2. The Apple Watch and the LG G Watch R are two of the most exciting upcoming
wearable tech devices, set to take the world by storm.
3. COMPATIBILITY
You can use the G Watch R with any Android device (normally a smartphone) running
Android 4.3 Jelly or later. We think the Google Now style card interface is the best
available on a smartwatch at the moment and while it's no different to other Android
Wear watches, LG adds its own suite of LG health and fitness apps. Meanwhile the
Apple Watch works only with the iPhone (including the 5, 5c, 5s, 6 and 6 Plus). Neither
smartwatch works independently of a smartphone.
5. HARDWARE
Apple Watch
• We know the Apple Watch has a single sapphire-crystal
retina display, which comes in two sizes: 38- and 42mm
height. We also know it houses a custom S1 processor
that builds an entire computing solution on a single chip,
and a unique Taptic Engine. And there must be some sort
of internal storage, since it is possible to store music, but
we don't yet know exactly how much. It supports
Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, too.
• There's a heart-rate sensor, an accelerometer, a
waterproof speaker and support for wireless charging,
although the Apple Watch depends on a companion
iPhone for GPS. A digital crown is used alongside touch
input to interact with the Apple Watch.
LG G R Watch
• We're seeing almost identical specs across all the Android
Wear smartwatches with a few little differences here and
there. The core hardware is a familiar Qualcomm
Snapdragon 400 1.2 GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and
4GB of internal storage.
• A battery size of 410 mAh is pretty typical and there's the
usual array of sensors including a gyro, compass,
accelerometer. An additional feature which you don't
always find is the heart rate monitor which sits on the
back.
• The 1.3in screen might sound small but looks great in
circular form and easy to use with Android Wear. The
display itself is P-OLED and has a resolution of 320 x 320.
In regular watch mode, you'd be forgiven for thinking the
moving hands were real.
6. DESIGN
Apple Watch
• The Apple Watch comes in two sizes, for men and
women, and in three collections. The Apple Watch
collection has a polished silver or black case made
from a custom alloy of stainless steel; the Apple
Watch Sport collection has a 60 percent stronger
anodised aluminium case in silver or space grey,
with strengthened Ion-X glass; and the Apple
Watch Edition collection uses 18-carat yellow- or
rose gold, and features equisitely crafted straps
and closures. Then there are six strap options: Link
Bracelet, Sport Band, Leather Loop, Classic Buckle,
Modern Buckle and Milanese Loop.
LG G R Watch
• The G Watch R looks great and will
come with a stainless steel frame and a
leather strap although the standard
22mm size means you can chop and
change. The G Watch R is IP67 rated so
is dust- and waterproof – up to 1m of
water for 30 minutes.
7. BOTH SHARE THE SAME FEATURES
• On either watch you can install apps, make calls and send texts, call up the voice assistant
(Google Now with the LG G Watch R, or Siri with the Apple Watch), check your email,
control-, store- and play back music, display photos, view notifications from social media
and more.
• Both support haptic feedback, although Apple's Taptic Engine takes things a step further.
Not only is the Apple Watch able to distinguish between a tap and a press, allowing it to
support a range of gestures, but it can also provide differing amounts of vibration for
specific notifications. For example, in the Maps app the amount of vibration differs
depending on whether you need to take a left- or right turn.
• Both smartwatches are primed for health- and fitness tracking, with a heart-rate sensor and
pedometer inside. The Apple Watch also has an accelerometer to measure body movement.
Both will track your daily activity and encourage you to hit exercise goals.
8. FEATURES
• Apple has a few extra feautures :
• The Apple Watch has a few extras, including
Glances (swipe up from the bottom of the
screen to see at-a-glance information on
whatever you choose to have there), and
Digital Touch. The latter lets you connect with
your friends with a single touch. Pressing the
button under the Digital Crown brings up
thumbnail images of your friends, which you
can use to call or message them. You can also
send them your heartbeat (odd), or to let them
know you're thinking of them send them a
physical tap (odder still), thanks to the unique
'Taptic Engine’.