By Chantal Bechervaise
Smartwatches, like smartphones, are technological tools that can help you to be more productive, efficient and get more out of your day. They can also help improve your health by tracking fitness goals. But Smartwatches can do more than send email, answer your phone, and monitor your fitness. The number of apps that are available for smartwatches keeps growing, and whether you are an Apple Watch or Android Wear fan, there are apps out there for all your needs.
Here are 10 smartwatch apps to try out. Some may only be available for Apple Watch or Android Wear, and some are available for both.
Navigation
Citymapper
If you are located in a city that is supported by Citymapper, this is a must-have app. Citymapper provides clear and precise instructions on how to get from place to place using public transportation. There is A to B journey planning, real-time info on all modes of transport (next departures and line status), integration with Uber and Hailo, weather alerts, and everything you need and may not even realize that you need to manage your life in the city.
Platform: Apple Watch, Android Wear
Cost: Free
Sleep
Sleep as Android
Common alarm clocks ignore your sleep cycles; they wake you on schedule even if you are currently in your deep sleep cycle. Waking up from a deep sleep is unpleasant, it makes you tired and it may negatively affect your productivity during for the day. Sleep as Android is different. It tracks your sleep to find the optimal moment for you to wake up. It will wake you during your light sleep cycle. This app also graphs your sleep and shows you an analysis of your sleep patterns and cycles.
Platform: Android Wear
Cost: Free for a two week trial, then you need to purchase an unlock code for $4.45
Sleep Time
This app is similar to the Android one mentioned above. Sleep Time uses Sleep Lab™ with sleep cycle analysis and provides detailed monthly and weekly graphs and an advanced wake-up optimization algorithm.
Platform: Apple Watch
Cost: Free version or you can upgrade to premium for $4.99 per month
Cooking
Yum-Yum!
Yum-Yum! displays step-by-step instructions for cooking more than 1,000 recipes, all developed by real chefs. The app provides pictures of all the dishes and an advanced shopping list and then guides you step by step through the cooking process. Once you have finished preparing the food, the watch switches into timer mode so you know exactly the right time to serve.
Platform: Apple Watch
Cost: Free (includes in-app purchases)
Entertainment
Shazam
Shazam is one of the world’s most popular apps and it is available for your Apple Watch too. If you don’t know the name of a song you don’t have to pull out your phone. You can launch the app on your Apple Watch and wave your arm around to find out a song’s title and even the lyrics should you feel the need to sing along!
Platform: Apple Watch
Cost: Free
Productivity Apps
IFTTT (If This Then That)
IFTTT saves time by automating different everyday actions with the use of ‘recipes’. For example, there is a recipe for when you like a photo on Instagram or you can find recipes to control your Nest thermostat. Android Wear users have a channel with recipes specifically designed for smartwatches. (https://ifttt.com/android_wear). IFTTT is available on Apple Watch with Do Button and Do Note apps.
Platform: Apple Watch, Android Wear
Cost: Free
Todoist
I love making lists and staying organized. Todoist is a simple to-do list and task manager. You can bring up any of your lists on your smartwatch and check off items as you go. Perfect for grocery shopping!
Platform: Android Wear
Cost: Free (has in-app purchases)
Workflow
Workflow is your personal automation tool, enabling you to drag and drop any combination of actions to create powerful workflows on your Apple Watch. Workflow includes over 200 actions, including those for Contacts, Calendar, Maps, Music, Photos, Camera, Reminders, Safari, AirDrop, Twitter, Facebook, Dropbox, Evernote, and iCloud Documents.
Platform: Apple Watch
Cost: $4.99
Games (You won’t be able to put them down because they are attached to your arm!)
Triviacrack
Triviacrack is a streamlined version of Trivial Pursuit. You play against other online opponents or friends and choose trivia questions from 6 different categories. As you answer questions correctly, you collect characters that can be used as little avatars. Once a game starts, it can be played entirely on Apple Watch.
Platform: Apple Watch
Cost: Free
Tetrocrate 3D
This game brings back lots of memories for me. It is a falling brick game that challenges you to drag blocks around, spin them and land them to fill spaces without leaving gaps. When you create a gap free line, it disappears.
Platform: Android Wear
Cost: Free
Do you have other great apps to try for smartwatches? Please leave a comment below with your suggestions.
Chantal is located in Ottawa, Ontario. She is passionate about everything related to the World of Work: Leadership, HR, Social Media and Technology. You can read more from Chantal at her TakeItPersonelly blog or follow her on Twitter @CBechervaise.