From accelerometer to GPS via pedometer to gyroscope, all the terms you need to know before buying a wearable
Wearables can no longer be defined as a novelty in the world of technology, most people use them to keep track of their movements and physical activity. The market is constantly growing with fitness trackers leading the way. If you’re not an expert in the field, you need to know the meaning of some terms before making a purchase.
Between accelerometer, gyroscope, compass and Android Wear it can be complicated to choose the wearable that’s right for you. For running enthusiasts alone, there are a dozen different devices available: wrist GPS watch, fitness tracker, smartwatch, smartphone or smart clothes that track movement. Each has a different cost and hardware components that vary depending on the model. The lowest common denominator remains the sensors that track users’ movements. Before buying a wearable, here are some terms you need to know.
Accelerometer
The beating heart of any wearable is the sensors. Inside smart devices there are several sensors, but one of the most important is definitely the accelerometer that allows us to track the movements of an object (in this specific case smartwatch or activity tracker). Thanks to the accelerometer we collect data about our physical activity and then analyze them on applications such as Runtastic or Strava.
Android Wear
Android Wear is the operating system developed by Google for the world of smartwatches. Recently, the second version has been released that integrates new features and allows you to use the smartwatch as a standalone device. Before buying a smartwatch, it is necessary to understand which version of Android it uses.
Heart Rate Monitor
The heart rate monitor is a sensor that is increasingly present within fitness trackers. Initially mounted only on top-of-the-line models, companies are now including it in low-cost versions as well. For running enthusiasts, it’s essential to always have the number of beats under control in order to understand how far they can go. The sensor’s data may differ from the actual number of beats, but most of the time it is quite accurate.
Passenger counter
As the name suggests, the sensor is used to monitor the number of steps you take each day.
Fitness tracker
Fitness trackers are all wearables that track our movements throughout the day. They usually have the form of a bracelet with all the sensors inside to monitor physical activity. The price varies depending on the model we are looking for: they start from a minimum of 30 euros up to a maximum of 200 euros for fitness trackers that also have a screen.
Gyroscope
The gyroscope is the sensor dedicated to orientation and allows you to calculate the change of direction and speed.
GPS
GPS stands for Global Positioning System and is the sensor that determines the position of a person using satellites in space.
NFC
Near Field Communication is a technology developed to speed up the exchange of information between devices. Present inside the smartwatch can be used for many different things, even to pay for groceries at the supermarket.
SpO2
Most people do not know the meaning of the term SpO2. Again, it is related to the world of wearables. SpO2 is the amount of oxygen present in the blood and is usually measured using a saturation meter. It is not present in all wearables and as in the case of the heart rate monitor the data are only close to the real ones.
Tizen
In addition to Android Wear another operating system for wearables is Tizen, present on Samsung devices. The Korean company has also developed a Play Store where you can find applications to install on Tizen smartwatches.