5 Smartwatch Features to Help Reduce Your Smartphone Addiction

Wearable gadgets have become a significant part of our tech landscape, and the latest smartwatches are far more than simple time-tracking devices. Standard watches from renowned manufacturers like Samsung and Apple use WearOS and WatchOS as an extension of Android and iOS operating systems respectively so that these smartwatches can operate as mini smartphones. Here are five cool things that you can use your smartwatch for, beyond telling the time. 

1. Camera Monitor

Apple and Samsung smartwatches can be used as monitors to check motion, framing, and angles when using the rear camera. If you want to shoot a high-resolution selfie video, while the selfie cameras on flagship phones are impressive, they often can’t match the quality of rear-facing cameras. The challenge with using the back camera is that you can’t see yourself while filming. However, with an Apple Watch paired to an iPhone, or a Samsung Watch with a Samsung phone, it becomes easy to monitor yourself. You can even attach the watch to the back of your phone for better visibility.

This feature is highly recommended for vloggers.

2. Music Remote Control

When connected to your smartphone, any smartwatch can control the volume and allow you to play or pause tracks directly from your wrist. Some flagship smartwatches, like the Galaxy Watch 4, 5, and 6, come with internal storage, allowing you to play music directly on your watch without needing your phone.

3. GPS Tracking for Cameras

Some riders use action cameras to record motovlogs, while others go a step further by testing speedometer glitches using the GPS from their action cameras. However, not all action cameras have built-in GPS, and in such cases, you would need to purchase a GPS remote. If you have an Insta360 or DJI camera paired with a Garmin or Apple Watch, you can transfer GPS data from the watch to your action camera, saving the cost of buying a separate GPS remote.

4. Reduce Smartphone Addiction

If you find yourself frequently unlocking your smartphone without a real reason, a cellular smartwatch might help reduce that habit. With an eSIM feature, you can make and receive calls directly from the smartwatch, lessening the need to reach for your phone and helping to manage unnecessary usage.

5. Action Camera Control

Garmin smartwatches come with a useful features using which you can control your GoPro cameras through them. You can manage GoPro Hero models 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 directly from your watch by installing the GoPro Camera Remote app. This app gives you full control of your GoPro right from your wrist, making it easier to manage the camera, especially when mounted on a helmet or bike, as GoPro cameras lack front touch screen support.