counting. Depending on the model you get, however, your wearable might not track heart rate, time or even some workouts like biking. Overall, the Apple Watch is clearly a more robust tool with lots of features. Take that with a grain of salt, though, because you might not need some of the flashy features the new watch provides.
On Compatibility
To use an Apple Watch, you'll have to have an iPhone 5 or later. That will clearly limit the audience a bit. Not everyone has the latest iPhone, or any type of iPhone for that matter, which will limit how compatible the device will be.
The wearables we use right now usually integrate with multiple types of devices from Android to iPhone to desktop computers. They’re a bit more versatile that way, as well as in the way they link to those devices. Some wearables plug in, but others sync via Bluetooth. Still others don’t need to sync, and track everything on the wearable itself. These types of devices are definitely more user-focused, and wearers can pick exactly which process works best for them.
On Ease of Use
It’s been said that the Apple Watch is a bit difficult to learn, but is worth it once you do. Some reviewers compared it to learning to use their first iPhone. Because of the many features, it will take a while not only to learn how they work, but to learn how they can help you as well. The battery life on this new device can also cause troubles. The more frequent charging will likely make the process more difficult, and having to charge every day/night will limit the use of some features like sleep or step tracking.
Because today’s wearables aren’t so feature-heavy, they’re a bit easier to use. These devices also usually function through an app on your smartphone, which is a landscape you’re hopefully familiar with. The more focused functionality helps wearables to be more direct. This also means the battery life is a little better ranging from a few days to a year or more depending on the device you use.
On Price
This is perhaps one of the biggest differentiators between today’s wearables and the Apple Watch. The new gadget starts at $349, but can cost as much as $17,000. Those prices are before any stylized watch bands you might be interested in.
Today’s wearables are well below the new watch’s starting price. They can range anywhere from $30 to a few hundred depending on the model, features and accessories you purchase. This type of price range makes wearables a bit more feasible for the average employee.
Overall, Apple is clearly redefining “smart watch” with the new Apple Watch. While this first model isn’t necessarily designed with the average employee in mind, the trend will still likely take off and force other brands to step up their game.
Before you go buy all of your employees an Apple Watch as part of your wellness program, take a look at your employees’ goals. We’d be willing to bet that a regular wearable fitness device would be just as functional, and not quite so expensive!
How do you use wearables in wellness?
