What if your watch could make you more productive? A smartwatch can, since it is able to pair with your smartphone to push alerts and notifications right to your wrist. That way, you'll never overlook an important email, text message, calendar notification or missed call. And most models support voice commands, so you can access turn-by-turn directions or perform Google searchs, totally hands free. Smartwatches have been around for a couple of years now, but the technology has finally evolved to the point that buying one can be a smart business investment. Here are our picks for the five best smartwatches out right now.
Moto 360 (Android) ![]()
Photo credit: Motorola
Want a smartwatch that looks a little less, well, geeky? The Moto 360 might be the best-looking smartwatch you can buy. It sports a slick, round face and comes with either a leather or stainless steel wristband, making it a device that business users can take seriously. It's certainly the most stylish on this list. Design aside, the Android Wear-powered device can grab alerts from your Android smartphone, and the integrated microphone makes it easy to issue voice commands; just tap the screen or say, "OK, Google," to initiate the voice-command prompt. The Moto 360 is pretty durable, too; it has a tough Gorilla Glass screen, and it's water-resistant to protect against splashes.
Pebble Steel (iPhone, Android and Windows Phone) ![]()
Pebble got a jump on the competition when it launched its first smartwatch in 2013. That's why the Pebble platform has the most robust app library of any smartwatch platform, with more than 1,000 apps available. The Pebble Steel is the newest watch in the line, sporting a slick, stainless steel face that gives this watch a highly professional appearance, especially compared to the chunky plastic designs of competing devices. But its weeklong battery life might be the device's best feature, since most other smartwatches must be charged nightly. The Pebble Steel owes its longevity to its simple black-and-white display, though, which is easier to read in daylight but not half as pretty as the colorful LCD screens on other devices.
Samsung Gear 2 (Android) ![]()
Photo credit: Samsung
Samsung's Gear 2 stands out from the pack as one of the only smartwatches with a built-in speaker. That means it can deliver all sorts of information via audio. For example, you can activate the voice-command prompt and say, "What's the weather?" to hear the forecast read aloud. You can even take phone calls using the Gear 2 as a speakerphone device; other smartwatches can alert you of incoming phone calls, but they make you pull out your smartphone to actually take the call. Of course, you can also initiate phone calls on the watch using voice commands. The speakerphone is loud and clear, even when the device is at your side. Meanwhile, the Gear 2 delivers most of the basic features you expect from a smartwatch. It can pull in notifications from your Android smartphone via Bluetooth, run basic apps and tell the time. It runs on Tizen, Samsung's mobile operating system.
LG G Watch R (Android) ![]()
The Moto 360 isn't the only round smartwatch out there. LG's G Watch R also sports a circular face, but it's not quite as stylish as the Moto 360. This LG device has a chunkier, sportier design, with a thick, black bezel around the screen. The leather band that comes with the watch is a nice touch, however. While it might not pair as well with a suit as the Moto 360, the G Watch R still looks a lot more like a traditional wristwatch than most competitors, earning it a spot on this list. Aesthetics aside, LG's latest smartwatch is a solid Android Wear device that lets you view alerts and notifications on your wrist, and use voice commands for notes, reminders, directions, messaging and more.
Microsoft Band (iPhone, Android and Windows Phone) ![]()
Photo credit: Microsoft
Is it a smartwatch or a fitness band? Microsoft's new wearable device, the Microsoft Band, is a hybrid device that packs a slew of smartwatch features into an affordable, multi-platform package. It certainly does a lot more than track your workouts and help you count calories. It can also pair with your iPhone, Android phone or Windows Phone device to show alerts for email, messages, phone calls and more. And unlike other fitness bands, it includes a built-in microphone so you can issue voice commands to save a quick note, set a reminder or pull up turn-by-turn directions. It even has a built-in GPS sensor, so you can navigate when disconnected from your smartphone. And at just $200, it's a lot more affordable than the average smartwatch. The device's plain, plastic design might be a turnoff for some business users, though.
Originally published on Business News Daily.
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